100446622 Cooking in a Power Blackout (1)

7/27/2019 100446622 Cooking in a Power Blackout (1)

1/15

Cooking In A


2/15

No Power No ProblemCooking When the Power is Out

So, when might YOU be caught without power?With so many modern day conveniences we have become more and more dependant on

electricity for everything. Yet with of all our technology, we are not immune from poweroutages that affect large geographical areas for long periods of time. In recent years wehave experienced in the U.S large power outages in the middle of the winter and even insummer months affecting millions of homes. Most of these only last a few hours or daysbut in severe cases this can last months.

What do you choose?

or andCold, hard noodles sprinkled with some cheese powder or HOT tuna casserole and biscuits.

Usual Ways to Cook Without Electricity:

Stove if gas is working can be used by lighting manually.Wood can be stored for fireplaces/fire pits (not efficient) *Exception: wood stove (efficient)Gas grills not very efficient for cooking. Although propane does store indefinitely, not safe tostore in large quantities. Can also be used for baking.Camp Stove (small propane canister 2 hours per day / 182 for 1 year)*Generators: Expensive, cant store very much gas for safety reasons. Would help foremergency that last few days, but not for weeks or longer.


3/15

What Other choices do we have?We are going to talk about six different options for cooking without electricity. These optionsthat not only are for the most part inexpensive, but are easy to use and as an added bonus,environmentally friendly. These are: Stove-in-a Can, Icebox Cookers, Solar Cooking, RocketStove, Dutch Oven, and Applebox oven.

Stove-in-Can

Small, compact, easy to make, inexpensive ($3.25), 3 hours of cooking (add 1 c. alcohol).It is made from a new quart size paint can with lid, a roll of toilet paper and denatured alcohol(found in paint department) or 70% rubbing alcohol. In addition a 12 oz chicken chunk type canwith holes/vents (sets on top of can to allow air) or a #10 can with vents set over the stove. Justlight and use as stove. Smother flame with lid. Stores 5+ years. Will warm food can bring to aboil. Good for cooking for 1-2 people. DO NOT USE INDOORS.

Ice Box Cooker(also: Haybox / Fireless / Wonder Box/ Victory Oven)

Fireless cookers have been in use for hundreds of years. They are essentially like using a crock

pot with no electricity. Secret in is the insulation. You just bring your meal to a boil in a pot,cover with tight-fitting lid, turn down heat and simmer on medium for 3 minutes (exceptionbeans 10-15 min) then quickly put in cooker, cover with topper and leave for 4 times the usualcooking time.Thats it! No stirring or burning. Food can be left up to 8 hours and still be hot and delicious. It isperfect for foods like: soups, stews, rice, and even bread! Because of losing less steam duringcooking you can add up to 25% less liquid to the recipe. Also great for making yogurt or lettingbread rise! (Just put a pot of warm water next to it.) For safety food must stay above 140, if i tdrops below that; remove, reheat, replace. It is VERY important to test your cooker beforeusing. Any container may be used: cardboard/wooden box, ice chest or even just pot wrapped intowels surrounded by Mylar blanket. There must be 3+ inches (1-2 in ice chest) of insulation

surrounding pot. Insulation materials may include: hay, shredded newspaper, towels, blankets,pillows, Styrofoam popcorn.Resources:

Emergency Food in a Nutshell, by Leslie Probert and Lisa HarknessFireless Cooking, by Heidi Kirschner, Madrona Publishers. 1981


4/15

Rocket StovesFor video of step-by-step directions or to purchase : rocketstoves.orgAlso: you tube: How to Build a Rocket Stove Part 1 and Part 2

aprovecho.org or stovetec.net

Made from a 5 gallon metal can, stove pipe and a soup can or even bricks: this stove will cook afull meal with just a handful of twigs. Great for bringing food to a quick boil.How it works: Small sticks burn more efficiently and help regulate the air flow. The air beneaththe fuel is preheated and travels up a stove pipe with a height of at least 3 and surrounded by acan that is filled with insulating material. This creates a strong, hot draft. Smoke is pulledthrough the flame and combusts completely, thus eliminating smelly smoke. All of this creates a

very high heat. It is amazing! Outside cooking only. Will make pots black.

Applebox Oven

This new improved version of the Applebox oven is made from a foil-lined apple box (top andbottom) and is an inexpensive way to bake in an emergency. It uses about half the charcoal that aDutch oven uses and gives the same results as baking in at regular oven. It bakes bread (twoloaves at a time), rolls, muffins, casseroles, cookies and cakes, anything you would bake in anoven. For 350 use 10 coals (evenly distributed)=charcoal burn time 35 minutes. If longer bakingtime required add the original coals every 30 minutes. Baking once a day for 1 hour, at 350will use @15 charcoals. For one yea r= 20 (16-pound bags) about $60.HINT: Use Kingsford coals (longer more even burn time) =17 coals per pound.Keep dry, stores indefinitely.

Other Things: wire rack, small baking sheet, 4-pop cans, rocks/sand, newspaper, matches andcharcoal chimney, piece of foil, pot holders, charcoal tongs, candy thermometer to stick in front.


5/15

Dutch Oven

Dutch ovens are big, heavy cast-iron pots with lid. They incredibly versatile and can used tocook: breads, main dishes, and desserts. You can cook with them over an open fire, in a buriedfire pit, in your oven, over our stove burners, over coals or using briquettes. They work as fryingpans, pots and ovens. They come in many sizes: Important: Tight fitting lid with rim and legs(can be stacked 5 high), LODGE really good.Can cook pretty much anything. No need to wash(scrap, cook, oil). Food tastes fantastic. Dutch Ovens Last Forever. Before using the first timeyou will need to season your ovenOther Things: lid lifter/pliers, leather gloves, 18# charcoal tongs, charcoal chimney, lid holder,

wooden spoons, newspaper, charcoal.Cookbook: Dont be afraid of your food storagejust Dutch it! found at forsalebymormon.comFree Cookbooks: macscouter.com/cooking/dutchoven.html or scoutingthenet.com/cooking

Solar Cooking(www.solarcooking.org andsolarcooking.org/plans/windshield-cooker.htm)

http://www.theideadoor.com/FoodStorage.html (free cookbook)

Funnel Cooker Roasted Potatoes Sanitizing Water Baking Bread WAPI

All Solar Cooking works on the same 3 principles. Represented by C.A.R.1) Collect the light: Use reflectors with an approximately 20 x 20 opening

Reflective surface materials include: aluminum, mylar, aluminum or chromium paint2) Absorb the light: Paint the pot matte black or another dark color. Pots can be

elevated by a wore base or posts, allowing the bottom of pots to collect sunlight3) Retain the heat: Oven bags work best.

Types of Solar Ovens

Box Cookers- Most popular to build and use. Lid of a box reflects light onto foodunder glass. It can cook and bake large quantities of food. Up to $300.


6/15

Solar FactsProblem: Half the people in the world must burn wood or dried dung to cook their food. Nearly1.2 billion people, 1/5th of world population does not have access to clean drinking water. Over 1million children die yearly because of un-boiled water. Wood cut for cooking purposescontributes to the 16 million acres of forest destroyed annually.

Impact: Expect solar ovens to replace 60% of cooking fuel in most places.

Guidelines for Solar CookingHINT: Get the food on early and dont worry about overcooking!

Most recipes take 25% less liquid when cooked in a solar oven.

Use lightweight, dull, dark pans w/tight fitting lids. Glass too can be used.No shiny stuff.

Best on cloudless days when sun is above 45 in sky. (between 10-2 pm).

Allow plenty of time. Foods hold well in solar ovens without scorching.Most recipes calling for a higher temperature will do fine with longer cook times.

Rotate cooker every hour. Check food about every 60 minutes until you get thefeel of it.

If windy, weight down box/bucket or bury in ground.

Use sun glasses and pot holders.

Can be used on cloudless nights to cool food 20 lower than outside temperature.

Parabolic Cooker- Highly focused light and hightemperatures. Cooks nearly as fast as a conventional oven.Costly and complicated to make and use. Potentiallyhazardous.

Panel Cooker:

Usually made fromcardboard and foil.Very inexpensive.

Solar Funnel Cooker-Cheap and easy. A funnelconcentrates sunlight ontoa dark pot in a plastic bag.Anyone can make one. $5


7/15

Cooking Times.ApproximateCooking times will be faster in box ovens vs funnel ovens

Vegetables: 1.5 hours: No need to add water if fresh. Cut into thin slices or small cubes foruniform and quicker cooking.Grains: 1.5-2 hrs: Mix 2 parts water to every 1 part grain. Amount may vary according to taste.Let soak for a few hours for faster cooking. To ensure uniform cooking shake every 50 minutes.Pasta and Dry Soup (65-85 minutes): First heat water to near boiling (50-70 min) Then add pastaor soup mix. Stir and shake and cook 15 additional minutes.Beans: 4-6 hours: Soak beans overnight, drain, rinse. Place in pot with water.Meats: 1-4 hours: No need to add water. Longer cooking makes the meat more tender.

Chicken(cut-up) 1.5 hrs, beef (cut-up)1.5 hr. fish:1-1.5 hours.Baking: Bread(1-1.5 hrs), Biscuits (15-30 min), cookies(15-30 minutes)

Baking Bread

To bake bread: Make dough put in bread pans; put in solar oven and cover so they can rise;remove cover, let oven preheat, bake (mine usually takes about 2 hours.


8/15

We all can FEEL a storm a brewing

We have learned about some alternative ways of cooking when the power goes out.

It really isnt a matter of if BUT when. The only question that

remains is how will your family fare when the time

comes will you be having dinner by candlelight

or sitting in the dark?


9/15

FUEL FACTS

CANDLES: diameter x 4 burns about 2:20 hours7/8 diameter x 4 burns about 5 hours.2 x 9 burns about 75 hours

Store candles in a cool area. Store at least 3 candles per dayCANNED HEAT: Stores easily and can be used indoors. A 7-ounce can burns about 1-1/2hours. Good only for warming, not boiling. Store in cool place.CHARCOAL: Use for outdoor cooking only. Stores indefinitely if kept dry. Use good qualitylike Kingsford for easier lighting and better burn time. When used in an applebox oven, use 1briquette for every 35 degrees burns for 35 minutes. For Dutch oven cooking, use the oven sizein inches plus 3 briquettes on top and the oven size in inches minus 3 briquettes on the bottomfor 350-375 degrees. 1 hour per day baking in applebox oven = 24 - #15 lb bags charcoal.COOKING OIL: Emergency candles can be made from oil. Take a piece of string, lay one endin cooking oil and allow the other end to hang over the edge of jar. Light the dry end. Use 7-8stings for more light. These are very smoky and should be used only when nothing else is

available.FLASHLIGHTS: 2-battery flashlight with new batteries will work for @ 6 hours. Store in acool area. Dont store batteries in flashlights. Store extra batteries and bulbs. Some headlampslast for up to 200 hours on 3-AAA batteries. Crank flashlight last about 30 minutes on 1 min.cranking. Okay light. Shake flashlights not recommended because they are so dim when lit.GASOLINE: Only outdoor use. For use with generators, use a lot of fuel. Stores 1 year intightly sealed container, longer with additive, keep in cool place. Limits on amounts to store.KEROSENE: Only use outdoors. With 1 wick, a kerosene lantern will burn for 45 hours on 1quart. Burning 5 hours each day the following amounts of kerosene would be used: @1 quart perweek, 3 qts. per month, 10 gallons per year. It can be used indoors. Dangerous to store. Refueland light outside to avoid smell. Only store high-quality 1K kerosene. Store outside/shed only in

shade. Stores 1-2 years.LAMP OIL: Petroleum based. For hurricane type lamps. Odorless/smokefree, 10 hours perounce burn time or 640 hours/128 days for gallon. Stores indefinitely in house or garage.Lamp oil should be below top of neck and not less that 2 below while using. Wick shouldnot be visible above the dome while burning. If its too high it will cause smoke.2 gallons = 1 year per lamp. Store extra wicks and lamps if possible. (available at Walmart)NEWSPAPER LOGS: Four logs burn approximately 1 hour and produce heat comparable tothe same amount of wood on pound-per-pound basis.PROPANE: Outdoor use onlyunless appliance has ODS (oxygen depletion sensor). Storesindefinitely. Store outdoors in shade in upright position. Propane containers must be recertifiedevery 10 years. Small cylinder will burn about 2 hours. Can be used for lanterns, stoves, and

heaters. Usual legal limit 5 5 gallon tanks. Small tanks $4+ each.WHITE GAS: Costly and only outdoor use. 38 gallons = 5 hours a day, 2 mantel lantern,91 gallons = 4 hours 2 burner stove per day.WOOD: Stores many years. Hardwood burns longer. 2-6 cords for winter warmth/cooking.


10/15


11/15

Mexican Beans and ChickenSoups and StewsBlackeye Pea Soup Sopa de la CasaCreamed Corn Soup Vegetable SoupCreamy Green Bean Soup Quick Vegetable SoupMexican Vegetable Soup Quick Stew

Pork and Bean Soup

Clam Chowder

Potato Soup Chicken Corn ChowderPumpkin Bisque Corn ChowderQuick Supper Soup Turkey Corn ChowderSalads and Side DishesAmbrosia Salad # Peas with MushroomsBerry Apple Salad # Corn RelishMashed Potato Salad Creamy Corn ItalianoPotato Salad # Southwest Green BeansPotato Salad Nicoise # Italian BeansItalian Pasta Salad Green Beans and Bacon ChipsFruited Chicken Salad # Green Beans and MushroomsTuna Potato Salad # Sweet and Sour BeetsCranberry Applesauce # Browned Garlic PotatoesCinnamon Pineapple # Confetti PotatoesMixed Fruit Compote Bean Sprout Stir-fryStewed Tomatoes and Corn Cinnamon Buckwheat

Herb NoodlesBreads and Sandwiches

Whole Wheat Skillet Bread Pork and Beans on BunsCornmeal CakesDessertsApple-Raisin Compote Fudge Logs #Graham Cracker Creams # Peanut Butter Balls #Oatmeal FudgeIf you have quick cooking rice:Chicken and Rice Skillet Creamed Chicken and ChestnutsChinese Fried Rice Chili and Rice

Polynesian Treat Quick Rice PuddingIf you have canned lentils:Lentil Burgers

So youve stocked up on all the food youll need after the end of the world as we know it. Youve got wheat,

flour, dried foods, canned foods, all kinds of food. But if the worst case scenario happens, will you still have

power? There might be power in some areas, but always assume there wont be where you are. And if thereisnt, how are you going to cook all that food?


12/15

In this modern age of TV dinners, frozen pizzas, canned soups and Hamburger Helper, many people neverlearned how to cook a meal the old-fashioned way. The majority of city-dwellers are dependent on microwaves,electric stoves, and toasters. But what will they do if the power goes out for an extended period? There areseveral options:

Grill. This is the first and most obvious option. Hopefully youve stocked up on plenty of coal and/orpropane. But if you dont have a grill or are out of coal and propane

Camping stove. Acquiring one of these should be a top priority. Coleman makes a great 2 burner stove

that you can find on amazon.com. These, too, should always be used outdoors. Make sure you haveplenty of Coleman fuel!

Fireplace. Try roasting hot dogs and other solid foods on sticks in your fireplace. You can also wrappotatoes and other vegetables in foil and leave them in the fireplace to cook.

Campfire. Who doesnt love cooking over a campfire? But you dont want to just roast hot dogs andmarshmallows. With a good camp grill youll be able to cook just about anything.

Dutch oven. This is a cast iron pot that you hang over a fire. Its ideal for making soups, stews, and hotdrinks. A 4-quart Dutch oven is less than $50. To hang it over the fire, youll need a fireplace crane or acampfire tripod.

Sterno stove. These are good for heating up drinks, canned foods such as chili, Spaghettios and soup.The best thing about them is theyre portable, weighing less than a pound. I would get a good Sterno

stove kit and some extra canned heat. Tip: Try putting your Sterno stove in a fire pit with a few handfulsof charcoal. This way you can grill while using very little charcoal.

Kerosene heater. These are usually used for heating rooms, but are also a great way to boil beans, pastaand other foods or make hot drinks. If the top is flat, just set a pot of water on top. A good keroseneheater can cost over $100, but its a great thing to add to your survival supplies, especially if you live ina cold climate.

A few warnings:

Grills should always be used outdoors and a safe distance from your home or shelter. The carbonmonoxide can be deadly and a few stray sparks is all it takes to start a fire. Same goes for camp stoves.

If you use a fireplace, make sure the flue is open and unobstructed. Dont use treated wood for a cookingfire.

Never use gasoline to get a fire going. Make sure fires are controlled with metal or rocks surrounding them. Never leave a fire (not even a candle) without an adult to keep an eye on it.


13/15

Getting ready for any type of power outages and other emergencies can get overwhelming. Gas in the vehicle, propane for the

grill, emergency water, and storm shutters seem to get all the air time. When it comes to stocking the pantry and cooler, most

people head to Costco to pick up a case of sandwich crackers. While that might be fine for a day or two, eating that way for any

length of time leaves you susceptible to getting sick.

Use bulgur for a perfect no-cook meal or side dish.

The cool thing about bulgur is that you can put it in a bowl of water to cold soak before you go to work. Come home, add some

freshly squeezed lemon juice along with your veggies and seasonings of choice, and youre good to go. If youre making the

bulgur salad your full meal, then you may also want to consider tossing in some canned black beans for protein. The end result is

easy cheap food that will keep you healthy during storm or blackout recovery.

Eat breakfast cereal using powdered milk.

If the power is out for a few weeks, and you still need to get the kiddos off to school each morning, mix up some powdered milk

in one of your extra canning jars. You can mix it right in the container and prepare just enough to get you through breakfast.

This means no worries about finding room in your already-overflowing cooler. If oatmeal is your thing, you can always prepare it

on a single-burner camping stove, toss on some raisins, and use this same milk-in-a-jar strategy. Its actually a little more

appropriate that way because you dont have to worry about the milk being cold.


14/15

Count on cured meats, which can be stored without refrigeration.

This means those packs of turkey pepperoni and cured salami you see in the non-refrigerated sections of your grocery store can

be stored in your pantry at any time of year for hurricane preparedness or regular meal prep. Slice some up with veggies and

greens for a simple salad with zing, or mix up some pizza dough from your bulk mix supply and toss on a creative pizza sauce

along with some of your cured meat. Put the whole thing on a pizza stone inside a covered grill, and youll have restaurant quality

dinner all your neighbors will be jealous about.

Look for vegetables that don't need to be kept in your cooler.

In general, anything that isnt refrigerated in the grocery store can skip the cooler. That being said, there are some other

vegetables that can probably go a few days as well. One of those vegetables is cabbage. While one wouldnt leave it permanently

out in the heat, it can spend the night on the counter if you need to save the cooler space for other items.

Make it elegant.

Can you say candlelight? Thats half the battle. If lasting for twelve weeks without electricity has you feeling like peanut butter

and crackers will become your own personal aversion therapy, rest assured youll have plenty else to eat. Classico makes a great

basil pesto thats shelf stable until it gets opened. Put some on a batch of angel hair pasta that you boil in a pot on top of your

camping stove and pair it with a bottle of white wine. OK, so chances are itll have to be room-temp white wine. But the point is,

this entre with some mixed greens and a light dressing can provide a bit of luxury when youve been without power for the long

haul. And speaking of dinner beverages, extended post-hurricane blackouts are a great reason to stock up on boxed wine.

Let foil packets become your new best friend.

In addition to grilling fish, polenta, or even burger patties, youre going to want some veggies. If you only have access to a one-

burner camp stove, then its time to get creative. Thats where adding foil packets to your grilling repertoire comes into play. Try

slicing some potatoes with onions, olive oil, and seasonings to roast, or these Polynesian foil packets to pair with some planked

fish. Nearly any vegetable combination will do, so feel free to get creative with vegetables your family favors. Add a little cooking

spray to the foil before you start so things dont stick.


15/15

Go with flaming fruit for an elegant dessert.

Mixed Berries Romanoff and Bananas Foster can each be prepared in a frying pan on a single burner. You just need a little

butter, brown sugar, and some serious rum. Decide in advance if you want to bring home a small container of vanilla ice cream to

stash in the cooler and serve with your finished creation. Either of these ideas makes a great break in the monotony after a few

weeks.

While this list doesnt include every single recipe we use for power outages, it does provide a launching point for you to prepare.

Cooking without electricity or even a full stove doesnt have to mean peanut butter and jelly for months on end. A little planning

and out of the box thinking can keep things fun, healthy, and affordable.

100446622 Cooking in a Power Blackout (1)

Documents

Transcript of 100446622 Cooking in a Power Blackout (1)