Cooking Off The Grid Without Power

Cooking Off The Grid For Emergencies or Fun

Camp Chef - We own this, well ours is REALLY USED.

Where there is NO KITCHEN cooking. Maybe the gas, electric is off due to emergency? CAN YOU STILL COOK?

Hey, don't panic if your microwave won't cook. YOU can do this.

Even if you have MRE's stored they do need heated. Yes, I know they come w/ their own heating device. BUT, that's NO fun (we did this on a dry run) when you have little ones (your children or grandchildren want to EAT NOW).

Here's simple planning and participation with photos so you can COOK.


We call this OFF-The-GRID cooking. Outside is best, if the weather allows. If not BE CAREFUL cooking inside with gas or fire. VENTILATION  VENTILATION & I still DO NO recommend doing this cooking inside for your health and safety. (Fumes - Toxic !)

Camping stoves – These are wonderful for short-term emergency. Remember to have fuel in your storage for this stove. IF you forget to have extra fuel, these are just metal sitting. Any size stove will work we have the CAMP CHEF and just love this thing. We take it camping and use it in the yard. The smaller stoves are good but not for cooking larger meals. They do well for single portions and again, remember to keep extra fuel. I have enough fuel for 1 week of cooking 3 warm meals a day.


Camp Chef photo credit



Backyard Grill – This is my personal first line of defense if the power goes out. It is simple to use and already set up outside. The main drawback is the need for propane but I keep an extra 50lb. canister of propane at all times so that if my main source runs out I still have a spare. This spare propane would be on my list of basic household items that you need to stock up on also. Some people use charcoal so an extra bag or two would be wise. It won’t last as long as a can of propane but having the ability to cook for a few days is always a smart idea. Optionally, if your house is heated with propane, you can purchase an adapter to run your grill but you probably are already using your oven in the house. It’s nice to have options.



Campfire –  Do you have a FIRE PIT in your yard?  This is also a good option to use w/ the Camp Chef gas cooking (make the propane last longer).  It's good for things that need to cook longer. Make sure you have rocks to contain fire.  Invest in @ least one CAST IRON COOKWARE. One that you can fry or cook stew.  Also it's nice if you have a tripod method to SUSPEND YOUR cookware over the flames.


Tripod Cooking



 The grilling grate is easier to use a skillet.




You might recognize this type cooking ring from the Forest Service. They are also excellent in your yard.
Just make sure you don't wait until you have an emergency to purchase this item. I like the idea of using gravel all around the fire ring.

You can use the grill grating itself over a regular campfire so don’t throw that away. IF you have a grill that dies KEEP the grate! It's good to have an extra. We use both of our grates on a larger fire. We got them from old gas grills, we found at yard-sales. (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle).


Rocket Stove – Rocket stoves are simple to build using materials you may have lying around or in the shed. These can be fueled with sticks and twigs and make a great surface that produces a lot of heat without a big footprint.

Rocket Stove | Patriots, Politics, Prophecy and Preparations: photo credit




photo credit:  http://rocketstoves.org/

Make this Rocket Stove out of #10 Cans.


Block Of Wood -
 

I have seen this on the internet alot lately. But, this is for meal in a skillet method. It will stain your cement  if that matters. I'm not a fan of this type cooking, make sure all the FIRE COALS are OUT w/ sand & water.
EMERGENCY cooking means you may already be short or NEED all the water you have.

Dutch Oven Cooking - This is my favorite.  Below is a few things you will need.

The BASICS.....










http://camping.lovetoknow.com/Slideshow:Hiking_Camping_Tips PHOTO CREDIT


This is what I use normally - a garbage can lid.
Dutch Oven Cooking / Dream Adventures photo credit

Stacking Dutch Oven's works great but I've never done it on a table.




Open pits like this are in most backyards. LOOK what they can do.


Stacking Dutch Ovens.



Volcano is option for Dutch Oven Cooking. 

The options of Dutch Oven Cooking are just endless.


http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/108006/some-pulled-pork-fajitas

This wok is used with gas.



THIS it the type wok I use over an open it. I love wok cooking. 

Lanterns – Anything that produces heat can warm your food and some lanterns give you the ability to use the heat escaping from the top to boil water or heat soup. This is yet another good option that may work for some people. Candles can also be used but this would be my last resort. They take forever but you are already using your candle so this is a way to get two uses out of your preparations.

Solar – I saved this one for last but solar cooking shouldn't be discounted at all. If you have sun and dry weather this is a great way to heat up and cook meals if you have time to wait. You will want to build your own solar oven which is fairly simple or there are several you can buy online. If you just need to warm up a can of soup you can sit that in the sun on the driveway for 30 minutes and voila!
Solar ovens can be made in numerous ways with lots of material.


I haven't ever had good luck with solar cooking. I don't have the patience. BUT, it is an option my hubby has done in scout camp.

Wood stoves – For those blessed enough to have one, you will of course know how to use it.  Some people have wood stoves outside for summer cooking.