Irish Attic » Camping

Plastic Carpet Protectors

admin — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:52:06 +0000

Plastic carpet protectors are practically indestructible. Even so, it might be nice to have a few ideas at your fingertips for when you decide you no longer need or want a carpet protector.

Cut carpet protector to the desired size and use as a boot tray. It won’t hold water run-off but it will protect your floors from mud and dirt.

Use an old carpet protector as temporary car mats when involved in messy activities like the beach or hiking.

Take with you when camping to use as a boot tray to keep the dirt or snow out of your camping home.

Use as a drop cloth when working on messy projects or painting a room. If you have a larger project then place a drop cloth in the middle of the room and line the edges of the room with the carpet protector. This saves having to tape down the drop cloth.

clean your home without chemicals

Cooking Oil Fire-Starter

admin — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:17:47 +0000

Save used cooking oil in a glass jar or can. Save used paper towels and napkins in a container nearby. When you’re ready for a barbecue or bonfire you have the makings for a handy fire-starter. Wad up a paper towel or napkin and soak it with cooking oil. Place it with your charcoal or kindling and light it. It will smoke a little, but it smells much better than lighter fluid, and your food will taste better too.

Tip: pack oil-soaked paper towels/napkins in a re-closeable tin for camping.

Fire Starter

admin — Sun, 24 May 2009 13:20:28 +0000

When I cook meat I strain the fat off into a glass jar or tin can. When the jar/can is full I would then toss it into the trash but now I use the fat in place of lighter fluid.

Once the jar/can is full, place it in the microwave or in pan of water on the stove and warm until the fat is melted. Use an old towel to handle the jar/can and pour the fat onto charcoal briquettes or kindling.

The only challenge with these fire starters is that they’ll stimulate your appetite when your fire smells like meat.

Inexpensive Backpacking & Camping Gear from Recycled Items

admin — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:41:08 +0000

With a little foresight you’ll find that there are many recyclable items you can take along on your outdoor outings. Doing so is not only good for the environment but good for your pocketbook.

23 ounce and larger cans can be used for mixing food and as serving dishes, especially if you use a safety can opener that rolls the top under so that there’s a rounded rather than a sharp edge.

Tuna cans can be used as small bowls.

Yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese and other plastic containers with replaceable lids can be used to store small items:

• candle stubs for fire starters

• dryer lint for fire starters

• large coffee can to store items and as an added bonus it can be used as a cooking pot

• matches dipped in candle wax – store in small container so wax doesn’t rub off

• crushable food items

If using more than one plastic container it’s helpful to use containers that can fit inside one another so that once you’ve used the items stored in them, they’re easier to pack out. This can be especially important if you’re planning to pack out items that won’t fit into the containers.

Simple and Inexpensive Portable Barbecue Grill

An empty popcorn tin makes a great inexpensive portable barbecue grill. Use the pointed end of a can opener to punch triangular holes about an inch or two from the bottom of the tin. This is needed for proper air flow. Add your charcoal and set a rack on top. I use one from my last portable grill that had rusted out.