Solar PV array (up top). Eevacuated tube heat collectors for hot water service (below). Top of solar kettle (low down to the right of centrer.

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Green stuff is about my various home environmental projects that may interest fellow greenies.Read More →

This big flame is created from damp bush sticks by augmenting the combustion with a jet of air from a tiny USB blower fan.

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This article describes a 125g USB fire blower that can burn damp wood sticks for outdoor cooking and other purposes. The blower is described elsewhere on my website as part of other projects. However, I felt the USB fire blower deserved it own dedicated post.Read More →

Hybrid blower stove with rocks placed beside the exhaust port to provide support for a second pot. The nearest rock also acts to keep the hot gas and flame away from the blower fan/battery unit under windy conditions (as does the 'wing wall' in a formal double pot blower stoves).

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Introduction A hybrid double pot blower stoves is described where a single pot stove is supplemented with suitable rocks to form a hybrid double pot blower stove that can simultaneously simmer a second pot while boiling the first pot. Introduction In my range of blower stoves, I have double potRead More →

Lightest USB backpacking stove gently simmering a pot of water in the second pot over a hole blower stove

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This article describes the lightest wood stove that can burn damp wood sticks and simultaneously cook in two pots. The small blower unit and battery (~75g) is all that needs to be carried to provide 2-3 hours/battery or more cooking time for two pots. The blower unit also doubles as a tool for rapidly starting camp fires under difficult conditions.Read More →

DIY rapid set cement used to make a strong fill for a welding tool

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This post is about how I use a simple DIY sodium silicate to make DIY rapid set cement (~1.5h) without having the mortar ‘go off’ before it can be placed in the mold. Introduction I use portland cement/sand mortar as a filler for many of my projects. It is; simple,Read More →

Lightest backpacking stove. A two pot blower stove formed in a small trench cut into the ground.

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This article describes the lightest wood stove that can burn damp wood sticks and simultaneously cook in two pots. The small blower unit and battery (~75g) is all that needs to be carried to provide 2-3 hours/battery or more cooking time for two pots. The blower unit also doubles as a tool for rapidly starting camp fires under difficult conditions.Read More →

Releasing a stubborn twist cap with steam from a coffee machine.

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Stubborn screw cap release This post describes the use of steam from a coffee maker to rapidly release stubborn screw cap jar lids from home-preserved foods. Introduction to the screw cap release problem If you use ‘used screw cap jars’ to preserve fruit, jams, jellies, soups and pickles you mayRead More →

A DIY sanding cone made with wooden turned cone with a 9mm dia spindle threaded and glued into it. It is covered with discarded quality cloth backed belt sander abrasive (it appears to be aluminium oxide grit).

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This is a list of DIY hand tools that I use for tinkering with making my ultralight stoves and related small projects. I will add to the list as I bump into these old workshop friends. Introduction “A good tool makes the difficult easy and the impossible possible”– Mothy theRead More →

Ultralight and compact pancake spatula for ultralight backpacking.

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Ultralight pancake spatula A compact ultralight pancake spatula is described for pancake and egg cooking while ultralight backpacking. I enjoy ultralight backpacking (walking or skiing) and I also like pancakes and lime syrup for supper. They are a simple, compact fun food to finish a meal and share with othersRead More →