Tim, I am not referring to Sterno: that is a liquid fuel. I am referring to gelled alcohol (which alkies, in a pinch, will not drink). I would guess that it is a fairly new development. In a fairly casual search, I was able to turn up only two companies that make the stuff and the portable firecases & stoves you use it with. Here is one reference:
alco-brite.com
Any thoughts?
I don't anticipate that things will "get that bad", either. On the other hand, neither do I expect they will "get that good". I don't know what to expect, since not even "the experts" really do. (Although some claim to.) What I do know is that I personally could not possibly prepare for The End of Civilization As We Know It. My basic problems:
1) Reading long technical explanations about how to make something work sends me into instant paralysis and brain atrophy.
2) I cannot sew on a button, let alone garden, hew (or saw) wood, build anything, mill flour, perform repairs, etc., etc. In short, I am totally inept.
3) I am a superannuated female, and I live alone (although I have good neighbors).
Thus, I wish to be minimally prepared -- in the simplest possible way. And just in case this "crisis" passes without any major disruption, I do not wish to purchase anything I cannot use later, for some other occasion. (For example, is freeze-dried food appetizing enough to eat on "normal" occasions?)
Now, as far as heat is concerned, I have a few questions, specifically for you. I note that you are all set with woodstoves, so you must know about heating with wood.
I do have a fireplace in my downstairs living-dining room-kitchen area. Problem: too many windows, front and back doors open right into the area, fireplace does not seem to heat very much (I only use it at Christmas time). The downstairs is generally much colder than the upstairs bedrooms. Does it make sense to have the fireplace cleaned, repaired (if necessary), "retrofitted" so it will produce more heat? Would buying a fireplace insert be simpler/better? Or should I forget about heating the relatively huge downstairs area altogether? Any major safety problems with wood (outside of the immediately obvious)?
I should add that I live in the Greater Washington D.C. area, and that except for 1996 (a real bummer weather year) we have been having mild winters.
jbe
|
