Survival 101 Blog Class #5~ Alternate Cooking Methods

Alternate Cooking Methods

     Ok, now most of you have your food storage, shelter plans, WATER storage and a great "Bug out" bag all ready to go! BUT do you have more than one way to cook? Now keep in mind....In case of a disaster all our electricity and natural gas will likely be shut off. So you'll need to have other sources for cooking and boiling water. This is IMPORTANT!

     90 % of all households own some type of a bbq or outdoor grill. This is great! BUT do you have enough propane or charcoal that could last you for a few weeks or more? In this Blog class I will be talking about several alternatives to use for cooking. From items you can make at home for just pennies to top of the line cook stoves!

    One of the things you'll need to consider as well is what you cook in. I firmly believe that cast iron is the way to go. It's durable and can stand all heat sources. It cleans up well and will last. Unlike most cookware we have available to us today. I strongly suggest a dutch oven. It can be used in so many ways!

Dutch oven

These are made of cast iron and can be used for everything! You can also bake in them!  they can be used on a grill, a campfire, a woodstove and even on the ground with charcoal!

     It would be a GOOD idea to purchase a cookbook on dutch oven cooking! This diagram above shows how to use it with the charcoal and can be done on the ground. This method has been around for a very long time! The cookbook will explain the number of coals you'll need for whatever you are cooking and explain the temperature regulation.

     I feel it would be a very good idea to have several different ways of cooking on hand. Keep charcoal in airtight buckets, dry firewood and extra propane on hand. These items are easily attainable now and can be stored and kept for a long period of time. In a time of crisis you will not be able to get these things because they will be the first of many things to be bought out!

    A good camp stove would also be a great investment! They are inexpensive and will be a easy way to cook! BUT remember these need Propane! So make sure to stock some cylinders! You can also purchase adapters to hook them up to larger cylinders. 

ALSO, Stock up on lighters , wooden matches, water proof matches and get a flint with a striker! 

There are many excellent cook stove alternatives out there. I was really lucky to be able to get a "Volcano collapsible Stove"

    These are awesome! You can use propane, wood and charcoal with these! Plus not only do they have a few grill tops with it but you can set your dutch oven in it and cook or bake with it that way! There is also a fold-able cover that converts this into a oven! These are available at Camping stores and online at emergency preparedness sites. The cheapest I've seen them are around $150.

   Another cooking alternative is the 'Fire in a can" This can be made with a quart size "New" paint can with a lid. All you need for this is the can and a roll of toilet paper and a bottle of rubbing alcohol. I've found that the cheaper toilet paper that is single ply works the best. You will need to pull the cardboard tube out from the middle of the roll and place into the quart can. Then when you are ready to use this you pour in the bottle of rubbing alcohol into the can, saturating the toilet paper. The alcohol MUST BE 70%. This will burn the best!Then light and place your pot on the top of it. Make sure you do this outside and away from anything that may catch on fire! These little do it yourself stoves can burn for at least an hour! Then when you are finished with it CAREFULLY place the lid onto the can! I have made 8 of these and have them packed away!

Something else you may want to make is "Fire-starters" if you are planning a wood fire to be one of your chosen cooking alternatives you'll want to be able to get a fire started quickly. I've made quite a few of these and stored them in metal coffee cans. This is what you'll need:

* paper/cardboard egg cartons

* dryer lint

* Parafin wax, old candles or crayons!

* sawdust, dried leaves or pine needles.

               To prepare your egg cartons, make sure these are on a cookie sheet and DOUBLE them! I didnt put two together and the wax soaked threw all over! So make sure you dont do what I did! LOL! Put alittle bit of dryer lint and dried leaves or sawdust into each cup. In a OLD saucepan melt your wax. candles or crayons until melted all the way and pour into each egg holder. make sure to try to cover as much of the contents as possible . Let harden. Then with kitchen shears cut apart. Store in a airtight container. These last forever! When you need to start a fire you just light one of these on your wood and it will get it going!

Another item that is really something is a solar oven. You can either purchase one or there are many sites on line with the directions to make one. These are great because you dont need to provide any other energy source except the sun! The only downside to these is if the sun isnt shining!

Solar Oven

So, as you can see there are many alternatives for cooking! We personally have several of these items "Just in case"
I hope this Blog class was useful to you...And it's my hope that you pack in at least 3 different methods.

Please PREPARE! This could be the difference of life or death to you and your family!

And as ever Peace!
Sherry