Arzosah wrote: ↑Tue Dec 30, 2025 9:26 am
That's great, Adjee, thank you so much. I've read about it - in fact, heating river stones in a camp fire was used by an American guy who used to run "retreats", and adopted shaman-type rituals from Native Americans. But he used the wrong stone/heated them incorrectly, and one exploded - a woman died as a result.
I'm housebound for the next few days, so this will be a nice little research project, you've piqued my interest with the basalt and the soapstone
Soapstone is pretty rare in the UK. Basalt is common enough. I have no idea which rocks are best for this, but obviously ones that are going to explode such as from a stream should be avoided. Avoid ones with cracks. Basalt can have cracks, but presumably stones selected for house building wouldn't have. Anyway, if you find weathered boulders outdoors, it'll be difficult to know what most are just by looking, unless you know the local geology.
While you can use any rocks (river stones need to be thoroughly dry and sound before heating) your best choices are igneous rocks. Basalt, Granite, Dolerite etc
jennyjj01 wrote:"I'm not in the least bit worried because I'm prepared: Are you?"
Londonpreppy wrote: At its core all prepping is, is making sure you're not down to your last sheet of loo roll when you really need a poo.
Arzosah wrote: ↑Tue Dec 30, 2025 9:26 am
That's great, Adjee, thank you so much. I've read about it - in fact, heating river stones in a camp fire was used by an American guy who used to run "retreats", and adopted shaman-type rituals from Native Americans. But he used the wrong stone/heated them incorrectly, and one exploded - a woman died as a result.
I'm housebound for the next few days, so this will be a nice little research project, you've piqued my interest with the basalt and the soapstone
Soapstone is pretty rare in the UK. Basalt is common enough. I have no idea which rocks are best for this, but obviously ones that are going to explode such as from a stream should be avoided. Avoid ones with cracks. Basalt can have cracks, but presumably stones selected for house building wouldn't have. Anyway, if you find weathered boulders outdoors, it'll be difficult to know what most are just by looking, unless you know the local geology.
While you can use any rocks (river stones need to be thoroughly dry and sound before heating) your best choices are igneous rocks. Basalt, Granite, Dolerite etc
There is a risk, regardless of rock type. The risk depends on porosity, fractures, mineral hydration, and trapped water.
