I have two solar ovens that will work towards cooking/baking for my family without the use of fuel. The only problem with solar ovens is that they do not work in extremely cold temps and they are ineffective on terribly cloudy days. Both problems where I happen to live. The other is the amount of fuel required to stoke a traditional stove in an area where trees are not abundant (such as Cardston or Utah). In addition to being horribly inefficient (20%, or so), most stoves require cut cord wood to 14"-20" in length, which may not be possible if you cannot find fuel enough to power your chain saw. In a survival/refugee situation, easily available fuel will be depleted rather quickly where large encampments of thousands or tens of thousands of people are relying on the same sources. In African refugee camps, the women responsible for the cooking can travel for a day to find enough fuel to stoke their inefficient open fires after they have been camped in one spot for some duration. The best solution I have found to answer all of the above problems is the following stove:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/STOVETEC-ROCKET-STOVE-ECO-CERAMIC-2-DOOR-STOVE-EMERGENCY-PREPPER-STOVE-/230875742654?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c14441be
I believe this will also run on buffalo chips and most any branches or dried reeds or grasses. The efficiency is amazing. I have just ordered mine as a late Christmas present to myself and my family. Instead of getting all the finer things, if you have not done so already, it is time to order the simpler and necessary things for your family. If you cannot take care of them properly after so much warning as to what is coming - the sin be upon your head. If you are not able, and you have done your best, the Lord will provide according to your faith and diligence.
One last thought. I have two small collapsible ovens that can be rigged over this rocket stove which you can bake two loaves of bread in (each one). It would not be good to have wheat and no way to make bread. Here is a link to those stoves - and I highly recommend these little babies - and they are cheap and come with their own thermostats and can be used on any stove you might need to cook on (other than an open fire):
http://compare.ebay.com/like/110990323515?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar
Don't know if you've heard of "Hay Boxes". (Thermal Cooking)
ReplyDeleteDuring WW II many farmers used this method of cooking because of fuel shortages during the war. Haybox cooking is the nonelectric version of the Crock-Pot. You can use it to prepare any recipe that involves boiling, roasting, simmering, or steaming food. Here are a couple of good links or you can just google "thermal cooking":
http://www.countryfarm-lifestyles.com/hayboxes.html#.VRwarrAcQdU
http://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/haybox-cooking-zmaz80jfzraw.aspx