Riverwalker's Gear Pics - Swedish Firesteel

A firesteel is an absolutely invaluable piece of survival gear. They have proven time and again their value in a survival situation. They are simple and easy to use, virtually indestructible and one of the most reliable pieces of gear you can have in your survival kit.

The above high resolution picture is my own personal firesteel.

Riverwalker

Guns and Gear - Shoulder Harness Pic

The shoulder holster offers a number of specialized advantages including not having to wear a belt, your firearm can be drawn in a quick and very inconspicuous manner and it takes the weight of the firearm off your hip. Many hunters like using a shoulder holster because it allows them to keep the gun under their clothing and safe from the effects of bad weather. It also allows your gun to be carried in a place where it's less likely to snag on limbs, brush, etc. The shoulder holster is also practical if you find yourself in a seated position and need to draw your firearm. It can be difficult to draw your weapon out of a belt holster, especially if you're strapped in by a seat belt.

Riverwalker

Gerber Bear Grylls Survival Knife

British outdoorsman Bear Grylls had a really expensive knife before the new consumer-oriented version came out. Let’s face facts. The average person is not going to spend $700 on a survival knife, especially when they may not encounter too many situations where it will be used. Enter the $60 consumer-grade survival knife that will fit most budgets.

This survival knife which is made by Gerber has a serrated blade, a special rubber grip, a stainless steel pommel that can be used for hammering, and an emergency whistle incorporated into the short lanyard on the handle. The sheath has a fire steel attached, emergency rescue instructions and a diamond sharpener to enable you to keep your blade sharp. There is also a pocket survival guide included.

RW, Jr. has purchased one of these from Academy and plans to give it a real-world test. This Gerber knife is what is commonly referred to as a multi-function survival knife and Gerber has a good reputation for making some fine products. Once RW, Jr. has had a chance to check it out, we'll see if it really does the job.

Riverwalker

The Bushcraft Duo

The Bushcraft Duo

This is a recent addition to my EDC gear for those times when you need the capabilities of a small axe to prevent using a good knife blade for something other than its intended purpose.

The combination of a good fixed blade knife and a small axe will be a good cutting combination.

You can read about this pocket axe here:

Riverwalker’s Gear-The Pocket Axe

Riverwalker

Paracord

Paracord is a simply "must have" piece of survival gear. It's got numerous uses, is lightweight and easy to carry. Always try to keep a bunch on hand (at least 50 feet or so) for emergencies. I like to use both the green (for stealth mode) and the orange (for those times when it needs to be seen). I also try to stick with the better quality 8 Strand 550 Paracord.

Got paracord?

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Survival Wallpaper - Hairy Mygalomorph

Here is a free image suitable for use as wallpaper for your computer.

RW

Smoker Barrel Tips - Wood Chunks vs. Wood Chips

Due to the fact that a smoker barrel with a full load of charcoal will normally burn for anywhere from 10 to 12 hours, I’ve found that wood chunks work better than wood chips. The normally smaller, thinner wood chips will burn up much faster. Three inch diameter limbs broken up into quarters make good sized chunks that will last almost as long as your charcoal. Just place a few handfuls in your wood chip holder and start smokin’!

Warning: Make sure you soak them in water beforehand to avoid a flame up.

Riverwalker

Smoker Barrel Gear - The Propane Torch

A propane torch is another piece of gear that can be handy for your smoker barrel. It will allow you to start your charcoal directly in your smoker. It can also be used to do a burn out on your barrel when building a fire in your barrel may not be an option due to burn bans or code restrictions.

They can also be used to burn weeds and cactus. They are more commonly referred to as "pear burners" in my part of the country. A decent propane torch can usually be found for under $40 and is well worth the cost, especially since it is a multi-use item.

Riverwalker

Random Ramblings by Dean in AZ

Hi everyone! Dean in Arizona here!

I'd like to thank RW for letting me do guest posts on Stealth Survival. You can read my guest posts by following the links below. Thanks RW!

How to Improvise - Coffee for Survival

DIY Hydraulic Log Splitter

Dehydrated Food Recipe - Veggie Beef Soup

Choosing a Dehydrator

DIY Homemade Dehydrator - Cheap and Easy!

Food Preservation- Tips and Tricks?

Food for Survival - Canned, Canning, or Dehydrated?

Desert Survival-Studying Nature

Survival Barter - Good or Bad?

Water Purification-Distillation Made Easy

Bug Out Vehicle-Consider a Combo Unit

Confessions of a Packrat

Johnny Appleseed Bugs Out

You can contact Dean in AZ @ Blkcwbyhat@aol.com .

His specialty is making custom muzzle brakes like the ones I use on my Ruger 10/22.

Ugly Drum Smoker - Care and Maintenance

The major parts of your ugly drum smoker will require a certain amount of cleaning from time to time. This can be done simply with a good wire brush, soap and water. It is best to avoid the use of harsh chemicals and cleaners to avoid any possibility of your food becoming contaminated. The normal temperatures used in a smoker barrel are generally a lot lower than those used in a conventional “stick burner” and may not be sufficient to burn off chemical residues left by commercial cleaning compounds and de-greasers. A little “elbow grease” is a lot safer and your food will taste even better as a result.

Cleaning the Lid

The lid for your ugly drum smoker is best cleaned with plain old soap and water. You can also check to make sure the vent holes aren’t stopped up to insure proper venting. You should also check to make sure your handle is properly tightened and secure.

Cleaning the Grill Grates

The grill grates for your ugly drum smoker will require cleaning with a good wire brush. If done on a regular basis, it will only take a few minutes to clean properly. This can be done prior to use or immediately after you are through cooking or smoking your food and the grates have cooled down.

Cleaning the Charcoal Basket

If properly constructed the charcoal grate should be easy to remove from your charcoal basket for cleaning. The expanded metal portion of your charcoal basket can then be cleaned with a stiff wire brush and then you can rinse it with soap and water.

Cleaning the Temperature Gauge

Keep the probe for your temperature gauge clean in order to get more accurate temperature readings. A couple of passes with a mild abrasive pad will clean the grease build-up off the probe. Wipe the dial face with a clean paper towel.

Cleaning the Barrel

The barrel itself should also be cleaned with soap and water to help it last longer and to keep it as clean as possible. Remember, the barrel is made of metal and water should not be left standing inside for any length of time in order to prevent unnecessary rust from occurring. Don’t leave your smoker barrel standing in water. This may decrease the life of your smoker barrel.

Barrel smokers can build up a creosote type residue over time that could create a potential fire hazard. Keeping it clean will help to eliminate this problem. The best way to clean your smoker barrel is with soap, water and a good wire brush to insure the quality of the food you cook on your smoker barrel is the best you can make it.


Riverwalker

Ugly Drum Smoker - The Cooking Grates

Here is a pic of the grill grates installed to give you a little better idea of what the finished assembly will look like.

Excerpt from The Smoker Barrel a guide to building an ugly drum smoker:


“Measure up 25 inches from the BOTTOM of the barrel. This is where your first cooking grate will go. Put three bolts around the barrel, spread out pretty evenly. I used to do four bolts (8 when I used small grates). What I found was that if you are off even a little bit on one of the four bolts, your grate will be uneven. Three bolts will always have a stable (even if not level) cooking surface. Throw a 20 pound brisket on a grate and let me know how important stability is (again, don’t ask how I know).For the second grate, measure up 31 inches from the BOTTOM of the barrel. This will give you six inches between cooking grates, and roughly three inches from the flat top of the barrel; more than enough room for a slab of ribs or two.”

Riverwalker

Ugly Drum Smoker - The Charcoal Basket

The picture above shows a little more detail of the charcoal basket assembly.

The picture above shows the assembled charcoal basket in your smoker barrel.


Excerpt from The Smoker Barrel a guide to building an ugly drum smoker:

“Take your expanded metal and wrap it around your 14”or 16” charcoal basket. Want to make it a little easier? If you have a bottle of propane for a gas grill, wrap it around that. It will give it a pretty good shape to start with. Put a short (1”) bolt through the expanded metal at the top and bottom to hold it together. Put them about two inches from the top and bottom of the expanded metal. Add the two of the same sized bolts equidistant from the first bolt (put three bolts the same distance apart around the outside). These three bolts will be where the charcoal grate rests, so try to spread them out evenly. If you want to add a fourth bolt, feel free to do so. This is your smoker.”

Hopefully these pictures will give you a little better idea of what the assembled charcoal basket will look like. I am also currently working on what I hope will be a simpler version of a charcoal basket for your ugly drum smoker.

Riverwalker

How to Build A Smoker Barrel

Smokers aren’t really all that complicated. They create heat and smoke in a controlled environment while giving you the means and ability to smoke your food. The basic idea behind a smoker is to have one area in your smoker that creates heat and smoke and the required temperatures to do your cooking and another area that is designed to hold food in an environment that allows you to control the temperature. The difference between these spaces will provide the necessary airflow that is required to keep the heat and smoke working together to properly smoke your food.

Advantages of a Barrel Smoker

1.) You can achieve temperature control through an adjustable valve which limits airflow. This is one of the easiest ways to smoke food because you don’t have to deal with fire tending and helps to save on fuel for your smoker. This also allows for a very simple smoker design which allows for easy venting of exhaust through the barrel lid. This ability to easily adjust airflow, both intake and exhaust, is one of the most important parts of a barrel smoker.

2.) Ugly drum smokers are also very portable. They are relatively lightweight and can be easily moved if necessary. They are great to use in areas where the feasibility of a more permanent type of smoker may not be an option due to permits or limited space.

3.) They can be easily built with simple tools and parts. You don’t need any special skills to make one.


The material you decide to use to make your smoker needs to be strong enough to withstand the temperatures that are involved in smoking. It also needs to be able to withstand a certain amount of abuse that will almost certainly occur over time.

Just because you don’t have any special skills, doesn’t mean you can’t make a great smoker. A smoker can be built out of almost anything you have on hand. It just takes a little imagination on your part. Remember that your own abilities and experience when combined with a “can do” attitude will allow you to accomplish most anything. When building your smoker don’t be afraid to try something different, you’ll be surprised at the results.

This post will contain links to all the articles on how to build a smoker barrel from a 55 gallon food grade barrel. Hopefully by doing a step by step process it will make it easier for you to build an Ugly Drum Smoker of your own.

The Smoker Barrel

Building a Smoker Barrel - The First Step

Building A Smoker Barrel - The Second Step

Building a Smoker Barrel - The Third Step (with Upgrade)

Building A Smoker Barrel-Installing A Temperature Gauge

The Smoker Barrel-DIY Lid Handle

Ugly Drum Smoker - The Charcoal Basket

Ugly Drum Smoker-Cooking Grates

Ugly Drum Smoker-Custom Grill Grate

Prepping Project-Smoker Barrel

Ugly Drum Smoker-Step Drills

Prepping Project - UDS- Charcoal Basket

The Smoker Barrel - DIY Wood Chip Holder

Smoker Barrel Safety Tips

Ugly Drum Smoker

Smoker Barrel Gear - The Charcoal Starter

Smoker Barrel Gear - The Propane Torch

Riverwalker

Magna Cart Personal Hand Truck

The Magna Cart personal hand truck is a great little item for use in an emergency. Whether you need something to carry several cases of MRE's, several ammo boxes or miscellaneous assorted gear items that aren't easily carried by hand, this is a very useful item. It has a capacity of 150 pounds. This is way more more than the average person can carry without some form of assistance. It has a very rugged design and is also extremely lightweight. It folds flat and this helps to make storage very easy when space may be at a premium. It extends to over 39 inches and is easy to maneuver and handle. Mine has done an excellent job for me whenever it has been needed. It is also a multi-use item in that it can be extremely handy around the house for non-emergency purposes.

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Gear – Survival Hatchet

This survival hatchet is an item I found on sale at a local Tractor Supply Store. It’s a combination axe, hammer, pry bar and nail remover. I bought all they had as they were on special and only cost $2.00 each. I got the five they had remaining. I now keep one in each of my vehicles for emergencies and an extra in my trailer tool box and at home. Although they are not the best axe available, at only $2 each they were well worth the price.

They normally run anywhere from $8 to $10. So I saved some money by catching them on a close-out sale. I’ve used them on several occasions to drive tent stakes, as a pry bar and to pull nails. It has a rubberized grip with a solid metal shank and is quite sturdy. It’s sturdy enough to get the job done while having a multi-function capacity in one simple tool.

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Gear - Survival Cell Phone - LG Shine

Being able to communicate during an emergency or a crisis is of the utmost importance.
One of the things I use is an LG Shine cell phone. This cell phone from AT&T, while fulfilling all the basic requirements for communication, also serves a dual use. The shiny mirror portion of the cell phone gives you increased options for survival. Even though the battery may go dead, the cell phone may break, or there may be no signal, it is still useful as a signal mirror. The use of a mirror as a signaling device is well known as a survival tool. It is always good to have items that are dual use. This saves money and helps you to be better prepared.

Technical Specifications for the LG Shine

Battery Capacity

900 mAH: Talk Time up to 3 hours / Standby Time up to 10 days

Dimensions
Weight: 4.23 ounces / Size: 3.93 x 1.99 x 0.59 inches

Memory
Internal Memory Storage: 70 MB / Expandable Memory Storage: 4 GB

Memory Format: MicroSD(TM)

Wireless Technology
GSM/GPRS: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz / 3G: 850/1900 MHz
EDGE High Speed Data Network
Bluetooth Technology 1.2

Display Size: 2.2 inches with 240 x 320 resolution (pixels)

Additional Details:
Camera, Music Player, E-mail, Web Browser, and Full Media Features

DIY Gear - Survival Lamp

You can make a survival lamp out of a drink can. Make a slit about an inch from the top and an inch from the bottom of an aluminum soda or beer can. Then cut the slit about half way around the outside of the can. Then cut along the center of the two cuts. The two pieces can then be folded out to reflect the light from a small fire or candle. The lantern can then be hung by the top of the can. Just punch a couple of holes in the rim that are opposite each other and attach a small piece of wire for a handle. Place a small candle or tea light in the can and you have a home-made lantern.

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Gear - Stinger Streamlight Flashlight

This Stinger flashlight is small in size at 7 inches but has a huge light output. It can put out as much as 15,000 candlepower. The Stinger is brightest flashlight ever made for its size. Stingers are the number one selling rechargeable flashlights in the United States. I have the original Stinger Streamlight with the optional 12 VDC and 120 volt AC Piggyback chargers in the 10 hour charge model.

Features:

Battery: Nickel-cadmium 3.6 Volt, 1.8 amp hour, sub-C; rechargeable up to 1,000 times.
Bulb: 3.7 Volt, 6 watt, xenon gas filled bi-pin; spare bulb in tail cap.
Material: Machined aluminum housing anodized against corrosion inside and out.
Lens: Unbreakable polycarbonate lens.
Color: Black
Weight: 10 ounces
Length: 7.4 inches
Run Time: 1 hour of continuous use between charges.
Candlepower: Up to 15,000 (depending upon battery charge status)
Special Features: 120V AC and 12V DC Piggyback chargers in 10 hour model.

I also have an optional leather flashlight holder for my utility (web) belt. This is an EDC (Every Day Carry) item for me and goes wherever I go! The original battery lasted over five years with constant recharges and every day use. This is a great flashlight with good versatility due to the 12 Volt DC and 120 Volt AC charging options.

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Fire Bowl

What is a fire bowl? It's quite simply an old brake hub off a large truck or bus. They are quite heavy, able to resist high heat temperatures, and will safely contain a fire built in them. The ones in the pictures are from the drag axle for a bus. The simple thing is you can even use smaller versions from trucks or even cars for that matter. Many auto repair shops have them laying around and you can probably get them for free. You can also check with diesel repar shops or truck garages to see if they have any. They are generally sold for scrap and you can pick them up for a few dollars. Add a grill from one of your old rusted out, thin metal pits and you can start grillin'.

Single fire bowls can also be stacked to make a double fire bowl that can be used for grilling, cooking hot dogs, or just roasting marshmallows. You can let the smaller coals and ashes just drop to the bottom or you can place a small, shallow pan underneath to catch the ashes. These weigh approximately 40 pounds each, are 3/4 inch thick, about 13 inches high, the large open end is about 15 inches across, while the bottom part with the bolt holes is about 13 inches across.

At 40 pounds, one is easily carried by most anyone. Two can be packed at one time if you're a hefty fellow.

Looking for a way to spread the heat around? Try using a fire bowl. A fire bowl safely contains the fire and absorbs a large amount of heat that is slowly given off to the surrounding area. Think of it as a portable cast iron stove for outdoor use.

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Gear - Sterno Folding Stove

One of the items I have as emergency equipment is a Sterno folding stove. They are portable and lightweight. They fold flat for easy storage and ease of portability. They are fueled by cans of Sterno (gelled alcohol) and can be used indoors with proper ventilation.

They are relatively inexpensive stoves and cans of Sterno fuel can usually be found at most grocery stores or camping supply outlets. They work great for camping out or emergencies.

You can get additional info on an Emergency Preparedness Pack with stove here:

http://www.sterno.com/retail/pages/emergkits.html

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker