Coffee 12-14-13

 
User avatar
Freddy
Member
Posts: 7293
Joined: Fri. Apr. 11, 2008 2:54 pm
Location: Orrington, Maine
Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 130 (pea)
Coal Size/Type: Pea size, Superior, deep mined

Post by Freddy » Sat. Dec. 14, 2013 5:16 am

Good morning! Fresh coffee just finished perking. Join in for a cup, share some thoughts and some friendship. Eggs over easy & corned beef hash sounds good. Any home made bread?

Welcome all new comers. The price of oil isn't on the news every day like it used to be, but it's still darned expensive and many people are making the switch to other ways to heat. I see by reading the Forum that a certain percentage are turning to coal. You've made a good choice. It's a bit of work, but very satisfying.

The Axeman Anderson is smiling! It seldom gets to run like it wants, but at 4 below zero this morning it's happy to jog along and quietly (ahem) keep us warm as can be. I see all of coal country is is cold, and, or snowy today. We are predicted to get over a foot of wind driven snow tomorrow. Last chance to pick up the yard! If it's not taken care of today you won't see it until late April.

I've got to put chains on the John Deere and switch a couple of hydraulic hoses. This will be the first time snow blowing with it. I hope it works out. If not, I'll drag out the ol' walk behind Ariens.

Enjoy some treats!

Attachments

DSC04969.JPG
.JPG | 197.6KB | DSC04969.JPG


 
User avatar
lsayre
Member
Posts: 21781
Joined: Wed. Nov. 23, 2005 9:17 pm
Location: Ohio
Stoker Coal Boiler: AHS S130 Coal Gun
Coal Size/Type: Lehigh Anthracite Pea
Other Heating: Resistance Boiler (13.5 KW), ComfortMax 75

Post by lsayre » Sat. Dec. 14, 2013 5:45 am

Thanks for the coffee Fred! Minus 4 degrees, now that's cold! It's only 25 degrees here, with about 2" of fresh snow.

Homemade bread is a specialty in our home. For years we struggled with trying to find a natural way to "condition" the dough so (for white bread particularly, but easily noticeable for the wheat as well) it comes out cushy soft and moist, just like the store bought stuff. We finally found the secret, and it is potato flour (not potato starch).

Here are our white bread and spelt (an ancient form of wheat) bread recipes for a 2 lb. loaf bread machine (weigh precisely, and don't cheat):

White bread:

40 grams potato flour
525 grams white flour (we vastly prefer"Saphire Flour" from Amish country, because it is a yummy mix of white flour and a bit of barley malt)
1.5 tsp salt
2 tbsp sugar
1.5 tbsp oil, shortening, or lard (we prefer coconut oil)
325 grams water
1 tsp yeast (we use regular, not the special bread stuff, and yes it is only 1 level teaspoon, and even 1/2 tsp will work)

Spelt bread:

Just as above but use 40 grams potato flour, 100 grams white flour, and 425 grams Spelt, totaling to 565 grams

Method:

Pre- measure (weigh carefully) and set aside the flours, no need to mix them together

Add the water (weighed out carefully), salt, sugar, and fat/oil to a pan and heat to mildly warm (120 degrees or perhaps a bit less, just enough to completely melt the coconut oil or shortening and dissolve the salt and sugar into the water.

Add the dissolved liquid ingredients from above to bread machine pan first

Add flours to bread machine pan next

Add yeast on top last

Set bread machine for its "white bread" setting (for both white and spelt bread) and to "light crust", and hit the start button

 
User avatar
freetown fred
Member
Posts: 30293
Joined: Thu. Dec. 31, 2009 12:33 pm
Location: Freetown,NY 13803
Hand Fed Coal Stove: HITZER 50-93
Coal Size/Type: BLASCHAK Nut

Post by freetown fred » Sat. Dec. 14, 2013 6:22 am

Mornin all, you asked, you got--2 pans of Native fry bread & a lb. of real butter--enjoy:) Nice with the corned beef Freddy. Outstanding JOE as usual. 8* here on the hill with more snow coming this way. Damn Marty, them treats are excellent & PURTY! Just got some tinkerin to do today & that's about it. Enjoy the week-end people

 
User avatar
SuperBeetle
Member
Posts: 1346
Joined: Sat. Dec. 15, 2007 1:22 pm
Location: Gettysburg, PA
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Harman Mark II
Coal Size/Type: Pea, Nut, & Stove Anthracite

Post by SuperBeetle » Sat. Dec. 14, 2013 6:33 am

Caribou coffee here this morning. A big breakfast of bacon, scrapple, and eggs. Have some fresh pork chops, sausage, and more scrapple coming a little later today. My neighbor butchers hogs from Thanksgiving through the end of February each year. Like Ollie's.........good stuff cheap.

 
User avatar
lowfog01
Member
Posts: 3889
Joined: Sat. Dec. 20, 2008 8:33 am
Location: Springfield, VA
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Mark II & Mark I
Coal Size/Type: nut/pea

Post by lowfog01 » Sat. Dec. 14, 2013 6:39 am

Morning all,

The break in the weather we had yesterday is gone now. We hit 46* here in the valley (its a very small valley) and today we will be lucky to see 30*. They are forecasting a wintery mix for most of the day. It's a great day to sit by the fire with a good book; maybe this evening because DK and I are going to put the finishing touches on the Mark I and get it installed today. It shouldn't take much - the main part is making the "field modifications" to the black pipe so it fits through the flu. That's what the propaganda that came with the black pipe calls "squishing" the 6 inch round to a oval. Fun times.

Boy, time is flying - Christmas is only 10 days away. I hope everyone is able to get out and get their shopping done. May the spirit of the season be with you, Take care, Lisa

 
User avatar
Keepaeyeonit
Member
Posts: 1680
Joined: Wed. Mar. 24, 2010 7:18 pm
Location: Northeast Ohio.( Grand river wine country )
Baseburners & Antiques: Glenwood #8
Coal Size/Type: Nut & stove
Other Heating: 49 year old oil furnace, and finally a new heat pump

Post by Keepaeyeonit » Sat. Dec. 14, 2013 7:29 am

Good day all, great coffee Freddy and thanks for the treats pretzels & chocolate are one of my favorites :dancing: along with a few others. Not much happening today just another day older only 44 but I sure feel older then that,can't wait to see what the next twenty years brings :o . Boy I used over 350# this week to keep the house at a no bitch temp :D because if it isn't at least 77* or so I here about it but it still wayyyy cheaper then oil! Well everyone take care and stay warm. Keepaeyeonit

 
User avatar
Rob R.
Site Moderator
Posts: 17980
Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
Location: Chazy, NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr

Post by Rob R. » Sat. Dec. 14, 2013 7:29 am

-4 here also, the EFM is just shrugging it off like any other morning. The house is very comfortable...I even got a humidifier running for the boys.

For someone crazy reason we waited until today to go get our xmas tree...hopefully it will crack 0 by then.


 
User avatar
Flyer5
Member
Posts: 10376
Joined: Sun. Oct. 21, 2007 4:23 pm
Location: Montrose PA
Stoker Coal Boiler: Leisure Line WL110
Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Leisure Line Pioneer
Contact:

Post by Flyer5 » Sat. Dec. 14, 2013 7:48 am

Good morning. Coffee is good this morning. Will be taking our daughter to her Martial arts class this morning and getting our tree. Should be a fun day.

 
User avatar
Hambden Bob
Member
Posts: 8536
Joined: Mon. Jan. 04, 2010 10:54 am
Location: Hambden Twp. Geauga County,Ohio
Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Harman 1998 Magnum Stoker
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Blower Model Coal Chubby 1982-Serial#0097
Coal Size/Type: Rice-A-Roni ! / Nut
Other Heating: Pro-Pain Forced Air

Post by Hambden Bob » Sat. Dec. 14, 2013 7:55 am

Man,is this ever a Great Coffee ! It's nice to see the Board running full out on Christmas Spirit ! I've got a balmy 23 with snow falling making all look like a Christmas Card ! Thanx,Guys,for the recipes and the Camaraderie. We're all in this together ! Take Care,Gang ! :lol:

 
samhill
Member
Posts: 12236
Joined: Thu. Mar. 13, 2008 10:29 am
Location: Linesville, Pa.
Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: keystoker 160
Hand Fed Coal Stove: hitzer 75 in garage

Post by samhill » Sat. Dec. 14, 2013 8:35 am

Good morning all, I guess we are all going to get some of this storm, not all that bad just like HB a Christmas Card snow. Got to go out & hit the drug store for my wife so we'll get breakfast out, Larry I always get confused are those heaping grams or level, got to be quick with the water & I'm slowing down a bit. :lol: I kind of learned to bake by the handful & look & feel of things. Hope everyone has a safe & warm weekend it's supposed to be better weather by tomorrow (here at least).

 
User avatar
NWBuilder
Member
Posts: 463
Joined: Tue. Jan. 04, 2011 11:43 am
Location: Norfolk, CT
Stoker Coal Boiler: Ahs 130
Coal Size/Type: Burning Pea anthracite

Post by NWBuilder » Sat. Dec. 14, 2013 8:47 am

Good Morning All, Thanks for the coffee Freddy, been a rough week here so I need something to get started. I had to cancel my girls basketball game for this morning due to the snow, a light dusting out there but it is 70 minutes away and folks don't know how to drive here in New England when white stuff falls from the sky!! Heaven help us! Well time to tend my beautiful boiler and have some quality time with my baby girls. Christmas specials are in my future today!! Be well all, NWB

 
User avatar
michaelanthony
Member
Posts: 4550
Joined: Sat. Nov. 22, 2008 10:42 pm
Location: millinocket,me.
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Vigilant 2310, gold marc box stove
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Gold Marc Independence
Baseburners & Antiques: Home Sparkle 12
Coal Size/Type: 'nut
Other Heating: Fujitsu mini split, FHA oil furnace

Post by michaelanthony » Sat. Dec. 14, 2013 8:56 am

Good morning all a balmy -7* up here and all is warm, thank you all for your help in showing us young bucks (to coal that is) the way. Freddy the wife cooked a loaf of homemade bread last night, stunk up the house and boy is it good. The simple things in life are cherished! I wish all a safe and warm week end and don't shovel too much!

 
User avatar
Freddy
Member
Posts: 7293
Joined: Fri. Apr. 11, 2008 2:54 pm
Location: Orrington, Maine
Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 130 (pea)
Coal Size/Type: Pea size, Superior, deep mined

Post by Freddy » Sat. Dec. 14, 2013 9:41 am

NWBuilder wrote: I had to cancel my girls basketball game for this morning due to the snow,
Many Mainers drive no matter what, but my Dad was a big proponent of "If it's not an emergency, why drive in the snow?" Yup.... 70 minutes can turn into a real long trip if it gets slippery. I think part of "Maine people know how to drive in the snow" is that below 15 or 20 degrees the snow isn't nearly as slippery. Away from here almost every snow is near the freezing mark, exactly when snow is slipperier than a frogs belly, but up here most of the snow is so cold it's not so slippery.
michaelanthony wrote:the wife cooked a loaf of homemade bread last night,
Yummmmm.... smells good!

 
User avatar
the snowman
Member
Posts: 611
Joined: Mon. Sep. 29, 2008 10:38 pm
Location: upstate NY Tug Hill area
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Jotul 507
Coal Size/Type: Nut, Stove coal, Egg coal

Post by the snowman » Sat. Dec. 14, 2013 10:03 am

Morning,

I'll take another cup of java thank you. As I type it is still -10F outside, not bad since we had -17F. I see we are suppose to get another foot or so of snow this weekend. Good, I can add it to our four and a half feet of lake effect snow we received this week. The Ferguson 35 deluxe and Woods 6' snow blower have been getting a work out. I'm not complaining, I love the snow we have received and am hoping for more of the same.

I took some time out of the shop to go through the snowmobile and replace any worn parts which included taking the entire front end apart to replace all of the bushings. Out with the old plastic bushings and replace them with metal bushings. Since I had the front end disassembled I took the opportunity to install grease zerks on the a-arms so the new bushings will last a little longer.

Since it was so cold yesterday, we only had a high of 10F, I thought it would be a great day to replace the septic tank. Yup, it was greeaaatt! Seven hours later I had the old metal tank out (what was left of it) and a new 1,000 gallon cement tank in its place.

Today, work continues in the shop and later this afternoon my wife and I will brave the cold and take in our usual long run. Since it is still pretty cold outside I believe we will keep it down to only ten miles today. The plows are doing a great job removing the snow from the roads so running will be safe. I hope the for cast is correct and we receive the ten to twelve inches of additional snow this weekend. I hope everyone has a safe and warm weekend.

The snowman.

 
User avatar
Rick 386
Member
Posts: 2508
Joined: Mon. Jan. 28, 2008 4:26 pm
Location: Royersford, Pa
Stoker Coal Boiler: AA 260 heating both sides of twin farmhouse
Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: LL Hyfire II w/ coaltrol in garage
Coal Size/Type: Pea in AA 260, Rice in LL Hyfire II
Other Heating: Gas fired infared at work
Contact:

Post by Rick 386 » Sat. Dec. 14, 2013 10:19 am

Late start for me this morning.

The daughter's Volvo is still kicking my ass but hopefully I can get all the fluids in it and fire this P.O.S. and get it the hell out of the shop. Was here last night until almost 10:00 PM working on it. I was beat so slept in. Then before heading to the shop, we had to go get her tree as she was working today. But had some quality time with the grandson chopping it down.

Hopefully later today I can get the lawn mower and lawn vacuum out of the shed so I can get to the snow blade for my truck. Then the mower can go back in until spring. Just been so busy I didn't get the fall stuff put away and the winter stuff out front. But I do have the Case 580 C plugged it so if I can't get to the shed, I'll still be able to open the driveway. Let it snow, let it snow. It covers all the ugly brown grass.

Enjoy the warm houses knowing it is not costing an arm and a leg. Just saw diesel is approaching $4.00/gallon. Fuel oil can't be too far behind.

Rick


Post Reply

Return to “The Coffee House”