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Eating without power: stove outdoors, fire, hay box and a no-cook stock

How do I prepare meals when the cooker and power fail?

Camping stove or grill outdoors, cooking over embers, the hay box with retained heat and a stock that needs no cooking at all compared. For all combustion appliances, without exception: outdoors only – carbon monoxide is invisible, odourless and can be fatal.

Starting situation
Legend
Select methods to compare side by sideMethodIndoors without CO riskProvides hot meals and boiled waterLittle fuelAlso in bad weatherWithout special equipmentSimple food safety
Cooking without power – safely with stove and grillNoYesPartlyPartlyNoYes
Cooking and boiling water safely over a fireNoYesDependsNoPartlyYes
Hay box: cooking with retained heatPartlyPartlyYesPartlyPartlyNo
Making a menu plan for the emergency stockYesNoYesYesYesPartly

Legend:● Yes◐ Partly◇ Depends○ No* = note available

Cooking without power – safely with stove and grill

Effort:
Low to moderate
Needs:
Camping stove or grill, safely stored fuel, a stable spot outdoors
  • Indoors without CO riskNo

    Never in the home, garage, cellar or tent – not even with a window open.

  • Provides hot meals and boiled waterYes
  • Little fuelPartly

    Lids, small amounts and soaked pulses save fuel.

  • Also in bad weatherPartly

    Uncomfortable outdoors; wind costs fuel.

  • Without special equipmentNo

    Stove and fuel must be on hand.

  • Simple food safetyYes
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Cooking and boiling water safely over a fire

Effort:
Moderate to high – wood, time, supervision
Needs:
A permitted, safe fire site, dry wood, heat-resistant metal pot
  • Indoors without CO riskNo
  • Provides hot meals and boiled waterYes

    Best over embers rather than high flames.

  • Little fuelDepends

    Needs plenty of wood; only where fires are permitted – check local rules.

  • Also in bad weatherNo

    Rain makes lighting and keeping it going much harder.

  • Without special equipmentPartly

    No stove needed, but a suitable pot and a safe place.

  • Simple food safetyYes
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Hay box: cooking with retained heat

Effort:
Low, but long cooking time
Needs:
Pot with lid, well-insulated box, blankets or sleeping bag, a heat source to bring it to the boil
  • Indoors without CO riskPartly

    Finishing in the box works indoors; bringing to the boil only with an approved appliance or outdoors.

  • Provides hot meals and boiled waterPartly

    Finishes cooking but does not boil; bring back to the boil before eating if needed.

  • Little fuelYes

    Its main advantage.

  • Also in bad weatherPartly

    Only the short boil has to happen outdoors.

  • Without special equipmentPartly

    Box and blankets are usually at hand, but a heat source is needed.

  • Simple food safetyNo

    Lukewarm food favours germs – the dish must stay hot.

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Making a menu plan for the emergency stock

Effort:
Planning in advance
Needs:
A stock that can be eaten without cooking, can opener, drinking water
  • Indoors without CO riskYes
  • Provides hot meals and boiled waterNo
  • Little fuelYes

    No fuel needed.

  • Also in bad weatherYes
  • Without special equipmentYes

    Provided the stock was planned accordingly beforehand.

  • Simple food safetyPartly

    Without refrigeration, use up opened packs promptly.

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