cat-tail insulation

[tartanferret]

Any views on using cattails as a free form of insulation?

There loads of them around the places i go walking and i gather this is the best time to harvest them.

I reckon it will work out heavier than using down for instance but i'm attracted by the cost. Free.

I read somewhere about a hammock underquilt being made using them but i dont know the results.

 

[Ex Member - Sidney Bounty]

I wonder if in the past cattail fluff was used to stuff beds or pillows?

 

[Ch@rlie]

I am the first to admit I know nothing about plants or names of them, so chances are I have totally got the wrong plant in mind. But are you referring to the fluff from reed mace? if yes there is a history of it being used in ww2 for life jackets insulation for other items too. I did a google search last year after reading a snippet somewhere...

Ok just decided to do a quick search.. (before I made a total fool of my self)
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/1980-07-01/Cattail-Spike-Cotton.aspx read all 3 pages (2-3 tells you about collecting and what to do).

Have fun.

 

[Harvestman]

Of course, given its other well known use that is some seriously fammable insulation to be using anywhere near a fire, but I'd be interested to see if it works all the same.

 

[TurboGirl]

I collected a load a few weeks ago and left them to dry out near my boiler... next thing I knew, we had a bad infestation of maggots round the kitchen as they were hatching out and the darned critters were wibbling around everywhere! So, not only free insulation and firelighter fluff, but also a potentially valuable source of protein!!

 

[tartanferret]

I collected a load a few weeks ago and left them to dry out near my boiler... next thing I knew, we had a bad infestation of maggots round the kitchen as they were hatching out and the darned critters were wibbling around everywhere! So, not only free insulation and firelighter fluff, but also a potentially valuable source of protein!!

Mmmm tasty lol, apparantly the way to prevent things hatching etc is to give it a blast in a tumble dryer (in a bag)

 

[TurboGirl]

I'll remember that... how to be reaaaalllly popular at the local launderette

 

[Teepee]

Theres a massive thread on this on Hammock Forums, some of the guys got it to work OK, sterilising the cat-tails in the microwave to stop the 'Free Protein' in the kitchen.

It doesn't loft up too well after packing from what I can remember..