I heat cooking oil over an open flame quite regularly
If things got bad enough that diesel was no longer available, and my solar system didn't work, I'd just do with out electricity. It would be an inconvenience to not have electric but not the end of the world. For refrigeration I could cut ice out of the pond in winter and bury it under straw for use in the summer. It may not last all summer but it would help.
I can't talk smack on that point. My fridge pulls 1100 watts. It's a huge monster! Now that I'm considering solar I regret that hungry beast!My dad was raised with an ice box, he was always amused by all the things people put in refrigerators now only if he was here to see the size of refrigerators people use today.
I can't talk smack on that point. My fridge pulls 1100 watts. It's a huge monster! Now that I'm considering solar I regret that hungry beast!
That's an interesting option. I haven't seen any full size ones, but knew about them for RV's anyways. I had a feeling they are pretty expensive. I think I will probably stay with electric on the fridge but will replace it down the road with a much more efficient model. I got this thing on a super sale over the 4th of July holiday a few years back. It was a great sale, and I got to stack multiple discounts with it. Later on I noticed the energy consumption and realized why they were getting rid of the model. It's a shame as this thing is huge, has everything, and is really nice. It even has all LED lighting, but that wasn't enough to lower its appetite. The range will be gas eventually but I think I want the fridge to run off solar. If things ever get really bad getting a gas refill at the house may be tough. Even without good batteries solar can keep the fridge cold during the day to last thru the night.Brent, I can offer you something constructive.
Look into an Einstein refrigerator. They are often used in RV's, and run on propane and/or kerosene.
If you get a big Einstein refrigerator (yes, this was invented by that Einstein), it need not use any electricity at all.
Most may use a gallon of kerosene in three weeks.
You change the D sized batteries a few times a year...the batteries are only for the LED light when you open the door.
Most models also have a freezer on top just like a regular fridge.
P.S. FYI, no electrical circuits are involved except for the light, so this kind of fridge is EMP proof by design if that interests you. They can be had new for $1100.00 dollars, much less if you buy certified used.
Brent, I can offer you something constructive.
Look into an Einstein refrigerator. They are often used in RV's, and run on propane and/or kerosene.
If you get a big Einstein refrigerator (yes, this was invented by that Einstein), it need not use any electricity at all.
Most may use a gallon of kerosene in three weeks.
You change the D sized batteries a few times a year...the batteries are only for the LED light when you open the door.
Most models also have a freezer on top just like a regular fridge.
P.S. FYI, no electrical circuits are involved except for the light, so this kind of fridge is EMP proof by design if that interests you. They can be had new for $1100.00 dollars, much less if you buy certified used.
As far as I know, none of Einstein's THREE refrigerator designs ever went commercial. Einstein read a newspaper article in 1926 about an absorption refrigerator that leaked toxic refrigerant in an apartment in Berlin and killed the entire family living there. He called up his friend Leo Szilard and said “There must be a better way.” Here are a couple of articles about it:
https://www.wired.com/story/einsteins-little-known-passion-project-a-refrigerator/
https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/201011/physicshistory.cfm
He first design used three coolants and was more complicated than a simple absorption refrigerator. The design was bought by Electrolux for $750, but was never produced commercially.
There is now renewed interest in Einstein's design, albeit highly modified. But it's still in the development stage as far as I know.
many of us view power and fuel a matter of conveniences.
Post shtf, I think a lot of our daily effort would be towards food production...not making fuel. While this may work for vehicles, solar, wind, water power, etc. are better for shtf power sources for other uses, I'd wager.
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