robbi
New member
Posts: 3
Likes: 9
|
Post by robbi on Nov 19, 2022 19:44:05 GMT 10
After 5 days of no power last week I relied on my Pot Belly and butane cooker to cook and make a cuppa I think that I have not planned long term food cooking correctly. I had planned on cooking outside over a small cooking fire as a long term plan but I don't think this is always an option. I had plenty of butane cannisters for my cooker for the 5 days but realistically could I store enough cans for this to be an option in a shtf situation? How long do butane cans store for and how are they best stored if bought in bulk?
|
|
bushdoc2
Senior Member
Posts: 373
Likes: 465
|
Post by bushdoc2 on Nov 19, 2022 22:14:17 GMT 10
Biggest problems I have found in these canisters is: 1. once opened, some do not reseal. The cheap ones, for "briefcase" stoves have been ok. Older, butane canisters for blowtorches, do not always seal once the head is removed (ie. the blowtorch attachment). Not always, but every now and then. 2. Surface rust. Metal, rust, eventually will eat through. Not yet a problem if you ROTATE stock.
If cans stored, consider a small coat of oil or zinc paint.
Cooking outside? How is the weather? Wind is not good on these stoves. I have a deep, stainless steel sink at one campsite, and it works wonders for a briefcase stove. Put stove in sink, no wind worried. How is the neighbourhood? Starving neighbours + frying bacon = trouble.
|
|
malewithatail
VIP Member
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 1,307
Location: Northern Rivers NSW
Member is Online
|
Post by malewithatail on Nov 20, 2022 7:12:44 GMT 10
"After 5 days of no power last week" No such issues here, if the power goes out its my fault and id better fix it. 9 of us here now, all family, and 7 separate solar power systems. Independent water supply, solar pumped to a header tank on the hill and gravity fed to the dwellings. Farm and garden water solar pumped to another 45 kl tank adjacent to the drinking water on the hill, and gravity fed to all the farm, so no issues if something happens and a bushfire comes. All have wood stoves for heating and cooking and hot water in winter (solar hot water in summer).
Yes, its a lot of firewood, but I have the gear to do it, mostly commercial firewood swing saw and electro hydraulic splitters.
Madness takes its toll....please have exact change ready.
|
|
|
Post by Stealth on Nov 20, 2022 8:28:46 GMT 10
I have several packs of butane stored in my garage for when we go camping or do hotpot at home. To be honest I'm not sure how long they last in storage but I've had several in my garage for the last 1-2 years and each one I've pulled out has worked just fine. After using one in a camp oven, I try to use it all up within 3-4 weeks just to avoid them sitting around for too long. They're super handy for a short term option but as you've noticed they're not really a great storage option for long term use.
Personally I think the easiest option to obtain and use is LPG. It stores easily in a tank and has a very long shelf life. I did a quick search because I figure it's better to buy a big bottle when we've moved as a back up/regular use option. Our pizza oven is gas-fired and we use it frequently and we're looking about $90 to fill a 45kg bottle. Given a 9kg tank lasts us at least two summers of use I think it'll be a good option for us.
IMO, energy options go:
Butane canisters LPG tanks Camping solar kits Residential solar Anything to do with wood/burning physical stuff
That list is purely based on cost and ease of access. Obviously a residential solar array that supplies enough energy for all of our needs is the gold standard. But not everyone has access to that as an option for a variety of reasons. And better to start with something that's easily accessible and doesn't put one into debt.
|
|
tactile
Senior Member
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 480
|
Post by tactile on Nov 20, 2022 10:09:41 GMT 10
I think Stealth has it down - LGP is probably a better option.
If you have a good setup for cooking over a wood fire, then consider ways to make that more convenient. You can get tradie gas torches from Bunnings pretty cheap and you can use these to get a fire going in a fraction of the time of kindling/firelighters and other traditional (slow!) methods. You can start with much larger wood and get a good fire going real quick!
Most of my family/friends have wood heaters in their sheds and this method gets them going real quick.
|
|
malewithatail
VIP Member
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 1,307
Location: Northern Rivers NSW
Member is Online
|
Post by malewithatail on Nov 20, 2022 10:33:22 GMT 10
We are building an outdoor kitchen, with a wood fired pizza oven and so on.
Mary had a little lamb....the doctor was surprised !
|
|
Morgo
Senior Member
Posts: 682
Likes: 661
|
Post by Morgo on Nov 20, 2022 10:55:19 GMT 10
After 5 days of no power last week I relied on my Pot Belly and butane cooker to cook and make a cuppa I think that I have not planned long term food cooking correctly. I had planned on cooking outside over a small cooking fire as a long term plan but I don't think this is always an option. I had plenty of butane cannisters for my cooker for the 5 days but realistically could I store enough cans for this to be an option in a shtf situation? How long do butane cans store for and how are they best stored if bought in bulk? Well it depends on how long the SHTF. I recently camped on an island with nothing so we were using these to cook with. For two people cooking all meals and boiling water, I'd say one lasts a day or so easily. How many do you want to store. I've also found that these do not store that well long term. We had quite a pile of unused older cans that didn't last as long as new ones, so even unused ones seems to leak a little over a few years. For storage, cool dry place not in the house. IMO a much better option is simply a 9kg gas bottle, or larger, with a small gas burner and a Weber Q. Small burner obviously for small things, boiling water etc, weber I've found is pretty gas efficient/versatile that can cook anything I want.
|
|
rosebud
Senior Member
Posts: 141
Likes: 164
|
Post by rosebud on Nov 21, 2022 9:51:42 GMT 10
I have stored the butane cannisters in the shed for at least 3 years and recently used some. They seemed ok.
They do not work so well if they are cold, 4 Deg C or colder and if they are getting close to empty, but easy to warm up if you put them in the sleeping bag with a warm body.
I worked out that the 220gm canisters last approx 1 hour and 40 mins with normal use. If it is extra cold or windy, they last a bit less, but use a wind guard.
|
|
|
Post by ausprep130 on Nov 21, 2022 9:55:44 GMT 10
I've used butane canisters for years with a lunchbox cooker when on camping/4wd trips. Recently acquired a blow torch attachment which expands butane canister usefulness.
Storage - Keep upright, cool, dry, out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources.
At home they are in a cardboard box in the backroom When travelling I normally keep them in an ammo box (the large one from SuperCheap is perfect in the back of the ute).
Most have been stored for a few years with no issues.
A couple got wet either directly when the lunchbox cooker was left out in the rain, or indirectly via condensation when stored near something else that was wet. Depending on how they got wet they started to develop rust on either the bottom rim or around the top near the nozzle. Can't be sure how long it took but was at least 6-12 months possibly 2yrs but they worked fine.
They are certainly lightweight and convenient but butane canisters struggle in cold weather, especially at elevation and not my preference for sustained mid/long term cooking.
|
|
malewithatail
VIP Member
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 1,307
Location: Northern Rivers NSW
Member is Online
|
Post by malewithatail on Nov 21, 2022 10:07:54 GMT 10
A better idea is the small Primus bottle, refillable and lasts longer than the disposable types. Also can be used for a gas torch for fire lighting, soldering etc when away from power.
I have used the small butane canisters, and have found them to only last for an hour or so, also they tend to rust around the rim and are difficult to fit to the appliance. Still, they are convenient for camping and emergency use.
Memory is a thing we forget with.
|
|
|
Post by SA Hunter on Nov 21, 2022 19:59:25 GMT 10
I've used butane cartridges that are well over 5 yrs old - no problems at all, though as mentioned, if they get too cold, they don't work too well.
|
|
Tim Horton
Senior Member
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 1,948
|
Post by Tim Horton on Dec 16, 2022 12:41:25 GMT 10
I've used butane cartridges that are well over 5 yrs old - no problems at all, though as mentioned, if they get too cold, they don't work too well. === Yes... Butane is a quite temperature sensitive compared to propane... Being butane stops boiling, making vapor from liquid at about 0C where propane is at about -55F below 0F, as I roughly remember the details...
Both products seem to work quite well for the most common heating applications they are commonly used for... It seems just there climate tolerances are so significantly different...
My 5 cents of experience and trivia to share...
|
|