Today it’s all about 7 ways to cook when you lose power. Yes, we will all lose power at some time or another. It may be a day, three days, three weeks, or three months. You may know September of every year is National Preparedness Month and it’s a great time to take inventory of our own preparedness efforts.
But this year I was packing up my home to move north closer to family and friends so I didn’t have time to write a post on this preparedness holiday, so to speak. I’m actually updating one from September 2017.
Here’s the deal, there may be some items today you can use and some you will not be able to use, for instance, the Sun Oven. If your location has limited sunshine you would not want to purchase a Sun Oven, it needs a lot of sunshine.
In Southern Utah, I think we had close to 350 days of sunshine a year. It’s a perfect place to use one year-round. I have now moved up to Northern Utah, but it should work fine on the majority of the days here too. Here are my favorite cooking devices when we lose power.
7 Cooking Items When You Lose Power
Sun Oven
Pros:
No purchased fuel is required, only sunshine is needed. You can bake anything in a Sun Oven that you can bake in your conventional oven, if you can get the Sun Oven up to the temperature required to bake your meal. I gauge my cooking using the sun from around 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. when it tends to be at its peak. I have the most consistent sunshine during this time period where I live. No special recipes are required, if the pan fits inside the Sun Oven, you can bake it. It will pay for itself very quickly because you need zero fuel to cook a meal.
Cons:
It won’t work without adequate sunshine. Make sure you use glass baking pans or dark pans. Shiny pans will reflect the heat away from the item being baked. It won’t fry chicken, actually, it will only bake, so don’t plan on frying anything for you meals using this device. You can use other cooking devices if you want to fry some food. Some may think it’s a bit pricey, but you may want to consider buying the Sun Oven without any accessories. If you have pans that fit inside the oven you don’t need to buy the package that includes baking pans.
What can I cook in a Sun Oven?
- Bread
- Dinner Rolls
- Biscuits
- Casseroles
- Baked Chicken
- Roast Beef
- Pork Tenderloin
- Cakes
- Cupcakes
- Muffins
- Breakfast Casseroles
- Whatever you bake in your regular oven now (if the pan fits in the Sun Oven it will work fine)
Volcano Stove
Pros:
The great thing about a Volcano Stove is the fact that you can use wood, charcoal, and propane. Please check if you decide to buy one because there are two different adaptors for using the Volcano Stove if using propane. The unit will come with either the small propane canister adaptor or the large propane tank adaptor. I have both, but I prefer using the large adaptor. So, just check on the package to see which size comes with the one you are purchasing. I love buying things I can use for emergencies, like when we lose power or if we go camping.
Mine came with a zippered bag and other handy items, but the fuel fits compactly inside the larger heavy-duty bag if you want more options for transport and storage. This is a perfect camping item because you can cook on top of the picnic table, if it’s sturdy. Adaptor for Volcano Stove
Cons:
The Volcano Stove must be used outside because it uses propane, wood, and charcoal. I guess it’s really not a con, but I want to make sure you realize it’s perfect for cooking outside only. Some people may think they are a bit pricey, but I see it this way, it can use three different types of fuel. Until you run out of fuel this is a great stove option.
What can I cook on a Volcano Stove?
- Hamburgers
- Hot Dogs
- Bread (if you use their tent)
- Steaks
- Pizza on a cast iron pizza pan: 13.25 cast iron pizza pan
- Anything you would barbecue
Thermal Cooker
Pros:
It uses very little fuel, once you bring the food to a boil (I use a butane stove) using the inner pan for four full minutes, then quickly put it in the outside Thermal Cooker and lock it closed. It now becomes like a slow cooker. Please don’t put frozen food in this gem, it will not defrost AND cook the food. You don’t need any particular recipe because it works similar to a slow cooker.
I have a few of the Saratoga Jack’s Thermal cookers, but they are no longer available. Plus, with what’s going on with the shortage of many products that need parts, I would buy whatever you can now.
It’s great for frying sloppy joes, and it will keep them warm for 4-6 hours after the four full minutes of boiling. You can make chili as you do now with cooked beans, fried meat and bring it to a boil for four full minutes. Place the inner pan inside the outer thermal cooker, set, and forget. It will keep it warm for 4-6 hours.
Bonus, if you make a salad, place the salad inside the inner pan and place it in the refrigerator overnight. The next morning, place the inner pan inside the thermal cooker and lock it closed. It will keep your food cold for 4-6 hours. Perfect for family reunions.
It’s perfect for ball games, busy families, and traveling. It uses very little fuel. I love it for traveling and for those times we lose power.
Cons:
Don’t use a tough piece of meat because it may still be tough after you use a thermal cooker. I have a friend, Kendra, who made a small pork roast that turned out delicious. But it was a small roast and she added potatoes, carrots, and onions. She covered it with liquid to within one inch of the top of the thermal cooker. You need some type of stove (I use a butane one) to bring the roast, carrots, potatoes, and onions with some liquid to a boil for four full minutes. Then place the inner pan inside the outer thermal cooker and lock it shut. Buy tender meat, just giving you the heads-up here. It will be cooked in 4-6 hours.
What can I cook in a Thermal Cooker?
- Small pot roasts with potatoes, carrots and onions
- Soups
- Stews
- Chili
- Baked chicken
- Lasagna
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Spaghetti Sauce and Noodles
- Oatmeal
- Bread
- Applesauce
- Anything you can cook in a slow cooker
Kelly Kettle
Pros:
I love my Kelly Kettle because you can use twigs, dry leaves, or pine cones to cook outside with this awesome stove. The fuel is practically free if you have some pine cones near where you live. I store them in buckets. It boils water and food very quickly. Mine came with a bag that I can use to store the unit and help protect it.
Cons:
I have to give a con only because you can only use it outside. It will not hold a heavy pan on top, it would be a little unstable. But, you can make small pans of soup or boil water within minutes, literally.
What can I cook on a Kelly Kettle?
- Boil Water
- Make Chocolate (with heated water)
- Instant Coffee (with heated water)
- Make soups
- Heat up a cup of chili
- It has a small cooking surface, but it works well
Butane Stove
Pros:
I like my Butane Stove because I use it indoors. I’m a Nervous Nellie, so I crack a window. Now, the box on some butane stoves says they must be used outside. Please refer to the instructions on the one you purchase. I taught so many classes inside stores with a butane stove and everything was fine. Just use your own judgment. I gave all four of my daughters one of these so in case they lose power they can still boil water or cook a meal. Butane Fuel
Cons:
I love these, so the only con I can give it is once you run out of fuel, you can no longer cook a meal. I used one canister of butane for six weeks, cooking one meal a day. I only cooked food for two, so keep that in mind. Please remember, your pan CANNOT go over the grill plate, it’s a safety issue.
What can I cook on a Butane Stove?
- Boil Water
- Heat a can of soup or stew
- Make Mac and Cheese
- Cook anything you would on a small burner on your stove
Camp Chef Stove/Oven
Pros:
The positive thing about this stove/oven combo is I can make pancakes, bake bread, and boil water all with one unit. Keep in mind, I use only the large adaptor for the larger tanks of propane. The oven will hold a 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan, perfect for lasagna or your favorite casserole. Camp Chef Stove/Oven
Cons:
The only con would be if you run out of propane you can’t use the stove/oven combination. No fuel, no cooking or baking.
How can I use a Camp Chef Stove/Oven?
- Bread
- Dinner Rolls
- Casseroles
- Brownies
- Cakes
- Cupcakes
- The griddle on top: grilled cheese sandwiches
- The griddle on top: pancakes
- Anything you cook or bake in your oven or on your stove right now, if the pans fit.
Lodge 6-quart Dutch Oven
Pros:
You can bake bread, biscuits or make just about any recipe you want, if you have charcoal stored. You can boil water, make soups, and make a peach cobbler, to name a few of my favorites. I buy charcoal briquettes without lighter fluid because they will store indefinitely, if stored in air-tight containers.
I prefer a Lodge 6-quart Dutch Oven because they are not as heavy for me to carry or move as an eight-quart Dutch oven.
Cons:
If you run out of fuel, you can’t bake or cook anything.
What can I cook in a 6-Quart Dutch Oven?
- Boil Water
- Breakfast Casseroles
- Pizza
- Peach Cobbler
- Short Ribs
- Carnitas
- Fry Taco Meat
- Bake Chicken
- Almost everything you can cook on your stove or in the oven
Final Word
I hope today’s post gives you a few tips on how to cook when you lose power, there are many other ways as well. These are the 7 ways to cook when you lose power I wanted to show you today. May God Bless their world, Linda
Prepare Your Family For Survival by Linda
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