Category: Prepper Stuff

Can’t Believe it

It has been fully a year since I last posted. Todays topic is preparedness. With the BOA collapse, the dock workers strike, hurricanes and the Iranian attack on Isreal and increase stresses at work – it has reminded Mrs. SNH and I that we need to stay vigilant and stay ahead of the potential threats that we face.

Americans have become accustomed to purchasing items on their debit/credit cards linked to their bank accounts. I am recommending that we ensure that there is enough cash on hand to cover a months worth of expenses in addition to the standard emergency fund recommendations by the financial pro’s out there for 3-6 months in a high yield savings account.

In addition to cash, we are seeing the stores completely empty of supplies in our local area which reinforces the idea that you need to make sure you have enough food to feed your family for a period. Of course – becoming a producer and growing as much of your food as possible is the ultimate in resiliency. Become independent, become hardened and have backup plans for everything!

It’s a short post and there is much more to explore in these topics, but it will have to wait. Check out the money guy on youtube! Tons of great financial info.

Rocket Stove Part 1

This is the rocket stove build, part 1. We started with a firebrick base and my *incredible* masonry skills.

  • Here are some things that I really need to practice:
    • Cutting blocks
      • These were cut with a chisel, so I only did the bare minimum and broke many blocks in the process.
    • Application of mortar and keeping things level
    • Taking my time to make sure things are square.
      • It took my all of about 2 hours to assemble. I was more excited to build it quickly than to build it well.
  • Upgrades to this stove:
    • Add an ash tray for easy extraction after cooking
    • Add decorative bricks on the outside to make the appearance more fashionable
    • Add a grill for cooking access
      • I have one that I can use temporarily from my barbecue grill
  • Notes about the first test:
    • This stove gets really hot at the top
      • This was the reason for the build, a reliable wood fired outdoor cooking surface.
      • Great backup if hurricanes hit my area and we can’t power our electric stove for a few days.
    • Using only a few sticks is sufficient for cooking in comparison to a pit fire which requires a massive amount of fuel. I may put a bin on the porch or the garage to collect the random sticks from the yard and have them convenient for use.
    • After initial lighting, the smoke is significantly reduced when the rocket stove is running at full power.
    • This will be great for marshmallows with the little SNHers without too much fuss.
    • Now we have to finish the stove to make it look nice, add a firepit as posted previously and add the pavers to form a seating area in the back yard. As they say, it’s a process, not a race.