When things go sideways, shelves empty fast—and some stuff just never comes back. That’s why seasoned preppers don’t rely on stores for certain supplies. Whether it’s because they vanish during every crisis or they’re just not stocked well to begin with, these are the items that belong in your home, not on your shopping list. If you’ve been meaning to get serious about your prep, these are the things you’ll want squared away before the next big shortage hits.
Water Filtration Devices
Clean water’s not something you want to gamble on. Preppers don’t count on stores to have filters in stock when the grid goes down or water systems fail. Those shelves get picked clean fast.
Whether it’s a gravity-fed filter, a pump-style, or even iodine tablets, it’s something you want to already have on hand. Once a storm hits or a boil notice goes out, good luck finding any left on the shelves.
Canning Lids and Jars
Canning supplies disappear like clockwork during any kind of food scare. And it’s always the lids that vanish first. Preppers know to keep a stash tucked away before the panic buying starts.
Jars can sometimes be reused, but lids are a one-and-done deal. If you’re planning to preserve your own food, don’t count on your local hardware store when everyone else suddenly decides to try canning too.
N95 Masks
We all saw how fast these disappeared back in 2020. N95s aren’t just for pandemics—they’re great for wildfire smoke, dust, and emergency cleanup work.
Preppers keep them in reserve, because waiting until after an event to buy them means you’re probably out of luck. They’re light, compact, and worth having before you actually need them.
Fuel Stabilizer
When gas is part of your backup plan, stabilizer is what keeps it from turning into useless sludge. But when everyone rushes to fuel up, this little bottle always gets overlooked—until it’s gone.
Preppers stock it in advance so they can safely store fuel for generators, chainsaws, or bug-out vehicles. It’s not something you want to hunt for in the middle of a power outage.
Portable Toilets and Sanitation Supplies
Toilet paper isn’t the only thing that flies off shelves. Buckets, liners, bleach, and sanitation kits vanish fast anytime the plumbing’s down for more than a day.
Preppers already have a setup ready—because the store isn’t going to restock when the trucks stop rolling. Staying clean and disease-free isn’t just about comfort, it’s about staying healthy when services fail.
Manual Kitchen Tools
Electric grinders, can openers, and food processors are great—until the power’s out. Manual versions are hard to find in a pinch, especially when everyone else is suddenly shopping for the same stuff.
Preppers keep hand-crank tools in their stash so they can cook and process food no matter what. They’re not flashy, but they get the job done when you need it most.
Heirloom Seeds
When food gets scarce, you don’t want to be shopping for seeds. Especially the kind that actually reproduce. Hybrid seeds might give you one crop, but they won’t grow true year after year.
That’s why preppers stock heirloom seeds in sealed kits or home packs. They’re hard to come by when panic buying starts, and good ones tend to sell out early every season.
Propane and Camp Fuel
Every time a storm is forecasted, propane and camp fuel shelves get cleared in hours. It doesn’t take long for even the big box stores to run dry.
Preppers don’t wait for that. They store propane tanks and liquid fuel when it’s calm so they’re ready when the grid’s not. Nobody wants to be the one cooking over wet firewood.
Batteries and Solar Chargers
Try finding batteries during a blackout. Everyone and their neighbor is clearing the shelves. And good luck getting a decent solar charger once people realize the power isn’t coming back quickly.
Preppers keep these charged and rotated. Whether it’s for flashlights, radios, or critical gear, they’re not going to leave it up to chance—or to Walmart.
Fire Starters
You might think stores will always have matches or lighters. But once the power’s out, they fly off the shelves. Ferro rods, waterproof matches, and fire gel become gold.
Preppers know you can’t cook, boil water, or stay warm without fire. So they store a variety of fire-starting options and don’t count on corner stores to provide.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
