The Preppers and Survivors Thread

Forums › Off topic › The Preppers and Survivors Thread

1 | ... | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

2761 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2422

Lifetime subscriber

#3478771 7-Apr-2026 12:58

Agree totally that it’s important to grow some survival foods even if in buckets for those without land, easy all season greens that keep producing as you pick them. Not much genius required. Earthquake or whatever happens you have some greens and 5kg of rice which is enough to live on and satiate hunger for weeks. Rice is such a staple and I don’t understand why people buy one small 500 gram pack at a time. For years I’ve bought 5kg of each type, never looked at the use by date either as it’s irrelevant with rice.

Up until this war, the BBQ has been the go to for cooking if the power is out, but if no more LPG then the question is what to use and a Rocket Stove seems to be the simplest alternative that uses the least amount of wood fuel. The camping ones that fold up look very flimsy and unstable. Love some of the clever ones they build on You Tube, but the talent required may not be within everyone’s grasp. I recall there was a company in NZ that made stoves to send to third world countries in times of need but can’t recall who they are.

Everyone is holding their breath and hoping the chaos won’t reach us but if this war goes on I suspect by mid May we may start seeing shelves emptying.

MikeAqua

8024 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3817

#3478830 7-Apr-2026 14:10

Eva888:

Agree totally that it’s important to grow some survival foods even if in buckets for those without land, easy all season greens that keep producing as you pick them. Not much genius required. Earthquake or whatever happens you have some greens and 5kg of rice which is enough to live on and satiate hunger for weeks. Rice is such a staple and I don’t understand why people buy one small 500 gram pack at a time. For years I’ve bought 5kg of each type, never looked at the use by date either as it’s irrelevant with rice.

Up until this war, the BBQ has been the go to for cooking if the power is out, but if no more LPG then the question is what to use and a Rocket Stove seems to be the simplest alternative that uses the least amount of wood fuel. The camping ones that fold up look very flimsy and unstable. Love some of the clever ones they build on You Tube, but the talent required may not be within everyone’s grasp. I recall there was a company in NZ that made stoves to send to third world countries in times of need but can’t recall who they are.

Everyone is holding their breath and hoping the chaos won’t reach us but if this war goes on I suspect by mid May we may start seeing shelves emptying.

For gardening in containers wicking beds are great. Water infrequently, keep the fertiliser topped up and you're good. We also have lot of dehydrated food and frozen so as long as we have power, we're OK for a while.

I've always thought one of the cleverest devices for heating was a Thermette. They just heat water, but they do so super efficiently, from any almost any heat source and then you can use that hot water for cooking.

There is no indication of the fuel crisis affecting electricity supply on mainland NZ of course. But in the event of some other major disaster - like the Wairau fault having a bad day - Our plan C (no electricity or gas) is a charcoal BBQ. If it's winter and there is no electricity, we're stuffed for heating though. Puffer jackets or blankets I guess. Or maybe I'd construct a simple sand battery and use an outdoor fire to heat it.

Mike

Stu

Hammered
8740 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2391

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3478832 7-Apr-2026 14:13

MikeAqua:

...

I've always thought one of the cleverest devices for heating was a Thermette. They just heat water, but they do so super efficiently, from any almost any heat source and then you can use that hot water for cooking.

...

The Thermette, yet another excellent Kiwi invention.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

Referral Links: Sharesies -

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? If so, please consider supporting us by subscribing.

No matter where you go, there you are.

cddt

1965 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1904

#3478834 7-Apr-2026 14:17

Eva888:

Rice is such a staple and I don’t understand why people buy one small 500 gram pack at a time. For years I’ve bought 5kg of each type, never looked at the use by date either as it’s irrelevant with rice.

Not sure why people buy one small 5kg bag at a time, just get a few of the 20 or 25 kg bags. 😉

JayADee

2233 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 478

#3478928 8-Apr-2026 05:28

If you just want some easy perpetual greens you can’t go wrong with NZ spinach (seeds from mitre10). You can’t get rid of it, grows all year long in BOP like a weed. You have to clear it out once in a while or it takes over the garden. Put it in once, never plant it again. I don’t know what it does in colder regions.

MikeAqua

8024 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3817

#3478954 8-Apr-2026 08:52

JayADee:

If you just want some easy perpetual greens you can’t go wrong with NZ spinach (seeds from mitre10). You can’t get rid of it, grows all year long in BOP like a weed. You have to clear it out once in a while or it takes over the garden. Put it in once, never plant it again. I don’t know what it does in colder regions.

Ours grew well in Blenheim, but it's frost tender so it has to be planted in the right spot. Miners' lettuce is good too and perennial kale. I grow take-over prone plants like yams and mint in planters or air-gapped beds.

Mike

Geekzone

Want to support Geekzone and browse the site without the ads? Subscribe to Geekzone now (monthly, annual and lifetime options).

MikeAqua

8024 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3817

#3478955 8-Apr-2026 08:53

cddt:

Not sure why people buy one small 5kg bag at a time, just get a few of the 20 or 25 kg bags. 😉

Buying small quantities of rice is the lesser of two weevils.

Mike

cddt

1965 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1904

#3478992 8-Apr-2026 10:16

MikeAqua:

Buying small quantities of rice is the lesser of two weevils.

Just extra protein, surely...

Eva888

2761 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2422

Lifetime subscriber

#3478996 8-Apr-2026 10:23

MikeAqua:

cddt:

Not sure why people buy one small 5kg bag at a time, just get a few of the 20 or 25 kg bags. 😉

Buying small quantities of rice is the lesser of two weevils.

Must admit have never had a weevil problem over the many years that have bought in bulk. I use it straight from the bag and try to keep it well closed. I prefer to buy two 5kg rather than one 10kg for this reason.

With the dear leaders nuclear threat on the table now and with another deadline looming there’s never been a better time to be prepared for the worst and make the most of the best. I despair at the state the whole world has been placed in.

Rikkitic

Awrrr
19062 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 16302

Lifetime subscriber

#3479050 8-Apr-2026 10:44

Eva888:

With the dear leaders nuclear threat on the table now and with another deadline looming there’s never been a better time to be prepared for the worst and make the most of the best. I despair at the state the whole world has been placed in.

I despair at the thought of being a survivor in a ruined world. I think I just won't bother.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

MikeAqua

8024 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3817

#3479140 8-Apr-2026 12:38

cddt:

Just extra protein, surely...

Maybe on an 1820s schooner, lol. I'm not that hungry.

Mike

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

JayADee

2233 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 478

#3479148 8-Apr-2026 12:50

Pantry moths are super disgusting. We had some come in on NewWorld oats once. Been putting traps out ever since. Took me a long time to be able to eat oatmeal again! @Rikkitic with you on that one.

Eva888

2761 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2422

Lifetime subscriber

#3479178 8-Apr-2026 13:52

Rikkitic:

Eva888:

With the dear leaders nuclear threat on the table now and with another deadline looming there’s never been a better time to be prepared for the worst and make the most of the best. I despair at the state the whole world has been placed in.

I despair at the thought of being a survivor in a ruined world. I think I just won't bother.

Nah. Life is sweet and I plan to survive until my last grain of rice gets eaten.

OK war's on fragile hold. Cyclone anyone? My windows leak to hell in a storm.

Rikkitic

Awrrr
19062 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 16302

Lifetime subscriber

#3479233 8-Apr-2026 14:43

Just to be clear, I am 100% for self-sufficiency. Solar and wind, grow your own food, anything and everything to every extent possible. But I am not a survivalist. If things reach the point where I have to defend my garden from raiders with guns, then I don't want to play anymore. Mad Max is a fun fiction. It is a horrible reality.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

johno1234

3352 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2843

#3479235 8-Apr-2026 14:47

Rikkitic:

Eva888:

With the dear leaders nuclear threat on the table now and with another deadline looming there’s never been a better time to be prepared for the worst and make the most of the best. I despair at the state the whole world has been placed in.

I despair at the thought of being a survivor in a ruined world. I think I just won't bother.

Agree. Don't want to hang around to see survivors eating the weak.

1 | ... | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9