Long Term Survival - Coffee Can Rocket Stove

I've got a bit of a sinus infection/head cold/sore throat going on right now, so this is all I feel up to posting.

Build one of these for use in your deep woods Bushcraft camp. Limited smoke and more efficient use of your available fuel.

A 3 part video series

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3

Mystery Package

10/17/2012

I arrived home today with a package that I picked up from the Post Office only to find a box that had been delivered by FedEx. Since I was expecting some items that I had ordered from Amazon I was not surprised. At least not until I opened it!

The invoice on the box Said it was from:
    Distribution Center
    4000 East Highway 6
    Spanish Fork, UT 84660
and it wad addressed to me at my home address.

Inside was a can resembling a paint can, only half as tall, with the label STOVE IN A CAN. It had some heft to it as I picked it up and begin to examine it.

I do not recall ordering this, nor being offered it to review, and I have no clear idea of who arranged to have it sent to me!

Well, true to my nature, I could not stand not knowing anything about this product. Locating a web address, I was soon perusing their site to see what it was about.

http://www.stoveinacan.com/

I watched their video,

and then watched an independent review


and another


Hey!
Wait!
They sell 3 sizes? A quick look at their products page and it appears that they must have dropped the smaller sizes.

Here is the Shelf Reliance video


Okay, enuff of the videos, I had to see the contents for myself!
The lid came off easy enough, prying gently with the back of my knife. On top of the fuel "cells" was the instruction manual. I had to dump the cells out as there was not enough room to lift them individually. Out came 4 of the fuel cells leaving behind the cook ring and the fuel ring

What! No Matches?
Hmmmm... more cost cutting measures maybe?

The cooking ring was a bit reluctant to come out but soon gave way to my superior talent and intellect. Not intending to use it right away, I left the fuel ring inside. Now the lack of matches might be a bit of a hinderance to some, but like a Boy Scout, I am always prepared (sometimes).

My Impressions?
It seems to be a sturdy product that will serve nicely for the tasks of boiling water for purification and cooking your dinner, maybe even using the same fuel cell. It would be good to put in the trunk or storage area of your vehicle for an emergency source of heat and cooking/boiling. It does however put off Carbon Monoxide gas so it would be ill advised to use it as a heat/cooking source in an enclosed area.

The fuel cells are sold in packs of 6ea. for $22.99, or in larger quantities.
The stove itself costs $29.99.

Personally, I think it is a bit overpriced. Also, due to it's size, it is not something I would consider lugging about in a BOB/GHB. Too heavy and too bulky. As a reserve cooking source for the home, it would be okay for Spring/Summer/Fall use where you could set it up outside, but for Winter storms that knock out your power, I believe a Butane stove to be a better choice. Nothing like cooking your Rice and Beans in a snowdrift eh? Or when the wind is howling about stealing the heat right out from beneath your pot. The can and cook ring could be used with some other fuel source once you have used up your fuel cells. In a true emergency, you won't be buying replacement cells soon.

Since I do not know who this came from, I can not thank them for it. I will most likely buy a 6 pack refill and put it with my emergency supplies. Overall, I give it 3 out of 5 stars

http://www.stoveinacan.com/

Long Term Survival - A Bushcraft Shelter Part 2

The rest of the story

Rather than drag this out to another post, I present the last of the vids' here.










I was rather impressed that the shelter was strong enough to hold his weight.

Long Term Survival - A Bushcraft Shelter Part 1

Camping has been a lifelong activity with me. From my early years camping with my folks, my teen years doing it with friends, to my adult life taking the family out. Everything from travel trailers, campers, hammocks and tents. So it is no great surprise that I have an interest in Bushcraft and the outdoors.

I consider Bushcraft a form of "Camping Lite", utilizing skills to create your comfort in the wilderness rather than lugging along a bunch of stuff (which I still enjoy doing). Of course, YouTube is full of videos produced by those who practice various forms of Bushcraft. Some are almost laughable, while others are very informative.

Now some of you may wonder why you would ever need these skills. I suggest you watch the movie "Defiance", and place it in a modern context, where you are the ones fleeing persecution for your race or beliefs. When you have nothing but the most basic of tools, the knowledge of how to make your life more comfortable is invaluable.

I present here, a series of videos that I consider to be well done on the subject of Bushcraft. It is a long series, which I will split into several parts.

Enjoy!