Considering wood-fuelled cooking

[mikepepler]

Mike -
One of the best of 101 Uses for a dead coat-hanger

Nice, I'll bear that in mind next time. The "hot plate" method I tried didn't work so well with embers, but was great when there were flames licking it underneath from freshly added wood - the flames would obviously have turned toast black if applied directly, but the hot plate left it nicely browned

[MacG]

Do any manufacturers spring to mind, MacG?

The ones I used were from the 1920's to 40's, and in those days they were made locally. Usually not more than 100 km transport from the site of manufacture. "Husqvarna" and "Skoglund & Olsson" comes to mind.

[tattercoats]

Tess says:

"I have to admit it's a difficult choice. Short term (and let's face it, still very affordable) comfort vs the more righteous but uncomfortable version."

That's it in a nutshell. Those of you who've gone woodburning seem to love it, but largely admit there's work involved; I find myself thinking 'but that means I'll have to keep sourcing wood, cos if I run out, no cooking!' and then my brain reminds me that's *entirely the flipping point*, as applied to the stuff that comes out of pipes or cables, and that the sooner I adapt the better.

I think I'm trying to talk myself into one of those lovely chilli penguins for the parlour, so I can 'play' and get used to the idea while keeping a conventional cooker in the kitchen for a bit. Then I look at those lovely warm big enamel beasties and I just *want* one.

The Esse certainly claims to need very little fire-maintenance, surprisingly little.

I'm still mulling over this, but I'm grateful for all your comments. If you've more to say on it, say on! 'Cause I'm still very undecided.

[stumuz]

tattercoats says;

That's it in a nutshell. Those of you who've gone woodburning seem to love it, but largely admit there's work involved; I find myself thinking 'but that means I'll have to keep sourcing wood, cos if I run out, no cooking!' and then my brain reminds me that's *entirely the flipping point*, as applied to the stuff that comes out of pipes or cables, and that the sooner I adapt the better.

What you have to ask yourself is this.Who do you want to be in charge of your energy/basics for heat,cooking,washing and drying, you, or the gas company,Russia,Putin?

[tattercoats]

Absolutely. It's funny how, after knowing about PO for two years and considering myself quite clued-up, I still balk, somehow, at this for me, big step, of going 'off-grid' for cooking.

I want to, and I'm scared to.

Still thinking. Meanwhile I'll prep for chickens, and plant some late turnips, cos that's at least *useful* displacement activity!

[RevdTess]

Absolutely. It's funny how, after knowing about PO for two years and considering myself quite clued-up, I still balk, somehow, at this for me, big step, of going 'off-grid' for cooking.

I want to, and I'm scared to.

Even though I was off-grid for heating last winter, the sheer unpleasantness of moving every evening from a woodstove-heated livingroom into a cold bedroom has tempted me back towards convenience. I didn't so much mind the hour or so it took to get significant warmth out of the stove every day, but being unable to sleep due to the cold was just horrible. This year I've bought myself a 240W 'heating tube' that should provide background heat and keep the chill away, but even at a mere 240W, it still requires a mains shoreline to avoid draining the battery in hours. And to think most electric heaters are 2KW or more!

And then even if you're using solid fuel, the chances are it's going to be coal if you want your fire to stay lit for more than a couple of hours while you sleep.

My conclusion is that wood is great for immediate heat and not so arduous for cooking, but highly unsuitable for overnight heating unless you have an automatic wood burning boiler which feeds wood pellets continuously into a furnace. And I'm yet to see any of those that would be suitable for a boat.

So the search for the best flexible and integrated solution continues.

[Andy Hunt]

We don't have any problem keeping our stove 'in' overnight if it is turned right in and the wood is nice and dry, and the stove stacked up to the top before bed. It makes it through the night and can be rekindled from the remaining hot embers in the morning.

We have cooked on our wood stove during a power cut before now, it was fine but there isn't much room on the top as it isn't really designed for cooking. We still have our electric hob, although we could always plug our microwave into our inverter/batteries for a bit if it came to that.

So I don't think we will starve . . . we get through loads of wood as it is, I can't imagine what it would be like if we had to fuel our cooking with it as well!!

[Bandidoz]

Tess - wouldn't the use of thermal bricks be worthwhile for storing the heat? I guess the insulation isn't particularly good on the boat.

[Ballard]

Tess - wouldn't the use of thermal bricks be worthwhile for storing the heat? I guess the insulation isn't particularly good on the boat.

The Chili penguin stove comes with two concrete night storage blocks which slide into the oven whilst it is not being used, these store the heat very well and release overnight.

(I don't get a commission, honest)

[skeptik]

That's it in a nutshell. Those of you who've gone woodburning seem to love it, but largely admit there's work involved; I find myself thinking 'but that means I'll have to keep sourcing wood, cos if I run out, no cooking!'

Just curious... How far will you have to drive to collect/buy wood, and in what sort of vehicle? Do you know how the wood is harvested? Petrol driven chainsaw and a diesel tractor trailer?

[adam2]

[Even though I was off-grid for heating last winter, the sheer unpleasantness of moving every evening from a woodstove-heated livingroom into a cold bedroom has tempted me back towards convenience. I didn't so much mind the hour or so it took to get significant warmth out of the stove every day, but being unable to sleep due to the cold was just horrible. This year I've bought myself a 240W 'heating tube' that should provide background heat and keep the chill away, but even at a mere 240W, it still requires a mains shoreline to avoid draining the battery in hours. And to think most electric heaters are 2KW or more!
.

Have you considered an electric blanket worked from the batteries via an inverter?
With adequate blankets I find that body heat is sufficient down to around zero, provided that the bed is preheated with an electric blanket.
For getting up in the morning consider an infra-red radiant heater worked off an inverter. although the load is substantial, with careful planning it would only be needed for a few minutes.

[tattercoats]

Skeptik,

Yes, that's part of what's holding me back. Right now I have as much wood as I can store, some from when a tree surgeon cut some trees down in my street 2 years ago, some from a neighbour emptying a shed, some from other general foraging and scavenging.

During a time when most people are putting up with erratic supplies for their electric and gas, woodburning will serve me well. When we reach the point that everyone who can is getting a woodburner and giving up on the conventional supplies - I don't think *anyone* will find it easy to source enough wood. At that point one will hope to have a year or so in reserve, used carefully, and augmented by other odds and ends that also burn, and then all bets are off.

So, when there's a storm that brings down small branches in the neighbourhood, I still go gathering them - I don't mind the funny looks.

I think I want wood to see me through for a while, put us ahead of the pack a bit - what lies beyond is impossible to predict. Any ideas?

[RevdTess]

Have you considered an electric blanket worked from the batteries via an inverter?

Interesting idea. I'd always considered them a fire risk.

[skeptik]

Skeptik,

So, when there's a storm that brings down small branches in the neighbourhood, I still go gathering them - I don't mind the funny looks.

I think it's a very good idea to keep as large a supply as you can practically store topped off as an insurance policy against short term energy supply disruptions.

Obviously as a long term sustainable option you'd need your own woodland, and the means to protect it against thieves. Anything made of copper which is left lying around in public is now subject to thievery (viz. recent disapearance of Henry Moore bronzes in UK and stripping of empty houses in the USA) -how long before wood goes the same way?

[adam2]

Have you considered an electric blanket worked from the batteries via an inverter?

Interesting idea. I'd always considered them a fire risk.

In my view the fire risk is minute PROVIDED that the electric blanket is relativly new, of reputable manufacture, and not damaged or worn in any way. Standard electric underblankets are of course intended to be used covered by a normal thickness of other bedding, there is a possible risk of overheating if excessivly covered, perhaps by spare clothing or bedding stored on the bed.

Or if you want to be really traditional, what about an old fashioned electric bed warmer. They appear from time to time in junk shops, and unlike an electric blanket, are relativly safe even if second hand.