frugal living 16

FRUGAL LIVING 16

UTILITIES
GAS

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One of the few nearly identical utilities on or off grid is gas.  Most folks have natural gas going to their homes, whereas off-grid types use propane.  Yes, a different set of machines ( I believe it is mostly just a difference in the line orifice size, but don’t quote me on that ) for the different gases, but as far as performance I’m sure indistinguishable ( and I’m sure the prices are similar, at least per BTU delivered, which seems about standard in carbon fuels ).  Not rocket science.  You buy five gallon tanks, like you would use for your BBQ, fill them and buy the size hose your appliance uses, then exercise common sense safety precautions.  Always cover the tank to prevent ice build up, don’t use open flame around the tank, don’t put the tank inside your dwelling, etc.  There are two sizes of hose connection.  One, the smaller, that RV’s use.  The bigger one which matches the size of the disposable canisters, as when you want to use a refillable tank to save tons of money ( a refill on a five gallon, which is over a dozen pounds of gas, cost $12.  A disposable tank holds one pound for $3- three times as expensive ).  I prefer the smaller connections.  The regulator is on the hose at the tank connection rather than on the appliance, and Wal-Mat sells the larger size connection hoses and if you’ve shopped there in the last eight years you know their quality is going to absolute crap so DON’T trust your life on the quality of their gas hose-in this case it is much better to pay a premium at the RV store.  Plus, the older, larger connection style means the gas regulator is on the appliance itself and those are usually crap. 

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So, you are either going to waste money buying propane appliances at Wal-Mart, or forfeit your life.  I’m serious and this is NOT sour grapes.  I used to love the Arkansas Mafia Mart.  I did all but my book shopping there.  Yet as they ran into trouble financially ( growth slowed ), they turned on their loyal customers.  You know, the ones who couldn’t afford to shop elsewhere.  It must be scientifically researched, because I’m running into everything lasting for less time, but also lasting exactly half as long as K-Mart, which is one of the world’s saddest competitor yet is offering less crappy crap.  Wal-Mart shoes, two months.  K-Mart, four to six.  Wal-Mart slacks, before seams ripping, five months.  K-Mart, ten months.  Same with propane camping stoves, five for Wally, ten for K.  My first Wal-Mart camp stove lasted five years and was used several times in the morning perking coffee, for bath water and for dinner.  It’s replacement, same brand but 25% more expensive, five months and it broke.  I was so astounded I bought another one.  Five months to break on that one, within weeks of its predecessor.  I tell you, this is precise engineering.  Expect only bad things at Wal-Mart.  I went from 100% of my shopping budget there to 20%, and that is only because some things they can’t screw up such as TP and it is still about the best deal.  Otherwise, Kroger gets all my food money.

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I hope I’ve stressed the importance of saving your life by avoiding propane appliances at Wal-Mart.  When their eye glasses pop a frame screw in the first two months, when their socks get holes in them the first half dozen times wearing them, no big deal.  Exploding gas, a little more, yes?  If you don’t have an RV center near by, I’m sure that there are mail order companies.  If you can’t salvage a stove top from an old RV, I recommend the Sportsman’s Guide mail order company.  They have an affordable cast iron outdoor propane double grill stove.  It is small and while a few prongs were broken from shipping, even with double wrapping, it is about the same price as the crap sheet metal from China-Mart and uses the small connector hose so you get much better quality.  They even sell the hose if you can’t get one locally.  Yes, I use it indoors.  I get plenty of air flow, as I’m far too precious to deny the world my presence by carbon monoxide death.  They also sell a propane heater.  I don’t know its performance as the last two winters here were mild and cooking/coffee heats the underground pit nicely enough. 

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But I can guarantee that it has got to be better than the whore monger Mr. Heater brand.  They have also turned into huge pieces of crap.  Excuse me if I’m a little pissed that a hundred dollar stove doesn’t last much past a couple of hundred hours of use.  Of course, it fails while it is fifteen degrees out and the temperature is plunging rapidly and only by the exclusive love of Baby Jesus do I have one in back stock ( at the time, the stove wouldn’t have been a good replacement because like all RV’s, there is a big ass vent over the stove and the cold air rushes in as the hot air sucks out of it but you need that vent uncovered for that wonderful air flow ).  As usual, being the fair guy I am, that was the second stove to only last a short time.  I don’t scream about corporate sodomy until I’m sure it is a trend rather than a fluke ( do NOT get me started on the worst shoes in the world from Payless Shoes ).  As a side note, since I know you are going to be going car-less, a five gallon propane tank fits perfectly in a four gallon milk crate you’ve attached to the bike rack ( I’d cover the tank with a laundry bag, as cars freak out and swerve vigorously to avoid you, perhaps thinking you have heavy military ordinance.  No need to get pulled over by the cops and being harassed ). 

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