tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post829636169698154399..comments2023-11-10T04:17:00.492-05:00Comments on View From The Porch: Do want!Tamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285540310465422476noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-22940381954750729942012-09-06T17:43:38.302-04:002012-09-06T17:43:38.302-04:00Thinking about other options, are those stationary...Thinking about other options, are those stationary steam engines that used to be sold in the Sears and Montgomery Wards catalogs still available? As I recall they required some sort of fuel tab, but connected to a small generator that would be yet another option. Windy Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01951254236693386401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-40300408676510901112012-09-05T13:49:02.902-04:002012-09-05T13:49:02.902-04:00Unfortunately, it has the mark of evil on it. Too...Unfortunately, it has the mark of evil on it. Too bad.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02996122023499439670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-28106127740730098982012-09-05T13:13:34.653-04:002012-09-05T13:13:34.653-04:00I have to agree with those saying that comparing i...I have to agree with those saying that comparing it to stoves that do not charge USB is NOT the point. Also, I'd hate to haul a generator in my car. So... until we can get a pocket sized nuclear reactor that converts garbage into pure juice,<br />this thingummy looks like it could be useful for particular situations.<br /><br />Besides, if I were camping in a pure wilderness type situation and backpacking in, of course I'd leave my cell phone at home. You know, just take my knife, a tea-light size travel stove,my loin cloth, and a garbage bag to sleep in in case it rains. The spear and magic helmet are optional. :P<br /><br />However, I more often would camp in places like my grandmother's back yard (we call it the back 80), where there's signal if only you will hike to the high hill on public land that's directly behind the resort where GE's executives go relax once a year. <br /><br />Sure, the signal is for them, but no one says you can't borrow it. That's an easy two mile hike from my favorite area, which is worth it for catching up on Facebook or counting your mother-in-law's junk Forwards. You can even cache your GPS map program of choice if you care to... satellites don't spurn the bush.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-8555970736196768842012-09-05T12:08:55.268-04:002012-09-05T12:08:55.268-04:00Relying on your car for electricity is fine. . . u...Relying on your car for electricity is fine. . . unless the reason you are trying to cook food on a twig stove and are worried about your ability to get home without electricity is because your vehicle just crapped out (say, from a bad alternator) in the middle of that big emptiness between "Point A" and "Point B". Or, you got caught short without enough gas to run the car as a generator.<br /><br />Then, having this (or some similar combination of kit) in the wheelwell or trunk might be useful.<br /><br />Of course, I carry basic tools (including a “car knife”, spare lighter(s), and squeeze flashlight”), a poncho liner, a coat appropriate to the season, spare hat, a wool blanket, gloves, 550 cord and cargo straps, tarp, basic medkit (mostly blow out stuff, but some minor boo-boo stuff, too), an empty daypack, and a DDR NVA e-tool. Plus I generally have an empty liter Diet Coke bottle or two, a set of Brit mess tins or a canteen cup (much better than hubcaps for boiling water), and other odds and ends (like empty Diet Coke cans and empty plastic grocery bags). If it’s winter, I have a set of combat boots. If it’s an arid location, I have at least a gallon of water (if I was crossing, say, the Mohave, that would be 5+ gallons). I’ve considered adding an emergency sleeping bag – the reinforced moonblanket types about the size of a small jar of peanut butter.<br /><br />I do have a small solar panel with assorted charger tips that lives in my car – but its power output is less than this stove. And it doesn’t work at night, or very well in highly overcast skies (such as a snowstorm or heavy rain). It was cheap (got it used off eBay), and I bought it as a novelty, more than anything else.<br /><br />Been stuck in a dead car on the side of a county road in the mountains, with nasty sleet coming up, almost exactly halfway between “yonder” and “a fur piece”. I also used to go muddoggin’ in small Japanese hatchbacks (any damned fool can do it in a 4x4 with offroad package {grin})<br /><br />Plus, of course, if you ARE at home when the power goes out, this will quickly brew up some tea or coffee out of sticks, AND provide some juice to the electronics while you wait, without using up your grill fuel. VERY efficient in fuel use – just like a Kelly Kettle. And the “GDI” (Geeks Dig It) factor is strong with this one.Geodkythttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17340718574781403778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-57733668344288706332012-09-05T10:24:44.462-04:002012-09-05T10:24:44.462-04:00That stirs me, too. Yes, it's slightly heavy f...That stirs me, too. Yes, it's slightly heavy for a backpacking stove, but consider that you're saving on fuel (which isobutane and white gas and propane use), and batteries for charging those devices if you're going to take them. I recall in my backpacking days considering carrying a solar recharger for the batteries of my AA flashlight. In the end, I just carried four extra Energizers, as the only rechargables back then were NiCads. NiMH would have changed that consideration. <br /><br />Everything's a trade-off. Also? Bicycle camping changes the figures, too. <br /><br />But mostly, the cool factor is going over to the base of yon tree, picking up sticks, putting them into the stove, cooking up sausages or the squirrell that I just popped, and charging up the phone or the flashlight. Matt Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03500429239798601210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-23270286081255823352012-09-05T09:06:57.240-04:002012-09-05T09:06:57.240-04:00Tam, $100 for a flashlight? Hopefully you won'...Tam, $100 for a flashlight? Hopefully you won't lose this one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-86974462808232518432012-09-05T06:10:40.273-04:002012-09-05T06:10:40.273-04:00Ken O said...
"How long until some genius st... Ken O said...<br /><br />"How long until some genius stokes one of these with charcoal, fires it up in his apartment and asphyxiates himself and his family?"<br /><br />So it even cleans up the gene pool!markmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-34819744069811410502012-09-04T23:18:30.895-04:002012-09-04T23:18:30.895-04:00The charger function would be cool, but just the s... The charger function would be cool, but just the stove would be handy as well.<br /><br /> On the bushcraftusa site, there has been a fair bit of discussion about making rocket stoves, or wood gasifier stoves. Some were pretty spiffy looking, some were rather simple, but seemed to work, and were made with simple materials. Not too heavy or expensive.<br /><br /> I always have a car charger for my phones. I always have my car, I don't always have my house.Malamutenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-9048977236829956592012-09-04T23:04:53.267-04:002012-09-04T23:04:53.267-04:00I got one for precisely the reasons you mentioned ...I got one for precisely the reasons you mentioned - it's not for backpacking (which I don't do much these days between kids & arthritis) - but for the power outages/hurricanes, etc. Tested it out last month on a weekend & it woks well. Downside is you'll definitely keep feeding it wood throughout - once it's going the fan burns quick. Upside is yes, you get power while heating coffee, cooking food or whatever. Food for your thought, as it were. Captain Tightpantshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13776345884480352979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-56420899706147183672012-09-04T21:26:30.511-04:002012-09-04T21:26:30.511-04:00My brother in law has one of the smaller ones. He...My brother in law has one of the smaller ones. He used it to charge a phone while he made his morning coffee at the family campout. I've had a serious case of envy ever since. And yeah, having something like this in the Nashville-Louisville-Indianapolis ice storm zone would be very handy.DaddyBearhttp://daddybearsden.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-75182516697417449482012-09-04T20:41:52.361-04:002012-09-04T20:41:52.361-04:00A twig stove -- say, a Kelly Kettle with all the e...A twig stove -- say, a Kelly Kettle with all the extras -- is excellent emergency gear and moderately rainproof. Pretty light, too. <br /><br /> The little rocket stove -- had I the spare cash, I'd just buy one, I feel too obliged to be nice with a T&E loaner, worse with a freebie -- is better for Roseholme 'cos we can cook more over it...but if I had both, I could have a nice hot cuppa wotevva with my hot meal. Our twig supply is excellent; after 3 or 4 days of three meals per, I'd have to resort to splitting larger billets of wood to twig size.<br /><br /> The charger function is just a bonus. If it keeps a celphone going, here in the city the cell sites usually stay up during an outage. <br /><br /> Homebrewing a portable rocket stove is okay BUT you have to work in black iron (heavy) or $tainless $teel; there's a metric boatload of galvanized out there but you do *not* want to be making fire in it and cooking over it, very very bad. <br /><br /> The hot app for cold nights would be a larger, bench-type rocket stove on the patio. Tarp on poles over the bench (but not the firebox!)and a sleeping bag, there ya go. I'm tempted to try it. Roberta Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09956807794520627885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-3006146114781017292012-09-04T17:15:24.987-04:002012-09-04T17:15:24.987-04:00And at 2 watts sustained, it's not a very good...And at 2 watts sustained, it's not a very good charger... which explains why, in the review Cybrluddite posted, it takes <i>forever</i> to half-charge a modern phone.<br /><br />For most of us, a solar panel will do better for that - and if we're worried about being in the dark, a hand-crank setup.Sigivaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16152366541957466049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-31640165763130851612012-09-04T16:40:21.161-04:002012-09-04T16:40:21.161-04:00Heck, no! At least here it isn't. :)
Oh thank...<i>Heck, no! At least here it isn't. :)</i><br /><br />Oh thank goodness. :)<br /><br />And if you or any of your viewers want that code for half-off a slightly blemished Solo Stove, let me know and I'll hook you right up. Erin Palettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09984632637166408245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-11917507698750980362012-09-04T15:49:34.833-04:002012-09-04T15:49:34.833-04:00I originally saw it done with twine and a soup can...I originally saw it done with twine and a soup can. I've been told you can do it with tar as well but tar would be less... sanitary? The bottle I have is like this. I wrapped the whole large portion in plain binder twine (Not the plastic stuff!)<br />http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B0019N2DO8/ref=dp_otherviews?ie=UTF8&color_name=2-3&img=MAIN&s=sporting-goods<br /><br />It will boil water, and then you're out of wax, just about that fast. oghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07551049745184408924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-85242650010156385402012-09-04T15:07:10.372-04:002012-09-04T15:07:10.372-04:00Erin Palette,
"it's probably bad form to...Erin Palette,<br /><br />"<i>it's probably bad form to provide a link back to my own blog on someone else's (mea culpa)</i>"<br /><br />Heck, no! At least here it isn't. :)Tamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07285540310465422476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-39161577892479736502012-09-04T15:05:43.445-04:002012-09-04T15:05:43.445-04:00Windy Wilson,
"A stainless bottle with parra...Windy Wilson,<br /><br />"<i>A stainless bottle with parrafin-soaked string wrapped around it.</i>"<br /><br />Yeah, Og's comment there intrigued me, too. I'm going to have to do some esperimentin' on those lines. That'd be a groovy thing to keep in the trunk, just in case of whatever... :)Tamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07285540310465422476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-38211373375698752792012-09-04T14:43:09.401-04:002012-09-04T14:43:09.401-04:00Also, since I saw someone mention a Kelly Kettle e...Also, since I saw someone mention a Kelly Kettle earlier --<br /><br />it's probably bad form to provide a link back to my own blog on someone else's <i>(mea culpa)</i>, but back in July <a href="http://lurkingrhythmically.blogspot.com/2012/07/palettes-product-reviews-im-firestarter.html" rel="nofollow">I tested four different types of camping stoves</a>. None of them produce electricity, alas, but perhaps one or two of you might find the review helpful. <br /><br />Please don't hurt me, Tam...Erin Palettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09984632637166408245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-18166027281300105342012-09-04T14:38:39.151-04:002012-09-04T14:38:39.151-04:00Reading the review confirms that I'd be better...Reading the review confirms that I'd be better off with a propane fired generatorIan Argenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03704336044732061128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-755310823312904582012-09-04T14:35:14.373-04:002012-09-04T14:35:14.373-04:00Lots of good ideas here, remember, diversity of av...Lots of good ideas here, remember, diversity of available techniques is a good thing, as opposed to the M&M diversity espoused by leftists (a rainbow of colors, same pernicious beliefs inside). <br /><br />As for heavy, yes, it is heavier than the MSR Whisperlite, and WAAAAy heavier than my Svea 123UR, but it's hard to get electricity from those stoves.<br /> <br />I'm going to look further into the inverter thing, since the cheapo model I bought went smokey-dope the first time I actually plugged something into it.<br /> <br />A stainless bottle with parrafin-soaked string wrapped around it. <br />How much string? Should it be a Sigg or can it be an ordinary drinking bottle-type stainless bottle?Windy Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01951254236693386401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-61666889568881285932012-09-04T14:33:49.528-04:002012-09-04T14:33:49.528-04:00I got one back in July but I've not used it ye...I got one back in July but I've not used it yet. It was a spur of the moment purchase, more for emergencies instead of camping.JFPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-49115835500768716372012-09-04T14:28:46.763-04:002012-09-04T14:28:46.763-04:00Hey, why wait for an "emergency"? You c...Hey, why wait for an "emergency"? You could get their "homestove" right now (if it isn't vaporware) and cook ALL your food with it. If everybody did, pretty soon, the U.S. would look like Haiti (no trees, shrubs, weeds or anything else burnable).<br /><br />Or maybe you could look into the natural gas powered home generator? Or the crank powered flashlight with a USB port?Fiftycalnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-46027854834389340102012-09-04T14:24:49.413-04:002012-09-04T14:24:49.413-04:00A review from a friend of a friend.
http://sectio...A review from a friend of a friend.<br /><br />http://sectionhiker.com/biolite-campstove-the-substance-beyond-the-hype/Cybrluditehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02222195374935367060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-70695319026997837382012-09-04T14:20:04.854-04:002012-09-04T14:20:04.854-04:00Tam, both Linoge and I have been trying to get one...Tam, both Linoge and I have been trying to get one of these for T&E for some time now, and with no luck. Perhaps if YOU asked, with the full weight of your Tamalanche reputation behind you, then maybe they'd relent and send it to you. Erin Palettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09984632637166408245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-17637173654286982122012-09-04T13:58:58.964-04:002012-09-04T13:58:58.964-04:00I already have my redneck UPS (large inverter, mar...I already have my redneck UPS (large inverter, marine battery, battery charger, backed up by a full tank of gas attached to the generator in the Taurus). That is tasked to running the sump pump if the rampaging element is water, and tested against same. This would full a different role.Ian Argenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03704336044732061128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-90787036246546533622012-09-04T13:29:21.755-04:002012-09-04T13:29:21.755-04:00'make computer electricity with fire'
Abs...'make computer electricity with fire'<br /><br />Absolutely awesome. Anything that will make a hippy shit a screaming worm... :)<br /><br />Cheers!Graysonnoreply@blogger.com