Wood stoves for your vanstead

Thank you for taking the time to answer the poll regarding your preferred topics.  When I started writing today's post (early yesterday), the wood stoves topic had the most votes.  I'll keep the poll up so you'll have a say in our content.

The Sardine

The mini wood stoves at http://www.marinestove.com are amazing!  My explanation could not do them justice. If you're looking for a wood stove for your vanstead, I'd suggest browsing their install pictures:

http://www.marinestove.com/sproducthistory.htm

You can even get the alcohol drop in burner accessory for hot weather cooking use: http://www.marinestove.com/Accessories.htm

Here's a link to a man who used a tent stove in his motorhome: Full Time Living

Keep in mind that he sells these stoves and they aren't designed for motorhome use.  That said, I will most likely go with this option in my vanstead, until I can afford one of the marine stoves (above).  The link below the picture will take you to amazon where you can see the same stove for $60 with different pictures that show scale.

$60 Camping Stove

My install will most likely be on a passenger side hinged door.  This will allow me to open it to the outside and use it as an outdoor or tented stove.  I'll go into more later when I discuss my vanstead design.

There are many other options in small vanstead sized wood stoves.  Please list *your* favorites in the comments.


Note: wood stoves should *never* be used in a vehicle that runs on gasoline.  If you're vanstead is a diesel, then you're in luck!

Composting toilets: the sequel

I was talking to a friend of mine about this topic, a friend who it turns out has researched these composting toilets for his van build.  Since I've discovered that some of my friends are a shy lot... I'll just post what he told me. ;)


He recommended two brands, the first was mentioned yesterday... the other is: The Airhead!

This in no way brings my friend to mind, as I think he's a very smart cookie, but the easy joke is there.

http://www.airheadtoilet.com


Tomorrow, I'll post on perennial food plants... lol (yeah, right)!

Notice what appears to be a wet bath and the toilet looks like it seals well (with a gasket)???

Composting toilets and Remi in fatigues

While Remi may not be in fatigues, he certainly is getting into the vansteader spirit - and it is very much appreciated!  I absolutely love the contributions I get from other vansteaders!  Remi's email (in part):

"While doing a lot of reading and research on them, especially for RV, Boat and off grid living, I came across http://www.natureshead.net/land.html and started digging deeper into reviews and blogs and such. Seems most people have been very happy with this one, but I didn't find any van dweller blogs about it, mostly boats and off grid living, and in the group only a mention of a former member who had and liked it.

I think the topic would fit in good with the vansteading topics & would be very interested to know what other dwellers/steaders who are using them are doing with the compost (tie in to gorilla gardening... Cammo & fatigues included ;))"

__________________________

Mike has made mention of a possible composting toilet future mod for Taj... Remi, I love the idea!  I can't wait to read the discussion.  Thank you so much for your contribution.

Horse Trailer Homestead

For several years I thought of the possibility of creating a mobile homestead in a horse trailer.  A double horse trailer could have a side for a small greenhouse and another for a chicken coop.  A pull out chicken tractor could significantly increase the chicken coop space


I have yet to see a mobile-homestead-horse-trailer. ;)  However, here is a blog featuring unique horse trailers:

http://uniquehorsetrailers.blogspot.com/