Homesteaders

[pennyJo1960]

Cooking is easy on it, though you can't really control the temps or cooking time other than using the dampers to shut it down or open it up a little. Mostly we use it for simmering soups and such, but have used the skillet for cooking this or that on there in the past. If it's something that has to be watched and stirred a lot, you'll be hot and sweaty before you are done.

The flat surface comes in handy for that big ol' teakettle on top, which helps us keep moisture in the air all winter long.

our trash burner is about the same level but you can build a hotter
or more active fire I imagine than I try to but have two burner plates
on top that lift and dampers on the front

 

[lazy gardener]

We used to have a papa bear stove. That thing was awesome, but too big for our house. Now have a little Jotul. Not any near as nice a stove as that PB was. I used PB a lot for cooking. I like to get the coals burned down in the Jotul, and stick a couple of foil wrapped potatoes in there. Add a bit of broccoli and cheese, and it makes a great meal!

 

[Beekissed]

Now I'm hungry....

I think I'm going to have to boil up some new taties and smother them in butter now, thanks to LG. No cheese or broccoli on hand, sad to say.

 

[KlopKlop]

Neither will ours....barrel stoves aren't considered the most sleek and attractive stoves out there.

We like it because it's a cheaply built stove and it holds a ton of wood, so banking it up for the night is easy to do.

Here's a pic of our "old black sow" stove.....she ain't perdy, but she's hot!

I agree with everyone else, that stove has a ton of character and looks great!

 

[KlopKlop]

I planted Garlic today. probably doubled what i started with last year. My garlic sold so well at the farmers market this year, plus i totally missed out on selling scapes because i didnt know that people even would want them. I have a decent pile left that I will be making some into confit and some minced and dried. i am a total garlic junky and eat it in any meal I can!

Softneck garlic doest grow so well up here so i stick with hard necks that doesnt store as well so i make due as I can

 

[lazy gardener]

Now I'm hungry....

I think I'm going to have to boil up some new taties and smother them in butter now, thanks to LG. No cheese or broccoli on hand, sad to say.

Bee, if you don't have any regular cheese, you could always sub some cottage cheese (Yes, I know. but, I just gotta yank your chain!!!) And any other veggie will sub nicely for the broccoli!

 

[pennyJo1960]

I did turkey breast, gravy, potatoes and steamed carrots

 

[lazy gardener]

And you didn't invite me????

 

[pennyJo1960]

@lazy gardener my BF is 70 and diabetic if i do not make
decent food I would hate to live without him

 

[rancher hicks]

You
seriously not necessarily to call me out twice. No I do not need your assistance in running my farm. If my chickens and I die from rat born illness I guess your right and I'm wrong.

health due to the fact my birds eat rodents. People have been eating chicken eggs much longer than we have been making chicken feed. Chickens are omnivorous, they NEED MEAT in their diet for best health. As I said in my original post, for my flock it's what works best. I am not telling everyone to stop feeding processed chicken feed. I just got excited about finding a way to have fat happy chickens while spending less money. Being as I am now running an actual farm not a hobby farm, saving money is important to me. I have to be able to cover all overhead costs. All of my customers know what my birds eat and how we raise and process them. I give each new customer the run down of risks they are taking by purchasing from me not the grocery store. In 18 months we have yet to make 1 person ill or lose a bird due to illness. Thank you for your concern @rancher hicks however the birds eating the rodent helps reduce the risk of excrement and urine born illness. I have done my reading and research over the last several years. That's how I am able to run a fully functional farm with just my husband and 5 kids help. No I don't make a fortune but I do make enough to pay for everything "farm" without taking money from my family needs. My farm income also adds a nice bit to my family savings. I would not risk my farm or family over a rat.

There is posted in both places to make sure you see my response.

I was not calling you out. Sometimes I put information out there for others to read. I was not targeting anyone in particular. The subject of feeding chickens mice and other things has come up before. It's also not so much feeding mice to chickens but cleanliness in the coop to prevent disease and other health problems. There are some newbies who might find the information helpful.

Sorry if you thought it was for you.