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!

 

[BlueMarigold]

Interesting discussion. I'll need to think about this some more.

 

[BlueSkyWanderer]

Dental floss doesn’t get nearly enough credit in prep circles, at least from what I’ve seen. Everyone thinks of it for cleaning teeth, sure, but the stuff is tough and super compact. I’ve used it to sew up torn gear, string up tarps, repair shoelaces, even as emergency fishing line (caught a sunfish once—took some patience but it held!). You can even braid a few strands to make it much stronger. Can’t say I’ve used it for actual dental emergencies but it’s nice knowing I could if I had to.

Also, a plain old bandana is one of those “why didn’t I bring more?” items for me. It’s a dust mask, tourniquet, sun shade, pot holder, you name it. Wrapped up some wild ramps in one last spring, and it doubled as a napkin at dinner.

Aluminum foil’s great, no arguments there—it’s impressive how many problems it solves. Anyone ever used it to keep moisture out of sensitive meds or bandages? Just curious if it actually makes a difference over a couple days in damp weather.

 

[ChrysanthiDream]

Can’t count the times I’ve reached for a plain bandana and been glad I had it—really does a little bit of everything. Never thought to try dental floss for mending gear, but now I’m curious how it’d hold up patching gardening gloves. As for foil keeping meds dry, I’ve used it in a pinch and it seemed to help, though I wouldn’t trust it for weeks on end. Do you find floss works better than regular thread for outdoor repairs?