Hey all,
I recently met Whitebear and Ottawa_gal over coffee and got to know a couple of the nice folks on these forums in person.
Part of our talk touched on the difficulty of buying certain items due to a) high retail prices or b) lack of local (or even, in some cases, Canadian) sources.
This trend is only going to increase as the retail sector continues to clue in to prepper activities and the potential boon we can be to their revenues.
I just wanted to let everyone here know that one of my best friends is a very talented mechanic and metal worker. He's just built me a wood-fired maple syrup evaporator that managed a 29 gallon per hour boil off when tested with water. That should equal roughly 24-26gph with sap. Better than many commercially built units.
He's also dabbled in rocket stoves and wood gas stoves with me and a wood gasifier is next on our list of experiments.
If you have a item you'd really like, but can't afford to buy retail or don't have the DIY ability... please let me know. It could be something my friend and i can build you cheaper. Perhaps we could even do bulk buys for a bunch of posters here for things like rocket stoves, if a half dozen of you wanted one of certain specs.
It would allow us to knock them out production-line style and save even more $ on materials.
The only costs would be the materials and my buddy's time. My labour in these projects comes free as i get to learn more and at the same time help out some fellow preppers. Oh, and we would need detailed plans of your builds as this isn't the time for experimentation... lol
It's coming... and it's going to hurt!
Have you thought about branching out into producing thermal heating systems?
Generally, these are around 4' x 8', require only a small fan, and can easily produce 100F on a sunny day. Would be complimentary to your stove work, especially to people getting away from the grid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRZvAAqzXIw
When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fail, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.
-Edmund Burke, 1729 - 1797
"We" have no "plans" for expansion... as this isn't a commercial gig. 🙂
We aren't looking it really as a revenue generator. I just extended the option for anyone who is tired of hitting their head against the wall but really wants quality made goods.
Essentially, we'll tackle any project, as long as it's viable.
It's coming... and it's going to hurt!
What a lovely offer, that is so kind of you, I am quite interested to hear all about your wood-fired maple syrup evaporator, how many tree's are tapping, I might be interested in a smaller version if such a thing can be done, Glad you had a good visit, are you coming out on Seedy Saturday? If so, I look forward to meeting you. FG
http://livingmydreamlifeonthefarm.wordpress.com/
Hiya Oddmott,
I've checked every store in Ottawa (even kijiji, thrift stores, etc) for a heavy duty (cast iron or rebar type) grate for over a camp fire to put my pots on to cook. All the ones that I've found are SO flimsy (thin steel). I don't even use the one we have because it looks like it could collapse from a cast iron pot.
Would that be something you and your friend could make?
Ottawa_gal
Hiya Oddmott,
I've checked every store in Ottawa (even kijiji, thrift stores, etc) for a heavy duty (cast iron or rebar type) grate for over a camp fire to put my pots on to cook. All the ones that I've found are SO flimsy (thin steel). I don't even use the one we have because it looks like it could collapse from a cast iron pot.
Would that be something you and your friend could make?
Ottawa_gal
Not to crash your party Oddmott, however Ottawa_gal, you might be able to get one of these shipped out or perhaps you have a relative that lives close by to where these are located:
http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-art-collectibles-Cast-iron-grill-W0QQAdIdZ569985886
http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-home-indoor-home-decor-accents-Antique-Cast-Iron-Stove-Grate-Grille-W0QQAdIdZ562157685
The second one is gorgeous and only $10! I know shipping isn't ideal considering the item, however, sometimes sellers will do it. When searching for anything on Kijiji, if it's something I really want, I'll change the location to anywhere in Ontario - contact the seller and ask if he/she would be interested in shipping the item if it's too far away for me to drive.
Intelligent Survival Networking for Enhancing Knowledge and Resources
Ontario Preppers Ontario Preparedness
http://oi41.tinypic.com/2856ib.jpg
O, that sounds good as well, a heavy duty for over the fire, I would love a fire roast spit made proper for when I roast meat as well.. we so need to have a coffee and visit an see about a few things on this 🙂
http://livingmydreamlifeonthefarm.wordpress.com/
Thanks Che & Farmgal 🙂
Che: The grates you posted from kijii are really nice, but they might be a bit too thin. We have something similar on our burning barrel and it has warped from the heat.
If the big rectangle one was in Ottawa I'd buy it for sure and find a use for it. It's awesome. The second one is beautiful, I'd probably get that one too! I love anything and everything cast iron. When we move to the country I want to incorporate cast iron into the décor somehow....
I'll try to post a picture link below of one (mine wouldn't need to be that pretty, rebar is fine):
http://50campfires.com/campfire-chili-recipe/
Farmgal, like you, I would love a spit too! Camp fire roasted chicken, yum!
Hiya Oddmott,
I've checked every store in Ottawa (even kijiji, thrift stores, etc) for a heavy duty (cast iron or rebar type) grate for over a camp fire to put my pots on to cook. All the ones that I've found are SO flimsy (thin steel). I don't even use the one we have because it looks like it could collapse from a cast iron pot.
Would that be something you and your friend could make?
Ottawa_gal
I'll check and see if what we've got. Do you have a particular set of dimensions in mind? Essentially the further the distance it must span and the hotter the fire you expect it to be over, the stronger the metal must be.
It's coming... and it's going to hurt!
What a lovely offer, that is so kind of you, I am quite interested to hear all about your wood-fired maple syrup evaporator, how many tree's are tapping, I might be interested in a smaller version if such a thing can be done, Glad you had a good visit, are you coming out on Seedy Saturday? If so, I look forward to meeting you. FG
We had a successful test fire that i'm sure can be improved even more once we have the $$$ to build/buy a flue pan. But for now, 25ish gallons per hour is epic on a home build.
I'd suggest keeping an eye out for old wood furnaces in your area. Grab a couple for free as they are easy for a skilled individual to tear down and re-purpose. That's exactly what we're using.
It's coming... and it's going to hurt!
Hi Oddmott,
I'm thinking size of about 3 feet by 2 feet? Can you take a look at the link I posted about 2 messages up? I can't figure out how to post a picture on here...sigh.
I'd actually like 2 of these, one high leg and one with lower legs but I can probably only afford one right now.
It doesn't need to be pretty. It will be used in the middle of nowhere so it's not like anyone will ever see it. I prefer cast iron but that's probably expensive. I'm thinking rebar for the table top grill? I don't know what for the legs.....
If you think it's a possibility please PM me and I'll give you our phone number because that's a lot easier than trying to figure out details via PM etc.
I'm really hoping that this can happen because I've been looking for a really sturdy one for over a year now....That would be SO great!
og
When I worked in the foundry business we used a lot of flooring like this http://www.russelmetals.com/en/Products/GratingMeshAndPerforated/Pages/Bar-Grating.aspx for the pouring deck. Set in an angle iron frame it made a great grate for the firepit. We used it for corn roasts mainly. Then I loaned it out... gone now.
Scrounger, that flooring looks great. Hard to tell how thick it is but it looks pretty heavy duty. I doubt I could get my hands on a small piece though, I'm sure it's sold in huge quantities for big projects? Thanks for posting, that's a good product to keep in mind. 🙂
They use it in industrial mezzanines and stairs. Should be easy to find some at your local scrapyard.
We're actually going to our local scrapyard this spring to look for another grate for our burning barrel. I'm going to ask if they have any of that material while there. I'm sure it will come in very handy. Thanks!