Saturday School: Games for Homeschool

Ok, so it has been a long while since I have added to this blog.  But, I hope to get back into updating it regularly.  So here we go...

Whether you homeschool or not, the information I am sharing today is wonderful for helping kids have fun while practicing the things they learn.

On the website http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/, there are many wonderful free games!  Games for math, science, history, and more.  These are games that are played while connected to the internet, they are single player games.

I highly recommend this website and the games on it to anyone wanting to have a fun review or practice session.  Some favorites:  Monkey Drive (math), Math Man, Fruit Splat (math), Food Chain Game, USA and World games (geography), and Comma Chameleon (punctuation).  There are so many more that are awesome too, and many that we haven't played yet, but look forward to playing soon.  :)

Have fun reviewing and practicing!  Awesome games!

Saturday School: How to season cast iron

Today I want to share how to season cast iron in an oven.  If you buy pre-seasoned cast iron cookware, it is ready for use.  But if it isn't pre-seasoned or if it needs to be re-seasoned, it will need to be before using.  So this is how to do it in an indoor oven.  First be sure to thoroughly clean and dry the cookware.  Preheat the oven to 350*.  Completely coat the cookware, including the bottom, any lids and handles, with a thin layer of vegetable oil, cooking spray or melted shortening.  Place the cookware upside down in the oven with aluminum foil or pan to catch any drippings.  Bake 1 hour, then turn off the oven and allow the cookware to cool in the oven.  Once cool it can be removed from the oven and stored for use.  When I store my dutch oven I put some folded paper towel where the lid contacts the dutch oven to allow a little air flow.

Saturday School: How to Make A Box Oven

Saturday School:  How to Make A Box Oven (also known as apple box oven or cardboard box oven)

Box ovens are great for baking as they are easy and cheap to make, and they do a good job of baking too.

Pros:  Cheap to make, easy to make, great for baking, use with charcoal

Cons:  can use only outdoors--do NOT use indoors, if you are a perfectionist making it may be a little frustrating in that the aluminum foil is hard to keep nice and wrinkle free

Costs:  cost of box, heavy duty aluminum foil, foil tape (if using), baking rack, pop bottles or other method to hold rack up, charcoal, pan that will fit.

So here is how I made mine:

Using Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil and foil tape I completely cover all surfaces of both the banker's box and its lid, using foil tape for the seams and around the handle hole that I use for ventilation.  No cardboard is exposed when I am done with it.  I have made a box oven in the past without using foil tape and it worked just fine, I folded the seams over a few times to make sure the heated air couldn't get under the aluminum foil.  I use empty pop bottles to hold up a rack and an aluminum pie pan for holding the charcoal.

Options:  There are different ways to make and use a box oven.  The method I use most often is where the lid is the side door.  But with the box oven I made, I can use the lid as the bottom, the side or the top.  Some box oven instructions have the lid going on top (so you first put in charcoal and whatever is holding the rack, the rack then the pan and put the box lid on the box as the top); while others have the box coming over top the food and rack system (set up charcoal and rack system and bring box over it) and no separate lid.    Some even have you make a oven window to see inside.

Here are a few links to resources of how others have made a box oven:

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/fsme/docs/boxoven.pdf ---this shows how to make the kind where the box comes over the top.  Great instructions and such for this type.

http://peaceofpreparedness.com/Resource%20Library/Cookers/Applebox%20Oven%20directions%20and%20instructions%202011.pdf  ---this shows how to make a box oven with a window.  Great instructions and information.

http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/2008/10/how-to-make-cardboard-box-oven.html  ---this shows how to make the kind where the lid is just that--a lid for the top.  Great instructions for this type.

Saturday School: Progress is a Success

Goals.  We make them with lofty ideals to be better and do better.  How do we do in reaching them?  Perhaps we haven't met our new year's resolutions yet, or even haven't started trying, but there is still opportunity to work on them.  Any progress we make, large or small, is success.  Perhaps the goal to lose 10 lbs isn't going as quickly as hoped, but if any lifestyle changes have been made that has impacted health and weight at all, there is still a measure of success.  Sometimes we look at the end goal and think we are only successful if we reach that and forget that all the steps and changes we've made along the way are successes in and of themselves.

So what about the goal to have a short term or long term supply of food and other necessary items?  Or is this even one of the goals for this year?  As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have the opportunity to have reminders about home storage and other provident living aspects. We get reminded that faith is in direct correlation to our doings--faith is a principle of action not just periodic thoughts of goodness.  When it comes to food storage we have to remember that our intentions won't be what we can eat and be nourished by in times of crisis, but it is the actual physical items we store that can make the difference between being nourished and fed or being hungry.  

One of my favorite quotes that goes along with food storage is about beginning and continuing at whatever level we are able to.  Here is that quote as well as my thoughts on it, that I've already shared on my blog about page:

"The first step is to begin.  The second is to continue.  It doesn’t matter how fast we get there so much as that we begin and continue according to our abilities.”  (Family Home Storage A New Message, Ensign, Mar 2009).

Isn’t that just so encouraging?  The fact that we can begin wherever we are, and work on it at our ability to move us forward.

In Mandarine Chinese there is a saying: “Jiayou!” (pronounced j-yah yo).  Which literally means add oil, but in its idiomatic expression it expresses encouragement.  Encouragement to keep working hard & put in the necessary effort to accomplish the task at hand or just general encouragement that you can have the strength to do what you need to.  

I think this is a good time to say “Jiayou”  to families to get their home storage:  follow the prophets' counsel and do it knowing the Lord is on your side, it is possible!

加油 (Jiayou)

So whether your goals include losing weight, getting a home storage, saving money, getting an education, improving your relationships or any of a multitude of other worthwhile goals, first, begin then make progress by continuing, and count that progress a success.

Saturday School: Homemade Cheese using dry milk

Saturday School:  Homemade cheese from dry milk

I got this recipe from the dry milk handout found on peaceofpreparedness (see below).  I thought I’d give it a try.

Here is my experience trying it:  Mixing 3 c of dry milk into 4 cups takes a few minutes to get it all mixed, it also creates a lot of froth on top.  Heating it to 115* didn’t take long at all.  As soon as I added the oil and vinegar, the milk started to curd.  I still waited another 5-10 minutes, but it didn’t seem to curd a whole lot more after I initially added the vinegar/oil.  In fact, it curded so quickly that stirring the oil and vinegar into it left a clump of curd in my whisk that I had to use a knife to cut out.

I used a slotted spoon to scoop out the curds, since my bowl would have been too small for all the liquid at once if I had just poured the curds and whey into the cheesecloth lined strainer.  I twisted the cheesecloth to close it off and squeeze out the excess liquid.  I used dental floss to tie the ball of curds into a hanging position over a bowl to catch more liquid drain-off.

The results:  It was crumbly like the grated parmesan cheese from the store, similar in taste-somewhat.  I couldn’t grate it because it would just crumble.  Best for salads or on top of pasta I think.  I used about 1 T worth of salt when I made it and it wasn't too salty.  Taste wise--as it isn't bursting with flavor, it compliments parmesan cheese and things that are made with it, but by itself, I didn't think it had too much taste of its own.

Here are the pics from my first time making cheese this way:

Making Cheese with dry milk powder:

http://peaceofpreparedness.com/Resource%20Library/Recipies/Got%20Milk%20handout%202011.pdf

http://peaceofpreparedness.com/Resource%20Library/Recipies/Got%20Milk%20Recipes%202011.pdf

Cheese

Mix 4 c. water and 3 c. dry non-instant milk in large saucepan, heat until 115°. Add 2/3 c. oil and 1 3⁄4 c. white vinegar. Stir and let sit for 10 minutes.

When curds (cheese clumps) separate from whey (watery stuff) then pour them into a cheesecloth lined strainer.

Mix salt into curds. Pull up sides of cheesecloth, twist just above cheese, squeezing out water as you twist. Tie with string and hang overnight, hanging over bowl. Unwrap and grate.

Saturday School: Wonder Box Oven

Alternative Cooking Method:  Wonder Box Oven

A wonderbox oven is an insulating oven--meaning it doesn't bring heat to the food and heat it up, but rather it helps food that has already been heated retain that heat and thereby continue to cook.

Pros:  If you have limited fuel or simply don't want to use a lot of fuel in cooking your food, you can bring it to the temperature it is needed to bake/cook (most likely you will need to bring it to a boil for 3-5 minutes), then you transfer your pot with a lid to the wonder box oven and allow the retained heat to continue cooking the food.

Cons:  You will need a different heat source before you can use this method to continue cooking your food.  You will need to make your own.  Finding bean bag stuffing at a store near you may or may not be hard, but it is available on-line  (I got mine from Wal-mart).  I suggest using cotton or denim materials.

Directions for how to make a wonderbox oven are available online.  Here is the website I found very helpful in making my own wonderbox oven (includes pics of the process of making one):  http://www.iwillprepare.com/cooking_files/Wonder_Box.htm

Another great resource is:  http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/fsme/docs/wonderbox.pdf

So after getting the instructions, you will need to make your own pattern.  I used cardboard to make mine.  You will need to measure out the lengths and angle measurements (thought you were done with math and geometry right?).   The bottom pattern I had to tape on a little extra cardboard to get it the right size.

Once you have your pattern, you can then trace and cut your fabric (you will need 4 of both pattern pieces).  Follow the instructions on how & where to start sewing and such.  Leave a wide enough gap to fill both the top and the bottom with bean bag fill.  Be sure to not over-fill, you need to be able to put your pot in it.

Once the bean bag filling is in, you can sew the gap closed.  And you are done, ta da.

The above simply shows that a large pot can fit.  Below is where brown rice was brought to a boil for about 10 minutes, then transferred to the wonderbox oven to continue cooking for another 2-3 hours (even if you leave it longer, it stays warm and doesn't over-cook).

 

There are different types of insulating ovens, wonderbox is just one.  Another can be made easily by using a large icechest/cooler and pillows for insulation.  Either way, it helps cut down on the amount of fuel needed.

Saturday School: Volcano Grill

Alternative Cooking Method:  Volcano Grill

Pros:  Versatile.  It is versatile in the kind of cooking as well as the fuel used to cook.  It can be used with skillets, woks, dutch ovens, griddles, or other pots and pans, with sticks for roasting or simply as a grill.  Cook, fry, bake (with dutch oven or oven lid), or grill all on one stove.  It can use wood, charcoal or propane (with attachment) for fuel.  Collapsible.  It sets up and collapses down easily.  The outside doesn't get overly warm or hot, so it is safe to use near children--the outside won't burn them if they accidentally touch it (caution and supervision should always be exercised when using any cooking method, especially when children are around).   The carry case makes it much more manageable and easy to transport for sure--though it is easily moved when it is set up.  Works when windy.

Cons:  Costs more than some of the other methods.  Though it isn't incredibly heavy, it is heavier than other methods (like a can stove or butane stove).  Shouldn't use if raining (helps it last longer and not rust).

How to set up:  Pull up on the handle.  Yes it is that easy!  The legs automatically swing out and the chamber automatically expand when the handle is pulled up on.  Once expanded, it is ready for use with wood or charcoal.  If using a propane attachment, it will need to be set up before being able to cook.  I prefer using charcoal chimneys or can stoves to get charcoal going--it seemed easier to get it going than simply right in the Volcano, but you can start the charcoal or wood right in the stove if want/need.

Position the stove to where you want it while cooking, before starting the wood, charcoal or propane.

To take down after cooking:  Once the charcoal or wood has cooled off, remove any large pieces.  Empty stove of ash by tipping it over carefully.  Once the ash is out, wipe out with damp cloth to remove any remaining ash or residue.  Dry--I usually do it when it is still warm so it dries pretty quick.  After it is washed and dried, lightly oil it on the inside--a very light coating of peanut or vegetable oil helps protect the inside of the stove.  Collapse by putting hands on bottom, pull up.  The legs should go in automatically and the chamber collapse.

Put into the carry case, store horizontal (best, but if had to could store vertical).

Note:  If there isn't time to wait for the coals to cool off, like in the case of a storm or rain shower moving in, move hot coals and ash to a empty #10 can, can stove or area where it won't start a fire--you can douse it with water if you want to help them cool off -after removing them from the stove--don't douse your stove with water.  The stove may be warm or even hot, so use hot pads to tip the ash out, wipe clean and oil carefully.

Taking it down and caring for it before putting it away is a little more involved but worth it to preserve the stove and make it nicer to use the next time.

Another note: the propane attachment is for 15-20 lb propane tanks, not the small kind that are used for camp stoves.  Although you may be able to use a propane valve adapter to be able to use the small 1 lb propane tanks.

PRICES:  I am listing 2 sources--because I have ordered things from these sources in the past and have been satisfied with both the product(s) and the service.  There are other sources, including amazon, some may be more or less, just remember to factor in shipping costs and if you trust the source or not.

Emergency Essentials (www.beprepared.com):  stove only: 98.95; stove with propane attachment: 139.95; Combo (stove, propane attachment, oven lid, cookbook, skewers):  184.95.  Oven lid by itself: 24.95; skewers:  11.95; manual/cookbook:  19.95; propane attachment:  58.95

Food Storage Made Easy (www.foodstoragemadeeasy.net):  stove only:  109.95; stove with propane attachment:  149.95; Combo (stove, propane attachment, oven lid, cookbook, trivet, dutch oven lid lifter, roast rack, propane valve adapter--adapts to be be able to use the small 1 lb propane tanks):  259.95 free shipping.

Saturday School: Alternative Cooking

Today I will be sharing a handout from the most recent alternative cooking class I taught (I taught it today in fact!).  This is very similar to one I shared last year, but with what I think is a very cool difference:  this one I added a Family Home Evening outline for teaching about temporal preparedness and such, this one is specific to powerless cooking, but the idea can be used for other temporal preparedness FHEs.  This is just a simple FHE, you can make up your own, but I wanted to make it a little easier by creating one that is simple and can be used with both young and old children or with just adults.  Hope this helps!  I know having family home evening is very important, I know it blesses and helps each family member.

In the FHE activity for this topic, I mention doing a matching game with young children, in the class I taught I didn't include a matching game as part of the handout--I really wanted to keep the handout to 1 page, but here is a quick one I put together using my own pictures.  You can use your own pictures or graphics and make your own.  Below the handout is the powerless cooking matching game that I made.

There are lots of methods to use for cooking food without electricity.  Choose the methods that you can and want to use, then budget for them--either make your own or buy commercially made ones.  Some methods can be bought for cheap at thrift stores, garage sales or at end of season clearance/sales.  Other items do come on sale periodically--like sun ovens tend to come on sale yearly around June-Aug, but occasionally other times of the year too.  Remember to be safe, to know how to use something and become familiar with it by practicing using it so that when you may have to use during emergencies, you know how to safely and effectively use it.

So here is the most recent Cooking without Electricity class handout, you can click on it and enlarge it for printing:

And the matching game, simply print it out and cut up each picture or section, glue onto construction paper or cardstock that has been all cut to the same size and laminate if you want.  Match the method with the fuel--or in the case of the wonder box oven or ice-chest oven match with the insulator--the bean bag filling or pillows.

I hope this information helps!

Stand Out Saturday: Work

I thought of sharing this picture as part of the Saturday School post, but thought it might have detracted from the wonderful quotes.  But either way, I think it is important to highlight that we each have been given different talents--I for one would never have thought of decorating a side of a building in this manner, but someone was creative and motivated enough to decide to use their talents and Stand Out!

These pictures come from a mission that I served for my church.  I was quite impressed with someone’s very unusual way of drawing attention to an otherwise bland area.  I wondered if it was to draw more attention to the business the, um, people were so eager to put their head through a wall to see, or if it was completely unrelated and just someone desiring to bring a little spontaneity to the lives of those going by.  Whatever the reason, what talent!

And so, we all have our own gifts and abilities.  Some of these gifts and talents come a little more naturally and quickly than others, while others take lots of learning and work to develop.  Some gifts and abilities are very visible (noticeable by others), others are more subtle (not so noticeable).  I am a strong believer that we should develop our talents and use them for good. Even the ones that don’t come easily to us or that aren’t as visible.  We ourselves will be blessed, but also others can be blessed through us developing and using our talents for uplifting and praiseworthy efforts.

Some great quotes from Gordon B. Hinckley about working to develop ourselves and our skills/talents, as found here:

“There is no substitute under the heavens for productive labor. It is the process by which dreams become realities. It is the process by which idle visions become dynamic achievements.

“Most of us are inherently lazy. We would rather play than work. We would rather loaf than work. A little play and a little loafing are good. But it is work that spells the difference in the life of a man or woman. It is stretching our minds and utilizing the skills of our hands that lift us from mediocrity. It is work that provides the food we eat, the clothing we wear, the homes in which we live. We cannot deny the need for work with skilled hands and educated minds if we are to grow and prosper individually and if our nation is to stand tall before the world (from Ensign, Aug. 1992, 4).”

“The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best medicine for despair is service. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired.

“To you wonderful young men and women I send a charge to reach beyond the routine of your daily work to serve in the Church, in the community, in the society of which you are a part. Though your talents be meager, polish them. Increase your skills, extend your love to help those who need your lifting hand (from Ensign, June 1989, 74).

“I believe that I am a child of God, endowed with a divine birthright. I believe that there is something of divinity within me and within each of you. I believe that we have a godly inheritance and that it is our responsibility, our obligation, and our opportunity to cultivate and nurture the very best of these qualities within us.

“Though my work may be menial, though my contribution may be small, I can perform it with dignity and offer it with unselfishness. My talents may not be great, but I can use them to bless the lives of others. I can be one who does his work with pride in that which comes from hand and mind. I can be one who works with respect for my associates, for their opinions, for their beliefs, with appreciation for their problems and with a desire to help them should they stumble. I believe in the principle that I can make a difference in this world. It may be ever so small. But it will count for the greater good (from Ensign, Aug. 1992, 7).

Saturday School: Education Quotes

Learning is one part of bettering oneself and becoming self-reliant.  It is part of living providently.  As we educate ourselves we tend to make better choices, to have a better shot at providing for ourselves.

Today, I simply want to share some quotes about education from leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as found here:

“The Church from the beginning has been committed to the principle that ‘the glory of God is intelligence.’ (D&C 93:36.) We therefore encourage our people to study and prepare to render service with their minds and with their hands.

“Some are inclined toward formal university training, and some are inclined more toward the practical vocational training. We feel that our people should receive that kind of training which is most consistent with their interests and talents. Whether it be in the professions, the arts, or the vocations; whether it be university or vocational training, we applaud and encourage it” (Spencer W. Kimball, in Conference Report, Oct. 1977, pp. 4–5; or Ensign, Nov. 1977, p. 4).

“Education has always been recognized by the Church as the number one obligation of each generation to its successor and of each individual to himself. Each one of us is a divinely endowed, eternal, and intelligent being. It is incumbent upon us, therefore, to encourage and keep alive the questing spirit, to learn and continue to learn everything possible about ourselves, our fellowmen, our universe, and our God” (Hugh B. Brown, in Conference Report, Apr. 1968, p. 101; or Improvement Era, June 1968, p. 34).

“Too great care cannot be taken in educating our young ladies. Great responsibilities will devolve upon them. To their hands will be mainly committed the formation of the moral and intellectual character of the young. Let the women of our country be made intelligent, and their children will certainly be the same. The proper education of a man decides his welfare; but the interests of a whole family are secured by the correct education of a woman” (George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truth, sel. Jerreld L. Newquist [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], 2:138).

“There are impelling reasons for our sisters to plan toward employment. … We want them to obtain all the education and vocational training possible before marriage. If they become widowed or divorced and need to work, we want them to have dignified and rewarding employment. If a sister does not marry, she has every right to engage in a profession that allows her to magnify her talents and gifts” (Howard W. Hunter, Ensign, Nov. 1975, p. 124).

Saturday School: Sun Oven

Saturday School:  How to use a Sun Oven

These things are great!  I love them and would recommend one to anyone.  They require no fuel, only sunshine!  They are easily set up and taken down.

Alternative Cooking Method:  Sun Oven

PROS:  no fuel--uses the energy from the sun; can cook or bake; easy to use

CONS:  can only use when it is sunny; cooking times are longer than cooking or baking on/in a conventional stove/oven; buying commercial is expensive (but with regular use eventually you’ll recoup the cost in savings from not using your electricity--so this is only a con if you don’t use your sun oven very often); can’t fry with sun ovens.  If it is windy, the reflectors move--best to not use it when it is windy.  Only smaller pots and pans fit into the sun oven.

To set up:  put the sun oven in the yard where it will get sun (where it will cast a shadow during the whole cooking time).  Open up the reflector panels and lock into place.  Lock the glass into place to preheat the oven.  Position the oven to where the shadows are equal on both sides.  If the sun is lower in the sky--use the leg in the back to tilt the oven toward the sun.

To cook or bake in the sun oven:  Preheat the oven to the temp you want (up to about 350*).  Open the glass lid and place the pot/pan containing the food to be cooked onto the swing tray.  The swing tray can be removed, but it is nice to have if you will need to reposition the oven often.  Close and lock the glass lid back down.  Reposition the oven again to face the sun (if you will be repositioning it every 20-40 minutes) or to the position it will be midway through the cooking time, if you won’t be able to reposition the oven every 30-40 minutes.  Reposition as necessary.  Most food, if done this way, will take on average 2-3 times longer to cook than it would if you were doing it on the stove or in the oven in the house (or depending on the type of food 30-60 minutes longer than regular stovetop/oven times).  

To slow-cook in the sun oven:  Same as above, except you don’t reposition as often or at all--put it in the position of midway cooking time as stated above.

Of course the sun oven won’t fry foods, but baked goods turn out great as do stove-top cooked foods.  Reheat foods in the sun oven instead of the microwave or oven.

One of my favorite things about the sun oven:  I can start with completely frozen chicken, cook it in the sun oven for several hours and end up with moist delicious chicken ready to eat as is or to shred, or otherwise use in other recipes.  I often put just a little bit of water in the pot (just enough to cover the bottom), along with any seasonings I want sprinkled on top of the chicken:  taco, Mrs. Dash, etc.  MMM!

Things I have made and liked in the sun oven:  homemade bread--it browns nicely and is moist and delicious (not soggy, not dry); soups, chilis, cobbler, lasagne, brats, cookies, enchiladas, casseroles, pulled pork, and more.  I have also used it simply to reheat food.

See how nicely the sun oven browns the bread--on all sides.  This loaf was made with red wheat flour.

Recipe adjustments:  you won’t need as much liquid as you would on the stove-top (like a crockpot, it doesn’t lose the liquid as readily); the time to cook/bake will need to be lengthened depending on repositioning, amount of times you open the glass lid (each time, like a crockpot, will add about 15-20 minutes to the cook time-this is an estimation).

Cookware:  Dark!  Dark cookware helps absorb the heat.  You can also use glass-which is nice since you can see the food--if using glass it is best if the food is dark in color though so it will help absorb the heat.  Light /shiny colored cookware reflects the heat, which makes it hard for the food to cook.

Be sure to use hotpads to open the glass and remove the cookware, it will be hot!

Take down:  once you have finished cooking, let the oven cool down, wipe it out with a damp cloth and let dry.  Close glass lid.  Unlock reflectors and fold down.  Latch.  Remove to your storage area.

Have I convinced you yet about how wonderful these things are?  You can buy or make your own--there are many resources online that teach how to make a solar oven out of cardboard boxes, or more sturdy ones out of wood.  See also my post a while ago on making one out of a car windshield reflector screen.

Saturday School: #10 Can Stove

Saturday School:  Making a #10 can stove

Alternative Cooking Method:  #10 can stove
Pros:  easy to make one; small and inexpensive; adaptable--can use with a grate or just a pan, can use charcoal, wood or fire-starter
Cons:  Can't use indoors


These are a great way to use empty #10 cans.  To make a very simple #10 can stove, you will need an empty can, and those nifty can openers that punch a triangular hole into a can lid and a regular can opener (and maybe some work gloves to wear while making this), and pliers.

Once you have your supplies, take the bottom off the can (the top should already be off).  This is much easier with an electric can opener, but not necessary.  Once the bottom is of, use the triangular can punch on the sides, punching through multiple times all around the bottom of the can.  Push the bottom off the can down through the top and rest it on the triangular punch-outs.  Once it is level and firmly rested, use the triangle can punch to make holes at the top of the can.  Your stove is now ready.  You can use charcoal or wood.  Place the bottom of the can stove on cement or level ground (nothing flammable!!!), and light your fuel.  You can lay a grate on the top or put your pot on top without a grate.  This can stove can also be used as a charcoal chimney to get charcoal going for grills or apple box ovens.

I realize I used not-so-technical terms here.  But hopefully the pictures will help to explain.  This is only one way to make a can stove.  Here are some other online resources on how to make or use these: 

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/fsme/docs/10canstove.pdf

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2011/06/13/10-can-stove-gift-idea/

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2011/06/02/online-powerless-cooking-class/

Here is another that I have the instructions for, but except for the source listed on the bottom, I am not sure where this came from:

Just a note on where to use these:  make sure you only use them outdoors on a non-flammable surface (cement or dirt).  If you are using wood or fired up fire starter, I guess technically you could use them indoors in a fireplace, but still preferable to use outdoors I think.  When you do use, be sure to have a bucket of water nearby to extinguish any fires/coals.

Saturday School: Butane Stove

Saturday School:  How to use a butane stove

Alternative Cooking Method:  Butane Stove

PROS:  can be used indoors (if well-ventilated), small and storable, easy to set up and use

CONS:  hard to find--stoves & fuel aren’t usually lurking at your local stores--may have to go online; fuel will need to be rotated--will need to use and replace; flammable gas must be installed correctly to prevent leaks (some with any gas stove) or it WILL be a fire hazard; malfunctions of the equipment can cause a fire or explosion hazard

I suggest that you try any alternative cooking method outdoors first away from buildings or other flammable items--become familiar with how to use it, how and what to cook with it before an emergency, and in the case of indoor methods--before using indoors.

Butane stoves can be used safely indoors or outdoors (well-ventilated), whereas propane (camping) stoves CANNOT be used indoors safely--very dangerous.  If you are walking down the camping section of your local store, you are likely to see only propane stoves.  Butane stoves are available online, or on occasion in such places like Walgreens (at least during the beginning of hurricane season).  There are different versions--as butane stoves are used by catering companies as well as hikers--so the stove designs cater to who may be using them.  The type I am showing, is a simple stove top type of stove, nothing fancy.  Follow the directions for your own stove for setting up and using it safely.

Setting up the stove:  open the case if it has one & remove the plastic/packaging materials.  The grate will need to be turned over, simply lift it out and turn it over and put it back in.  

Open the fuel canister housing unit-the hole is for your finger to open it.  Take the lid off the butane fuel and insert it into the housing unit--be sure the nose of the fuel canister gets into the unit.

Once the fuel canister is secured, close the housing unit.  Flip the lock/unlock switch to lock and to light:  option 1:  turn the knob slightly to get the gas flowing.  Using a match light the pilot/grill area.  Cook away.  lighting 2 option:   turn knob past on, you should hear a click, it should light on its own.  turn knob back to lower flame and cook away.

Turning it off:  turn the knob to off, switch the lock/unlock switch to unlock.  Remove the fuel canister-it will be cool to the touch.  Put the lid back on the fuel canister, and return to its storage spot.  Let the grate cool before turning it back over to put back into the stove case.  Wipe off any spills, etc. before putting stove back into storage.

I hope this tutorial was helpful.  Butane stoves are one of the few alternative cooking stoves/methods that can be safely used indoors (well-ventilated), so a great addition to a family home storage program. 

UPDATE AUG 2012:  I recently discovered that in Dec 2010 some 37000 sterno butane stoves were recalled because the knob when turned to off wasn't functioning properly by completely stopping the butane gas flow, which allowed leakage and thereby fire hazard.  If your knob is allowing gas to flow in the OFF position, your stove is a fire hazard.  If yours is leaking gas while in the off position I highly suggest not using it unless you want to deal with a possible fire or explosion.  Believe me, a fire that you aren't planning on is not only surprising, it is scary.

Saturday School: Alternative Cooking Methods

Saturday School:  Alternative Cooking Methods

I recently taught a class about alternative cooking methods.  So today, I want to share some of the information from that class.  Class is in session:

When will you be left without electricity?  Will you be able to cook during that time?  What is your plan for what you will eat during extended power outages?  When planning, include a few different alternative cooking methods as conditions may be such that one method may not be useful.

There are many methods of cooking food without electricity.  Here are a few listed with the type of fuel they use, and where to use them:

Method	Fuel Used	Safety Precautions
Dutch oven	charcoal, coals from a fire	outdoors only!
Apple box oven	charcoal	outdoors only!
Can Stove	charcoal, coals from a fire, wood, other fire starters/burners (like a buddy burner)	outdoors only!
Charcoal Grill	charcoal	outdoors only!
Gas Grill	propane	outdoors only!
Camp Stove	propane	outdoors only!
Camp Stove Oven	propane	outdoors only!
Fire	wood	indoors (fire place, wood burning stove) or outdoors (fire pit, chimney, camp fire)
Butane Stove	butane	indoors or outdoors
Fondue pots (non-electric)	liquid gel, candles, sterno fuel	indoors or outdoors
Sterno stoves	sterno fuel, candles	indoors or outdoors
Solar ovens	sun	outdoors
icebox/chest oven		indoors or outdoors

Charcoal & propane fuel are to be used only outside, they are very dangerous and deadly to use indoors--do not use them indoors!

Wood can be used indoors when used in a fireplace or wood-burning stove, otherwise use outdoors.

Butane and sterno fuels are safe to use indoors (but still not in small enclosed spaces).

With any method, follow the directions for safety.  In upcoming weeks, I hope to highlight one or two methods at a time and discuss in more depth how to use them, the pros & cons associated with each method, plus other information and ideas.  Also see last weeks post on making a solar oven.

Here is the handout from the class I taught: