The Sun's energy is effectively limitless. While resources such as coal or gas are finite‚ if you are able to capture and use solar power it doesn't prevent anyone else from also using as much sunshine…

An exam hall might not be the first place you'd think of as a boring environment – what with all that pressure to succeed – but a new study suggests it is actually a very boring place for students‚…

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I don’t know about you‚ but it seems that about half the things I own‚ by number‚ are 5-gallon buckets. I use them for absolutely everything. Gardening‚ landscaping‚ painting‚ food storage‚ improvised stools‚ working out‚ stashing tools – all kinds of stuff. pinto beans and 5 gallon buckets ready to be sealed They are just indefinably useful! But climbing costs are a major concern when it comes to bucket proliferation‚ and I like making my preparedness dollars go as long as they can. To that end‚ I’ve figured out where I can nab lots of 5-gallon buckets for free. If you want to buff up your collection‚ keep reading and I’ll tell you about 12 places that are worth checking out if you’d like some freebies yourself. Will I Get Food Grade Buckets from These Places? Yes‚ or at least sometimes. Many of the places I will recommend to you below will actually give away food-grade 5-gallon buckets. That’s because they are handling food or food ingredients for sale‚ and most retailers‚ vendors‚ and institutions do not reuse them‚ recycle them‚ or send them back to warehouses or wholesalers. As a rule of thumb‚ if the place you are getting your 5-gallon bucket from used it to store food‚ you’ve got food-grade buckets for sure. But there’s an easier and surer way to check: look at the underside or side of the bucket for markings saying it is “food grade” or “food safe” or for embossing that tells you what kind of material it’s made from. If you see HDPE‚ you are good to go. HDPE is high-density polyethylene and that means the bucket is food-grade with a few caveats. You’ve got to sterilize the bucket properly before using it for that purpose‚ of course‚ and you can never‚ ever use any bucket that held harmful chemicals or other contaminants that might leach into the plastic for food storage. What About Lids? Most‚ though not all‚ of the freebie buckets you’ll be able to snag will come with lids‚ but depending on the manufacturer‚ it might have a slightly different rim configuration or style compared to the hardware store buckets you’re used to buying. That means if you plan on adding a specialty aftermarket lid‚ you probably want to get the buckets first and then go shopping for the lid. Gasketed or “gamma” lids‚ for instance‚ are perennially popular for food storage and it would be a shame if they didn’t fit on the buckets you are able to get. Just keep that in mind. Now‚ on to the list… The Best Places to Score Free 5-Gal. Buckets Sandwich Shops Sandwich shops might seem like a strange place to go looking for 5-gallon buckets‚ but that’s only because you don’t know the secret. The secret is that every sandwich shop (or at least most of them) gets their pickles in these same giant buckets. And since food safety laws state that restaurants and suppliers generally cannot reuse these buckets for their intended purpose in a restaurant or food-prep setting‚ that means that they’ll typically get thrown out with the garbage. Thrown out unless you come along‚ strike up a conversation‚ and tell them that you’ll be more than happy to take these buckets off of their hands. Keep in mind that some sandwich shops will send these buckets back to suppliers to be professionally sanitized and then reused‚ but this is pretty rare these days. Something else to keep in mind is that pickle buckets smell like‚ well‚ pickles and any gear you put inside will also smell like pickles unless you work hard to get the smell out entirely. Easier said than done! Bakeries Bakeries are another great place to score some free 5-gallon buckets. Sugar‚ salt‚ and sometimes even specialty flour will come in food-grade 5-gallon buckets and compared to the pickle buckets at the sandwich shops above‚ they are far‚ far easier to clean up and repurpose. Local bakeries are an especially good option for scoring some freebies‚ so if you make it a point to always get your weekly croissants‚ donuts‚ or bagels from a hometown bakery make sure you take the time to talk to them when they aren’t at peak hours. Will usually be more than happy to set them aside for you for a prearranged pickup time. Fast Food Joints Other food purveyors that go through lots of 5-gallon buckets are fast food joints‚ particularly any franchise that deals with pre-cut fries. Many such places will go through several of these buckets a week at the very least‚ and most will go through dozens if they stay busy. Curiously‚ some franchises like McDonald’s have explicit rules in place so that managers know not to give these buckets away and simply throw them out with the trash. I guess they don’t want the liability no matter how remote the chance is. But‚ most other fast food places will be more than happy to hand over the buckets if you know how to ask nicely. If they seem resistant‚ try to build rapport with a particular shift manager and they’ll probably let you get away with them. Club Stores Membership club stores like Costco and Sam’s Club have huge supplies of 5-gallon buckets not just on the shelves but also in the back at the bakery and food prep departments. As expected‚ these buckets are also food-grade which is a bonus‚ though what was stored in them is anybody’s guess. In my experience‚ I’ve had good luck getting free buckets from these giant institutions‚ but I’ve also noticed a trend: success tends to come down to the individual department- or store manager. Some seem almost suspicious that you’d even be asking for such a thing‚ whereas others are more than happy to see waste materials be repurposed instead of thrown away. In any case‚ there is no harm in asking and the worst they can do is tell you no. Home Improvement Stores You already know you can get painters’ buckets at the big home improvement stores‚ and they sell them by the boatload. But what you might not know is that there are free ones to be had if you don’t mind scrounging around and finding out which department has them in for what purpose. They use them as trash cans‚ from mixing paint‚ have them hanging around as returned paint that can’t be resold‚ and countless other examples. Getting your free 5-gallon buckets here is a lot like opening up a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re going to get‚ but I know that you can get them if you ask around. three paint buckets Paint Stores One of the most obvious and‚ somewhat tragically‚ commonly overlooked sources for free 5-gallon buckets. Paint stores sell gobs and gobs of paint as you might imagine‚ and they also get lots of buckets back. Whether it is returns‚ angry customers‚ defects‚ recalls and so forth there will be plenty that are bound to be thrown away just as soon as they have time to deal with them. As an added bonus‚ there might be a few cases where you can get some free paint in the bargain! Different stores and chains have different policies‚ but being nice to the employees who work there and explaining what you are after will usually be fruitful. Big Box Department Stores and Grocers Although it isn’t the most productive place to check on our list‚ you shouldn’t rule it out‚ especially if you are combing your town to get as many buckets as possible. Big box department and grocery stores like Walmart‚ Target‚ Meijer‚ Kroger‚ and others often have bakery sections and other departments where ingredients will be delivered in‚ of course‚ our buckets. I’ve had consistently good luck at my local Meijer‚ specifically at their bakery department‚ but it’s worth asking wherever you go and shop normally. I wouldn’t necessarily make a special trip‚ though‚ especially if it’s out of your way. Pool Supply Stores Pool supply stores sell all kinds of chemicals in all kinds of quantities‚ and for larger pools‚ pond care and so forth 5-gallon buckets are the standard. Very much like paint stores‚ if products are returned‚ defective‚ open‚ or damaged they won’t be able to sell them much of the time and they’ll be bound for the dumpster- right after they take care of the hazardous material disposal. This can be a win for you and for them because if they let you have it they don’t have to deal with it anymore. You might even get some free chemicals for your own pool or water feature. The big downside‚ naturally‚ is that many of these chemicals can be quite hazardous and reactive‚ which rules them out for storing food and might make them dodgy depending on what other sorts of things you plan on doing with the bucket. Be careful‚ use your head‚ and read that safety data sheet! Nurseries Nurseries where plants are sold will dependably have a large supply of 5-gallon buckets for moving and caring for young plants and saplings. If they are getting damaged or a little too old‚ or if they already have a mountain of the things‚ they will probably be glad to let you take some. And again‚ be cautious when repurposing: even if the bucket itself is made of HDPE or some other food-safe plastic don’t be too hasty to store food in it even when it is cleaned up. Some chemicals can leach into the plastic only to seep out and contaminate what is stored in it later. Fertilizers can be particularly bad about that. Landscapers Your local landscaping companies may be worth calling if you’re trying to score some free buckets‚ and I can attest that my own landscaper was happy to offload some old‚ grungy‚ and battered buckets that were still perfectly serviceable for utility purposes. After all‚ they will probably be using them for many of the same things that you’re planning on using them for! Painters And‚ last but not least‚ don’t rule out local painters and painting companies either! If there is anybody you can depend on to have “paint buckets‚” it’s painters! Their buckets are reusable‚ of course‚ but most painters that I’ve known don’t spend too much time cleaning them up when they can just buy new ones for so cheap. And it seems wasteful‚ but time is money especially when you’re painting. If you don’t mind doing a little bit of cleaning and refurbishment‚ you can get plenty of perfectly usable buckets from them. The post 12 Places to Score Free 5-Gallon Buckets appeared first on Survival Sullivan.

This is an updated review of the best survival lighter. We update our roundups as new products are released and as we test even more lighters. A lighter is a simple but important tool for survival. Staying warm and dry‚ creating light‚ purifying water‚ and cooking food can all be done with a humble lighter. There are plenty of brands and models to pick from when you consider lighters for survival. This is where we come in. We’ve researched the best survival lighters‚ tested them‚ and now the results are in: the overall best‚ a starter option‚ and an upgrade option. If you need a reliable lighter in a survival situation‚ one of our picks will bring the heat. Contents (Jump to a Section) The Best Survival Lighter Budget Survival Lighter Upgrade Survival Lighter Everything We Recommend The Lighters We Compared What to Look For How to Modify a Survival Lighter Who Needs a Survival Lighter? The Best Survival Lighter Windproof Arc Lighter Weatherproof‚ Rechargeable‚ and Dependable Arc lighters have dropped significantly in cost making them the new survival lighter to beat. $10* at Amazon *Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales. Charging technology and batteries have come a long way over the years. When the first weatherproof arc lighter emerged on the scene several years ago‚ they cost over $30. They also were saddled with a lower watt-hour battery and limited by micro-USB. Fast forward to today‚ and we have inexpensive arc lighters that perform fantastically in any weather conditions. Paired with a wide range of options to recharge through the USB-C cable on the go‚ you can use this lighter almost indefinitely. Here is how it measures up: 196 (one-second lights) 18 Wh (1.5-hour recharge with USB-C) 2.7″ x 1.9″ x 0.5″ 1.5 ounces If you are looking for the best option for your survival kits‚ a Weatherproof Arc Lighter is what you need. Budget Survival Lighter BIC Classic Simple‚ Inexpensive‚ and Dependable The classic BIC perseveres as the dependable prepping option at home or in your everyday carry. $12* at Amazon *Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales. The classic BIC has been hanging around convenience stores since 1973. The disposable lighters are dirt cheap‚ and although they no longer have adjustable flames due to safety concerns‚ they are still infinitely customizable. Many pocket survival kits use the humble BIC as a base‚ wrapping tape and cordage around the handle and adding other accessories like razor blades to pack some versatility in your pocket. Here are the specs on the classic model: 10-pack 3‚000 (one-second lights) Isobutane (non-refillable without modification) 3.25″ x 1″ x 0.5″ 0.77 ounces (full) If you are stocking bulk lighters or running a simple solution for your everyday carry‚ it’s still tough to beat the price of a BIC Classic lighter. Upgrade Survival Lighter SOTO Pocket Torch Dual Fuel‚ Refillable‚ and Reliable This lighter massively upgrades ordinary disposables into jet torches and extends their life. $32* at Amazon *Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales. SOTO may be mildly obsessed with blue flames‚ from their innovative Japanese stoves and now their unparalleled lighter out of Japan. This unique jet torch cannibalizes your cheap disposables for fuel and turns them into a hot and efficient monster. With a flame topping out at 2300°F (1300°C)‚ you can even solder with this beast just by loading it with a disposable. Here are the specs on this versatile torch: 4‚800 (one-second lights) Encapsulates disposable lighters for fuel Direct butane adapter available: SOTO Butane Adapter 4.3″ x 2.4″ x 0.9″ 1.8 ounces (full) If you are looking for the best refillable lighter‚ you can’t match the SOTO Pocket Torch. Everything We Recommend Windproof Arc Lighter Arc lighters have dropped significantly in cost making them the new survival lighter to beat. Where to Buy $10* at Amazon *at time of reviewing BIC Classic The classic BIC perseveres as the dependable prepping option at home or in your everyday carry. Where to Buy $12* at Amazon *at time of reviewing SOTO Pocket Torch This lighter massively upgrades ordinary disposables into jet torches and extends their life. Where to Buy $32* at Amazon *at time of reviewing The Lighters We Compared Our research narrowed the field down to several types of lighters that we compared: BIC‚ UST‚ Coleman‚ SOL‚ Exotac‚ Zippo‚ SOTO‚ Maratac‚ Vertigo‚ Clipper‚ and more. You can see our full list of review criteria below in the What to Look For section‚ with an explanation for each. The Zippos had some issues with evaporation and butane lighters simply didn’t have the longevity to justify the weight. We’re always looking for new and better gear‚ so if you have a lighter that performs well for you‚ let us know in the comments. We review most of our tested gear annually so we can try to get it in the next roundup round and see if it will beat out our top picks. What to Look For The best survival lighters have a few features to look for: Value Fuel Type Reliability Size/Weight Versatility When you get the right blend of these‚ you can find the perfect lighter to start a fire when your life depends on it. Below‚ we break down what each of these features means for the types that truly set themselves apart. Value: Cost vs. Benefit The amount of money you spend on something like a lighter shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. They are not especially expensive and you probably already have some in your junk drawer. You never want to spend too much money on one resource‚ even when it comes to fire tools. It’s better to diversify your spending to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios. Fuel Type There are many types of fuel to turn a spark into a flame‚ but superheated air between two contacts performed the best. Sure‚ there are some drawbacks to arc plasma lighters but the potential longevity is hard to overlook. Traditional gas and liquid fuels are common‚ including: isobutane butane propane There are also a few wick lighters and match-strike options out there‚ but they weren’t worth the hassle with the better options readily available. Reliability When you use a lighter‚ you want a flame. If it can’t produce a flame due to rain‚ wind‚ cold‚ or other conditions then you’ve got yourself a paperweight and not a lighter. Older models of plasma arc lighters had some issues with cold weather (batteries don’t like it)‚ but that seems to have improved from what we saw and more recent reviews. Just like matches‚ tinder‚ and other fire-starting supplies- you’ll want to keep your lighter close and dry anyways for the best performance. Size &; Weight If it wasn’t for size and weight issues‚ you could just start every fire with a flamethrower. Small‚ lightweight‚ and storability all make for good lighter characteristics. You also want to be aware of leakage potential when you store lighters with liquid fuel. I had a liquid fuel candle leak in my bug out bag once and it was a complete mess. Make sure the thumb button on your BIC can’t be pressed when you stash it. Versatility Some lighters are versatile beyond their flame. whether they can strike a spark even when they are empty or their housing is suited to be wrapped in cordage and tapes‚ lighters often are the cornerstones of versatile survival kits. Keep an open mind when it comes to resourcefulness and you’ll be able to figure out a solution for nearly any situation. How to Modify a Survival Lighter There are many ways to modify lighters for survival‚ but one of the most popular platforms to start with is the simple BIC. Most modifications start with shoring up deficiencies‚ like weatherproofing‚ fuel limitations‚ and then expand into adding extra functionality. Some of my favorite modifications include: Wrapping a lighter in waxed jute – bend the jute to light and use a flame extension to save fuel and access hard-to-reach spaces. Wrapping small strips of duct tape – tape is always useful in a wide variety of situations. Removing child safeties – get rid of the extra ring on top of a Bic and you can roll-start it and flick it easier. Weatherproofing – I like the FlameNest for the Bics. Who Needs a Survival Lighter? Lighters can be worth their weight in gold if you need a fire for survival. Everyone can use a lighter. A lighter’s uses for survival make for a long list. You’ll find a lighter as an essential item in almost every survival kit: Home Survival Kit Bug Out Bag Get Home Bag INCH Bag Everyday Carry Car Survival Kit If you find yourself with extras‚ you can always keep them around for lighting campfires‚ birthday candles‚ and more. How We Review Products: We research thoroughly before selecting the best products to review. We consult experts in the field for a better understanding of what makes the gear great. Hours on end are spent field testing gear in stressful conditions. We assign performance criteria and impartially rate each tested item. You can support us through our independently chosen links‚ which can earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. After our review process‚ some of the items reviewed end up in our giveaways. Sources and References All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best survival lighter are useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical survival experience: Jae‚ J.‚ et al. (2007). A Study on the Possibility of Ignition by Disposable Lighter. Journal of Korean Institute of Fire Investigation. Volume 10. Issue 1. Pages 59 – 75. (Source) Mac Rae‚ D. (1989). Plasma arc process systems‚ reactors‚ and applications. Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing. Volume 9. Pages 85S – 118S. (Source) Viscusi‚ W.‚ et al. (2022). The Broad Impacts of Disposable Lighter Safety Regulations. Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis; Cambridge University Press. Volume 13. Issue 2. Pages 149 – 165. (Source) The Final Word A lighter is cheap‚ lifesaving‚ and versatile. It’s one of the foundational pieces of any survival kit and it won’t be breaking any budgets. Here are some other reviews and guides our subscribers have found helpful: Best Survival Tinder for Fire Starting The Best Ferro Rod for Survival Fire Starting Bug Out Bag Guide‚ Gear List‚ and Checklist We presented quite a lot of information‚ but as always: if you have any questions let us know and we would be happy to help. Our testing found the Windproof Arc Lighter to be the best solution given its value‚ fuel type‚ reliability‚ size/weight‚ and versatility. Be safe by being smart. You’ve Been Missing Out Join the 2+ million preppers that rely on our prepping advice by subscribing to TruePrepper. Practical guides and tips Useful survival giveaways Free‚ forever <; 0.4% of people unsubscribe Thanks for subscribing‚ reading‚ and welcome to the club.             The post Best Survival Lighter for Reliable Fire-Starting appeared first on TruePrepper.

Does boredom impact test results?

Bagged salad is a convenient way to get your greens‚ especially when time is tight. However‚ picking the freshest one at the grocer's takes a keen eye.

Though waffles typically take a sweet approach‚ this recipe puts a savory twist on the classic by incorporating bacon‚ cheese‚ and green onion.