Outdoor Fireplaces For A Group Of People
Outdoor fireplaces are more or less of the same basic design as a traditional indoor fireplace, outdoor fireplaces can be made from a variety of materials that range from stone, brick, cast iron and concrete to cast iron, aluminium, sheet metal, clay and copper.
Stone, brick and concrete fireplaces are long lasting (though a large fire can occasionally crack concrete). Clay fireplaces are inexpensive, but do not last and need to be kept dry. Sheet metal fireplaces are one of the cheapest outdoor fireplaces in the market. They are often regarded as disposable items, to be thrown out when rusted or at the end of their useful lifespan.
Outdoor fireplaces made of cast iron and cast aluminium, are very similar to one another. Cast iron outdoor fireplaces are heavy, solid and long lasting, but prone to rust and also need a fair amount of maintenance. So, cast aluminium fireplaces have a slight advantage, being built for safety, low maintenance and durability as well as being portable and rustproof.
Copper fireplaces are extremely attractive. However, they turn green over time, and their cast iron supports and bases display an alarming tendency to rust quickly, staining whatever surface they’re standing on. Copper, sheet metal and clay fireplaces are also not as safe, or as durable, as cast iron and cast aluminium fireplaces.
There are several types of outdoor fireplaces; namely portable gas fire pits, wood burning fire pits and chimeneas. Chimeneas are classified as fireplaces with a chimney that protects guests from fumes and excess heat. They provide fires with a continuous supply of fresh air and are clean burning, fairly safe and efficient in fuel consumption.
Fire pits, in general, are large bowls or open air spaces in which fires are built. Though some fire pits do have chimneys, they do not afford much protection from the elements. A strong wind can very often shower family, guests, food, table decorations and neighbouring houses with red hot embers.
The best and most popular fuel for outdoor fireplaces is hard wood. This is however difficult to come by in some places, or is prohibited by local authorities due to environmental reasons. Alternative sources of fuel include manufactured fire logs, natural gas, propane and gel inserts.
Fire knows neither friend nor foe and burns without discrimination. For this reason it is always advisable to have a fire extinguisher or a large container of water nearby for use in an emergency, with outdoor fireplaces, or indeed when a fire of any kind is in use.
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Modern Camping Equipment Is A Long Way From Roughing It
When someone mentions the word camping, do you think of a chilly night’s sleep on hard ground that usually involves a rock poking into your back? Well, think again. Camping equipment has come a long way since the days of cramped, orange oilcloth tents and sleeping bags that leave you shivering. Popularity has encouraged camping equipment manufacturers to develop their gear so that today’s tents are ultra-light and pack-able, keeping you warm and dry with plenty of room to spare and the sleeping bags you’ll find on store shelves are able to handle even the deepest colds before you feel a shiver.
There are other amenities that can make your camping trip comfortable and even close to luxurious. There’s no need to sleep on the cold, hard ground, as plenty of pack-able sleeping pads and mattresses will give you a great night’s rest, and for those who still yearn for a comfortable bed, there are portable cots complete with mattresses that can easily fit in a car or SUV. While camping is usually considered roughing it and most facilities that provide tent space require that you walk a distance to share public bathrooms, new developments have made it possible to buy small port-a-potties that even flush just like a regular toilet, which makes those midnight trips to the bathroom a breeze.
The lanterns you’ll find on the market have also come a long way from the oil-and-flame relics of decades ago. Rechargeable batteries and halogen bulbs have turned lighting up your camping area easy, and most lanterns have different settings for intense, bright light for the outdoors or softer reading lighting for inside the tent. Other accessories make camping even more pleasurable, including mosquito tents that you can set up over a picnic table for eating in peace, and unbreakable dishes that are nothing like the tin ones our parents used to use. Propane stoves for cooking are now closer to small stoves complete with two to four burners, enough to make a stir fry with chicken, fresh vegetables and a side dish of rice. For coffee cravers, there are drip-style accessories that make having a cup of hot java from fresh grinds easy and quick.
As with anything on the market today, there are varying qualities of camping equipment and prices range from cheap to extremely expensive. The good thing about camping gear is that even the cheapest items are usually just fine for regular vacations and you’ll probably get plenty of wear and tear out of them before they give up the ghost. More than just investing in some camping equipment to keep you comfortable in the wilderness, you’ll also be investing in some memories you’ll be able to share with your family and friends for a long time.
John Edmond writes regularly for Living And Camping Outdoors where you can read many more articles on outdoor living and recreation. Go to http://www.livingandcampingoutdoors.com/ for more resources to help you stay safe make the most outdoor life.
Tips On Surviving Blizzards
Nothing is more enjoyable than going out on a snowy day. The scenery of freshly-fallen snow can be absolutely romantic. A day of clean air while sledding, skiing or skating could do your body a world of good – but a good time could quickly take a treacherous turn for the worst, should you find yourself caught in the middle of an unexpected blizzard. Taking a few minutes to make sure you are properly prepared for such an event could make the difference between survival or disaster.
Sometimes, we can’t avoid driving in a snowstorm, but when you’re out on the road in bad weather, you need to be prepared in case you get stuck or have to pull over and wait the storm out. Carry a blanket in your trunk at all times, as you need to stay warm. Don’t scrimp on quality and make sure the blanket is heavy enough to provide plenty of warmth.
If you don’t have the shelter of a car while you’re stuck in a blizzard, it’s important to find some sort of shelter from the elements, especially the wind. Anything that can provide protection from the wind will help, and cover all your exposed skin, including your face, if you can.
If you can’t find shelter, try to build yourself some, by banking up snow or even digging a small cave. Use tree branches or anything else you can find that might be good for a lean-to. Be creative. Also, try to start a fire to help keep you warm and to attract attention.
You have probably heard that you should eat snow to stay hydrated when caught in a blizzard. This advice is actually harmful. If you eat fresh snow, the cold temperature of the snow will lower your body temperature. Your body will need to expend much needed calories to warm up the snow, robbing you of energy that you will need to survive. Snow is, however, a good source of hydration when caught in a snowstorm. What you must do is melt the snow first. Then you can drink the resulting water. The warmer you can make the melted snow, the better off you will be.
Stay inside the car if you can. Your car will be your shelter and your heat source until help arrives. Run the car once an hour for a few minutes (ten at the most) to heat the interior. Don’t waste gas by running the engine much more than that. Clear the snow away from the exhaust or else the fumes can back up into the car. Make sure to move around too, as you need to keep your circulation up to stay warm. When stranded with other people, take advantage of the extra body heat by sticking close.
John Edmond runs and writes regularly for Living And Camping Outdoors where you can read many more articles on outdoor living and recreation. Go to http://www.livingandcampingoutdoors.com/ for more resources to help you stay safe make the most of outdoor life.
The Do’s And Don’ts Of Desert Survival
Should you find yourself lost or stranded in the desert, your ability to survive will depend on how quickly you can find a source of water. Most of us take water for granted; it’s always there in convenient, little plastic bottles at the corner store or our own refrigerators. Not so in the middle of the desert. The hot sun, dry air, and lack of shade can suck every bit of moisture from your body without you realizing it. Unless you’re a camel or a Joshua tree, your chances of going for any long term period of time without hydration are pretty slim.
In the desert, shelter might be difficult to find. If you can, look for an outcropping of rocks that cast a shadow for some shade, or if you have a blanket, use that as a lean to for shade against the sun. The idea is to keep those burning rays off of your body until nightfall when you can move on. The desert is so dry that you might not realize exactly how hot it is until it’s too late, and then heat exhaustion sets in. Stay covered as best as you can.
If you find that you are stranded in the desert for a prolonged period, adjust your sleeping schedule to make yourself nocturnal. While in your shaded refuge, take inventory of the survival supplies that you have. When traveling in the desert, you should carry a penknife, water purification tablets, something small to store water, small first aid kit, mirror, rope or chord, and a space blanket. Also, while you are waiting for nightfall, look for water sources.
If you have a space blanket, your first job once the sun sets is to set up a lean-to using your chord and any available trees, cacti, or rocks. If you have water with you, you need to ration it carefully. Do not drink more than you must have. The best way to judge if your water intake is sufficient is through the color of your urine. If it is excessively dark, you are not getting enough water.
Now you are ready to look for water. If you see any dry streambeds, dig at the lowest, outside point. Make sure you do this at night! If you have a plastic bag on your person, wrap it around the limb of a tree or bush that is exposed to the sun. As the sun warms the bag, it will cause the plant to transpire, and you will be able to collect the resulting water.
Finally, if you have a good knife, you can cut open cactus plants and squeeze water out of the moist flesh inside. Use caution when working with cacti since they are full of painful spines. The easiest cactus to use for water procuring is the prickly pear. You can burn off the thorns and then eat the meat of the plant. It is sweet and full of needed moisture.
John Edmond writes regularly for Living And Camping Outdoors where you can read many more articles on outdoor living and recreation. Go to http://www.livingandcampingoutdoors.com/ for more resources to help you stay safe make the most outdoor life.
Important Tips for Winter Camping Shelter
While most people think of camping as being an exclusive summer activity, camping during colder months can be an adventure to experience. While warmer-weather camping pretty much only involves packing a bag of clothes, filling a cooler and tossing the tent in the car, winter camping does require some extra preparation.
The camping equipment and clothing available today for cold-weather situations is exceptional for staying warm and dry, but knowing how to deal with snow, ice and storms is important for winter camping, as much as being prepared for rain and lightening is during summer vacations.
The most important thing to consider when planning a winter camping trip is shelter. The elements during cold weather can be extremely harsh, and a good shelter can mean the difference between risky danger and a great experience. The tent you choose for winter camping has to be strong and solid to withstand snow and wind. Ratings for seasons are usually indicated on packaging, so make sure you pick a four-season tent that’s designed with a slope to allow snow to fall off the roof.
Accumulating snow can be extremely heavy and your tent could collapse. Dome tents are ideal for winter camping, but do also purchase a ground sheet or tarp to lie down before you set the tent up. Your body heat will melt snow underneath you and create a layer of ice that could potentially damage the tent floor or make it wet.
Your tent also needs a good waterproof rain-fly. Below zero temperatures is no guarantee that you won’t get rained on, and your tent needs protection from freezing rain. The slope of a four-season tent will help let the water run off and the strength of the construction will help with ice build-up. Rain-flies also reduce condensation by keeping warm air in but letting the tent breath to allow humidity to escape.
Your breath and body will provide a good 10 to 20 degrees of moist warmth, and ideally the dampness shouldn’t be held inside the tent. To further reduce humidity, have a brush on hand to remove snow from your clothing and footwear before entering the tent, as melting snow creates condensation and leaves water on the floor of the tent.
When you’re choosing a spot where you’d like your campsite to be, try to take into consideration how the elements are going to come into play with your relative comfort. Exposed areas are definitely to be avoided, as winds can sweep your warmth away and pile up snow against your tent. Likewise, stay away from valleys where the cold air will sink down and prevent you from staying warm. A flat location is always ideal, but do make sure that your tent isn’t in an avalanche zone or underneath a tree. Heavy snow can bring branches crashing down on top of your shelter.
Camping in the snow is an adventure that really isn’t any different than summer camping. Both have considerations for shelter and safety, and both have their own hazards and risks – they’re simply at extremes of each other. Avoiding winter camping because you’re put off by the thought of careful preparation really is a shame, because if you’ve done your homework and know exactly how to make sure your shelter will keep you protected from the chill, the experience can be an exhilarating, beautiful one that you’ll remember fondly for years.
John Edmond runs and writes regularly for http://www.livingandcampingoutdoors.com/ where you can read many more articles on outdoor living and recreation. Also go to http://www.wellspokenaudio.com/ for entertaining audiobooks on camping and much more.