I ask because I already have an outside grill with a burner. But in the event that the actual air temps are sub-zero, I don't want to be trying to cook food outside. We have an open box fireplace, plenty big for a dutch oven or skillet. I've just never done it before.
How comfortable is what? Not sure I follow ya there. We have a grate. I'm good with the fire size. Spent plenty of girl scout camping nights cooking over fires to know that the bigger the flame, the harder it is to cook....unless it's marshmallows and you like them blackened. We could have made it work if we'd had to these past few days. But there definitely would have been a learning curve.I forgot the dutch oven option.
Couple charcoal under, couple over, and wha-la.
You could still do the dutch oven outdoors. Most of the dishes I'm familiar with are low maintenance.
And you could do the skillet in the fireplace, but it depends. How comfortable is it? Do you have a grate for the skillet to sit on.
And a lot of people overdo the wood in a fireplace, because they want a "roaring" fire.
But cooking fires tend to be smaller.
This. My mom has been without power since about 1pm Sunday. She has a fireplace/stove thing with an electric blower. Obviously, no blower function without the power, but it can still generate some heat to the point where she doesn't have to seek shelter elsewhere. The only problem: she operated the fireplace so as to keep the inside air temps her usual 70. Which meant she used the firewood up more quickly than she had anticipated (doesn't help that she didn't account for the lack of a blower to disperse the heat so her calculation were based off of normal winter usage and not emergency usage). So she's going to have to trek out to the main racks today to replenish the porch supply. At least today is warmer. But the deep snow will be a problem for her.We learned our prep system works. We need to get the water supply replenished after rotating and using. I let that slip down to scary low level if we lost water. Gennys fired right up when we needed them. If you cycle them monthly they will most likely start when you need them. My sister lost power and neither of theirs would run so they sat in the glow of kerosene lamps and a wood stove for 2 days. I am going out there today to get the gennys back to my shop and repair them.
We learned our Battery/inverter back up is good to go. It could use more reserve for long dark and cold nights. 4 battery's are good, 6 would be much better. I plan on adding battery's this summer as funds become available.
We learned that wood can be burned at an alarming rate at -16*
How comfortable is what? Not sure I follow ya there. We have a grate. I'm good with the fire size. Spent plenty of girl scout camping nights cooking over fires to know that the bigger the flame, the harder it is to cook....unless it's marshmallows and you like them blackened. We could have made it work if we'd had to these past few days. But there definitely would have been a learning curve.
This. My mom has been without power since about 1pm Sunday. She has a fireplace/stove thing with an electric blower. Obviously, no blower function without the power, but it can still generate some heat to the point where she doesn't have to seek shelter elsewhere. The only problem: she operated the fireplace so as to keep the inside air temps her usual 70. Which meant she used the firewood up more quickly than she had anticipated (doesn't help that she didn't account for the lack of a blower to disperse the heat so her calculation were based off of normal winter usage and not emergency usage). So she's going to have to trek out to the main racks today to replenish the porch supply. At least today is warmer. But the deep snow will be a problem for her.
Me too, but only because she's becoming a headcase due to boredom. Frankly, I'm a little bit pleased that she's had to "suffer." I have been trying to impress upon her the importance of being better prepared for failures of utilities and whatnot since she moved out there 6 years ago. She has appeased me with token efforts like extra jugs of water, matches, etc. But nothing that would make a real difference. And she lives isolated enough that access is difficult when snow levels reach 4-5". The county doesn't plow in her area. She needed a wake-up call. Another few days of primitive living might be enough to convince her to take me more seriously. But I'm not holding my breath.My wife is cold nature so we keep it steamy in here as well. We have a sizable lean too shelter outside the back door and we went through that in 5 days. Had to get into the main stack ourselves.
I truly hope she gets power soon.
Me too, but only because she's becoming a headcase due to boredom. Frankly, I'm a little bit pleased that she's had to "suffer." I have been trying to impress upon her the importance of being better prepared for failures of utilities and whatnot since she moved out there 6 years ago. She has appeased me with token efforts like extra jugs of water, matches, etc. But nothing that would make a real difference. And she lives isolated enough that access is difficult when snow levels reach 4-5". The county doesn't plow in her area. She needed a wake-up call. Another few days of primitive living might be enough to convince her to take me more seriously. But I'm not holding my breath.
During the storm, my BOB was in the trunk of the car. Need to move either in the house, or, in the car. Keep couple sleeping bags in the car, (not trunk), and of course watch not to freeze your water carrier. I am adding semi full other bags to avoid buying 4 of everything.
Had good food supplys: Snacks, heat up stuff like pizza rolls, pizzas, lasagna, chicken nuggets all winners with the kiddies. Had beverages also, hot choc mix, beer, soda, Gatorade, and water.
Batteries: Only low draw was AAs. Had 4 packs of 4, down to 1 remaining. Xbox eats them on wireless controls.
Clothing for outdoors: All covered, only glitch was a balcava for kiddies and Wifey. They all pitched in to help clean cars, and got all vehicles started. Store a little more fuel/ oil mix, went through 2 gals in 2 days snowblowing. My 2 cycle oil was stored in garage, was like molasass (frozen) .
Didn't really suffer due to advance planning, and electric stayed on. Glad for a change as kiddies have cabin fever to the max.