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Supplies
What to keep on the shelf, how long it really lasts, and how to tell when it has turned.
Start with the full guide
Field guideSurvival Foods Field GuideThe real shelf life of more than 50 foods, how to spot spoilage, how much to store, and how to build a stockpile in phases. 35 pages.Open the field guide
Field guideStockpile Essentials Field GuideThe master checklist: 239 items across 16 categories, the shelf life class of each, and the 20 multi-use items that cover the most jobs. 39 pages.Open the field guide Master pageSalt: the full field guideTypes of salt, curing, brining, daily uses, and long-term storage, all on one page. Members print it as the 10 page field guide.Open the full page Need
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Food · Supply
Alcohol (Spirits)
Real shelf life: Indefinite. Label says Indefinite
Security · Supply
Ammunition by caliber (.22LR to .308)
Ten common calibers, .22LR to .308, with grain, velocity and energy for each
Food · Supply
Beef Jerky
Real shelf life: 2 years. Label says 1 year
Food · Supply
Beef Tallow
Shelf life: 1-2 yrs. Airtight jars or vacuum bags, cool and dark. Freeze for longest life.
Food · Supply
Beef Tallow
Real shelf life: 2-3 years frozen. Label says About 1 year
Food · Supply
Beef tallow: uses, energy density and storage
9 calories per gram; keeps 2 to 3 years frozen, 1 to 2 years airtight in a cool, dark spot
Food · Supply
Bottled Water
Real shelf life: Indefinite if sealed. Label says 2 years
Food · Supply
Bread & Baked Goods
How to check bread & baked goods for spoilage.
Food · Supply
Butter & Margarine
How to check butter & margarine for spoilage.
Food · Supply
Canned Beans
Real shelf life: 5-10 years. Label says 2-5 years
Food · Supply
Canned Beef
Real shelf life: 5-10 years. Label says 2-5 years
Food · Supply
Canned Fruit
Real shelf life: 2-5 years. Label says 1-2 years
Food · Supply
Canned Goods
How to check canned goods for spoilage.
Food · Supply
Canned Meat & Fish
Real shelf life: 5-10 yr
Food · Supply
Canned Pumpkin
Real shelf life: 2-5 years. Label says 1-2 years
Food · Supply
Canned Soups
Real shelf life: 5-10 years. Label says 2-5 years
Food · Supply
Canned Tomato Sauce
Real shelf life: 2-5 years. Label says 18-24 months
Food · Supply
Canned Tuna
Real shelf life: 5-10 years. Label says 3-5 years
Food · Supply
Canned Veg & Fruit
How to check canned veg & fruit for spoilage.
Food · Supply
Canned Vegetables
Real shelf life: 3-5 years. Label says 1-2 years
Food · Supply
CARDNL Essential Electrolytes
Real shelf life: 7-10 years sealed. Label says About 2 years (best-by)
Medical · Supply
Cayenne Pepper
Shelf life: 5+ yrs. Vacuum-sealed or airtight glass, cool and dark.
Food · Supply
Cereal & Granola
How to check cereal & granola for spoilage.
Food · Supply
Cheese
How to check cheese for spoilage.
Food · Supply
Chocolate
How to check chocolate for spoilage.
Food · Supply
Coconut Oil
Real shelf life: 5 years. Label says 2 years
Food · Supply
Condiments
How to check condiments for spoilage.
Food · Supply
Cooking Oil
Real shelf life: 1-2 yr
Food · Supply
Corn Syrup
Real shelf life: Indefinite. Label says 2-3 years
Food · Supply
Cream of Tartar
Real shelf life: Indefinite. Label says 3-4 years
Compounds and Cleaning · Supply
Creatine for strength, endurance and mental clarity
Highly stable in powder form; best natural sources are wild game and red meat
Food · Supply
Creatine Monohydrate
Real shelf life: 10+ years sealed. Label says 2-3 years (best-by)
Food · Supply
Cured Meats
How to check cured meats for spoilage.
Food · Supply
Dark Chocolate
Real shelf life: 4-5 years. Label says 2 years
Food · Supply
Dried Beans
Real shelf life: Up to 10 years. Label says 1-2 years
Food · Supply
Dried Beans & Legumes
How to check dried beans & legumes for spoilage.
Food · Supply
Dried Herbs & Spices
Real shelf life: Longer, but lose potency. Label says 1-3 years
Food · Supply
Eggs
How to check eggs for spoilage.
Food · Supply
Fish & Seafood
How to check fish & seafood for spoilage.
Food · Supply
Freeze-Dried Foods
Real shelf life: 25-30 years. Label says 10-25 years
Food · Supply
Fresh Fruit & Veg
How to check fresh fruit & veg for spoilage.
Food · Supply
Fresh Meats
How to check fresh meats for spoilage.
Food · Supply
Frozen Foods
How to check frozen foods for spoilage.
Food · Supply
Grains & Flours
How to check grains & flours for spoilage.
Food · Supply
Hard Cheese
Real shelf life: 6-12 months. Label says 3-6 months
Food · Supply
Instant Coffee
Real shelf life: Indefinite. Label says About 2 years (best-by)
Medical · Supply
Iodine
Shelf life: 5-10 yrs. Airtight amber container, cool and dark. Light kills potency.
Food · Supply
Jarred Items
How to check jarred items for spoilage.
Food · Supply
Lentils
Real shelf life: Up to 5 years. Label says 2-3 years
Food · Supply
Long-lasting sweeteners for food storage
Honey and white sugar keep indefinitely in airtight containers, cool and dry
Food · Supply
Maple Syrup
Real shelf life: Indefinite. Label says 1 year
Food · Supply
MREs (meals, ready-to-eat): contents, heating, shelf life
Shelf life 3 to 5 years; rated 3 years at 80°F, about 1 month at 120°F
Food · Supply
Nuts & Seeds
Real shelf life: 6-12 mo
Food · Supply
Oats
Real shelf life: 2-3 years. Label says 1-2 years
Food · Supply
Packaged Snacks
How to check packaged snacks for spoilage.
Food · Supply
Pasta
Real shelf life: 2-3 years. Label says 1-2 years
Food · Supply
Peanut Butter
Real shelf life: 2-3 years. Label says 6-9 mo past best-by
Medical · Supply
Potassium iodide (KI) tablets for nuclear emergencies
Take it when officials say to: within 24 hours before or 4 hours after exposure; one dose covers about 24 hours
Food · Supply
Powdered Milk
Real shelf life: 2-10 years. Label says 18-24 months
Food · Supply
Powdered milk for food storage
Nonfat dry milk lasts 2 to 10 years cool, dry, airtight, oxygen removed; no refrigeration needed
Food · Supply
Rice Vinegar
Real shelf life: Indefinite. Label says 2 years
Food · Supply
Sardines (canned)
Real shelf life: 5-10 years. Label says 3-5 years
Food · Supply
Soy Sauce
Real shelf life: Indefinite. Label says 2-3 years
Food · Supply
Sugar
Real shelf life: Indefinite. Label says Indefinite
Food · Supply
Survival spices to stock (10 picks with shelf life)
Salt lasts indefinitely; most ground spices 2-3 years; whole cloves 3-4 years or longer; nutmeg 4-5 years
Tools and Repair · Supply
Synthetic rope: nylon vs polyester vs polypropylene
Nylon is strongest and stretches; polyester holds tension wet; polypropylene floats
Food · Supply
Tea Bags
Real shelf life: 2-3 years. Label says 18-24 months
Compounds and Cleaning · Supply
Turpentine vs. mineral spirits
Both last several years tightly sealed, away from heat, sunlight and open flames
Food · Supply
Vanilla Extract
Real shelf life: Indefinite. Label says Indefinite
Compounds and Cleaning · Supply
WD-40 uses, shelf life and storage
Shelf life is 5 years from production per WD-40 Company, though it often performs considerably longer
Food · Supply
Wheat Berries
Real shelf life: Up to 30 years. Label says 6-8 months
Food · Supply
White Rice
Real shelf life: 10-30 years. Label says 4-5 years
Warmth and Shelter · Supply
Wool for survival clothing and blankets
Absorbs up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp
Food · Supply
Yogurt & Sour Cream
How to check yogurt & sour cream for spoilage.
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