2013 | Page 23 of 34 | Tennessee Gun

28 Apr 2013

PRN Episode #15 Bill Harrison

In today’s Shepherd School episode, David interviews Bill Harrison of Hardened Power Systems. Bill has created a variety of portable power units that allow the prepper to store, transport, and use electrical power during austere times.

In this episode Bill and I talk about power. Specifically, how to use it, how to make it, and some things that may be counter-intuitive, but make good sense.

Before this interview, I did not know how inexpensive a basic system could be. A grid tie system that reduces your electric bill can be had for under $1500.00 That is a very reasonable cost. I have seen Bill Harrison’s systems at prepper shows and he makes a very nice system. It is much better engineered than my DIY battery box and I wish I owned a couple of his.

I recommend you visiting his site http://www.portableuniversalpower.com/

The show is scheduled for Monday at 10pm central time at this link.

If you cannot listen on Monday, you can always download the podcast for listening at your own leisure.

24 Apr 2013

How to Make a Charcoal Starter From a Can

52 Unique Techniques for Stocking Food for Prepper — Buy at Amazon

I used to just dump copious amounts of lighter fluid on my charcoal and keep spraying it on until everything caught fire. Unfortunately, that was both dangerous and wasteful.

Since it is getting into grilling season I was looking at buying a chimney charcoal starter. However, a charcoal starter is just a metal cylinder with a charcoal grate mounted inside. I figured I could easily make one out of a #10 can.

All I did was get out my can opener to open the bottom of the can, and then used a church key bottle opener to punch out a few air holes around the bottom of the can.

To use, I simply wadded up some paper and placed unlit charcoal into the top of the cylinder. When the newspaper is lit, it burns and lights the charcoal above. The “chimney effect” causes the charcoal to light from the bottom all the way up to the top.

If you want the paper to burn longer you can coat it in vegetable oil before you light it.
I did this on a whim, and was surprised how well it worked. I may rivet a handle on it in the future, but probably not, as a pair of vice grips works well enough.

23 Apr 2013

William’s First Birthday

Today is my son William’s First Birthday, and nothing has changed my life in a more positive way than having such a wonderful son. It is so amazing to watch him grow, and to sit back and be amazed at how quickly he is developing.

Along with being so proud of my boy, I have to say one year ago my wife gave me a very special gift, and I don’t think I could have handled all she went through near as well.

My wife is a great mother, and she works very hard to take care of Tell’s physical needs so I can have the pleasure of his company without worrying about spit-up and messy diapers…

As he gets older I am looking forward to teaching all the things I wish I was taught growing up. I am also looking forward to spending time with him and enjoying watching him grow.

But as much as I am looking forward to the future. I am enjoying the present. The last year was a whirlwind of excitement, and on William’s first birthday I am amazed at how much such a little package can change a life.

I Love my WT

22 Apr 2013

Making Homemade Applesauce

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lOjSV6XQc0

Today we will show you how we made homemade applesauce. I had to make something as I had just got my food mill in preparation for the boy coming and I wanted to be able to make baby food (at the time I did not realize how long it would take to get him to the stage to actually eat baby food). This recipe did not turn out as good as I had hoped, but it is because I used too much water. Take that into consideration and DO not add water like I did in the video.

Ingredients

Apples
Cinnamon
Sugar (if needed)

Procedure

Select the apples
Get apples that are sweet, like Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Winesap, McIntosh, Yellow Delicious, or Mutsu. You’ll get about 12 to 16 quarts of applesauce per bushel of apples. Count on 12 or 13 quarts per bushel.
Wash and chop the apples!
Chopping them is much faster if you use one of those apple corer/slicer – you just push it down on an apple and it cuts it into segments. don’t peel the apples!
Cook the Apples
Put about 1 inch of water (I used either filtered tap water or store brand apple juice) on the bottom of a huge, thick-bottomed pot. Put the lid on, and the heat on high. When it gets really going, turn it to medium high until the apples are soft through and through.
Sieve the cooked apples
This is where I messed up, I did not strain the apples and just dumped the mixture in my food mill. It made a lot of good juice, but it was more like thick cider.
Season
Put the applesauce into a large pot. Add cinnamon to taste. You should not need to add any sugar.

The applesauce does not need any further cooking, but you can can it if you want.
Pints for 8 minutes at 6 pounds (0-2000 ft) Quarts for 10 minutes at the same pressure.

21 Apr 2013

PRN Episode #14 Brett Braaten

In today’s episode David interviews Brett Braaten, author of Homeland Insecurity: Failed Politics, Policies, and a Nation at Risk.

Brett brings his no nonsense, insider’s account of the current state of national security to help your
group decide whether they, their families, and their country are truly safe.

Braaten’s career as a writer and speaker is informed by 30 years of
experience as a federal agent with U.S. Customs and the Department of Homeland Security.

David has reviewed Tom’s book here: http://www.prepperbookshelf.com/homeland-insecurity/