Weekly Preppers Ping

[Kartographer]

Weekly Prepper's Ping. Time to share you buys, projects, and general information you like to share with fellow preppers.

[califamily4W]

http://lifehacker.com/5827780/make-an-emergency-candle-out-of-a-tub-of-crisco

Wow, if true I need to stock up on Crisco not candles. One can is suppose to last 45 days!

“...Just pull out a tub of shortening, put a piece of string in the middle, and light it up. Not only will it burn, it'll last for 45 days—enough to get you through a zombie apocalypse or two...”

[Kartographer]

PING! Post #41

[MrB]

Folks, the scary part was that Crisco’s ORIGINAL INTENT was to be lamp/candle fuel, and not for eating.

[Library Lady]

Colonists used Betty Lamps to burn lard or other animal fat. There is no reason vegetable oil or shortening would not work as well. Some had lids; some were double called nested Betty Lamps which put the oil in the top part and caught the drippings in the bottom. You can sometimes find these at antique shows.

http://jas-townsend.com/product_info.php?products_id=1009

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

A can of Crisco is kind of big to tote around and the can would cut off much of the light. Making couple of button lamps would be more practical.

Take one metal button (do not use plastic for obvious reasons) one square of fabric (cotton works best) one small bowl or plate and one mirror.

Fill the bowl with grease of your choice, even Vaseline will do but don't use Vick's vapor rub :) rub square of fabric with grease, tie fabric around button, sink cloth wrapped button into grease, light. You have a small portable light. Put the mirror behind it to enhance the light.

[MagnoliaB]

Cool. Thanks.

[bgill]

I’m thinking a tuna can or cat food can would sub for a Betty Lamp. Crimp one side for the wick and cover with the lid. Not substantial like cast iron but might work in an emergency.

[bgill]

We bought large bags of shredded cheese and are drying them in our dehydrator in order to make powdered cheese. Taking a lot longer than we anticipated. Still tweaking our method. Had to add paper toweling to absorb some of the oil.

Interesting. Please, update us on your tweaks.

[blam]

"Wow, if true I need to stock up on Crisco not candles. One can is suppose to last 45 days! "

I probably already have all the candles I'll ever use. But, I do have Crisco in my prepper supplies too.

[blam]

"Folks, the scary part was that Crisco’s ORIGINAL INTENT was to be lamp/candle fuel, and not for eating."

My mother used to make the best tasting buttermilk biscuits in the world using Crisco shortening.

Also:

Mama's Little Baby Loves Shortening Bread

[califamily4W]

I’m always trying to stock multi-multi-purpose supplies (nothing should be good enough on it’s own) and that is an exceptional use of resources.

[Sawdring]

The way the piping is cut it makes it look like aluminum, be careful if you use galvanized pipe because it is supposed to give off toxins when burned.

[Sawdring]

Do you have a link for the press?

[Kartographer]

The interior piping is all ‘black’ wood stove pipe. Only the out dressing is galvanized. In fact I couldn’t get a 4” 90 here in town. I ended up ordering one of the net.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Crisco is also good for taking tar, sap or other sticky stuff off hands or fur.

[Marmolade]

We've bought several of ours from Menards, Lowes, or Home Depot. Lids sold separately.

[Marmolade]

I was referring to buckets. Posted in a hurry, didn’t realize you were looking for water containers, although we have found those there as well.

[Donnafrflorida]

Go to amazon.com search for fire brick press. ours just came in.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005VSB500/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1333016634&sr=8-1

[Sawdring]

I searched for fire brick press and nothing came up but the 4-in-1 Paper Log Maker is a little different than what I thought it was.

[APatientMan]

Thanks, Marmolade!