Posted on 03/24/2012 7:59:33 PM PDT by Kartographer
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 daysenough to get you through a zombie apocalypse or two...”
PING! Post #41
Folks, the scary part was that Crisco’s ORIGINAL INTENT was to be lamp/candle fuel, and not for eating.
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
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.
Cool. Thanks.
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.
Interesting. Please, update us on your tweaks.
I probably already have all the candles I'll ever use. But, I do have Crisco in my prepper supplies too.
My mother used to make the best tasting buttermilk biscuits in the world using Crisco shortening.
Also:
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.
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.
Do you have a link for the press?
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.
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.
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
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.
Thanks, Marmolade!
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