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101 Ultralight Backpacking Tips

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An ultralight backpack means more fun. Enjoy floating down the trail instead of hauling heavy gear. You can have an ultralight backpack if you mercilessly analyze every piece of gear in your pack. Here are 201 tips to consider for reducing the weight of your pack. Some are big, some are small. That’s part of the secret. Small things add up. The old and obvious are mentioned because they are some of the most important. Have fun being a fanatic. If your friends make negative comments, invite them to lift your pack and compare it to theirs. Think of these tips as a buffet, and take what you like:

1. Buy a digital scale. You can find a good one that measures down to 1/10 ounce for about $30. You’ll be surprised at the weights of some items. You can take your light, portable scale into stores and make wise decisions before you buy. Do not fear sales people with little or no knowledge of the backpacking gear they’re selling. You’re now in control. Let them fear you.

2. Remove the excess weight from your body. Losing those unwanted pounds is probably the best weight reduction you can make. It doesn’t involve leaving any of your favorite equipment home. You’ll feel better, and there’s a net gain in strength and endurance.

3. It needs to be mentioned at least once. If you don’t need it, leave it home.

4. Avoid last-minute packing. If you hurry and pack at the last minute, you’re more likely to throw in things like extra clothing you don’t need.

5. If you’re backpacking with a companion, plan ahead and share the weight of the gear such as the tent and cooking gear.

6. Develop your sewing skills. Be creative. Some of the best, and most inexpensive, ultralight backpacking gear is the kind you make yourself.

Pack

7. Purchase a light backpack. Your pack is one of the best places to lighten up. You’ll need to reduce the volume and weight of every piece of gear to use the lightest pack. Your final result can be a pack that weighs less than 2 pounds. That’s a savings of more than 5 pounds over the big “load monster” packs.

8. Don’t buy a pack with too much capacity. You’ll be too tempted to fill it, and it won’t handle as smoothly if it’s partially filled.

9. Try using your pack without the hip belt. You might like it better.

10. Remove your pack’s sternum strap if you don’t use it.

11. Remove any manufacturer tags from the bag. In fact, remove tags from all your gear, including clothing. Save the care instructions from the clothing if you can’t remember how they’re to be washed.

12. Cut some of the length from the waist belt and straps on the pack. Remember to leave them long enough for when you’re wearing your bulkiest clothing.

13. If the pack has aluminum stays, or some other reinforcing material that can be removed, try carrying the pack without it. The really light pack you end up with shouldn’t need reinforcing. Think positively from the outset.

14. If your pack has large buckles or cord locks, find a way to replace them with lighter ones.

15. Don’t worry too much about the lighter materials in ultralight packs. These materials are still very strong. You can make repairs that are lighter than tape by using McNett Seam Grip. It works for sleeping bags, tents, and other gear, too.

16. If you need a pack cover, use one that’s very light, like the ones that are made from 1.3 ounce silicone-coated nylon. Or, use a lightweight garbage bag. Or, spray your pack with a waterproof coating. Your pack may already be waterproof. Check the manufacturer’s specifications. You might be able to save the weight of a pack cover.

17. Ultralight compression stuff sacks can help you reduce the volume of your gear. You may be able to lower your overall weight by using compression bags because you end up with a smaller pack.

Sleeping Gear

18. Buy a sleeping bag that isn’t “overkill.” It’s surprising how many people buy a sleeping bag for low temperatures and then use the bag for summer camping 95% of the time.

19. Use a down bag. Nothing is more efficient for the weight. Don’t worry too much about the down getting wet and losing its efficiency. High quality bags are made with shell fabrics that have a very tight weave and are very water repellent, so they tend to protect the down. The down itself has natural oils in it. It works for the geese. Use your skills to keep your bag dry. Keep it in a waterproof stuff sack.

20. Have a small towel handy to wipe any condensation from tent walls. That will help your ultralight sleeping bag perform to its maximum.

21. A piece of very light and thin painter’s tarp plastic or a light trash bag can be used to keep condensation off the foot of your sleeping bag. The plastic or trash bag can have multiple uses such as keeping gear dry.

22. With a lightweight bag you can always add layers of clothing for extra warmth.

23. You can also use a silk liner that adds warmth and weighs as little as 4 ounces.

24. Switch your stuff sack for an ultralight one that’s made of 1.3 oz. silicone-coated nylon. They weigh as little as .6 ounces.

25. Keep your sleeping bag clean. That will keep the efficiency high.

26. Keep your sleeping bag in a large storage bag when it’s at home so it will retain its full loft and maximum efficiency.

27. Air out your bag during lunch and as quickly as possible after you set up camp. Moisture can evaporate and the bag can fully loft.

28. Eat and drink before going to bed. That will help your body to efficiently heat your sleeping bag.

29. If your feet get a little cool, you can use things as light as plastic newspaper bags or grocery sacks to keep them warm. You can use the bags for dual purpose tasks, and they add hardly any weight. They can also be used for bringing wet gear and boots into the tent. The sleeping bag stuff sack can be used as a foot warmer.

30. Using an ultralight air mattress can reduce your pack weight and volume and increase your comfort. They can be as light as about 20 ounces for a full-length mattress.

31. You can have an air mattress with insulation in the tubes for only about 1 ounce more.

32. Leave any inflatable sleeping pad open as much as possible so the condensation inside will evaporate.

33. A closed-cell foam pad is light and easy to use. You can even cut away areas that you don’t need to save a few ounces.

34. The lightest air mattress available is called a balloon bed. No joke. The shell can be made from 1.3 oz. (or lighter) silicone-coated ripstop nylon. Sew 7 tubes (or more or less) into the 60″ long fabric. Leave the ends open for inserting and removing the balloons. Insert Qualatex 60″ balloons (model 260Q) because they’re the strongest. Use clear or white since they’re stronger than colored ones. The balloon bed can weigh less than 4 ounces. A pump can weigh 1.3 or 2.2 oz. Each night you’ll need to use new balloons, so figure 8 per night. Eight balloons weigh .4 ounces. This figures one for breakage. They don’t pop when you lay on them, but may pop when you tie them off. See more at balloonbed.com. Or make your own and get balloons and a pump at tmyers.com, larocksmagic.com, or others.

35. You can go crazy and use bubble wrap for your sleeping pad if you don’t need too much insulation or cushion. It’ll weigh about 4 ounces. There’s a variety that’s made with some nylon that is much stronger than the cheapest kind, but the bubbles still pop when you concentrate your knees or elbows directly on a small area.

36. Ultralight backpackers have come up with a lot of ideas for lightweight pillows. One of the most common is using your extra clothing for a pillow. One place to contain the clothing is in your sleeping bag stuff sack.

37. When you pack ultralight, you often don’t have much in the way of extra clothing. Some hikers use their pack for a pillow. It solves a second challenge of where to put your pack in the tent.

38. A small piece of foam with some of your gear underneath can serve as a pillow.

39. At .4 oz. you can get a pillow at Office Depot. It’s a 10 x 12″ air wrap plastic packing “bubble” that you can blow up and deflate with a straw.

Shelter

40. You can save a lot of weight by choosing an ultralight tent that weighs two to three pounds for the two-person tent, or less than two pounds for a one-person tent.

41. If you usually backpack with a companion, consider buying a one-person tent for those times you go solo.

42. If you already use hiking poles, you can save the weight of tent poles on some tents.

43. If you have an old tent you’d like to keep, you can save weight by replacing the poles with lighter carbon fiber poles.

44. If you have an old tent that you like which has a fly, you can save weight by using the old fly as a pattern and sewing a new fly from 1.3 oz. silicone-coated nylon.

45. You can save weight by using titanium tent stakes. The 6″ titanium stakes are just .2 ounces each.

46. Save weight by leaving stuff sacks home. A few rubber bands around your tent are lighter than the stuff sack. Put rubber bands around the titanium stakes and band them to the poles to keep the stakes from poking holes in anything.

47. In some dry regions, you may be able to use a bivy sack or sleeping bag cover as your only shelter.

48. If you need bug protection only, the pop-up bug bivies weigh only 6.5 ounces.

49. For an even lighter solution to bugs, a square yard of no-see-um netting weighs less than an ounce.

50. Simple, lightweight tarps can reduce your shelter weight to a pound or less.

51. If you use a bivy, tarp, or poncho/bivy, you may want to have a mosquito head net to keep the bugs away. Of course, these can be used during the day, too. They weigh only .6 oz.

52. Some tarps serve a dual purpose by doubling as your poncho, too.

53. Creative cord tying from a tree or using an available stick with some tarps and tents can save the entire weight of poles.

54. The lightest ground cloth is the one you don’t take. Use caution when you set up your tent so you don’t need a ground cloth.

55. If you use a ground cloth, use one that’s a light as possible. An ultra-thin 99-cent plastic painter’s cloth is a light disposable option. Some people like Tyvek. Consider using 1.3 oz. silicone-coated nylon for your ground cloth.

56. If you use a ground cloth, be sure to trim it a couple of inches smaller than your tent. If it’s bigger than your tent, you can catch unwanted rain and funnel it under you.

57. Consider hammock camping. Hammocks can be as light as about 2 pounds, and there are some great advantages like being able to set up on uneven ground.

58. If you have a tent with a fly, you may be able to set it up with the poles and fly only, especially in late summer when there are fewer mosquitoes.

59. You can more effectively use tent options without netting if you repel insects by adding permethrin to your tent.

60. Shake the water from your tent before packing it on a damp morning. Let the moisture drain off while the tent is on a rock or tree.

Clothing

61. Long-term weather reports from the internet can cut ounces from you pack. In dry weather you can leave some of the rain gear home. In warm weather you can leave some insulating layers home.

62. You can shave ounces by making some last-minute decisions about whether to carry things like rain pants. If the weather and conditions look good, you can leave items in the car.

63. If the weather is warm enough, some hikers like to leave the rain pants home anyway. Your legs will get wet, but they won’t be trapped inside sweaty rain pants.

64. Your rain pants can be lighter than 4 ounces if you use “chaps” that cover your legs but are open at the midsection.

65. Rain gear can weigh less than 10 ounces for top and bottom if you use the very lightest and most simple varieties. We’ve already mentioned combination poncho/tarps if you want a piece of gear that serves as shelter and rain gear.

66. One of the best lightweight clothing rules is “no multiples.” If you have one pair of pants, running shorts and/or rain gear are enough backup.

67. One very light short sleeve shirt and one long-sleeve shirt should be enough.

68. Avoid cotton. It doesn’t dry as quickly, so it could be dangerous. And even if it’s not dangerous, it’ll be heavier when it’s wet because the water weight won’t dry as quickly as other fabrics.

69. Very light synthetic materials and silk may allow you to leave heavier, bulkier fleece at home. A couple of silk layers under your rain gear may be enough for summer hikes. That’s a total of less than 6 ounces for 2 shirts.

70. Never wear jeans. They weigh about 1 ½ pounds and don’t dry well. Lightweight nylon outdoor pants can weigh as little as 8 ounces.

71. If you need more insulation, there are ultralight jackets made with down that weigh less than 8 ounces, about the weight of a T-shirt.

72. You can save a lot of weight by using running shorts that weigh around 3 ounces instead of heavier cargo shorts.

73. Leather belts can be quite heavy. Look for a light belt. A lightweight nylon accessory strap with a quick-release buckle works well.

74. Using silk can cut the weight and bulk of your underwear in half.

75. A lightweight watch cap (beanie or lightweight stocking cap) can weigh as little as an ounce. It’s great for extra warmth during the day or while you’re sleeping.

76. A full-brimmed hat for storm protection that’s made from silicone-coated nylon weighs as little as 1.2 ounces.

77. A baseball-type hat from lightweight ripstop nylon for sun protection can weigh less than an ounce.

78. A painter’s cap will give you cheap, light protection from the sun. They weigh about 1.3 ounces.

79. If a hat is too hot for you, use a visor to be cooler and lighter. Visors vary a lot in weight, so use a digital scale to find the lightest one.

80. Lightweight polypropylene gloves that weigh an ounce will give you some warmth.

81. You can use your extra socks as gloves, or for added warmth over light gloves.

82. Those plastic newspaper or grocery bags that we used for keeping your feet warm at night can be used to keep your hands dry.

83. Socks that are warm, comfortable, and help you avoid blisters are vital. Don’t try to go too thin and light if you tend to blister. But many popular styles come in various heights. So a shorter, lighter sock might give you the same function.

84. One of the best ways to save clothing weight is to use running shoes instead of hiking boots. The old saying of one pound on your feet being equal to five pounds in your pack is true. You lift your shoes with every step, so why not lift something light and comfortable?

85. Shoe laces that come with your running shoes are often too long. They catch on the little twigs along the trail. You might as well cut them off and save the weight. Burn the ends so they don’t unravel.

Cooking

86. Keep your cooking gear light by using a kettle only. You can save more than half the weight of the cooking kit by leaving the plate and fry pan home. The ¾ quart kettle by itself weighs less than 5 ounces.

87. With titanium, your kettle can weigh under 4 ounces.

88. Stainless steel is heavy. Avoid it. Non-stick coatings make a kettle heavier than one without it. Decide whether the weight of the non-stick surface is worth it for you.

89. For your cup, use the plastic kind that have measuring marks inside. They’re four times lighter than a sierra cup.

90. Try using a lexan spoon only. You probably don’t need a fork. For cutting food you can use your pocket knife. File some of the excess weight from the handle of your spoon. Have some fun being a fanatic. Drill some holes in the handle.

91. Some hikers like a long Dairy Queen spoon because it can reach all the way into foil pouches and zip lock bags. Be ready to use some emergency chopsticks if the spoon breaks. Some people like chopsticks anyway.

92. Blacken the bottom of your kettle to cook faster and conserve fuel. If your kettle won’t do this naturally, use heat-resistant paint, the kind you use to paint barbeques and wood stoves.

93. Keep the lid for your kettle. You’ll save its weight by using less fuel.

94. Use a windscreen so you conserve and carry less fuel. You can probably use something that’s already in your pack so there’s no weight added. Or use something very light, like aluminum foil.

95. Use your digital scale to know the weight of a full and empty fuel canister if you use butane/propane. It’s surprising how far a small can will go. You can learn when to leave a full 7-ounce canister home.

96. For a scouring pad, keep it simple and cut it down to a very small size. Or, better yet, don’t take one at all. They tend to become bacteria magnets. Use goats beard — the stuff that’s attached to tree bark. Or use pine cones or sand.

97. You may need a towel to handle your hot kettle. Keep one small piece of a rayon camper’s towel for kitchen use and one for your body.

98. The lighter, thinner towels you can find in grocery stores are even lighter than a rayon camper’s towel. These work well on your body because they can rinse so easily for washing up.

99. There are two main types of ultralight stoves. Titanium stoves that burn butane/propane fuel can be as light as 2 ½ ounces. Their small fuel canisters are 7 ounces. Or you can choose a soda can style stove that burns denatured alcohol. These can be lighter than 2 ounces. Their fuel is readily available and can be carried in very light containers.

100. Fiberglass is often used as a wicking agent in the soda can stoves. The thin fiberglass within foil can be used to hold hot stoves or kettles and can be used to hold heat in your kettle.

101. The lightest water container is a plastic soda, water, or Gatorade bottle. Of course, you’ll want to remove that heavy label.

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Source by Steve K Green

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Cost Accounting in Manufacturing – Seven Great Objectives for Bottom-Line Profits

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Odd as it may seem, as a financial concept the term bottom-line has only been around for about forty years or so. It’s genesis as a word (an adjective, really) was the result of the growing need to establish the ultimate benchmark for profitability in the post-World War II advanced corporate economy. That is to say, to find out more than a company’s profit and loss through simple financial accounting. With the complexities introduced through a more mechanized, large scale, robotic global economy in the 1950’s and 1960’s, as well as mandates from stockholders for more stringent (i.e., realistic) profits reporting during this time, a new way of assessing profit was born. It was called, cost accounting.

This technique for manufacturers differs from financial accounting insofar as it is largely a much more formal mechanism by which costs of products or services are determined and controlled for efficiencies. This is achieved by the gathering of all operational costs, then classifying them systematically to ascertain their appropriateness as expenditures. With this information, management is able to make decisions that remove inefficiencies in production cost and, therefore, enhance the bottom-line profits. Good cost accounting can not only aid in controlling costs, but can also help in a wide array of manufacturing operations. In this sense, the seven great objectives of cost accounting in manufacturing are:

  1. Determining Costs: Of course, the overall objective of cost accounting is find out what your products and/or jobs cost you to make or provide.
  2. Control: Improving efficiency by controlling and reducing costs. To control the budget through classification and analysis is to control the costs.
  3. Information: Knowing raw material stock levels, the work in progress, and the amount of finished goods is information provided through cost accounting that can be used immediately by management.
  4. Increasing Efficiencies: The efficiency of any operation is only truly measured by the sum of its parts. As chaos shows, inefficiency in one area must eventually cause inefficiency in others. Cost accounting brings an understanding of the level of efficiency (or inefficiency) in all areas of manufacturing operations.
  5. Determine the Selling Price: Through the detailed information provided by good cost accounting, you can find out an optimum selling price for your product and/or service under differing variables (seasonal, economic, distribution, etc.).
  6. Operations Management: Where are your direct and in-direct costs being eaten up and why? With cost accounting, you can tweak operations policies to enhance the profitability of the work produced.
  7. Financials: Cost accounting provides the opportunity for frequent production cost reviews, especially as they correlate with production output in relative terms. Again, routine cost accounting financials help realize the continuous improvement that reduces costs.

A glance over these seven objectives quickly tells you that, as opposed to simple financial accounting, the detail work of cost accounting provides a richer information base for operations management. The collection, classification, and determination of cost through accounting becomes, then, a means by which efficiencies are discovered and implemented. To the extent that these implementations offer a greater return on investment, and perhaps a greater dividend to shareholders, this technique can be said to truly help build the bottom-line profit.

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Source by Victor Viser, Ph.D.

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Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Get LED High Bay Lights For Your Home

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The world has gone green and everyone is trying to chip in with a method to save the planet and so more than anything else, green technologies are mushrooming all over the globe. This is definitely catching on with the energy industries and one of the popular products currently is the LED high bay lights. The difficult economic times also motivates the need for frugal living and this makes saving on any expenses – especially monthly energy bills – a necessity. With LED high bay lighting, you are able to enjoy both options of saving the planet and saving your money. There are several benefits that you stand to gain with this kind of lighting.

Firstly, the LED high bay lights have a longer lifespan than the normal incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. Actually, they have the longest lifespan of all lighting bulbs; outlasting the normal bulbs by ten times more. This gives you the chance to save on regular bulb replacements every now and then. Their lifespan is further boosted by the fact that these bulbs do not use filaments for lighting but rather use diodes. This prevents the burning out phenomenon usually experienced in the normal bulbs. The bulbs also have a high resistance and can withstand accidental drops or falls which would otherwise break other bulbs.

With the LED high bay lighting, one is able to contribute to the efforts of conserving the planet. This is because the bulbs have low carbon emissions and are also energy saving. Their energy saving nature allows you to save on your monthly electric bill as the bulbs only use two to ten watts. This translates to about 66% of the normal amounts used in any household. The bulbs also emit low heat and thus this prevents the need for having your air conditioner switched on to cool your room.

The other advantage of the LED high bay lights is that despite its low energy consumption, the level of lighting has not been compromised in any ways and it brings about a bright high quality light. You are therefore not losing anything in terms of quality by adapting to this kind of lighting in your house.

The LED high bay lighting is increasingly becoming popular with people opting to take advantage of its benefits. Here’s the fourth reason why you should embrace these bulbs – they are available in various sizes and shapes. In addition, they are not only erosion proof but can also work in any weather conditions. This makes them pretty versatile and they certainly deserve to be considered as one of the best lighting options around now!

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Source by Carol K L Oon

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The Smart Way to Go Winter RV Camping!

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There’s more ways to enjoy the family RV than simply taking it on the road during the warmth of Summer Sun and Winter RV Camping holidays are a great option for those that like to explore cooler family time possibilities while on the go! The chief reason for the rise in popularity of winter RV camping is that the huge crowds that summer camping sites have on them, which can be hassle-some experience for many families that feel overwhelmed by large teeming numbers at a holiday spot to really enjoy the space a camping experience should ideally afford. For such families, the idea of a planning out a winter RV camping trip is the best way to go and the right camping gear fits in just fine with the rest of the plan.

The most fun-filled and winning winter RV camping gets a boost from choosing the right RV for the season as a smaller vehicle has the advantage of keeping the heat in and passengers warm as opposed to the gigantic 45′ counterparts. Once you have worked out the logistics of making your winter holiday a safe and successful one, its not too difficult to consider how hard it may be to maneuver on slippery cold roads when guiding a truck and trailer or the camper shell as opposed to driving along a big, lumbering motor-home! So, practicality, above all other features, is most essential in making your winter RV camping trip a smashing success, don’t forget!

Do find out about the specialized RVs that are more suited for braving colder climes as they have high-grade insulation to provide extra protection when traveling through extreme weather conditions that consist of chilling winds and toe-numbing night-travel. Packing weather-appropriate camping equipment will ensure your winter RV camping experience is a well-thought out and carefully planned one, giving you great holiday memories.

You may want to consider looking up camping grounds that afford you electrical hook-ups in the winter as not all campsites offer this facility off-season so for those with RVs that are need extra heating capacity to keep passengers safe and warm, you may want to buy a generator to juice-up the temp! A bit of market research is called for here, so you determine by cross-comparison of various models which is the most efficient and functions best in specific temperatures so you get the right one to meet your winter travel needs.

Besides the above, do pay close attention to the kind of winter RV clothing you take along: boots, clothing, sports gear and add-ons for snow-bound areas besides extra pairs of trekking shoes (if you’re planning on the hiking) are ideal extra gear you can take with you so you’re not short on stuff should some get wet!

Food is the last, but most important item on your winter RV camping trip checklist and do remember to store adequate supplies of long-lasting food products, just in case you are stranded in unexpected weather or travel conditions as it pays to be safe!

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Source by Abhishek Agarwal

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Coleman Coolers – Facts and Features

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Camping coolers are something that a mountaineer or an outdoor person cannot live without. For the longest time, coolers has stayed in its stereotype. It is merely perceived as a box of plastic that is made and bought for one purpose, to keep our beverages cold for us. Little do we realize that it can do so much more. To Americans, Coleman is the name for almost any outdoor gear. Its entire 50 years were spent to producing high quality products that they can be proud of, something so durable that it withstand the passing of generations.

Coleman Coolers live up to the company’s 50 years. Through generations of innovation, the camping coolers has evolved from being a simple convenience tool to a necessity. From soda cans, to water bottles, to vegetables, meats or fish Coleman has promised to keep them fresh and cold, ready for consumption any time, anywhere. Here are the features that keeps every Coleman gear special from the rest.

Cooling Technology

Although a lot of Coleman Coolers are equipped with a power socket to maximize cooling effect, the hard core camper does not have to be worried. Current cooler models can keep your food fresh and your drinks cold for a total of five days, some up to more than six days! Yes, you are reading it right, for five whole days, your cooler will keep a temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Thus giving you the opportunity to stay outdoors longer without that much hassle.

Versatility

A Coleman Cooler is the epitome of flexibility. It jumps out of the cooler stereotype by servicing not only the hard core camper alone but it is also made for the laid back barbeque party host and it is also perfect for after game victory parties. These coolers will not grow idle for the creative mind. It can be a perfect fishing, beach, vacation and of course, long – drive buddy.

Size

These coolers can be custom fit depending on the occasion, purpose and use. The smaller personal jugs can be carried anywhere to keep your young ones hydrated all the time. A serious camper on the other hand can get hyped up once they get their eyes on one of the 54 quart models. Bigger sized Coleman coolers also come with wheels for greater mobility.

Design

From the vintage red and blue plastic models that we loved from several years back, Coleman Coolers are starting to keep up to pace with the younger, more modern market. The latest model boasts a shiny steel exterior that comes in eye catching colors. Of course, the design is not only for aesthetic purposes. The exterior protects the cooler from rust and it houses additional features that provide convenience to the user. The larger 54 quart models have a no-tilt drain mechanism that makes draining water an ease.

Right now, Coleman is starting to break the limits of this product. Little by little, they are starting to make us realize that the cooler now does not only belong to the outdoors and to the dads or men who love camping. It is starting to creep into our lives with more function and use for every member of the household.

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Source by D Coleman

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Benefits of Pig Farming Equipments

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Pigs are more sensitive animals as compared to sheep, goats, and other livestock, and they require better management. But, they have an advantage that they give a better return as their feed-to-meet ratio is higher than other livestock and they also have a high breeding rate.

The quality and development of pigs depend on the feeding and housing systems, and this is why it is important for a pig farmer to exploit the modern pig farming equipment which will help in growing healthy pigs and ultimately an increased return on investment.

Some of the Modern Pig Farming Equipments are:

Stalls

  • Gestation Stalls: A gestation stall is primarily meant for housing pregnant sows. These stalls can be used in breeding, gestation and furrowing phases. They provide enough space for a sow and they make physical examination and insemination process very easy. They also help in protecting the sow from injuries and in controlling their feeding intake.
  • Finishing Stalls: These stalls are best for housing heavier pigs, which weigh more than 40 kg.
  • Weaning Stalls: These stalls are mean for the newly-born pigs and designed so that they don’t cause pollution and feel comfortable for the babies.

Pig Feeders

  • Drinking bowl: Modern pig drinking bowls are hygienic and the curled design prevents dust from entering into the water. They also reduce fecal pollution.
  • Nipple Drinker: Nipple drinkers are automatic and they do not allow any leak.
  • Dry-wet Feeder: The advantage of a dry-wet feeder is that they save feedings and are designed in a way so they won’t damage the snout of the pigs.
  • Creep Feeder: It is used to supply feed in furrowing crate for piglets. They are helpful if the mother sow doesn’t have sufficient milk. They are easy to clean and can be used for both feeding and watering.

Ventilation

  • Exhaust Fans: Exhaust fans when installed in a poultry farm can pump out a large volume of foul air without creating much noise.
  • Cooling Pads: It is important to keep the air inside the stalls clean because the climate influences the production capacity of pigs. A cooling pad consists of a fan, rotating discs, motor, and water bowl. The fan pumps out the unhealthy air and rotator disks spray water into the stall.
  • Dynamic Air Ventilation: Energy consumption can be reduced to a great extent by using frequency controlled fans. They can be installed in all types of stalls and can be accessed remotely as well.

Flooring

  • Pigsty Mat: Electrical Heating Mats are combined with the feeder, water bowl, and heating pads. They not only take good care of the pigs, but also prevent them from electric shocks.
  • Plastic Floor: These floors provide good furrowing and prevent frequent touches between the pigs and the dung. They do not corrode and are easy to clean.
  • Fiberglass Beam: These beams work as a support to the breeding fences

Manure Handling

  • Scrappers: Mechanical manure removal systems remove the feces and urine separately from the pig shed. They save a lot of labor costs.
  • Fermenting Machine: Fermenting machines are used for fermentation of sludge, feces, mud etc. and converting them into pig manure.

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Source by Shalini M

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The Benefits Of Motorized Dampers

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If you own your home, you have learned about heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) by default. The mere fact that you own a home has introduced you to all these facets of maintaining your home in a comfortable state. In order to maintain the temperature warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, it’s necessary to have a properly functioning ventilation system. A motorized damper will eliminate manual operation and function according to the reading on the thermostat.

The damper allows or obstructs the entrance and exit of air into and out of the home. It’s placed at the end of a piping system, usually in the wall, soffit, gable, foundation or the roof of a building. It can control air flow for an entire zone, for instance all the bedrooms on the top floor of a home, maintaining a comfortable temperature for sleeping. A damper may be used to control air flow for a particular room as well.

The motorized damper’s design can be with a spring return, multi-blade function or it can have a power open and close feature. End switches can come with some of these models, allowing you to operate other vent related appliances when the motorized damper is completely opened or closed at full power. Most operate with 24 volt or 120 volt power.

Spring return dampers come in a 4 inch diameter to a 20 inch diameters with a 24 volt motor. Many of these dampers are used primarily as fresh air dampers, not for zoning. Multi-blade dampers are most frequently used in tunnel and metro ventilation systems. A multi-blade damper works well for air flow, zone control and air exhaust. They use aluminum blades in opposed degrees. This material is light weight, yet very strong and makes a great functioning damper. The open and close powered dampers can operate two to three zones at one time.

To ensure that your home is free of stall air or air that is too cold or too hot, a working damper is needed. The type of damper chosen is based on your lifestyle and the type of HVAC system you currently own. Selecting the ideal damper for your needs can lead to your family’s comfort year round or a series of consistent complaints about their lack of comfort. Installing a motorized damper eliminates any manual operation that might have previously been required by your HVAC system and allows your family to enjoy comfort without any additional effort on your part.

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Source by Robert Brodie

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An Easy Fat Loss Diet – Fat Loss 4 Idiots!

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Everyone seems to be either talking about weight loss, or trying to find an easy fat loss diet. Obesity is a major health concern, not just in the USA but in many countries across the developed world. But it seems somehow tragic that whilst we in many of the so called developed economies eat to excess and appear to be constantly in pursuit of weight loss, there are millions of starving people in the third world countries suffering from malnutrition and worse.

The search for an easy fat diet is a journey that many people take, but in the end, the answer is relatively simple. In the first instance, we simply eat too much, but that in itself isn’t the entire reason; the fuller explanation is that we eat too much of the wrong foods. If we take a look at those poor unfortunate people in the third world countries, they sometimes do get food, but it is not the right kind of food.

They get things like rice and breads, full of carbohydrates but very little in the way of protein. That is one of the main causes of their malnutrition, that and a lack of the right vitamins and minerals. Here in the west, we actually suffer from the same thing; too much carbohydrate, but also plus lots of fatty foods, and when combined with the excess and free availability of these foods, we become obese, and then all clamor for weight loss.

Many of the easy weight loss diets that get advertised are not natural. They often take the form of alternative ready meals, or milkshake substitutes. It has to be said in all fairness, that some of these diet plans do work. The problem is however, that they (a) you don’t get enough fresh natural food on these fabricated diets, and (b) they train you to eat badly, and when the diet is finished, what then? You don’t want to be eating synthetic food for the rest of your life. It simply is not good for you.

That’s why the fat for idiots diet plan is such a good idea. Fat Loss 4 Idiots is a diet that allows you to use real food, fresh food, that you buy yourself through your usual channels, prepare and cook yourself. It’s an east weight loss diet because you don’t have to buy anything special, just normal straight forward food.

What Fat Loss 4 Idiots does, is to get you to shift calories, and this is the thing that will fuel that weight loss. All food contains a mixture of nutrients; a certain amount of carbohydrate, and certain amount of protein, some vitamins, and some minerals. It’s all about compiling a menu that will give you the right blend and proportion of the healthy natural ingredients that your body needs to function healthily.

The clever thing about weight loss using the Fat Loss 4 Idiots method is that they will tell what to eat and when to eat it in a carefully conceived plan that fools your body into naturally burning off fat.

With some other easy weight loss diets, they simply concentrate on cutting calories. The problem with this method is that your body senses the reduction in calorie intake and slows down your metabolism to conserve its resources of energy; it’s called going into starvation mode. This is where weight loss using Fat Loss 4 Idiots scores. You don’t have to starve your self; you actually get 4 meals per day. But the combination of foods that you eat actually stimulates your body to continue burning fat in a natural way.

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Source by Peter Skotnicky

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Uncommon Ingredients Explained

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Over the years, Dave and I have enjoyed using of several unique products that can cause confusion for people who have never used them in the kitchen before. Whenever we talk about them, inevitably, people have questions. Today we have put together a list of 4 items that we personally use frequently, explaining what they are and how to use them.

Clear Jel is a refined cornstarch that reacts better for freezing and canning recipes in particular; cornstarch tends to go cloudy in these situations. Clear Jel is used in the same proportion of cornstarch (1:1) in baking recipes. Like traditional cornstarch and the health store alternatives – arrowroot and potato powder, etc. – this product needs to be combined with the sugar (or flour) called for in the recipe prior to adding to any other ingredients in order to reduce clumps from forming.

Sea salt is healthier than regular table salt; the fact that it requires less processing means it also has a smaller ecological impact. It is a natural source of iodine, which, along with other nutrients, is essential for a healthy sex life. A local herbal consultant once told us that sea salt can also be used in place of Epsom salts in your bathwater.

Tamari is considered to be less salty than soy sauce and is often stocked in health food stores. You can find low-salt versions of both tamari and soy sauce. Tamari sauce, however, has enzymes that aid digestion and promote healthy intestinal bacteria.

Orange Zest, citrus zest or citrus powder are all terms referring to a similar product – to simplify we personally call it ‘citrus zest’. It is used to bring out other flavors and to condition flour. Chop lemon, orange or lime peel and allow to dry (or use a dehydrator) – turn this into a powder using a blender or grinder, and store in the cupboard as you would any spice or herb. 1 Tbsp of fresh zest is equal to 1 tsp. of dried; while 1 Tbsp of fresh zest is equal to 6 Tbsp. juice. As such, this one ingredient in the cupboard offers more ways of reducing grocery costs.

Making your own citrus zest at home is a fantastic way to move toward a more frugal kitchen, while reusing “waste” (the peels). Reducing salt, chemicals and preservatives from your diet, will certainly improve your health too. Hopefully, knowing more about these items will give you the confidence to use them in your kitchen.

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Source by Dave Brummet

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How EPS or Styrofoam Shipping Coolers Are Used In Meat and Seafood Cold Chain Shipping

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Cold Chain Shipping in the meat and seafood industry (especially with mail order products) is the logistical process of packaging and delivering goods so that they arrive properly fresh or frozen at their destination, preventing spoilage, customer dissatisfaction, and profit loss. Many businesses rely on Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Foam Coolers and EPS Foam Shippers (often called Styrofoam Shipping Coolers or Styrofoam Shipping Boxes) as a means to meet the demanding thermal protection requirements for temperature-sensitive products and at the same time boosting potential profits by lowering the costs of container packaging. Here, we discuss what’s involved in using these space-age materials for basic business delivery needs.

Common Combinations of Cold Chain Shipping Supplies

Mail order packaging and general expedited shipping involving meat and seafood has evolved into a very standardized, efficient, cost-effective, profit-maximizing logistical process. For many businesses, that system of moving goods means using a well-tested arrangement of supplies proven to get the job done effectively. Among those are…

  • Corrugated Cardboard Box Containers – printed or plain, marked “Perishable” by hand or stamp, often in white but mainly in a normal cardboard color
  • Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Foam Shippers – usually a minimum of 1.5 inches thick with a sealing lid to strengthen internal thermal integrity
  • Thick and Durable Plastic Bags or Other Product Wrapping – to seal in the cargo itself so that it’s secure and has less contact with air
  • Refrigerants for Cooling or Freezing – gel packs, gel blocks, or other self-contained chemical coolant; or, sometimes dry ice is utilized
  • Temperature Trackers – temperature-sensitive strips or other devices that track the history of temperature changes, or with simpler tools, track whether the package contents have been exposed to out-of range temperatures at some point during delivery
  • Absorbent Padding – to handle and prevent messes from any dripping or melting liquids
  • Filler or ‘Dunnage’ Material Such As Packing Peanuts – takes up excess space so that cargo does not shift around excessively. Also, there’s less air to keep within temperature range
  • Pressure Sensitive Packaging Tape – strong enough to keep a tough seal but flexible enough to allow for movement and shifting without cracking, splitting, or breaking during transit

This group has within it hundreds of varieties of products that companies can choose from according to their budget, with some being of higher quality than others. Of course, one gets what one pays for, so those responsible for shipping understand how a cheap shipping supply can ultimately end up costing much more in product returns and customer complaints.

In addition to standard supply sets for shipping, there are a couple of industry practices helpful for better results, such as…

Pre-Cooled Environmental Packing

To ensure that cargo within the insulated shipping containers have the best chance for fresh arrival, a good practice is to pre-condition the package itself so that there is no significant temperature range conflict at the start. For instance, companies who need to keep cold items cold will lower the temperature of the cargo to within the correct range and then package it in a controlled environment so that, once sealed, the refrigerants contained therein can stay at their current temperature or close to it for a longer period of time.

Pre-Testing Temperature Ranges

Depending on the geographic and weather peculiarities of differing regions of cities and states along the path of delivery, time can be an important factor for maintaining thermal equilibrium within a cold chain package. When a shipment moves from warm areas into cold or vice versa, cargo insulation must be able to compensate for temperature changes so that contents are not adversely affected. In the meat and seafood shipping logistical process, faster delivery times can make all the difference between customer satisfaction and product complaints and refunds. Twenty-four to forty-eight hour maximum delivery times are common, thus lowering the risk of spoilage, contamination, and cargo damage.

Wisely, organizations will minimize unpleasant surprises by sending “TEST SHIPMENTS” along routes they expect to use regularly, and then record the results. When companies know that a specific type of package going from California to Florida can arrive safely and securely as long as it is within a 48 hour window, they can ship with confidence when using a consistent schedule.

So, we see that businesses involved in the shipping of meat and seafood rely on an established choice of shipping supplies to prolong thermal insulation and temperature control of perishable goods and that they do so because it saves money, increases customer satisfaction, and improves the bottom line.

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Source by Riley Marquette