Cooking Fuel

What's for dinner?

Power outage! What kind of cooking fuel do you have stored so that your family will have a hot meal?

During World War II, the army discovered that men fighting in the bitter cold would do well if they had one hot meal a day. Without it, they would die from living out in the cold. It would be true for your family too under certain disastrous situations. So here are some ways you can provide your family with hot meals when there is no electricity or natural gas coming into your home.

Propane Barbecues

Many of us already have a barbecue in our back yards so the cooking fuel of choice here would be propane, of course. The kind that uses charcoal briquettes would work also. If your patio barbecue is your emergency preparedness cooking choice, plan ahead now and figure out how you'll make it work during potentially stormy weather. If your barbecue is not in a covered area, you may have to rig a roof or windbreak in order to use it. Are you prepared with a piece of plywood, an awning, or maybe a patio umbrella to shelter it? A heavy tarp held up with a makeshift frame of 2x4s would work, if you have some 2x4s in your storage plan. Being creative is the answer to solving this dilemma.

Liquid Fuel Camping Stoves

If you are a frequent camper, you probably have a camp stove on hand that uses either propane or liquid fuel such as white gas or Coleman fuel. These are very handy, and not too expensive, to have on hand in case of a power outage.

Wood-Burning Stoves

If your cooking fuel of choice is wood, these stoves can be practical and economical and wonderful to have in an emergency. If you buy one, make sure the model you choose allows for cooking on top, as well as heating your home, so it can be used in an emergency to cook hot meals.

Fireplaces

If you need to use your fireplace for cooking, a grill or rack is essential, unless all you want to eat is something you can cook on a stick. Hot dogs are fine except they're probably not in your food storage as they are perishable. If you have some on hand, roast them before they perish. Camp grills can be purchased in a sporting goods store. They consist of a heavy-gauge metal and most have legs that fold away for storage. Another essential item would be some thick potholders that protect your arms. Be sure to have a ready place to set hot pans as you remove them from the flames so you don't burn the flooring around the fireplace.

Sterno stoves/Canned Heat and Backpacking Stoves

In a pinch, the backpacking stove or pocket stove is easily stored. Some can be used with either sterno canned heat or solid heat tabs. Others use white gas or Coleman fuel. You won't be cooking any gourmet meals on this little stove, but they are capable of boiling water and warming ready-to-eat foods. It wouldn't hurt to have several of these in your storage, along with several small pans to use on top, as they are inexpensive and easy to use.

CAUTION*****NEVER USE CHARCOAL BRIQUETTES INDOORS. ALSO, WHEN HEAT TABS BURN, THE FLAME CANNOT USUALLY BE SEEN, SO BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS WITH THEM.

JetBoil Hot Water Boiling & Cooking System

I just have to tell you about this little cooking system. The JetBoil Cooking System is one awesome unit. I've never seen anything like the JetBoil. You don't need anything else if you camp, backpack, hike, ski. It is a complete unit - no cups, pots, pumps, or hotpads needed. Cook what you want. It's ready when and where you want. It includes all the elements for cooking in a single unit.

This handy unit will boil two cups of liquid in half the time with half the fuel of conventional stoves. And it's lightweight! Easy to stuff into your backpack or 72-hour kit. It has a 'matchless' Piezo push-button igniter and adjustable burner. You really need this JetBoil Cooking System as part of your emergency preparedness.

Obviously your choice of cooking fuel will be determined by the cooking appliance needed. If it's for your 72-hour kit, camping, or hiking, a smaller cooking device is appropriate. If it's for long-term storage, carefully store the appropriate liquid fuel or wood for your cooking appliance.

The Thermos Method

A thermos is an indispensible piece of emergency preparedness equipment. And although it is not a "cooking fuel" is uses very little fuel and is an easy way to prepare food.

After boiling water in your JetBoil System, pour it into a thermos for many uses throughout the day—hot chocolate, soup, reconstitute dehydrated food, a relaxing cup of tea—all without starting up the camp stove or home stove. Save time, fuel, and water. In fact, get a supply of thermoses — different sizes for different uses. Try cooking an entire meal in a thermos. More ideas about how to use thermoses . . .