Some holes in my home prep

[Axxe55]

Livestock arriving dead at the slaughterhouse can be used for two things. Dog food, or fertilizer. But not legal for human consumption.

 

[Glenn B]

Many of those states, start treating the fuel at the tanks the start of winter. Plus they order a winter grade fuel at the start of winter. Typically, we very seldom see temperatures like we have seen this week, so most places don't normally order winter grade fuel or treat their fuel to prevent gelling.

We typically aren't using engine block heaters as well.

Learn something new every day. Thanks.

 

[bbbass]

Yes. I was just using a metaphor to illustrate that the holes in my prepping were much larger.
But, glad that it gave you a good memory.

And here I thought you were looking to go someplace warmer.... WHOOSH, LOL

I am often way too literal.

 

[bbbass]

/
Gelled) diesel fuel? Do you mean because of the cold diesel turns into a gell and that would cause gas stations to turn away trucks? If so, one has to wonder how it is they sell diesel fuel in states like Alaska, Idaho, Montana, New York (the northern parts of which get extremely cold), North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming and so on during the cold months.

OUR stations are used to typical winter temps for these regions. They have a winter formulation that includes anti-gel and start filling their storage tanks with it just before the colder temps arrive.

But surprise freezes can catch them off guard with summer diesel still in the tanks. This year, La Nina has given the PNW mild weather/temps. It didn't drop down into the teens here until Feb. But even with the latest burst of snow it hasn't been all that cold, many days in the low 40F range. Still looking at snow on the ground.

My 1T dually still has summer mix in it... if I have to start it to pull the neighbor out again, I'm pretty sure it will run just fine. Usually don't have a problem until it gets below 20F.

 

[mongoose]

Kerosene is some spendy stuff!! Not bad if only for emergencies.

We use oil lamps when the power is out.

I looked into converting my tophat kerosene heater (Duraheat), that I used in elk camp, to #2 diesel and it was kinda confusing. Apparently running diesel in it w/o conversion gums up the wick.

It's a stinky sumbitch. I also have some of the dish type radiant heaters, but for da house I prefer the 5 block Mr. Heater 30,000btu ceramic propane heater (with fan and thermostat). That thing will drive me right out when used with generator or inverter to power the fan!!!

I read where 5 oz on gasoline to 5 gal. of diesel makes a kerosene substitute. That might take care of the gumming issue.

 

[Texas_Lone_Ranger]

FMCSA issues 33 state emergency declaration due to fuel shortages

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued an emergency declaration in response to a deadly and damaging winter storm that has crippled many parts of the country and caused fuel shortages.

cdllife.com

 

[bbbass]

I read where 5 oz on gasoline to 5 gal. of diesel makes a kerosene substitute. That might take care of the gumming issue.

Sounds dangerous.

I read that adding methanol, Isopropyl alcohol, HEET, etc to the diesel will make it burn cleanly, but it is also about the CO emissions if you don't get it right. The burn must completely use up the combustion products or one is going to be at risk. Not being a chemist, I don't want to experiment with it.

I wish I could remember the source of what I read... did a googoo search but got way too much and there doesn't seem to be an "authoritive" voice or paper.

 

[deemus]

I tried to buy a propane heater for my grill bottle, but too late. I’ll add one of those to the supply shelf when it turns warmer.

I’ve used a lot of the larger kerosene heaters on construction sites. Seems like a bad idea for a house. Smoke and fumes. But it beats freezing.

Felt good about most of the rest. Plenty of food, water and fuels. Didn’t need most of it but family did. I made sure to point out it was the paranoid prepper guy that was taking care of them.

 

[Axxe55]

Sounds dangerous.

I read that adding methanol, Isopropyl alcohol, HEET, etc to the diesel will make it burn cleanly, but it is also about the CO emissions if you don't get it right. The burn must completely use up the combustion products or one is going to be at risk. Not being a chemist, I don't want to experiment with it.

I wish I could remember the source of what I read... did a googoo search but got way too much and there doesn't seem to be an "authoritive" voice or paper.

I would add it largely depends on whether the heater is outside or inside. Outside, plenty of fresh air to carry off any dangerous, or even deadly fumes. Inside, not so much.

Inside, I would only use what is recommended the way it was meant to be used. People have died in their sleep from faulty heaters giving off deadly fumes.

 

[G O B]

I read where 5 oz on gasoline to 5 gal. of diesel makes a kerosene substitute. That might take care of the gumming issue.

Add 1oz of gasoline to 5,000 gal of diesel, and the flash point is the same as gasoline!
What you need is number 1 diesel. I have had TOO MUCH experience with heaters, ice, snow and f**king cold! After 42 years of being "essential personnel"I retired and moved south of that shit.,
Was not prepared for this storm, but still had a cold weather survival jar from back then. Candles, Sterno and matches.
Lessons learned, rewire the fridge, freezer, gas furnace and well to an emergency panel with a x-fer switch to a generator- just like I had when living where this shit happens every winter!

 

[Axxe55]

There are always going to be holes in your preparations. Things you just never thought of until you have to actually put those preparations to work for you.

Sometimes, there are always going to be better ways of doing things or better equipment that we could have used. But, sometimes we have to make do with what we have and may not have the money to afford the better equipment.

 

[bbbass]

There are always going to be holes in your preparations. Things you just never thought of until you have to actually put those preparations to work for you.

Sometimes, there are always going to be better ways of doing things or better equipment that we could have used. But, sometimes we have to make do with what we have and may not have the money to afford the better equipment.

Mick Guyver it!!!

 

[mongoose]

Add 1oz of gasoline to 5,000 gal of diesel, and the flash point is the same as gasoline!
What you need is number 1 diesel. I have had TOO MUCH experience with heaters, ice, snow and f**king cold! After 42 years of being "essential personnel"I retired and moved south of that shit.,
Was not prepared for this storm, but still had a cold weather survival jar from back then. Candles, Sterno and matches.
Lessons learned, rewire the fridge, freezer, gas furnace and well to an emergency panel with a x-fer switch to a generator- just like I had when living where this shit happens every winter!

It will lower the flash point, but not to the same as straight gasoline.

 

[toddnjoyce]

One hole we found was a short run of hot and cold lines that were exposed. Luckily we resolved that before any damage occurred.

We have quite a bit of potable water stored, so the low pressure from the utility is a nuisance, really. What we learned is the utility is pumping uphill over a 1000’ of elevation gain to get to the storage tank that feeds us. Can’t do much about that, but we’re going to double or triple our storage capacity and consider something like a Constant Water 120 gallon system as a longer term improvement.

Food. We tend to eat fresh foods and keep some canned staples on hand as well as a few days worth of freeze-dried meals. I’ll have to think more on this subject because I’m not a fan of TVP as a primary protein source for a 7-day emergency. Not much we can do to store fresh consumables, so frozen vegetables are the backup there. I think what we will probably do is shift from a 7-day supply for 4 to a 14-day supply for 8.

We also took a lot of notes on things we will do different when we relocate, whether that’s sooner or later.

 

[deemus]

The fresh veggies / fruit thing was another issue. While it’s easy to have frozen veggies, the fruit is very different. Generally i eat several servings of fresh fruits a day, and frozen doesn’t taste the same. I guess, first world problems...

 

[2ManyGuns]

The fresh veggies / fruit thing was another issue. While it’s easy to have frozen veggies, the fruit is very different. Generally i eat several servings of fresh fruits a day, and frozen doesn’t taste the same. I guess, first world problems...

In an emergency situation, like now, make smoothies from the frozen fruits, or thaw and mix into low sugar gelatin, may make them more palatable. If you do not garden, when fruit is in season and cheap, buy extra and preserve it, same for veggies.

 

[Bozz10mm]

I learned that I need to have a stock of rock salt and cat litter to melt the ice on the steps and provide some traction. Also, those lithium battery powered car starter/jumpers hold a lot of juice for charging electronics. And, I will keep my 5 gallon kerosene can full from now on. It got so expensive I didn't buy any for the last 3 years. The weather caught me with only one full tank, about 9 hours of heat from my 40 year old kerosene heater. kerosene doesn't seem to go bad with age, at least not like gasoline.

I bought a Mr. Heater Buddy 5 years ago and 25 bottles of Coleman propane. Unboxed the heater for the first time 4 days ago. Puts out good heat and runs 4-5 hours on low. I'm thinking I should invest in another tho. One would keep us from freezing to death, but two might keep us comfortable. I bought 2 cases of those Duraflame fire logs back then also, but I'll be damned if I can find them.

I don't feel guilty anymore for buying all those Olights and 18650 batteries. Fortunate to be able to recharge them between outages.

 

[Bozz10mm]

Does anyone know why we are supposed to boil our water just because the pressure dropped? I don't get it. Haven't been boiling it either.

 

[Texas_Lone_Ranger]

Does anyone know why we are supposed to boil our water just because the pressure dropped? I don't get it. Haven't been boiling it either.

You are getting all the crud from the lines refilling.

Live updates on crisis in Texas: On call with Gov. Abbott, Biden promises federal support

Here's what's happening Thursday as North Texans are still reeling from the impacts left behind by winter storms.

www.wfaa.com

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[gll]

Turns out, most of the holes in my home preps are in my water system...