Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Ark Prep 101 - Alternative Heat, Light, and Power Sources!

In an Emergency Situation
Heat, Light, and Power Sources are at the top of the list.
Here are a few things to think about!
Fire Starters:
Store matches (waterproofed), butane lighters, flint and steel,
and charcoal starter.
Fireplace, Open Flame:
Campfire or Outside Firepit - suspend a Dutch oven over the heat
by using a tripod, much like the earlier settlers did, or
set the Dutch oven directly on the hot embers
you have made in the fireplace or outside campfire.
Wood Burning - Coal Stoves:
Use frying pans or pots on top to cook your meal.
Gas Camp Stoves:
(White Gas, Gasoline, Kerosene, and Propane Options)
Two burners using white gas will operate 4 hours on 1 quart.
Use outdoors only.
 Barbecue Grill:
(Include 5 Gallon Tank of Propane.)
This stores well and is easy to use.
Sterno:
Works well for small quantities of food.
Valcano:
Is a type of outdoor cook stove that you can use with
2 Dutch ovens and charcoal.
It is very fuel efficient, using about half of the charcoal
you would use normally with your Dutch oven.
A few briquettes can roast, fry, bake . . . etc.
Dutch Ovens:
A 10" Dutch oven with 6 or7 briquettes on the lid and 5 or 6
underneath will cook a pot full of food.
Use outdoors only.
Hibachi:
Four or five charcoal briquettes in an 8"x8" Hibachi will
generate enough heat to cook a simple meal.
Should only be used outdoors.
Alcohol Stove:
Place 1 roll of toilet paper in 1 quart paint can.
Pour Isopropyl rubbing alcohol over the TP and light with a match.
The can will not get hot on the bottom until the alcohol has burned down.
Extinguish the flame,  add more alcohol and relight.
Control the intensity of the heat by adjusting the lid.
Charcoal Stove:
Turn a #10 can into a charcoal stove.
Cut out top and bottom of the can.
Punch holes around the top and bottom.
Punch many holes in the lid and wire it about half way up the can.
Place the charcoal on it to light.
Use a sturdy piece of wire screening, or crisscross wire across
the top to create a cooking rack.
Flashlights:
New batteries last 6-7 hours of continuous use.
Six-month old batteries last 5-6 hours.
Candles:
3/4"x4-inch candles will burn for 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Coleman Mantle Lantern:
Two mantle lantern will burn 5 hours on 1/2 quart of kerosene.
Light Sticks:
Are the safest emergency light.
Generators:
Are an excellent source of safe power.
However, they use a great deal of fuel.
Most run on gasoline, burning 1/2 to 3 gallons per hour.
Itemize energy requirements in order to select the appropriate
size needed.
Use the smallest size possible for less fuel needs.
Operate generators in an open area with good ventilation.
DO NOT ATTACH the generator to your house current without
approved transfer switches.
the electrical "back feed" can injure or even kill utiliy workers repairing the power lines.
Challenge:
Try to have at least one item in each area so that you can
have heat, light and some source of power in case of an emergency!

7 comments:

Carter's Creations said...

Tricia,
Thanks for all your hard work and making all this stuff so much fun! I was just at my happiest place on earth (Disneyworld) for 8 days and I was going nuts because I couldn't read your blog posts! (I still had tons of fun with my kiddo's though!) I am a true addict to your blog and I love to see how creative you are! Thanks for your inspiration!

Anonymous said...

Wow great info all in one spot! Thanks for sharing!

Janelle Savage said...

I am just now finishing up the Day Keeper. I was looking for the the Allowance 3X5 card, that went next to the House Zone card. If you could help me locate that card in the correct file. Thanks for all your hard work. This system has helped me greatly. I feel I get more done in one day.
Janelle

The David and Tricia Smith Family said...

Janelle,
I don't know what I would do without you.
I added the Allowance Receipts to the bottom of the post with all the PDF's.
I'm also checking on the Temples.
Thanks for keeping me on track, as you can imagine, I have hundreds and hundreds of files to try and keep track of and every once in a while I get them mixed up. Thanks for letting me know!
Trish

The David and Tricia Smith Family said...

Welcome Back . . . Carter's Creations!
Glad to hear you had a great time with the Fam!
Thanks for your sweet comments . . . It makes my day!
Trish

Julie said...

I was wondering if the House Zone Cards were all supposed labeled "House Zone #1?" Is there a way to edit the zone numbers. Loving all the projects I've been doing. I don't know how you do it, but pleae keep up the amazing work.
Thanks!

The David and Tricia Smith Family said...

I fixed the House Zones. Thanks for letting me know! You can find them on original post.
Hope that helps . . . Sorry I missed that!
Trish