Preparing for winter II

GreyQueen

Red_Doe wrote: »

I bought an old Valor paraffin heater for the kitchen for this winter, and will be stocking up paraffin, so if anyone has any tips on safely storing it, greatly appreciated.
We get lots of power cuts here each winter, so I also got a couple of paraffin lamps, and would have bought candles but wow! they`re expensive, or am I just being mean?

Just popping in with a quick thought; have you considered either wind-up lanterns or battery-powered/ rechargable LED lanterns as your emergency lighting instead of candles? Apart from the safety issue of naked flames, they could easily work out cheaper. The LED ones are incredibly energy-efficient and last for ages.

Any camping shop should be able to offer a selection plus you can get them from Argos. HTH.

Re paraffin stoves; I grew up with these and we always stored the paraffin outside in a shed in a metal can which we used to take up to the garage on a h.m little 2 wheeled trolley. It's less flammable than petrol but I don't think you should keep it in the house. If nothing else, it's a bit smelly.

Please be very careful with paraffin stoves; an ex-landlord of mine told me of a friend of his who had lost his two young daughters in a housefire caused by one.

BTW are Calor gas stoves an option available for heating (the ones which take the big bottles not the camping cook-stoves)? I appreciate where you are might mean that getting refills isn't feasible but it's a thought.

Oh, and although I live in a city centre well down in England, we had pavements like sheer glass for a couple of weeks last winter. I had a Doh! moment when I realised I could take my hiking poles from under the bed and use them to steady me on the pavement. Got a few raised eyebrows but it beat landing hard on my backside.;)

CH27

I've lifted my boots out to take to the cobblers to be reheeled.

Prudent

Thanks for the brilliant list. Adding to the front page is a good idea as it will get lost in such a long thread.

I am off to B&Ms later as I think they have wind up lanterns for a good price. I will post the price when I get back.

Gettingtherequickly

I had to go into Ikea last night and was going to pick up a cheap duvet which had been recommended here. However, as I live alone, only felt the need for a single one, which meant that I would also need to buy a duvet cover.

As I was wandering round that section trying to decide on a cover, I spotted a quilt which doesn't need covers, which came together with a pillow. At £16, it is probably a bit expensive, but I took the attitude that it would have cost me more to have the duvet & cover if I went that route. They are available in pink & blue, so may be a nice Christmas gift for an elderly relative, as they look good and can be just bunged in the washing machine if necessary.

To the person who commented on the cost of candles, yes they are getting expensive, paid over £4 for a box of 20 while I was there! Hopefully I won't need them!

Think I am getting pretty much there now for winter, can't do anything more about car as I need to change it

Mingle

Hiya!!

I had a big tesco shop arrive yesterday. I used the quidco £15 off a £50 spend with £5 cashback, so I got all of my winter essentials for £20. I bought 2 chickens, gammon, kippers, oats, flour, 10 litres :0 of UHT as well as some powdered stuff and have put it all away in storage or in the freezer. I chopped my carrots, cabbage and leeks up and popped them in the freezer too. I also made some blackberry syrup for my muesli and yoghurt breakfast- hopefully it will taste as delicious in hot porridge!

My landlord bought around the radiator key but my fingers aren't strong enough to turn it, so i'll have to wait for OH to return. We;ve been through the cupboards and sorted out tins out. He just has to locate his dressing gown, slippers, coats, hats etc and he is sorted. We just not have to put foil down the back of the radiators, get some grit and cling film the windows

Reverbe

Mingle how did you make the blackberry syrup? Have recently found a source locally.

Mingle

I give them a good wash in hot water to get any beasties out (they're organic dontcha know! ). I then throw them in a pan with some sugar, lemon juice and water and boil it up. I give it a bit of a blitz with the hand blender and boil it all down to desired consistency. I then put it in a jar and treat it like jam- let it cool then refrigerate it. It's basically just a really smooth jam which doesn't reach the temperature to be able to set.

slm6002

could the blackberry syrup be frozen nin icecube trays and then get one out at a time?

rosieben

Rainy-Days;45741528]

Winter Checklist ....

Thats a great checklist R-D, really useful! :T

slm6002

Thank you ever so much for the checklist. Have saved as word doc and deleted items not applicable and added a few extra that i know i need to do. So very helpful although i didnt realise wuite how much i still need to do