Utah Preppers

Reviews

45 articles in this category (Including both blog posts and archived content)

Review: The Forgotten Skills of Self-Sufficiency Used by the Mormon Pioneers
Books Gardening

Review: The Forgotten Skills of Self-Sufficiency Used by the Mormon Pioneers

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599555107/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=prepper-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=217145&amp;creative=399373&amp;creativeASIN=1599555107"><img src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;Format=_SL160_&amp;ASIN=1599555107&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=prepper-20&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822" alt="" align="right" border="0" /></a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=1599555107&amp;camp=217145&amp;creative=399373" alt="" width="1" height="1" align="right" border="0" />Walking along the book aisle in Costco the other day, I came to a rather sudden stop as a specific books caught my eye. With a name like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599555107/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=prepper-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=217145&amp;creative=399373&amp;creativeASIN=1599555107">The Forgotten Skills of Self-Sufficiency Used by the Mormon Pioneers</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=1599555107&amp;camp=217145&amp;creative=399373" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" />, can you blame me?  This was obviously a book stocked for a local audience, so I hope our non-Utah readers can find a copy.  Author <a title="Caleb Warnock's blog" href="http://calebwarnock.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Caleb Warnock</a> is a local (Alpine, Utah) writer, year-round gardener, and teacher of "Forgotten Skills" classes.  It also helped when I noticed one of the people listed in the special thanks section is a friend of mine, and <a title="Eric James Stone" href="http://www.ericjamesstone.com/" target="_blank">local sci-fi author</a> (how's that for a tight-knit Utah Valley).

Jayce
5 min read
#Books #Canning #Food Storage +4 more
Goal0 Sherpa Kit
Equipment Reviews

Goal0 Sherpa Kit

Recently, Mike published an article introducing a local company named <a href="http://www.goal0.com" target="_blank">Goal0</a> (<a title="Introducing Goal 0 solar power products" href="http://www.utahpreppers.com/2011/03/introducing-goal-0-solar-power-products/" target="_blank">article link</a>). They develop solar products to fit a wider variety of needs than your average solar pack, and so we were very intrigued as to their application to a prepper mindset.

Jayce
7 min read
#electricity #Electronic Preps #gear +4 more
Introducing Goal 0 solar power products
Equipment Family Preparedness

Introducing Goal 0 solar power products

<a href="/images/uploads/2011/03/Goal0.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-3623" title="Goal0" src="/images/uploads/2011/03/Goal0.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="50" /></a><br /> Here at UtahPreppers we try to keep an eye on prepping topics, trends and products from all over the country and often the world. Even though we try to keep a global focus we still like finding and supporting local businesses that fit into the prepping niche. We recently met up with a Bluffdale company to take a look at some of their innovative solar products.

Ekim
8 min read
#Battery #gear #lights +7 more
Book Review: What's Wrong With My Plant?
Gardening Reviews

Book Review: What's Wrong With My Plant?

<img class="alignright size-full wp-image-3507" title="whats-wrong-with-my-plant" src="/images/uploads/2011/02/whats-wrong-with-my-plant.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="304" />The other day I picked up a new gardening book from the hardware store. Its cover wasn't cluttered with photographs like so many other gardening and home improvement books; in fact, the only photo on the cover was of an obviously-distressed leaf. The rest of the cover was largely devoted to the full title of the book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0881929611?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=prepper-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0881929611">What's Wrong With My Plant? (And How Do I Fix It?): A Visual Guide to Easy Diagnosis and Organic Remedies</a>, by David Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth. This was actually the first thing that caught my eye. I don't like when books try to glam themselves up in an attempt to conceal the vapid content inside. This book looked like it was ready to get down to business, and so I picked it up and started leafing through it. It didn't take me long to decide to buy it.<!--more-->

TechHat
4 min read
#Books #Gardening #Reviews
Turtle Tuff Shelter Demonstration
Barter Equipment

Turtle Tuff Shelter Demonstration

As a web developer who freelances in addition to my full time employment, I sometimes take advantage of bartering opportunities. Last year one such opportunity presented itself—I was on the lookout for a military surplus tent of some sort, and came across a company called <a href="http://www.turtletuffshelters.com">Turtle Tuff Shelters</a> who made yurt-like geodesic shelters. Their website at the time was very.. ahem.. lacking, so I suggested a barter. They agreed, and a few months later I became the owner of a 24' Turtle Tuff Shelter.

Connor Boyack
6 min read
#gear #Links #preps +2 more
Survival Movie Review: 2012
Reviews TEOTWAWKI Survival

Survival Movie Review: 2012

<img class="alignright size-full wp-image-2845" title="2012 Roland Emmerich Poster" src="/images/uploads/2009/11/2012-Roland-Emmerich-Poster.jpg" alt="2012 Roland Emmerich Poster" width="270" height="400" />Last night a few prepper friends and I went to the midnight opening show of the new survival/TEOTWAWKI movie 2012. I wasn't sure what to expect as I had already heard that they had blown it or that it was really bad. But I figured even a bad movie can be enjoyed (through mocking) if you've got a group of friends with you!

Phil
3 min read
Evacuation Preparedness List Review part 1
Family Preparedness Food

Evacuation Preparedness List Review part 1

<img class="alignright" src="http://www.phillysonline.com/lunch_counter/images/2006/08/03/houston_evacuation.jpg" alt="" width="246" height="344" />This is the third installment of the Evacuation Preparedness Kit Series. The first post, on Evac Prep Basics is here, and the second post, which introduces the Evac Prep Master List is here.

Phil
13 min read
#72 Hour Kits #BOB #EDC +2 more
Book Review: The Raft by Robert Trumbull
Books Reviews

Book Review: The Raft by Robert Trumbull

The plane sunk from below their feet into the depths of the deep blue abyss. Three naval airmen now find themselves floating alone in endless waves and ocean expanse. This is a gripping true story of their grueling adventure adrift at sea for 34 days in a rubber raft not much bigger than a bathtub.

Royal
2 min read
#Books #reference #Reviews
Book Review: The Zombie Survival Guide
Reviews TEOTWAWKI Survival

Book Review: The Zombie Survival Guide

Since we haven't had a humor post recently (and boy do I need one), I decided to do a little review of one of my favorite books.<img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1530" title="zsg-cover" src="/images/uploads/2009/03/zsg-cover.jpg" alt="zsg-cover" width="240" height="240" /> The Zombie Survival Guide, by Max Brooks.  Now who among us hasn't felt some joy in responding to the question, "What are you prepping for" with a glib reply of "For the oncoming Zombie Invasion"?  If you haven't ever used that response, you should try it sometime, and feel the joy.

Jayce
2 min read
#Books #humor #reference +1 more
Review: Shelf Reliance Cansolidator Pantry
Reviews

Review: Shelf Reliance Cansolidator Pantry

By now I'm sure all of our readers have had time to gawk at the wonderful photos in previous posts showing large shelving units with impressive amounts of canned foods with a nice rotation system built in.  These <a href="http://www.shelfreliance.com/">Shelf Reliance</a> products are favorites of the folks around here.  A wonderful local company delivering something we all love.<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1214" title="img_3016" src="/images/uploads/2009/01/img_3016-300x225.jpg" alt="img_3016" width="300" height="225" /> But let's face it.  Not all of us have room for a large shelving unit, or maybe we just cant afford it.  Better yet, maybe you're like me and you have one, but you also really need a way to rotate a few cans that are in your kitchen too.  And as impressive as the rack is, it just doesn't quite match the decor of the kitchen.

Jayce
5 min read
#Coupon #Food Storage #Storing Systems
Review: Volcano Stove II
How To Personal Preparedness

Review: Volcano Stove II

Last week I had the opportunity to get in on a group buy for the <a href="http://www.volcanogrills.com">Volcano II stove</a>. (Sorry, I would have shared the details but I found out about it <em>very</em> last minute and barely made it in myself!) I had heard good things about this stove, and after a brief review of its features and online ratings, I decided to acquire one.

Connor Boyack
3 min read
#Cooking #Fire #Fuel +1 more
Emergency home heat
Personal Preparedness Reviews

Emergency home heat

My next preparation project was obtaining an emergency heat source. This is a purchase that I have been researching and planning for a quite a while now, wanting to make sure that I had adequately weighed options and made the best choice. There are a lot of factors to consider including the size and shape of the ares you want to heat, portability, direct verse ambient heat, ease of use, safety, ventilation, and fuel source.

Wade
11 min read
#emergency heat #heat #heaters +4 more
Vendor Review: CountyComm.com
Reviews

Vendor Review: CountyComm.com

I admit it, I am a gadget freak, I particularly love gadgets that cater to the survivalist in me. My <a href="http://www.utahpreppers.com/2008/12/sample-edc-everyday-carrymini-bobbug-out-bag/">EDC/Mini-BOB post</a> from a short time ago, clearly illustrates this point. The bag itself as well as a number of the nifty gadgets adorning or inside it it were purchased from <a href="http://www.countycomm.com">CountyComm</a>, our Vendor in the spotlight for this post.

Ekim
2 min read
#Links #Reviews #Vendor
Wood burning stoves as a prep.
Reviews TEOTWAWKI Survival

Wood burning stoves as a prep.

Here is Utah it is very common to have a basement, often fully finished.  My house is no exception.  Our basement is around 2,000 square feet with only two finished rooms, both bedrooms.  The previous owner of our home had ducting installed to heat the downstairs, but to do so would require another furnace which they apparently decided to set up in the closet of one of the two bedrooms.

Ekim
7 min read
#Cooking #gear #Heating +7 more
Home Canning - In #10 Cans
Food Storage How To

Home Canning - In #10 Cans

I came across this great post today on the <a href="http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/">Safely Gathered In</a> blog about <a href="http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/2008/12/how-to-can-your-own-food-in-10-cans.html">canning your own food at home in #10 cans</a>. The blog itself is well written and provides a lot of really great info about Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness. They have <a href="http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/search/label/Three-month%20supply">weekly posts on Tuesdays</a> that guide you in purchases to build up your 72 hour kits and food storage. If you have a hard time deciding what you need to purchase, or you feel overwhelmed by <a href="http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/2008/06/how-toplan-your-three-month-supply.html">everything you need to buy to be prepared</a>, these kind of guides are invaluable!

Phil
2 min read
#Food Storage #Links #preps +1 more
Making it Yourself: Cheese
Food Storage How To

Making it Yourself: Cheese

One of my favorite comfort foods to have around is cheese. While I do not consider myself any kind of cheese-snob by any means, I do have several varieties that I like to have on hand, and really care about the flavor and texture of those cheeses. These cheeses make up a very important part of my regular diet, and having to go without them would not only cause me and mine to feel the lack of something, but our bodies would probably quickly notice it, and our digestion would likely suffer.

Jayce
2 min read
#Food Storage #Links #preps +2 more
Family BOB Example: The Lances
Links Reviews

Family BOB Example: The Lances

A local friend of mine recently posted his notes about creating a set of emergency bags (<a title="Definition of BOB - Bug Out Bag" href="http://www.utahpreppers.com/glossary/#BOB">BOB</a> - <a title="Definition of 72 hour kit" href="http://www.utahpreppers.com/glossary/#72-hour">72 Hour Kit</a>) for his family. It's great to see a friend getting his family so ready, and even better when they can share such excellent information. In his example, I think he does a great job of presenting how he will get his young sons to carry a small part of their own gear, without overtaxing them. I know all younger families like myself worry about how to 'carry enough' for the younger children, and this example shows great thought in dealing with that concern. Check out <a title="72 hour kit" href="http://www.thelances.net/james/2008/11/emergency_preparedness_-_72-ho.html">the Lances BOB setup</a>. Several pictures showing all the included gear, in and out of the bags.

Jayce
3 min read
#BOB #EDC #gear +6 more
Review: Costco Emergency Supply Kit Deal
Food Storage Reviews

Review: Costco Emergency Supply Kit Deal

In the recent Costco mailer, some friends and I all noticed that a "72-hour" kit that Costco carries had a limited time online discount available.  The $60 kit was/is available for a limited time for $40 with shipping (<a href="http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11314388&amp;search=344593&amp;Mo=0&amp;cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&amp;lang=en-US&amp;Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&amp;Sp=S&amp;N=5000043&amp;whse=BC&amp;Dx=mode+matchallpartial&amp;Ntk=Text_Search&amp;Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&amp;Ne=4000000&amp;D=344593&amp;Ntt=344593&amp;No=0&amp;Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&amp;Nty=1&amp;topnav=&amp;s=1">Costco 72 hour kit sale</a>), so I decided to check it out. One more 72 hour kit could be good for my family, and if it was nice, would make a great gift to give to some family members and friends.

Jayce
8 min read
#72 hour kit #BOB #Food +5 more
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