BioChar stoves

I got to see a demonstration of a Biochar Stove- which is very similar to a Rocket Stove, which I have made, but this one cam be used inside- providing you monitor for carbon monoxide. Biochar-producing stoves are potentially much cleaner, with lower emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and fine particles. Biochar-producing stoves have lower greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide and methane) and black carbon emissions, create biochar that can be used to sequester carbon in soils, and reduce the use of fossil-fuel based fertilizers. Don't know that I will make one, but Great news for TEOTWAWKI type folks. Also great for Disaster preperations

Bring it on, Winter

I am ready for when the wind blows and our overhead lines give in to falling trees and branches. I purchased a Mr. Heater Big Buddy indoor propane heater to use for emergency heat this year. I have a Coleman indoor heater, but that is like trying to heat an igloo with a match. This bad boy is 18000 BTU's and can heat a 400 Sq. foot space for 220 hours (depending on what size tank you use). I chose this because, let's face it, I am not into cutting trees and too lazy to cut and stack wood, and my electric fireplace does not work so well in a power outage. So, let it blow let it snow I am ready for you Old Man Winter!

A fridge that uses no electricity!

Crunchy- the answer to your fridge problems!

Recently, The Crunchy Chicken was lamenting about her GE Profile Refrigerator falling apart. Well, cheer up Crunchy… I got your back. Well actually, two frugal chicks and I got your back! Here is a video on making your own Flower Pot Cooler

Video Via Two Frugal Chicks and Lifehacker



Actually this is a great Idea for emergency situations. Because if there is a natural disaster, you want cold beer!

Prepping your car for winter emergencies

Winter is upon us! I know we all prepare our homes for winter, but how often do we forget to prepare our vehicles? Here is a check list of items you might need for your car incase of inclement weather. Store this stuff in your trunk(Or behind the seat if like me, you have a pick up truck and no trunk or back seat) during the winter months, especially if a road trip is in your future:
a blanket
extra boots and gloves
an extra set of warm clothes
extra water and food, including hard candies
an ice scraper
a small shovel
a flashlight
windshield washer fluid
windshield wipers
flares
jumper cables
a tool kit
tire chains
a tire gauge
a spare tire with air in it
tire-changing equipment
a first-aid kit
paper towels
a bag of abrasive material such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter, which can provide additional traction if a tire gets stuck in snow.

Also, keep the gas tank as full as you can to prevent the gas lines from freezing.

Microwave Jam

I know every one sits there thinking they wished there was an easier way to make jam, but I really was just sitting here thinking "I wish there was an easier way to make jam". Then thanks to Google, I put in a search for small batch jam and found this site that promotes Microwave Jam. Seems innocent enough- makes just 2 cups of jam so no giant water bath. That's a positive. So I am thinking of giving it a try. Now all I need is fresh fruit and I am in business! Anyway take a look at the Microwave Jam page and leave a comment about what you think on it.

MICROWAVE JAM PAGE

Propane Tank Exchange

Just a suggestion for your next propane tank... Be it for a grill, heater or in some cases, a generator, I have found that it is much easier to "rent" my tank rather than buy a new one. I just go to the Blue Rhino tank exchange at my local hardware. I have exchanged older tanks that are no longer useable for nice new safe ones. I figure that Blue Rhino, who disposes of old unusable tanks in a responsible manner, is better situated to tell if a tank is safe or not. Right now I have 3 tanks- One for my BBQ, one for the turkey fryer/canning burner, and one for the propane heater for the garage. Anyway, the tanks are interchangeable should one run dry, and I like to keep propane around for emergencies. You never know when the shit is gonna hit the fan!

Candied Lemon peels are Da Bomb

Tonight I figured out the Candied Lemon Peel thing. It wasn't that hard once I found a simple syrup recipe using agave nectar that is diabetic friendly. Agave nectar is good, while it is slightly higher in calories, It doesn't raise the glycemic level. Thanks to Hooray Parade for the recipes- I modified one and it worked great!

ROB'S SIMPLE SYRUP

3/4 cup agave nectar

3/4 cup water

Boil the two together. Simple Syrup will start to turn honey brown when boiled down. Reduce to about half and it is done.

TO MAKE CANDIED CITRUS PEELS

slice 3 or 4 lemons, remove fruit from the peels; save for juicing (I have a juicer), slice the peels into 1/4 " strips, cut in half. Prepare simple syrup and add peels. Boil lightly until syrup is reduced by half. Carefully remove peels with a straining ladle. Place on parchement to dry. Save syrup in jar for pancakes or toast or something that calls for sweet. Syrup may become hardned when cooled- just put into a microwave for a minute or so.

Work Work Work- Weekly Chalenges Update

Dig, dig, rake, rake and HOE. Busy little bugger am I

I am getting ready for the winter storms and power outages we always seem to have, from finding new ways to cook without power, and restocking supplies (propane, gasoline)

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Week 17
Plant something: Nothing
Prep something: Got some emergency weather cooking plans together, Pureed some pumpkins and froze

Harvest something: a few peas a few carrots.

Manage something: Found a Sterno folding stove at the thrift store, put in my emergency kit, built a rocket stove using on old popcorn tin, and some old stove pipe sitting in the garage, Made sure I had candles; checked propane tanks, made sure my mini propane tanks were full as well (I run a catalytic heater with them in no power times, made sure all battery lamps worked, checked battery powered fan on my catalytic heater;Check to make sure I had candles and sterno fuel- since i just bought a sterno stove it came with 4 cans (true confession: I buy a product called "Canned Heat" used for chafing dishes, works as well lasts as long and is cheaper than Sterno- I get it at the Party Universe Store, right here in Burien- am sure it is available in other cities at Party City (Same company)anyway Got 6 cans, Took a WSU Extension Class on composting to learn some tricks I did not know
Cook Something New: Yam Bread, Crunchy’s Grilled Pumpkin slices with Rosemary and Sea Salt

Work on Local Food Systems: Went to the last Farmer's Market of the year

Re-Cycle, Re-Use, Re-Duce, Repair or Compost something: Let’s see, re-used a popcorn tin, reused some stove pipe making my rocket stove, Made a comforter using an old Ikea quilt cover and some cotton batting I’ve had sitting around for awhile- I stuffed the batting in the quilt cover and sewed it solid with some yarn; Took a WSU King County Extension service Tools for Resourceful Living on composting to learn some tricks I did not know

Learn a skill: Learned how to make a rocket stove, learned how to make a quick quilt; Took a WSU Extension Class on composting to learn some tricks I did not know

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Bought a sterno folding camping stove at the thrift store; bought a lamp there as well; Made a comforter using an old Ikea quilt cover and some cotton batting I’ve had sitting around for awhile- I stuffed the batting in the quilt cover and sewed it solid with some yarn , Got 6 cans of "Canned Heat (Sterno) at Party Universe right here in Burien

JENNIFER'S STOP THE LEAKS CHALLENGE: Didn’t do much of anything- except put a door sealer strip on a couple of doors that were drafty. I need to put some Great Stuff in these doors behind the moulding as well

CRUNCHY DOMESTIC GODDESS’ DITCH THE DISPOSABLES CHALLENGE: Did very well this week. Went to the last farmers market of the year, and used no plastic bags at all for my purchases- I think the vendors are starting to get the message- I am not the only one who doesn’t see the need to put a peach or apple in a plastic bag, when I bring my own shopping bag- I see many who request No plastic bags. Remembered my Commuter mug every trip out- no disposable mugs used at all! No take out containers either!

Rocket Man

Okay- I couldn't hold out- I built a Rocket Stove out of an old Popcorn Tin, some stove pipe and some other things hanging around the house
get a hot fire going using only twigs and some end pieces of cedar shingles from the addition project

The burn box-note the resembulance to the original bat mobile from the tv series? totally unintentional.

The stove out on it's test drive. I decided to see how long it takes to boil 2 cups of water.

Success- the whistle started to blow in about 15 minutes! I see a few improvements to make but I would say it was a success. Next I will try a meal on the rocket stove but first need to find a griddle- wait I have some from the George Foreman! or best to check the thrift shops! Or Could use my cast iron skillet!

I am told you can make a rocket stove out of a large tin, like those shitty popcorn tins everyone seems to think I need at Christmas (like in this case), and instead of stove pipe, you can use tin cans for the chimney and a coffee can for the burn box. Or there is a version made from a coffee can and two tin cans for the burn box. Now I have a use for all those twigs and scrap wood from around the yard and house!

Cooking in an emergency! My sterno stove

Bring on the windstorms of 2008! I am more prepared for a power outage!
In honor of Verde and her 21 Day Challenge, And rememebring Melinda and her Buy sustainably challenge, I had a great day thrift shopping- I found a lamp with a table attached to it for 5.99, and I found a sterno folding stove for 4.99. The sterno stove was a great find- it was a box set, came with four cans of sterno. Usually, I use my 1970's fondue set in emergencies like power outages, to save on using the generator. I plan on building a solar generator, but until that day, this will work fine.

The thing I like about it is it folds compact for easy storage. Add this to my emergency supplies!

And the four cans of sterno are still good! It came in this cool carrying case too.

While I will still probably use the fondue set to warm up food and such, This stove is a great way to heat water, warm up soup and such. For meat and high heat cooking I use the propane grill, And I can construct a Rocket Stove or make a solar oven to supplement my emergency cooking.

Now I just need to get some gas and some propane! I found the sterno stove at the thrift store for $4.99, and that is much cheaper than I found it online! The best price I found online is at Buffalo Gap Outfitters and that is 6.95 plus 6.95 shipping to my house and that adds up to 13.90! And that doesn't include any sterno fuel! Apparently these have been around for awhile- I have never seen them, not being a back packer or major camper!

Anyway this was a way cool find for me! And I was happier than a pig in shit walking home with my stove in one hand and my lamp in the other!