Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Frugal Prepping - Developing Your Resources

Smoker Barrels


One of the best ways to save money when you are prepping is to look for sources of items that you can use for your own purposes or as a trade item. When I got into using a smoker barrel, one of the first things I needed was a decent food grade barrel. But where to get one without having to pay the high price for a new one? It turns out that a source I located is finally paying off big time.

When I was checking around about where to find a good barrel to use for my smoker barrel (they're really efficient on fuel versus cooking time), a friend said it would be no problem for him to get me one. That was news to my ears and I told him that would be great if he could get me one.

Now I've loaned this friend ladders, hand trucks, and other items and helped him on a few small jobs and other things that he needed done and had never charged him. He thought it was time to return the favor. The other day he dropped off four additional barrels and even brought a pallett for me to put them on. Wow!

Now I have one that RW, Jr. can use to store chicken feed in, a barrel to build him a smoker to use out at the farm, a barrel to build another smoker for my farm and another barrel to store extra dog food. The best part is that he said he would bring me some additional barrels in a few weeks. He said they go through them regularly and usually just throw them away. I told him that I'd recycle as many as he could get me. I've got a ton of things they can be used for around the farm.

As a result, it looks like helping a friend has paid off unexpectedly and will probably continue to do so. I sure needed the extra barrels because I traded the one I was going to use to build a smoker for RW, Jr. for some ammo.

Bartering barrels for bullets! I just couldn't resist the trade.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd just caution everyone to make sure the former contents of the barrel (if any) are not hazardous to one's health if cooking or storage of food stuffs will be done with them.

Does anyone have any ideas on where to store these devils? I know that storing them so that avoiding contact with wet surfaces should be done (prevent corrosion at contact points) for longer life. Possibly even painting exterior with materials made for that would be a good idea if climate control storage will not be done.

Sweet deal - barrels are hard to come by, you found yourself a good friend RW.

riverwalker said...

To: anonymous 7:33

They do need to be food grade for making smoker barrels or storing food items, whether for people, livestock, poultry or pets. Thanks for the reminder!

The wooden pallets are actually a great way to store them in a shed or garage. No contact with a cement surface (moisture condensation0 or the ground.

RW

Laurie Neverman, The Common Sense Woman said...

I was able to get plastic food grade barrels from a meat place just down the road, but metal food grade is harder to come by. Good score.

riverwalker said...

To: Laurie N

That's great! I've developed a source for 5 gallon plastic containers that are suitable for potable water storage but I'm having a hard time finding the large plastic barrels that are food grade. I do manage to find one every once in a while. Thanks.

RW

Ken said...

...helpin' others pays off in the end huh ?...just got me another barrel last friday,a bud of mine has got me a resealable plastic lid for metal drums,from his old job...using this one for 'dry' storage also,although it could become another cookin'barrel...lol

btw...a couple batches of chicken,a slab of ribs,and now a brisket,have been through my/your(i call it the cookin' barrel)smoker...sumbitch gets better every time.
Thank You RW...

riverwalker said...

To: Ken

I think you need to help others without an expectation of a return for your efforts but sometimes it will pay off when you least expect it.

Sounds like you got your smoker barrel working just fine. Personally, I don't think I could go back to cooking brisket like I used to because it tied you up for a long time watching it properly.
Thanks.

RW

BTW, Don't forget to call me when it's time to eat...chicken, brisket, sausage or whatever you have because I ain't particular when it comes to eatin'.

Ken said...

...i guess i really meant(what i thought,anyway when typing that)that we reap what we sow...i'm like that,i just like to 'work','keep moving',gotta 'do' sumthin'...lol

...lots of times i've shrugged off a "what do i owe ya ?"
with a "nuthin' at all,but when ya speak of me,speak highly"...

...RiverWalker,yer welcome at my supper table Brother,anytime...

Anonymous said...

That's great RW. Those can come in handy for a lot of things. It's great to build relationships because things like this will happen.

matthiasj
Kentucky Preppers Network

riverwalker said...

To: Ken

Your point was understood. No problem. I've always gone by the old saying that you get repaid tenfold for everything you do...it just might not be what you expect (I try to do mostly "good" things...hate to think about the payback for doing something "bad"). LOL

The kitchen is open for you at the Riverwalker household also.

Thanks my friend!

RW

riverwalker said...

To: matthiasj

The good in people will always show up if you give it and them a chance.
Thanks.

RW

kymber said...

i love your last comment to Matt RW - i believe the same thing!

my hubby and i are still trying to get our hands on a good barrel to build ourselves a smoker like yours...keep your fingers crossed that we come across one soon!

riverwalker said...

To: Kymber

Good luck on finding a barrel to make a smoker!

RW

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