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The "lorena" is a specialized cooktop design for rocket stoves, incorporating features that enhance heat transfer and cooking efficiency. As described in the sources, a lorena typically consists of a metal plate with a central hole, positioned directly above the rocket stove's burn chamber. The hole allows for direct heat transfer to large pots, facilitating rapid heating. The surrounding metal plate also acts as a cooking surface, similar to the glass cooktop found at Allerton Abbey, one of the WOFATI structures at Wheaton Labs. This dual functionality makes the lorena a versatile cooking solution for both large-scale and smaller cooking tasks. The design emphasizes maximizing heat utilization from the rocket stove, making it an energy-efficient option. Discussions in the sources suggest integrating the lorena into an outdoor kitchen setup, further enhancing its practicality and convenience. The lorena represents an innovative application of rocket stove technology, designed to optimize heat transfer and improve cooking performance.
Made of ancient diatom skeletons, diatomaceous earth is edible to mammals but deadly to insects. De scratches through a bug's waxy exoskeleton coating turning their innards to teeny tiny bug jerky.
Hugelkultur, meaning "hill culture" in German, is a sustainable gardening method that involves creating raised garden beds by burying wood under soil. This technique, described as "soil on wood," uses logs, branches, twigs, and even whole trees, which decompose and act as "a sponge to hold water". The decomposition process attracts beneficial microorganisms, creates air pockets, and releases nutrients, resulting in fertile soil that reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation and fertilization. Hugelkultur is a versatile technique that can be implemented on a small scale or on a large scale, even spanning nearly a kilometer. By utilizing wood that would otherwise be discarded, hugelkultur promotes environmental sustainability and aligns with permaculture principles, allowing gardeners to "grow a typical garden without irrigation or fertilization"
The construction of a berm shed, a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing storage solution, involves a unique process that utilizes natural building techniques and earth-sheltering principles. First, the building site is prepared using earthworks, shaping the surrounding land to create a berm, which is a raised bank of soil that will eventually cover a portion of the shed's sloping roof. Round wood timber framing is a common technique employed in berm shed construction, utilizing logs sourced from the property instead of commercially produced dimensional lumber. These logs are carefully selected and placed to form the structural framework of the shed, including the walls and roof supports. Once the timber frame is erected, a moisture barrier, such as billboard material or layers of poly sheeting and newspaper, is installed over the logs to protect them from the elements. Finally, soil is carefully layered on top of the moisture barrier, creating the berm and providing insulation, thermal mass, and a natural aesthetic. The construction process prioritizes using natural, locally sourced materials and minimizing the use of energy-intensive and potentially toxic commercial products, aligning with permaculture principles of sustainability and self-sufficiency.