"How to" books, need help finding.

[RobertJ]

I am looking for books on how to make things like vinegar, vegetable oils, ketchup, and similar. What speciality items are needed to make/process them, like presses. Basically what I am looking for is pioneer/homesteading food making. Ranging from what vegetables to use/grow to make oils (don't store long term well) what tools do I need to make it with. Like they did late 1800s to early 1900s before wal-mart made everything available at a whim.

I know I can make peanut butter with a grinder but what else is needed. How to "salt" meats for storage, and how long can they safely be stored? Books on what can be grown locally to my area... hot, humid, central FL. How did the people who lived here store raw veggies, potatoes, etc. free from bugs and decay.

I would like this in print not "search it on your P/C" to lose during a crash,bug,virus, etc. or god forbid EMP. Any help and a point in the right direct is much appreciated.

I am storing some (small amounts) of LTS freeze dried/ nitro packed foods but don't want to depend on them. I Must learn how to make things from scratch if I want to survive a long term down turn weather its war, depression/collapse, EMP or what ever and some of these skills could put out trade items as well.

Guess I want to become a long term prepper without spending a fortune on LTS

[justanothergunnut]

Robertj I think you are on the right track by wanting to learn these skills and acquire the tools needed to process, preserve and store food and I certainly understand the need to save cash. Consider this for a moment though. Even those who live on their homesteads currently and produce a large portion of their own food(nobody produces 100%) are wise to store long term food as well. What if you have a bad season or there is severe drought or blight on and on. This need is even stronger if you arent living on the land currently. Growing food is not as easy or simple as many think and growing an acre is very different than having a back yard garden. Growing enough to meet the majority of the needs for a family of 4 is VERY different than having even a acre "garden" now mix in the feed for livestock, chickens, goats or whatever source of protein you decide on and putting away long term food stuffs now starts to sound better and better. You are dead on target with wanting to learn the skills and get the gear however I think it is easier and more cost effective to build up your LTS WHILE you learn the new skills.If it comes to pass that your skills are needed you won't be sorry you socked away that insurance.

[EX121]

I would like to echo just's comment, it takes time to produce food. Up to several months depending on the crop. So you may need LTS for the interim.
You can make vinegar from apples, just by pressing them and letting the juice sit, the natural occurring yeast will make cider & this will turn to vinegar.
Most oils back in the day was rendered animal fat, basically just cooked down and the oil skimmed off. I have done this with bear fat, and the trick was to keep the heat low enough to boil the oil off but not to burn it.
Look for the book Back to Basics.

[RobertJ]

Thanks again for the input, understood it's going to be a long slow journey. Another reason I'm looking for the books and knowledge. Websites are welcomed but books are much prefered.
Justanothergrunt thanks, Long term storage will still be on the list. Just chipping away a little at a time, I'm so behind the 8 ball.
EX121
Will add to my library most definitely.

[WiseOwl]

The Encyclopedia of Country Living has helped me a ton.

[protus]

I've got the Firefox series...they are helpful (books 1-2 rock) .
Sides that hit thrift stores for old book finds.
As to growing...weather plays havoc on me....to wet..to hot etc. But things like radishes ...lettuce ...taters etc are 99% successful each planting....
Herb wise I can't get Rosemary or thyme to grow worth Jack but have more hot preppers than I can deal with LOL

[1Admin]

Back to Basics from Reader's Digest

[justanothergunnut]

Also you can check with your local college agricultural extension program or the master gardener program. There you will find Info on what plants and techniques are best in your area. Not sure about your coast but out here the master Gardner program is riddled with hippies and green freaks. But hey do know how to grow other plants beyond just pot.

[protus]

Back to Basics from Reader's Digest

This...also there's a series encyclopedia of country living I think..there a couple others o farming ..etc iirc. I got the one they are a large paperback.
decent info..all I sections so no wading through chapters on cats when you need canning info.
Old """how to " books like the old popular science ones from the 60 s etc will have tons of outdated (by today's means) but useful low tech info on everything from radios..cars to fishing.

[610Alpha]

I have found a lot of good pdf's and I print them off and put them in a binder.

[RobertJ]

610 plan on doing that as well. Butttt... my PC keeps throwing pop up adds every time i click on something (need to get geek squad to come lean up my PC again) so I have been using my tablet mostly and no way to print from it. Guess it would be cheaper to buy a wireless printer, then to pay geek squad again.

I purchased back to the basics, thanks. I found "Country wisdom and know-how in my library already. plan on finding foxfire a bit cheaper then what I've found so far. I saw the double book set of Encyclopedia of country living in the book store I purchased back to the basics at but ran from the $55 dollar price tag because It was sealed in shrink wrap and could not be thumbed through. I purchased sealed books like that in the past and have been let down. Will price it out online and see if I can find cheaper as well.
Thanks for the help, keep it coming.

[Coyote Cuffer]

Try browsing " Backwoods Home" magazine's website. Look for their archives. there are many past articles available. Great magazine.

[Gonzo]

You want Carla Emery's "Encyclopedia of Country Living". Paperback: 928 pages
NOT the "set" you saw - that's a stripped down shell, marketed after the death of the author.

You don't want any less than 858 pages - in a single (big) book.
Mrs. Gonzo swears by the eighth, ninth and tenth editions...
Yes, she keeps buyin 'em...

http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Country-Living-Anniversary-Edition/dp/1570618402

From the Description: "...This book is so basic, so thorough, so reliable, that it deserves a place in every home."


RIP Ms. Emery.

G