What’s Your Most Underrated Prep Item?

[BlueMarigold]

Aluminum foil doesn’t seem to get much love, but it’s a real workhorse in my supplies. From cooking over a fire to making improvised containers, it’s crazy versatile. I’ve even used it to rig up emergency reflectors for solar ovens and makeshift signal devices. Anybody else have a "boring

 

[BlueHarborTea]

From cooking over a fire to making improvised containers, it’s crazy versatile. I’ve even used it to rig up emergency reflectors for solar ovens and makeshift signal devices.

Used aluminum foil to make a reflector for my little camping stove last spring—worked like a charm. The emergency signal device idea is clever, BlueMarigold. Never tried that myself, but now I’m thinking about tucking a few extra sheets in my bug out bag just for signaling. I also use foil for lining pots if I’m cooking something messy over a campfire, makes cleanup so much easier. Once, I patched a hole in my old gardening boots using foil and duct tape to keep my socks dry until I finished planting. It’s funny how something so ordinary turns out to be a real problem-solver. Do you ever use it for food storage in a pinch? Wrapped up some leftover biscuits in foil and buried them in the coals—came out warm and smoky, almost like a little treat. Seems like every time I think of a new use, foil’s got me covered!