Introduction: Pocket-Sized Star Wars Emergency Ration Kit
Are you short on space in your X-Wing? Are your Jedi Food Capsules insufficient for supplying nutrition? It's always good to be prepared for those times when you find yourself in a galaxy far, far, away from your next meal.
This is a pocket sized version of Luke's Emergency Rations from Empire Strikes Back, just the size to hide in a Jedi belt pouch or in a flight suit pocket. You could easily make a full size version by substituting a larger tin.
Step 1: Materials
- small, rectangular tin with a flat lid. (I used an old-style Altoids tin. The movie one looks like an old metal first aid kit.)
- white spray paint (or silver or blue)
- painter's tape (if you want to preserve any of the tin's original color)
- heavy clear plastic - I used part of a box from a model horse
- clear tape
- waxed paper
- scissors
- cutting board
- kitchen knife
The food can vary according to what you like, but this is what I used:
- Cherry Pie Larabar
- Chocolate Chunk granola bar
- Altoids
- Fruity Pebbles cereal
Step 2: Paint the Tin
Luke's kit in the movie appears to be blue on the bottom with a white or silver lid. I kind of liked the look of the Altoids tin as it was though, so I taped off the blue and gold edge and spray painted over the writing with white.
I did not paint the inside of the tin, as I don't want paint on my food. Let the paint dry overnight, remove the tape, and carefully wash the inside of the tin. If you wish, you can add aurabesh writing or other decorations. I didn't.
Step 3: Plastic Dividers
Take some stiff plastic (I used the box from a model horse) and cut one piece the length of the tin and one the width. Both pieces should be as tall as the sides of the tin or slightly smaller.
Decide where you want the pieces to cross. Cut a notch in both pieces halfway through. Slip the two pieces together at the notches to make a cross.
A larger tin could be subdivided more, but for this one, four sections is enough.
Step 4: Assembly
Use clear tape to secure the dividers inside the tin.
Make liners for each section by cutting waxed paper into "t" shapes which will fold up into a cube with an open top. Taping them into shape is not necessary, just slide them into the sections of the tin. The liners are not strictly necessary, but they will help keep your tin clean and make removing sticky food easier.
Step 5: Food
Cut the granola bar into cubes, using your fingers to shape them a bit if necessary. Cut the Larabar into rectangles. Roll them between your hands to round them off into more cylindrical shapes.
The other food items I used were Altoids and Fruity Pebbles cereal. Other good choices might be nuts, Tic-Tacs, cereals, candies, dried fruit, or other types of energy bars. I wouldn't suggest storing this emergency ration kit for long periods of time, as it is not airtight, but any food that will last a few days is fine.
Step 6: Tell the Dark Side to Keep Its Cookies!
Fill your Emergency Ration Kit and you are ready to go! And when the hunger strikes back, you can tell the Dark Side to keep its cookies. You'll be prepared.

Participated in the
ThinkGeek Sci-Fi Contest

Participated in the
Reuse Contest
12 Comments
5 years ago
Easy little snack tin for Star Wars fans, especially for long trips through the galaxy. Thanks so much. Exactly the sort of thing I need, since I have three brothers, and hidden snacks are an advantage.
6 years ago
I LOVE this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7 years ago
Luke's emergency rations were an off the shelf prop. I think it was sold through The Swiss Colony. Every thing you see an the screen is what came with it. Mostly small snack type stuff like cookies,peanuts and so on. Just F.Y.I. from a prop maker. Oh and the case was all plastic with a clear top.
7 years ago
Replace the energy bars with candy and popcorn and take multiple for the all-day Star Wars marathon for Ep VII
8 years ago
awesome.
10 years ago on Introduction
great for total Star Wars geeks like us. :)
10 years ago on Introduction
Thanks everyone!
10 years ago on Introduction
How you get so big eating food of this kind?
Sorry, couldn't resist the Yoda quote..
10 years ago on Introduction
A well detailed prop, and a very obscure one at that. You should think about adding those cookies that Yoda steals.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
ah that would be a good one to add!!
10 years ago on Introduction
So interesting. I'll try to make it.
10 years ago on Introduction
Nicely done, a star wars junkies dream! :)