Archived Posts » 59,646,491
Thought on storing salt: Salt Block?
4/18/2012 8:59:11 AM
There was a circular in today's paper and they had 50 pound salt blocks for $4.49, The price is right! The sorm isn't the best for use, but for storage it is GREAT. Just wondering if this was a viable means for salt storage for SHTF
4/18/2012 10:04:44 AM
On the one hand, it won't absorb water from the atmosphere and harden into a rock.
On the other hand, it has already hardened into a solid rock of hydrated salt.
I've used them on the farm and on the hunting lease. Even left out in the rain they last a long, long time. They aren't a pure grade of salt, though, so there will be a lot of stuff besides NaCl (table salt) in them.
Here's an analysis of one manufacturer's salt block. Use it sparingly.
4/18/2012 10:21:01 AM
Most pool salt is food grade, I believe. The brand I used to handle at a hardware store was. A 40# bag of big granules. Easier to get a little for dinner than off a block lol.
4/18/2012 10:57:32 AM
I never really understand the salt debates on using pool salt, water softner salt and now salt blocks....
I mean,
Sams club has 25lb bags of morton salt for $3.98.
This is about a 5yr supply for one person.
They also have 4lb boxes for $0.98.
So, for $5, you could supply a family of 4 for about a year.
and 5 sq boxes are easy to store.
I mean,
Sams club has 25lb bags of morton salt for $3.98.
This is about a 5yr supply for one person.
They also have 4lb boxes for $0.98.
So, for $5, you could supply a family of 4 for about a year.
and 5 sq boxes are easy to store.
4/18/2012 12:08:50 PM
The only concern I would have about a salt block is small rodents eating on it; it's not the easiest shape to put into a rodent-proof container.
As mentioned earlier, salt is pretty cheap, buy it by the 10-20-30 lb bag at Sams/Costco and call it good.
Good luck.
As mentioned earlier, salt is pretty cheap, buy it by the 10-20-30 lb bag at Sams/Costco and call it good.
Good luck.
4/18/2012 12:51:29 PM
I seal it in #10 cans, minus the O2 absorber.
4/18/2012 1:06:24 PM
When I seal food, I use 2 quart sizes and then put it in 5 gallon buckets.
This leaves a lot of air space. I pour salt in around it so every bucket has salt.
This leaves a lot of air space. I pour salt in around it so every bucket has salt.
4/18/2012 1:20:39 PM
Originally Posted By houstonmedic:
When I seal food, I use 2 quart sizes and then put it in 5 gallon buckets.
This leaves a lot of air space. I pour salt in around it so every bucket has salt.
When I seal food, I use 2 quart sizes and then put it in 5 gallon buckets.
This leaves a lot of air space. I pour salt in around it so every bucket has salt.
Not a bad idea.....
4/18/2012 3:34:12 PM
A salt block, a microplane and a shot of Tequila coming right up.
4/18/2012 4:32:38 PM
Originally Posted By OverScoped:
A salt block, a microplane and a shot of Tequila coming right up.
A salt block, a microplane and a shot of Tequila coming right up.
What about the lime?
4/18/2012 6:26:33 PM
Originally Posted By walt_l:
There was a circular in today's paper and they had 50 pound salt blocks for $4.49, The price is right! The sorm isn't the best for use, but for storage it is GREAT. Just wondering if this was a viable means for salt storage for SHTF
There was a circular in today's paper and they had 50 pound salt blocks for $4.49, The price is right! The sorm isn't the best for use, but for storage it is GREAT. Just wondering if this was a viable means for salt storage for SHTF
what kind of salt is it? from where?
4/18/2012 6:32:53 PM
Originally Posted By CoyoteGray:
Not a bad idea.....
Originally Posted By houstonmedic:
When I seal food, I use 2 quart sizes and then put it in 5 gallon buckets.
This leaves a lot of air space. I pour salt in around it so every bucket has salt.
When I seal food, I use 2 quart sizes and then put it in 5 gallon buckets.
This leaves a lot of air space. I pour salt in around it so every bucket has salt.
Not a bad idea.....
Great idea!
Back to the OP....You can also get bulk food grade salt from food/restaurant supply houses. I bought a pallet of 50# bags one time for work.....I forget the cost, but it was crazy cheap.
4/18/2012 7:02:42 PM
Originally Posted By red_on_black:
On the one hand, it won't absorb water from the atmosphere and harden into a rock.
On the other hand, it has already hardened into a solid rock of hydrated salt.
I've used them on the farm and on the hunting lease. Even left out in the rain they last a long, long time. They aren't a pure grade of salt, though, so there will be a lot of stuff besides NaCl (table salt) in them.
Here's an analysis of one manufacturer's salt block. Use it sparingly.
On the one hand, it won't absorb water from the atmosphere and harden into a rock.
On the other hand, it has already hardened into a solid rock of hydrated salt.
I've used them on the farm and on the hunting lease. Even left out in the rain they last a long, long time. They aren't a pure grade of salt, though, so there will be a lot of stuff besides NaCl (table salt) in them.
Here's an analysis of one manufacturer's salt block. Use it sparingly.
Thats for a mineral block, not a typical salt block. But I agree, why not use the bags uinless you want the blocks for animals (domestic or otherwise)
Some one said 25 lns is a 5 year suipply- not if you are using salt for food preservation. It would not be impossable to go through 40-50 lbs in a year.
4/18/2012 7:08:58 PM
Originally Posted By Country_Boy:
Thats for a mineral block, not a typical salt block. But I agree, why not use the bags uinless you want the blocks for animals (domestic or otherwise)
Some one said 25 lns is a 5 year suipply- not if you are using salt for food preservation. It would not be impossable to go through 40-50 lbs in a year.
Originally Posted By red_on_black:
On the one hand, it won't absorb water from the atmosphere and harden into a rock.
On the other hand, it has already hardened into a solid rock of hydrated salt.
I've used them on the farm and on the hunting lease. Even left out in the rain they last a long, long time. They aren't a pure grade of salt, though, so there will be a lot of stuff besides NaCl (table salt) in them.
Here's an analysis of one manufacturer's salt block. Use it sparingly.
On the one hand, it won't absorb water from the atmosphere and harden into a rock.
On the other hand, it has already hardened into a solid rock of hydrated salt.
I've used them on the farm and on the hunting lease. Even left out in the rain they last a long, long time. They aren't a pure grade of salt, though, so there will be a lot of stuff besides NaCl (table salt) in them.
Here's an analysis of one manufacturer's salt block. Use it sparingly.
Thats for a mineral block, not a typical salt block. But I agree, why not use the bags uinless you want the blocks for animals (domestic or otherwise)
Some one said 25 lns is a 5 year suipply- not if you are using salt for food preservation. It would not be impossable to go through 40-50 lbs in a year.
Well, I was using the LDS guidelines as an example.
My point was that I don't see any reason to stock pool salt, water softener salt or block salt when salt is so cheap anyways.
If preserving you may also use more sugar than those guidelines suggest.
Not sure if the OP would want to use salt block salt for preserving, either.
Hopefully everyone plans accordingly for their specific needs.
YMMV
ETA: I can see the conversation with my wife....
"You spent $50./can for fuel cans instead of buying cans from walmart
and I have to eat from this salt block so you could save $2.00?"
Again, this is simply an example, this conversation has not actually happened.
