I wonder if anyone came in on the title and will be disappointed by the only cans being put on display being Jerry cans? If you don't know what a Jerry can is, it is a a pretty awesome invention and a brilliant design. I remember learning about it as a kid, but if you are interested, here is a short Wiki article.
But as said, it is a brilliant design. The three handles allow for one person to easily carry two full, or four empty cans and also gives space for two people to carry one quickly. Because the wide-mouth nozzle with the flip-top lid is recessed into the design, it means it can't be filled completely, leaving enough air in the can that even when full, it will float. It is also square so it is easily stackable and very robust.
The name "Jerry" comes from the slang term for Germans during World War Two, as it was designed for the military and then the design stolen and modified slightly a thousand times over. The real name for it is, Wehrmacht-Einheitskanister. - Which just rolls off the tongue.
So anyway, I was able to get some more oil for the heating system and then went to find a second can as a backup, to save having to run backwards and forwards in a rush to continually heat the house. In an old house that can be a bit drafty, the heat drains out quickly. To save on fuel for now, we have also turned off the upstairs wall batteries completely, as we aren't up there except for when we start tearing it apart, which means heat won't be an issue.
The price at the bowser is about 50% more than if we ordered in bulk, but with the entire system being changed in about 3 weeks and the minimum order being enough to heat for 3-4 months on average (Winter consumes much more), we are likely going to test this for a few days and see what the consumption is like. If it burns through too fast, we have to find a place that will be willing to sell us a few hundred liters instead of the one thousand minimum.
You can see from this "setup" that running out of fuel isn't really optimal and this is meant solely as a stop gap measure until the new delivery arrives, which is possible 24/7 all year round. When it is minus 30 degrees centigrade, you have to have heat.
What we did do though, is bring some wood inside just in case, as we have a fireplace that we would like to test, as well as perhaps take our first sauna. Wood-fired saunas are a bit of a luxury in the cities as most are electric these days. Wood-fired gives a softer heat. I am not sure if we will keep this when we update the sauna in the distant future, but for now it is nice to have.
It has been quite nice to take care of this, even though I smell like I have been under an old car for the last two days. I am kind of glad that this has happened as while the system will be changed, the event has added to our story of moving into our new home, something memorable but not overly challenging to deal with. There will be plenty of challenge later in so many other areas, that it is nice to have a "warm-up event" to ease us in.
I think that it will be these kinds of stories that will stick with us and come up over dinner from time to time, 20 years down the track. Family history stories, which is part of the adventure of the move into our own house and one that needs years of work to bring it up to scratch. The other part of the adventure is the uncertainty that will arise along the way, as well as the compromises in design and lifestyle that will have to be made to move the project continually forward.
Our family is going to grow and evolve as the house does.
I like that idea and am looking forward to what is to come - though I know that I won't always enjoy all of the moments as they arrive.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]