by Roostew » Tue Apr 26, 2011 5:28 am
Hi folks, don't know if it's been suggested before but I have noticed some people need a decent hot water supply while camping. The cheapest solution may be a "donkey", no, not to cart your water, and it don't eat hay either! I am not sure where it originates from but I think Australia, and has been used by outback cattlemen, campers etc. for umm....donkey's years! It's simply a tank like a sainless steel beer keg/barrel, with a piece of 1 1/2" pipe welded in the top, which extends down (inside) almost to the bottom of the tank, with a metal funnel at the top of the pipe. You fill it via the funnel, and the end of the pipe should be about 3-4 inches off the botttom so water flows in unobstructed. The water needs some place to get out, so you need to drill a hole in the side at the top of the drum/barrel and fit a few inches of pipe with an elbow on the end of it. This pipe should be of slightly larger diameter. The elbow is a good idea, as it makes the water flow directly downwards and doesn't shoot staight out. Just fill it up, light your campfire "right" alongside, and an hour or so later you will have hot water. Every time you get some water out you are topping it up. Metal fittings should be available to eliminate the need for any welding from a plumbing supplies shop.I hope this is of help to some. Jim.