Heating help for the winter.

Posofserend

A handy device for taking the chill of of smaller rooms, consists of a cake tin, four tea lights and two ceramic pots with holes. Put four tea lights in cake tin, rest smaller pot on the edge of the cake tin, the bigger pot over the length of the cake tin. Protect heat from radiating downward with a barrier material. I told a neighbour about this a few years back. He was delighted, so much so he uses two of these devices for his living room.

Alex_Alumni

Thanks for sharing @Posofserend would the cake tin need to be a specific shape to work best?  

Posofserend

I use a cake tin, dimensions- L= 10 inches (252cm), W= 5 inches (122cm), Depth= 2+ inches (62cm).  Small ceramic pot, 4 and a half inch top diameter, 2 and 5/8" bottom diameter, height= just under 4". Big ceramic pot, 6 and three quarter inch diameter at the top. You have to squeeze the cake tin in the middle to accommodate the small pots diameter. I suppose you could devise your own system, better still if you know a potter.

leeCal

I don’t suppose you have any pictures of this device do you, I’m a little confused about it?

Posofserend

@leeCal, I don't have any photos  of it. You just place the tea lights in the cake tin and place the small pot over them after they are lit, placing the bigger pot over the smaller, which almost covers the length of the cake tin.

leeCal

Ok thanks 🙂

Cartini

I can see the small pot acting like a tajine and funneling the heat upwards, so why use a bigger pot?

Karen7788

You can buy terracotta heaters, similar to what you use in greenhouses. 

Posofserend

@Cartini. It's the gap between the small pot and the bigger pot that magnifies the heat to greater effect. 

daresbury1978

I am an 84 year old disabled man so I have loads of memories about what it was like during the War and throughout the years when rationing was in operation. With all the talk at the moment about the energy and cost of living crisis and the risk that vulnerable people (almost everybody?) might find it impossible to cover their food and heating requirements I was reminded that during the War the Government created what were called British Restaurants which offered reasonably priced meals in a warm environment. What we now seem to be calling "warm space" places. In 1947 Government passed an Act of Parliament which empowered Local Authorities to create Civic Restaurants and these replaced the former British Restaurants. I do not know if these powers still apply but I do think that the idea "Civic Restaurants" should be reconsidered. I wonder whether school kitchen and dining facilities could be opened up in the evening as "Civic Restaurants" as the premises would still be warm? Also the other school facilities might be useful as warm spaces for students getting on with their homework? Maybe the evening hours could provide opportunity for other activities such as public information or further education inputs e.g. what the local disabled peoples' organisations do or what local clubs and societies offer? I think that the idea would be attractive for volunteers and maybe gifts of food by Supermarkets .We might ultimately have schools offering "Breakfast Clubs", "School Dinners" and in the evenings "Civic Restaurants". The idea would need to be costed and piloted.  What do you think? 

Karen7788

I think it’s a great idea @daresbury1978, it would help bring communities together too and ease the loneliness of those that don’t have local connections. 

janer1967

Great idea but unfortunately there are discussions about schools not being able to finance heating costs and possibly only having 3 or 4 day weeks 

So don't think they could finance extra use of building this cost would have to be paid by operators of suggested community restaurants 

SueHeath

I have worked in schools all my working life and i know for a fact that the school funding would not be able to afford the extra money to do this, other things have to be considered also such as health and safety and hygiene.
Nice idea but a lot of schools are academys now and the people who invest in this it's a bit like the song "IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY" x

daresbury1978

Thank you all for your comments! I do understand about the potential costs and the inadequacy of school funding with regard to potential increased costs. However, if Government creates powers to act it also needs to create the necessary funding to deal with these crises. It is inevitable that potential barriers to progress might be brought up but we also need solutions to be brought up as well. I am just floating the idea. We shall see whether Government is prepared to put money where its mouth is!

daresbury1978

I meant to add that the idea that schools might be used as Civic Restaurants is not necessarily the only option - though I do also think that enlarging the potential use of school premises might well make it possible to keep schools open and heated all week! 

daresbury1978

Thanks for your comment Biblioklept! Since I wrote my earlier message I have been reminded about cheap meal supplier firms such as "Wiltshire Farm Foods" and "Parsley Box" and wonder whether these ready -  made meals could be used to provide a kind of "Meals on Wheels" service? It should be easy enough to get them warmed up and placed in hot boxes ready for delivery. I agree about the problem of keeping vulnerable people warm overnight, which needs other types of provision perhaps, but at least going to bed with a full stomach might help? We need acts of reimagination as well as Acts of Parliament. I have got to think of the idea "Civic Restaurant" more as an "umbrella term" for a range of types of food services e.g. to provide snacks at Libraries and other "warm space" places. I continue to think about it!

iza

Hi @Posofserend, very good idea. Perfect also for a camping 🏕 trip. My idea would be to find a perfect life time match and keep warm together 😊

Posofserend

@iza. Sounds good. A childhood friend said that it would be perfect for his greenhouse to protect his plants from the frost. I love tomatoes.

iza

Hi 👋 @Posofserend, I love tomatoes too. They are my favourite fruits. I could eat them almost non stop. 

Cartini

iza said:

Hi 👋 @Posofserend, I love tomatoes too. They are my favourite fruits. I could eat them almost non stop. 

I love tomatoes too; my favourite cherry toms are Aromatico which I get from a supermarket beginning with A (trying to avoid advertising )  I particularly love tinned plum tomatoes, I regularly have a tin for breakfast or a quick snack.  Cooked tomatoes are, supposedly, better for you too because of the increased content of lycopene (a powerful antioxidant).

iza

Hi @Cartini, have you ever tried to fry chopped into little squares sliced ham with added plum  tomatoes from can and grated cheddar cheese on top If not please try it?