We are rarely prepared for a power outage, but this doesn’t mean you have to resort to salads, canned food, and dry crackers only. You can still enjoy freshly cooked meals and live comfortably. All you have to do is to switch your brain to “creative mode” and forget about your trusted stove! It’s time you step outside your comfort zone and dive into dangerous waters! Now you are Bear Grylls in a white apron!
How to become the Bear Grylls of cooking?
Here we will take a closer look at ten alternate cooking methods you can effectively use to prepare a decent meal when the circumstances have taken your kitchen appliances out of the picture.
Keep in mind some of these cooking methods hold some dangers to your health and present a fire hazard.
Camp Stove (for outdoor use only)
Any meal you can prepare on your kitchen stove can cook on a camp stove. They usually come in white gas or propane models.
Fire Pit (for outdoor use only)
You can use it for cooking outside with charcoal or wood. It might seem like an emergency to you, but your children will have quite the adventure. They will enjoy the collection of dry wood and a wonderful dinner around the fire.
The simplest thing you could do is roast hot dogs or sausages on sticks – this way, you will get the children involved in the cooking process as well.
Find out another 3 easy cooking recipes for kids.
Backpack Stoves (for outdoor use only)
There is a wide variety of models, but most operate either by white gas or canned fuel. You should be able to cook a meal for at least two people using one.
Dutch oven (for outdoor use only)
A Dutch oven allows you to fry, bake, and roast. You can even invert the lid to make pancakes! It is a very convenient and versatile cooking tool. Learning how to use it properly usually requires some practice, and still, anyone can do it.
Buddy Burner (for outdoor use only)
The buddy burner is a single-use improvised stove. To make one, yes, it is a DIY thing; you need a No. 10 can and a tuna fish can. The No. 10 can is the stove, while the tuna can is filled with melted wax and cardboard to form the heat source. If you can cook it on a frying pan, then you can cook it on a buddy burner.
However, once the buddy burner cools, don’t use it anymore! It might seem like something only a homeless person will resort to, but can you think of a more hipster way to cook a meal?
Charcoal/Gas Grill (for outdoor use only)
After all, everyone loves a BBQ, so a power outage might not be such a bad thing after all, huh? If the power goes out and you have a grill, then it’s on! It is a great way to cheer up the family.
Solar oven (for outdoor use only, duh)
A solar cooker comes with its pros and cons. However, if you live in a generally sunny part of the world, it can be your best friend when it comes to cooking. Solar ovens are insulated boxes with a transparent lid that allows sunlight to heat the inside of the box, like a greenhouse. They sometimes also include reflectors that concentrate solar energy, thereby increasing the temperature in the oven. It is eco-friendly as well.
All you have to do is prepare your food, place it in the cooker, and let the sun do its job. It usually takes twice the cooking time than a regular oven, but at least there are no risks of burning the food. Even kids can do it!
On the other hand, a solar cooker is easy to maintain. In fact, all the maintenance it needs is some cleaning from time to time. And if you like to cook but you find cleaning tedious and repetitive, then you can always turn to a company for professional oven cleaning.
Canned Heat (indoor and outdoor use)
It is hardly a good cooking tool, but you can at least use it to heat up soup, ravioli, and hot beverages. Hey, it’s better than nothing!
MRE (FRH) Heater (indoor and outdoor use)
Meals ready to eat (MREs) do not require cooking. However, they sure taste better when warm. A Flameless Ration Heater is individually packed in a durable bag which is the actual heating container for the packaged meals. In other words, it heats your food without fire, so you (probably} won’t be able to start a forest fire with it. It takes about ten to twelve minutes to make a meal steaming hot. Keep in mind FRH heaters are single-use and need to be discarded afterward.
The Fire Place (for indoor use)
If you have a fireplace at home, then you don’t even have to go outside. You just need to make sure your chimney is open to properly vent out the smoke and gases, and then you’re good to go!
Safety Advice & Useful Tips
Remember one thing, you should absolutely never, under any circumstances, use outdoor sources of heat inside your home. They are called “outdoor” for a reason! Otherwise, your dwelling might turn into a fiery inferno, and you might end up on the Darwin Awards list. So the next time you cook with an open flame, consider the following:
- Carbon-Monoxide (CO) – Burning fuel sources produce a variety of dangerous gases, including carbon monoxide. CO can easily harm the human body by depriving it of oxygen and even cause death.
- Risk of Fire – When you burn fuel sources, there is always a chance to start a fire. The simplest thing you can do is to follow the instructions on how to use it. Also, make sure there aren’t any flammable objects nearby the flames and always approach the fire with caution.
- Fire Extinguisher – If you often cook outside, then it would be best to keep one nearby so you can react immediately in case of fire.
- Unforgiving Weather – Strong winds and rain will surely cause you difficulties when you cook outside. If that’s the case, then you should seek shelter on the patio or a covered deck. Just make sure the wind blows away the smoke from you and your residence.
Keep Your Cooking Methods Creative
When faced with a power failure, there is no need to resign yourself to a limited diet. By exploring alternative cooking methods, you can continue to enjoy delicious, freshly cooked meals even without the use of your kitchen appliances.
So, channel your inner Bear Grylls, embrace your creativity, and savor the adventure of preparing meals in unconventional ways during power outages. Stay safe and bon appétit!