Matt in AK - Member - The Prepared

Discussions

Reply to: Any advice on potato/root storage cellar? Posted August 12, 2022

Thank you for the reference book and insight Barb. I ordered a copy and will check it out. I’ll update this winter with results!🤞

Reply to: Any advice on potato/root storage cellar? Posted August 12, 2022

I’m considering asking an HVAC contractor to quote me on basic vent system with fans and temp control. I probably won’t take them up on the quote but I’ll gain some insight into how a pro would put this together. Thanks for the comment!

Any advice on potato/root storage cellar?

Advice 6

5

Posted August 8, 2022

Reply to: Prepping victories: When has prepping paid off for you? Posted May 20, 2022

12-photos-of-the-devastation-from-mat-sus-powerful-windstorm/ We are used to wind in the Matsu but the persistence and strength of this storm was remarkable! The generator worked well right outside my front door with extensions cords going under the door to run our garage heater and other things. My front porch has a bit of a wind break from a couple of angles so no snow build up thankfully. One side of the house got a massive berm though. The prevailing wind actually blew a lot of snow out to sea. I did learn that the valves of propane bottles seize up somewhere in the subzero range. I had to warm bring them inside and warm the propane bottles up to get the generator started. Also had to store the propane inside which is inconvenient/dangerous… In retrospect I learned a little bit about how events can and will happen at inopportune times when you may not feel up the task. My family was all aware that a winter storm was happening and that we would likely lose power. But with the festivities and libations of New Years Eve we essentially blew it off because we didn’t anticipate the duration. Then the power actually went out around 1-2am! Not a great time to try to react and think things thru. There were a few moves I could made a little earlier… all is well that ends well I suppose. But I learned that these kinds of events don’t follow a schedule.

Reply to: Prepping victories: When has prepping paid off for you? Posted May 20, 2022

When the power went out for about 4 days here in Alaska I had a nice dual fuel generator NIB and lots of easy to make food and other essentials. We had a 3 day wind storm just after New Years that took roofs off of many houses and businesses. 100+ hour gusts at -40f° made repairing power lines virtually impossible. It was quite a show but I was glad to learn more about the some of stuff I had never used. #1 lesson learned is to keep fuel on hand/fuel ration because trying to drive in those conditions is truly terrifying. For what it is worth, I credit this site for its extensive knowledge for all to use.

Any advice on potato/root storage cellar?

Advice 6

5

Posted August 8, 2022

Reply to: Any advice on potato/root storage cellar? Posted August 12, 2022

Thank you for the reference book and insight Barb. I ordered a copy and will check it out. I’ll update this winter with results!🤞

Reply to: Any advice on potato/root storage cellar? Posted August 12, 2022

I’m considering asking an HVAC contractor to quote me on basic vent system with fans and temp control. I probably won’t take them up on the quote but I’ll gain some insight into how a pro would put this together. Thanks for the comment!

Reply to: Prepping victories: When has prepping paid off for you? Posted May 20, 2022

12-photos-of-the-devastation-from-mat-sus-powerful-windstorm/ We are used to wind in the Matsu but the persistence and strength of this storm was remarkable! The generator worked well right outside my front door with extensions cords going under the door to run our garage heater and other things. My front porch has a bit of a wind break from a couple of angles so no snow build up thankfully. One side of the house got a massive berm though. The prevailing wind actually blew a lot of snow out to sea. I did learn that the valves of propane bottles seize up somewhere in the subzero range. I had to warm bring them inside and warm the propane bottles up to get the generator started. Also had to store the propane inside which is inconvenient/dangerous… In retrospect I learned a little bit about how events can and will happen at inopportune times when you may not feel up the task. My family was all aware that a winter storm was happening and that we would likely lose power. But with the festivities and libations of New Years Eve we essentially blew it off because we didn’t anticipate the duration. Then the power actually went out around 1-2am! Not a great time to try to react and think things thru. There were a few moves I could made a little earlier… all is well that ends well I suppose. But I learned that these kinds of events don’t follow a schedule.

Reply to: Prepping victories: When has prepping paid off for you? Posted May 20, 2022

When the power went out for about 4 days here in Alaska I had a nice dual fuel generator NIB and lots of easy to make food and other essentials. We had a 3 day wind storm just after New Years that took roofs off of many houses and businesses. 100+ hour gusts at -40f° made repairing power lines virtually impossible. It was quite a show but I was glad to learn more about the some of stuff I had never used. #1 lesson learned is to keep fuel on hand/fuel ration because trying to drive in those conditions is truly terrifying. For what it is worth, I credit this site for its extensive knowledge for all to use.