Self Reliance Tip #63 - Rocket Stove Rockin' - July 10

I found this article in the July "Ensign" and I loved it! Check it out!

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/07/facing-the-future-with-hope?lang=eng

______________________


“Self-reliance is a product of our work and undergirds all other welfare practices. It is an essential element in our spiritual as well as our temporal well-being.” - President Thomas S. Monson
______________________________

So, I've been looking at alternative cooking again...I know. It is an obsession :). Once upon a time I mentioned these little rocket stoves. I made one and it wasn't very efficient, but gave me something to practice on. I popped some popcorn and even made tortillas on it. It wasn't an exact science, but it got the job done. It made so much soot on my pans, I really didn't want to play with it much. I don't really want to put a boiling soot lined pan in my blessed "Wonder Oven" and not be able to get the black out of the fabric. If you are looking to buy one, StoveTec is the way to go. They have it down to a science and they are very efficient. How is the soot problem? I dunno. I intend to find out. In the meantime, here are a few cooking videos to get you thinking about the endless possibilities of this cute little stove. Yummo!!! I don't see any soot on their pans either...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AfQXzA47qTc http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Un0Wc3M057M

The other thing I think is cool, is that it is more sturdy than home-made ones. They can last for years! The "deluxe" stove has the ability to control temperature. That is awesome! You can get the "deluxe" one here: http://www.stovetec.net/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=37

Here is a video on how they are made in the Chinese factory (you know, for those of you like me who can't help but have something else to put in your "gee whiz" file in your brain). However, the ones from the StoveTec website are supposed to be made in Oregon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQLC-UhqYZs

If you feel so inclined, you can purchase one for a family in a poverty stricken part of the world for $15...you can buy one for me... :)

http://www.stovetec.net/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=5

Have a great day!

.... And another thing... You're probably sick of hearing about Soap Nuts, but I wanted to tell you one more thing. Now that I've had a little more time to play with them. I do like them better without the seeds. It takes about 20 seconds to remove them with a nut cracker. Has anyone else practiced with them? If so, let me know what you think.