What will you do if the electricity goes out?
In some places, there may be some electricity but assume they’re out where you are. You would need to figure out how to cook food with no power or gas. We have a look at what to do in case of no power.
Before you choose an alternative cooking method, use any of the options inside or outside. Practice your method until you are comfortable using it. Go camping, barbecue in the backyard, or have a beach cookout. Anything you can do to simulate cooking without gas or electricity can make life more tolerable.
There are several options below that can help you and your family survive without relying on gas and electricity.
Food That Heat Themselves/Portable Cooking Bags
One simple way to heat food is to buy food that has packaging with built-in heating. With a twist, snap, or shake, a chemical reaction creates enough heat to steam the contents.
Some MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) have this already. A portable camping cooking bag can also heat food of your choosing.
Propane or Charcoal Grill
Your standard propane or charcoal grill can work if you have one already and keep spare propane or charcoal. The downsides are they are not safe to use indoors and are not practical during severe weather like blizzards or hurricanes.
Fireplace
In your fireplace, try roasting chicken and other food on sticks. Potatoes and other vegetables may also be wrapped in foil and left in the fireplace for cooking. You can also hang a cast-iron pot to make soups, stews, and hot drinks.
Campfire
Cooking over a campfire is always a good idea. But don’t just barbecue marshmallows and hot dogs. You can cook almost anything over an open campfire.
Canned heat (Sterno cans)
Canned heat or Sterno cans are perfect for cooking drinks, chili, and soup. They’re easy for storage, portable, and perfect for indoor cooking. Remember, each canister is small and heats a small pot.
Kerosene heater
Kerosene heaters are great to cook hot drinks for beans, pasta, or other hot drinks. A decent kerosene heater can cost over $100, but it adds great value to your survival tools.
Whatever you’re cooking, don’t forget to follow basic food safety and fire safety guidelines. Bon Appétit!
Your Fellow Patriot,
Steven Bryant
