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Six Days in the Dark

tonyyo11.github.io

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Re: Six Days in the Dark

#61

Post by sumeno »

teekert wrote: post #44

What would be the reason to get batteries that are so much more expensive and have much less capacity than the generator? They’re cleaner and easier to use/maintain. But for quite a short term, right?

They are much more convenient than a generator (at least the portable generators that are typically used in these situations).

You can move it around inside where you need it instead of running cords all over your house, they won't kill your whole family with CO2, and you can run them during a storm.

Re: Six Days in the Dark

#62

Post by mindslight »

prmoustache wrote: post #52
mindslight wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would guess the biggest stressor is having kids. Also wanting light to be able to see at night, which we've become accustomed to. And wanting communication to the larger world which we've become very accustomed to (and we can bemoan this as much as we want, but still can't deny it's a thing). Then not wanting to waste the various stocked up food in the fridge/freezer. You could forgo this and consider it lost, but…

Main risk during winter is not to freeze to death, but the fire and smoke hazards that comes with people making fires where they shouldn't be.

Yes. Which is why it can be important to get electricity back on if your usual heating solution requires electricity to operate, rather than perhaps entertaining rustic visions like finally getting to use that fireplace.

I'm not saying that's the case here (I don't know! When OP has a spare minute they should think about what would have been different in a snowstorm!). It's just that this edgy contrarian "what's the big deal just read a book man" is laughable for most situations.

Re: Six Days in the Dark

#63

Post by BobaFloutist »

drekipus wrote: post #23
AStonesThrow wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A few years ago, I purchased a "solar backpack" because I thought the idea was really rad, and I live in Phoenix, so the thought of trekking through the urban jungle with a solar panel on my back and perpetual, unlimited sun power to my laptop and two phones, that was irresistible! So the reality was like this: really awesome power bank included with decent backpack. The power bank has plenty of connectors and adapte…

I've seen backpacks with a fold out panel. You could probably imagine 3 panels = 90% charge in 1 week with no load. But that pales in comparison to a phone getting depleted every second day

But it's not bad for a phone with WIFI, data, and Bluetooth turned off used for GPS navigation while backpacking pretty indefinitely, which used to not really be an option. So that's pretty cool.

Re: Six Days in the Dark

#64

Post by [deleted] »

01HNNWZ0MV43FF wrote: post #28
reillyse wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Jam is generally shelf stable. The sugar is really good at killing bacteria (deprives them of water iirc).

Huh! If "shelf-stable" means "refrigerate after opening" then yeah. But I'm confused whether it's "refrigerate optional" like ketchup https://www.marthastewart.com/8269604/should-you-refrigerate... > You can technically store opened jams and jellies at room temperature—but only in a cool, dark place and for about a week after opening, says Lee. Here's why: Jams and jellies have high sugar and acid levels, which prote…

[deleted]

Re: Six Days in the Dark

#65

Post by itronitron »

reillyse wrote: post #19
nancyminusone wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Am I alone in thinking it's a bit silly to be concerned about breathing in 6 extra days of naturally occuring radon, of all things? It's cool that we can get these air sensors things, but they sure give people who worry about numbers some additional ones to worry about.

I really wonder if there is something else at play here. None of this is normal behavior and it's very strange for it to be normalized. Day 4 no more deliveries but we still have takeout! For real, you can still order food from your local restaurants and you are in a panic about things. Instead of spending $4,500 on a generator you'll never use again maybe just pack the kids in a car an go to the beach for the weeken…

I think this is fairly recently normalized (although not the norm) in the US, the trajectory being facilitated by big box Costco stores where people buy their food in bulk for 'cost-savings' and then have an extra fridge or freezer, the next step being to buy a generator.

Many of my aunts and uncles grew up in Appalachia without indoor plumbing or electricity for most of their childhood. A cellar is more important than a generator, as the cellar doesn't require refueling and it also doubles as a shelter when there is a tornado warning.

Re: Six Days in the Dark

#66

Post by 01HNNWZ0MV43FF »

unsnap_biceps wrote: post #56
01HNNWZ0MV43FF wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Huh! If "shelf-stable" means "refrigerate after opening" then yeah. But I'm confused whether it's "refrigerate optional" like ketchup https://www.marthastewart.com/8269604/should-you-refrigerate... > You can technically store opened jams and jellies at room temperature—but only in a cool, dark place and for about a week after opening, says Lee. Here's why: Jams and jellies have high sugar and acid levels, which prote…

Jams and jellies existed before refrigeration and were used to preserve fruit year round. Root cellars kept things cool and you would just inspect your food before eating. Pickles is another thing. They used to be stored in a big barrel and people would reach in and grab a room temp pickle, safe and preserved. Today, they're always fridge after opening. It's safer, but it's a spectrum of risk, not binary.

I do like a good non-binary pickle

Re: Six Days in the Dark

#67

Post by Doxin »

01HNNWZ0MV43FF wrote: post #28
reillyse wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Jam is generally shelf stable. The sugar is really good at killing bacteria (deprives them of water iirc).

Huh! If "shelf-stable" means "refrigerate after opening" then yeah. But I'm confused whether it's "refrigerate optional" like ketchup https://www.marthastewart.com/8269604/should-you-refrigerate... > You can technically store opened jams and jellies at room temperature—but only in a cool, dark place and for about a week after opening, says Lee. Here's why: Jams and jellies have high sugar and acid levels, which prote…

Homemade jam, and some commercial jams will keep at room temperature for a looooong time. The main form of spoilage is mold growth, so try to keep the lid on as much as possible. Close the lid back before you spread the jam on your bread. It only takes a couple spores falling in to start it going moldy.

As I understand it the main thing is a lot of jams not having enough sugar in them anymore to prevent spoiling.

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