Storage lifetimes of foodstuffs and other goods.

eatyourveg · Post by **eatyourveg** » 07 Jan 2008, 23:16

Cycloloco wrote:
greg wrote:Regarding thermals, have tried Damart, too bulky and shrink in the wash. Gave mine away to a passing dwarf who looked a bit nippy.
Thermals are supposed to be bulky! Damart's stuff is made from some fancy chlorinated hydrocarbon fabric and they warn you it is very heat-sensitive. Avoid that stuff if you can't remember to keep the wash and drying temperature down.

Bulk is not what you look for. Thin layers are. 40 degrees isn't high temperature + air dry.
Are you an ungrateful dwarf by any chance?

MisterE · Post by **MisterE** » 07 Jan 2008, 23:30

The only thing you are looking for in keeping warm is any gear made with propropylene, which is why stuff like this is a steal http://www.britishthermals.com/MENS_ACTIVE_THERMALS

The main thing is to stay away from cotton - cotton regardless of layering is the devil! If your socks, underwear, tops, fleece etc etc say cotton then dump it if you intend to work outside or stay warm

hardworkinghippy · Post by **hardworkinghippy** » 08 Jan 2008, 00:23

One of the best fibres for keeping warm (even when you're wet) is Mohair.

I make loads of stuff from our goats' fleeces. This is part of our sock stash drying in the kitchen. Some of our socks are over ten years old and they do get holes sometimes, but they're worth repairing because they're as good as new afterwards.

Talking about storing food...

We've eaten home bottled food many years after it was sterilised and came to no harm.

Post by **kenneal - lagger** » 08 Jan 2008, 04:10

Just finished a pot of jam from 1994, only opened two weeks ago, I hasten to add!!

Still alive as I type this, as far as I know.

MisterE · Post by **MisterE** » 08 Jan 2008, 09:26

Too right hardworkinghippy mohair is full on as a material. You should start a sock selling business etc, I cant knit, I'm rubbish plus everyone I knew who could have died, otherwise I'd be having my gran knitting away

Muwhahahahahaaa Kenneal we'll keep an eye on your posts to see if that jam is having any strange effects

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 08 Jan 2008, 09:30

MisterE wrote: Muwhahahahahaaa Kenneal we'll keep an eye on your posts to see if that jam is having any strange effects

And if it does, we'll sell it with the mushroom soup...

Post by **adam2** » 08 Jan 2008, 09:33

MisterE wrote:The only thing you are looking for in keeping warm is any gear made with propropylene, which is why stuff like this is a steal http://www.britishthermals.com/MENS_ACTIVE_THERMALS

The main thing is to stay away from cotton - cotton regardless of layering is the devil! If your socks, underwear, tops, fleece etc etc say cotton then dump it if you intend to work outside or stay warm

I am not certain that I would agree with the advice to avoid cotton long underwear, as a prep for fuel shortages.

Cotton loses virtually all its insulation value if wet ot damp, hence the saying "cotton kills" by mountain rescue personell etc.
For outdoor use,when one may get wet, whether for leisure or work I would agree that wool or synthetic fibres are best as they retain warmth if wet.

however for indoor use in unheated homes or workplaces, where getting wet is unlikely, then I recomend cotton long underwear.
I would also recomend cotton for outdoor use in dry conditions, for example gardening (but perhaps not away from home lest the weather changes)

Cotton is far more comfortable to wear, is moderately priced, and can be hot washed or even boiled without damage.
100% cotton thermal underwear is not readily available in the UK, but may be readily obtained from suppliers in Canada or the USA where it is very popular presumably due to the cold dry conditions.

I recently purchased a large supply from the USA, even after air freight it was still very good value

http://www.wittmanntextiles.com/melounpa.html

SunnyJim · Post by **SunnyJim** » 08 Jan 2008, 10:49

It's fairly well accepted in the field of cycling that merino wool is the best base layer for cycling in during the winter, with a wind proof (but breathable) top over it, so I would imagine for gardening in the winter a woolen (merino if possible) base layer would be ideal.

SunnyJim · Post by **SunnyJim** » 08 Jan 2008, 10:51

It doesn't stink like the hi-tec fiber base layer either. You can wear it a few days on the trot without any detrimental effects. And it feels MUCH nicer. I have one merino vest, and I got it cheap. I wish I'd bought loads more.

Post by **adam2** » 08 Jan 2008, 11:07

Vortex wrote:Maplins are doing a sale on electrically heated gloves, jerkins and shoeliners ...

AFAIK these articles are powered by disposable batteries and thus very expensive to run.
One could of course use rechargeables, though for regular use this would require many batteries and chargers.

Adam1 · Post by **Adam1** » 08 Jan 2008, 11:17

SunnyJim wrote:It doesn't stink like the hi-tec fiber base layer either. You can wear it a few days on the trot without any detrimental effects. And it feels MUCH nicer. I have one merino vest, and I got it cheap. I wish I'd bought loads more.

I bought a pair merino wool long johns from Rohan in their sale last year. This year they've stopped the line and have replaced it with a synthetic equivalent. Any ideas who still sells merino wool underwear?

SunnyJim · Post by **SunnyJim** » 08 Jan 2008, 11:50

Yeah, but you might wince at the price....

http://www.howies.co.uk/product.php/798/16/

I think there are lots of companies that do blends that include merino wool. M&S I think.

Here's some more Merino stuff....
http://www.facewest.co.uk/Mens-Wool-Base-Layer.html

MisterE · Post by **MisterE** » 08 Jan 2008, 22:24

Thanks for the links lads. Good point on the cotton, most of my life is outdoors hence I do stay away from it now

But of course indoors I wear cotton stuff as you say its cheap, but when cold hits or if I had no home heating and it got really cold I would not want to be without my work gear

Post by **adam2** » 26 Jan 2008, 15:23

Vortex wrote:Kerosene can be hit by "kerosene fungus". Petrol can jellify. There are gadziillions of pages on the US survival sites about fuel storage.
.

Most US sites recomend adding gasoline stabiliser to gasoline (petrol) in order to prolong the storage life. "STABILL" Is a well known brand, anyone know of a similar product sold in the UK ?

I have never known petrol to jellify, I thought that the problem was that some components evaporated, thus rendering the remaining fuel less volatile/less readily ignited.

I would expect petrol to store for many years in truly sealed containers, since nothing can get in or out, however this does not appear to be the prevailing view.

Petrol in vented tanks in vehicles tends to evaporate quite quickly.

Mr Livered · Post by **Mr Livered** » 28 Jan 2008, 08:25

adam2 wrote:I would expect petrol to store for many years in truly sealed containers, since nothing can get in or out, however this does not appear to be the prevailing view.

No, I have stored petrol in containers and in a vehicle tank for long enough to make it come out like used engine oil. I have no idea why.