Generator deal

[DrHenley]

I heat cooking oil over an open flame quite regularly

 

[Arcticdude]

If things got bad enough that diesel was no longer available, and my solar system didn't work, I'd just do with out electricity. It would be an inconvenience to not have electric but not the end of the world. For refrigeration I could cut ice out of the pond in winter and bury it under straw for use in the summer. It may not last all summer but it would help.

 

[Kevin L]

If things got bad enough that diesel was no longer available, and my solar system didn't work, I'd just do with out electricity. It would be an inconvenience to not have electric but not the end of the world. For refrigeration I could cut ice out of the pond in winter and bury it under straw for use in the summer. It may not last all summer but it would help.



Ice can be stored in an icehouse for up to two years despite summer.

The secret is big blocks and lots and lots of sawdust. Four feet of sawdust on each side will keep ice for a year if the ice blocks are big enough and the structure is partly underground.

 

[Brent S]

Even a stone structure next to a creek can keep cool. My root cellar is cool even during the heat of the summer. Yes, life could go on without electricity, but it would be a lot more physically demanding. Just covering the basics like food and water would take most of the day. I don't think even a half of the US population would survive the first six months.

 

[Maverick]

My dad was raised with an ice box, he was always amused by all the things people put in refrigerators now only if he was here to see the size of refrigerators people use today.

 

[Brent S]

My dad was raised with an ice box, he was always amused by all the things people put in refrigerators now only if he was here to see the size of refrigerators people use today.

I can't talk smack on that point. My fridge pulls 1100 watts. It's a huge monster! Now that I'm considering solar I regret that hungry beast!

 

[Kevin L]

I can't talk smack on that point. My fridge pulls 1100 watts. It's a huge monster! Now that I'm considering solar I regret that hungry beast!

Brent, I can offer you something constructive.

Look into an Einstein refrigerator. They are often used in RV's, and run on propane and/or kerosene.

If you get a big Einstein refrigerator (yes, this was invented by that Einstein), it need not use any electricity at all.

Most may use a gallon of kerosene in three weeks.

You change the D sized batteries a few times a year...the batteries are only for the LED light when you open the door.

Most models also have a freezer on top just like a regular fridge.

P.S. FYI, no electrical circuits are involved except for the light, so this kind of fridge is EMP proof by design if that interests you. They can be had new for $1100.00 dollars, much less if you buy certified used.

 

[Brent S]

Brent, I can offer you something constructive.

Look into an Einstein refrigerator. They are often used in RV's, and run on propane and/or kerosene.

If you get a big Einstein refrigerator (yes, this was invented by that Einstein), it need not use any electricity at all.

Most may use a gallon of kerosene in three weeks.

You change the D sized batteries a few times a year...the batteries are only for the LED light when you open the door.

Most models also have a freezer on top just like a regular fridge.

P.S. FYI, no electrical circuits are involved except for the light, so this kind of fridge is EMP proof by design if that interests you. They can be had new for $1100.00 dollars, much less if you buy certified used.

That's an interesting option. I haven't seen any full size ones, but knew about them for RV's anyways. I had a feeling they are pretty expensive. I think I will probably stay with electric on the fridge but will replace it down the road with a much more efficient model. I got this thing on a super sale over the 4th of July holiday a few years back. It was a great sale, and I got to stack multiple discounts with it. Later on I noticed the energy consumption and realized why they were getting rid of the model. It's a shame as this thing is huge, has everything, and is really nice. It even has all LED lighting, but that wasn't enough to lower its appetite. The range will be gas eventually but I think I want the fridge to run off solar. If things ever get really bad getting a gas refill at the house may be tough. Even without good batteries solar can keep the fridge cold during the day to last thru the night.

 

[Maverick]

Brent, I can offer you something constructive.

Look into an Einstein refrigerator. They are often used in RV's, and run on propane and/or kerosene.

If you get a big Einstein refrigerator (yes, this was invented by that Einstein), it need not use any electricity at all.

Most may use a gallon of kerosene in three weeks.

You change the D sized batteries a few times a year...the batteries are only for the LED light when you open the door.

Most models also have a freezer on top just like a regular fridge.

P.S. FYI, no electrical circuits are involved except for the light, so this kind of fridge is EMP proof by design if that interests you. They can be had new for $1100.00 dollars, much less if you buy certified used.

I have used kerosene friges, gone back to using propane, the refrigerator in the house (full size 20cu feet) and freezer in the barn are a switchable 120vac/propane. Far less maintenance on a propane frig than a kerosene frig plus propane stores longer. The cost of kerosene has really gone through the roof even getting aviation fuel (no additives) has gotten more expensive. The frig in the toy hauler are a switchable 120vac/12vdc/propane. Plus propane safer, kerosene has the potential for carbon monoxide in very thick cold air that affects venting

 

[DrHenley]

As far as I know, none of Einstein's THREE refrigerator designs ever went commercial. Einstein read a newspaper article in 1926 about an absorption refrigerator that leaked toxic refrigerant in an apartment in Berlin and killed the entire family living there. He called up his friend Leo Szilard and said “There must be a better way.” Here are a couple of articles about it:
https://www.wired.com/story/einsteins-little-known-passion-project-a-refrigerator/
https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/201011/physicshistory.cfm

He first design used three coolants and was more complicated than a simple absorption refrigerator. The design was bought by Electrolux for $750, but was never produced commercially.

There is now renewed interest in Einstein's design, albeit highly modified. But it's still in the development stage as far as I know.

 

[Kevin L]

As far as I know, none of Einstein's THREE refrigerator designs ever went commercial. Einstein read a newspaper article in 1926 about an absorption refrigerator that leaked toxic refrigerant in an apartment in Berlin and killed the entire family living there. He called up his friend Leo Szilard and said “There must be a better way.” Here are a couple of articles about it:
https://www.wired.com/story/einsteins-little-known-passion-project-a-refrigerator/
https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/201011/physicshistory.cfm

He first design used three coolants and was more complicated than a simple absorption refrigerator. The design was bought by Electrolux for $750, but was never produced commercially.



There is now renewed interest in Einstein's design, albeit highly modified. But it's still in the development stage as far as I know.

You are correct, but it's my (perhaps mistaken) understanding that the Dometic brand is a modified version of the Einstein fridge.

Some models can be switched back and forth between electricity and propane/kerosene.

As I said, I could be wrong.

 

[Gazrok]

many of us view power and fuel a matter of conveniences.

Post shtf, I think a lot of our daily effort would be towards food production...not making fuel. While this may work for vehicles, solar, wind, water power, etc. are better for shtf power sources for other uses, I'd wager.

 

[Maverick]

Post shtf, I think a lot of our daily effort would be towards food production...not making fuel. While this may work for vehicles, solar, wind, water power, etc. are better for shtf power sources for other uses, I'd wager.

Agree.


For the Home front hydro, wind and or solar power would be a better option. In my preps food production is a priority, I can’t see myself using up good growing land for fuel besides, I’m not seeing myself traveling by vehicle post-shtf, I have horses for that.

 

[Gazrok]

Exactly.