One other risk to which Tom & Bill only vaguely alluded: your overall peace & contentment will survive only if your wife is away from home when you try any of the stovetop approaches. Allow ample time for fastidious cleanup. They have ways of finding out these things. If you are seen or leave any signs of your activities, you will be conclusively presumed guilty of all manner of sloppiness. <br><br>Remember, YMMV. ;-}<br><br>John

Tom,<br><br>What is the purpose of putting them in the straws if you don't seal the ends? When the ends of the straws are left unsealed, doesn't the vaseline ooze out, and then pervade everything in the kit box?<br><br>Thanks,<br><br>John

I made some of these using the hand-rubbed vaseline method, not the hot stove dip method, and they did not ooze vaseline. I squeezed the cotton so tight into the straw that any excess vaseline that was going to come out would have. I considered sealing the ends but decided it was not necessary.

Schwert,<br><br>Doesn't the the petroleum jelly migrate out of the straw over time? Or when the straw is vertical for prolonged periods?<br><br>Thanks,<br><br>John

John, not so far. I haven't carried it that way on HOT Wx yet, so we'll see. Tom

We have two kitchens in our home - I used the one I'm allowed to putter in <grin>. It's one of my shops, er, laboratories, er, well, I get to make messes in there... as long as I bake bread once in a while...

Tom,<br><br>LUCKEEEEE!!!!<br><br>You are so lucky. I can't believe it. Not only 2 kitchens, but having such true ownership of the property that you, the husband, are allowed to use one for his own projects even to the extent of making messes. C'est incrediblement!!!<br><br>Tom, I was impressed with your work & abilities before, but all that pales in comparison to this achievement. <br><br>Folks, do not try this in your own home. We are witnessing such true expertise & genius, that we cannot even dream to replicate this project in our own home kitchens. At least not while our wives are at home. :-))<br><br>John

HA so the most of you got those wife's who doesnt really like your survival stuff, he. well atleast you guys dont live with you mother like i do ( im only 15 so.. ) it is ****** hard to find a moment were i can do all those survival preparation thingys( behind her back.. ), bacause she's woring about this and that and the mess i make and stuff.... so be happy you guys are out of your parents house

[censored] gramm !! btw did i mansion that i do those things with safety in mind, so dont worrie !

Get your kids into scouting and then make it a scout project. The wives will tolerate anything for the kids.<br><br>It's for the kids honey. Just think ... It's a healthy thing for them .... Atleast they aren't down on the corner with the druggies!<br><br>I've been able to get my wife to participate in such messiness through this type of argument. <br><br>YMMV ;^)