Winter Storm Warning!!!

[marlas1too]

plastic tacked over windows before the quilts will keep more heat in
the hibachi is good to cook outside.get more charcoal
you can get caned Sterno to cook on too
sleep together-shared body heat
caned pasta only needs to be warmed
more bottled water-at least 1 gal a day for each member of house
yes get a Coleman stove if you can
wear sweats under cloths--warn
if wearing hats to bed get a pullover cap like the hunters wear with just the face showing
drink soups=liquid in soup helps and makes water last longer-get the kind that doesn't need water added to cook
yes on the energy drink mixes

[marlas1too]

or for a cooking source try this [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdqQE0LQV0c]How to make a Alcohol stove - step by step. - YouTube[/ame]

[hippytreehugger4ever]

You might want to stock up on shelf stable milk so you won't have to run to the store like all the other people do right before a storm.

[Spirit Deer]

Oh, man, be REALLY CAREFUL with something that burns as hot and fast as alcohol.

[low-1]

Oh, man, be REALLY CAREFUL with something that burns as hot and fast as alcohol.

Can't see the video at work, blocked, but I assume it's a "pepsi can stove" or similar:



If it is, they do work, quite well actually, for one person, 2 tops. I made one and keep it in my 72 hour SAR pack, along with a small bottle of fuel. They don't put out nearly as much heat as a pressurized coleman fuel stove, so it will take much longer to get water to boil.

One very big safety tip with them: Most places recommend using methanol/methyl hydrate for fuel, as it is relatively cheap and widely available. The problem is that when it's burning, the flame is nearly invisible. I mix in a bit of isopropyl (rubbing alcohol), perhaps 4 parts methanol to 1 part iso. This give the flame some orange color to it, so you can see when it's burning. It burns a little "dirtier" so you may have to wipe down the bottom of the pot after you're done cooking, but it's much safer to know when the fire is actually burning. With some meals/dishes, you might have to add more fuel to finish cooking, and I wouldn't want to pour fuel into a burning stove.

[BlissMommy]

I think it is so great that you are prepping like this. I'm trying to get better at doing the same.

[Darlene]

Not sure if we'll be hanging our hat here this winter and we were able to save a few things like our generator. It was sitting on the kitchen table and the table floated and didn't knock over or float out the door so that's cool! Need new gas cans and gas. Not sure if the small camping propane stove made it thru, have to check. We have a call into a wood guy so we can get some wood up here for heat. I do need to stock up on some canned goods and since this place is furnished with so many old fashioned things opening a can and doing many things is easily done with good old fashioned tools. Hoping for a mild winter....please.

[NicJean]

Our truck seats fold up, and the backs fold down - so I'm planning on restocking our storage that we keep in there. Add another blanket, rethink some of the food I keep in there. Now that's its "winter" most days will have fluctuation between 75 and 30 till January - then it'll be 20 below or lower.

[udwe]

We have almost all the windows covered with plastic. (Missed two, but can do them today), boat covered, yard ornaments put away, gas in the vehicles & food in the pantry. It's a much as we can do right now. We had about an inch of snow yesterday & a little more today. Luckily, the weather will be warming up for a few days so we will get more done.

[KeithBC]

Filled a couple of jerry cans with gas and mixed in stabilizer yesterday. Still need to check the oil in the generator.

[KeithBC]

I'm glad I was ready. The power was out for over 11 hours today due to a wind storm. I ran the generator for a few hours this morning to finish up work, then again this evening for reading lights.

It was helpful that DW had made a pot of soup last night. Soup is easy to re-heat on the wood stove.

Note to self: I've really got to get a Coleman stove for longer power failures.

[frugalfranny]

Great ideas and good reading. Everyone needs a reminder that the 'white stuff' is coming........along with whatever else!

Hoping for a mild winter....please.

Don't know what La Nina does to your end of the country, but they are warning us to prepare for YET ANOTHER one!!!

Our first big snowfall is scheduled for this weekend. Hope, unlike last year, that it knows when to stop!!!

[mzpepper]

Had a little light snow yesterday and they are calling for a little tonight.

I have a propane heat stove installed for backup heat
I always use a propane cook stove. I have an ample supply of wooden matches because the electronic ignition won't work when the power is out.
I have an order in for the outside propane tank to be filled
Battery powered lantern and extra D batteries
Hand crank radio
Clean sleeping bags and pillows in closet.
Two generators in garage. One never used in box.
Extra food in pantry. Hand operated can opener. Flavoring for water.
Ordered extra medications to keep on hand in case I don't want to go out.
Gear box checked by mechanic on 4-wheel drive in case I have to go out.
Extra reading material on hand.

Need to:
store more water
check gasoline and fill all portable tanks
buy hand warmers like hunters use (I love that idea Thanks!)

What am I missing?

[Trishagirl]

My dh always says you have to have a backup plan if things go awry! Well done!