Cooking without electricity.

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Holly1

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Joined
Apr 17, 2022
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117
Location
UK
Could any of the more experienced and seasoned preppers here recommend a safe way to cook indoors for me, please? I do not have a chimney or a way to cut a vent hole to the outside. I can open windows but I do worry about fumes and dangerous gasses building up potentially. I do not have an open fire or a way to purchase one. Sorry to limit your replies here, folks.

I can cook outside and have all the materials to make a rocket stove and I have wood and other fuels to use. My biggest fear today is that the supermarkets run out of food or there is no resupply to the supermarkets or that the food gets too expensive for many people to buy - that last thing I need is to be trying to cook a meal outside and hungry neighbours get a smell of it and try overrun me to steal it.

I have a very limited budget. I do have a few tins of food (fruit, meat and fish and beans) that can be eaten cold if need be. I have some self-heating foods that can be made hot by adding hot water but they are quite expensive and I cannot afford to buy very many of them. I also have a few long-term storage 'biscuits' types of food that could be eaten cold and have made ship biscuit that I can soak in hot water with soup powder to keep the 'food smell' to a minimum (I do worry about breaking my teeth a little lol ).
I live in the UK and am not sure that solar stoves could work in the winter months but will be grateful for any advice on this. Also I cannot afford a generator or solar powered set up to provide me with a powered source.

I know ... this is dreadful, right? I cannot afford to go buy a home elsewhere and I am kinda stuck. Have any of you wonderful people got any suggestions for me, please? I would be very grateful for any of your ideas here. Thank you very much.
 
In that situation I would focus on canned goods that are pre cooked and only need to be warmed up and have a DIY alcohol stove.

Edit: Just don't use copper, especially with isopropyl alcohol (or acetone), as hot (has to be really hot) copper can catalyze the decomposition of alcohols to ketenes which are very toxic (like hydrogen cyanide, but worse). Youtube has plenty of idiots playing with ketene lamps simply because they are intrigued with heated coppers ability to sustain the reaction without open flame (completely oblivious to the several risks involved, like those deadly fractal wood burning videos with microwave transformers ~ youtube censors political opinions, but not the videos immediately dangerous human life).
 
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Alcohol stove, as MNwr786 mentioned, would be the safest indoors. Sterno is congealed alcohol, but the typical Sterno can would not be big enough to cook a meal. Maybe three or four of them under a pan.
 
I have a very old manually operated brass chafing dish my folks bought back from Teheran when Dad was stationed there many years ago. Outside is brass, inside liner is of unknown metal(s), but suspect some sort of tin alloy. Not sure, so I always use a disposable aluminum cake pan to line it before placing food in to heat. It has a brass fuel cup below with slide gadget over it to adjust the flame. I've used it with both sterno and candles with great success warming pre-cooked foods like tinned foods, etc. That's going to be my fall back if I'm afraid to cook outdoors re: smells and smoke giving away my location. I took it down to our BOL only just recently, as I'd completely forgotten about it.

Is that something you might be able to run down at a boot sale, in second-hand shops or antique shops? I remember seeing lots of those in the UK. :)
 
I think I must invest in a carbon monoxide detector in case I must cook inside. I want to take this time ot say a huge thank you to all those who recommend windows open ventilation.
Sorry but I have yet another question for the more experienced ones here. If I boiled rice or just plain pasta with no sauce and keep the lid on, do you think that the smell would travel that far about me? I am happy to eat boil rice mixed with a can of cold tomatoes, for example, but only if the cooking smell doesn't get to others. I would love to hear all your thoughts and input.

I just want to say thanks again in advance, guys. I hope you are all okay today.
 
Yes, do get the CO monitors. I have three in my house because when the power goes out in the winter I use propane space heaters. (they never tripped a CO monitor, but burned toast did)
 
Thank you Dr Henley. I wish I could have given your reply a love and a haa haa. I think I will get the detectors. I think I might have to stick to food made with hot water. Get low smell easy foods - like instant soups mix and more rice. Eat cold fruit, and meat and fish from the tins. Maybe get some sweet rice puddings and custards in too and eat them cold.
This is for the shorter term. I guess - as horrific as this sounds in my head - I just have to try outlast my closest neighbours maybe?
What a world - what a life - what a conversation ... wow! :oops:
 
Holly1 said:
I think I must invest in a carbon monoxide detector in case I must cook inside. I want to take this time ot say a huge thank you to all those who recommend windows open ventilation.
Sorry but I have yet another question for the more experienced ones here. If I boiled rice or just plain pasta with no sauce and keep the lid on, do you think that the smell would travel that far about me? I am happy to eat boil rice mixed with a can of cold tomatoes, for example, but only if the cooking smell doesn't get to others. I would love to hear all your thoughts and input.

I just want to say thanks again in advance, guys. I hope you are all okay today.
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Consider trying out cooking ( something with a heavy smell test first ) now before any problems happen , then you will know what to do , wind will be a big factor in spreading any smell, make a record of when you have very little wind blowing , here it is usually early evening , enjoy the meals
 
Get your rocket stove finished and learn to make and use the dakota fire hole.
If you really have a problem with the smell and fear being found, there is another way to cook underground. The "IMU" cooking hole. Dig the hole big enough for your needs, place a few large rocks in the hole and light a fire to heat them up well. While the fire is going, get your food ready to put into the hole, some grass or leaves to cover it with, a piece or canvas or heavy tarp. When the fire is going down and the rocks are good and hot, place some grass and or leaves over the rocks to keep from burning your food, place the food over that and pour a liter of water over the food.Cover again with leaves and or grass, cover with the canvas and cover the canvas with a layer of dirt, gravel, sand or even wood planks. After a few hours,the food is steamed and you only have to dig it back out. No smell, no more smoke and delicious. Watch a video from Hawaii how the do a party there called a LUAU or such. Practice makes perfect.


 
We have 8 gallons of 99% alcohol showing up on Thursday. It has many uses other than running an alcohol stove or lantern.
For some reason they want you to sign for it.
For the life of me I cant see a reason why,Can it be used in some nefarious way I'm unaware of?
While you could make molotovs out of it why would you when you have gas available?
 
TexPrep said:
We have 8 gallons of 99% alcohol showing up on Thursday. It has many uses other than running an alcohol stove or lantern.
For some reason they want you to sign for it.
For the life of me I cant see a reason why,Can it be used in some nefarious way I'm unaware of?
While you could make molotovs out of it why would you when you have gas available?
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It's probably a tax thing. Most alcohol not produced for consumption is denatured (make unfit for consumption) so people do not buy the cheaper non-ATF booze and drink it. Might also be the shipper wanted delivery confirmation. Or... maybe it's the warning that says you won't sue them for drinking alcohol contaminated with benzene.

You might want to consider where that alcohol is coming from if you plan to drink any of it. 99% ethanol is a common lab solvent, and an easy way to get it is by azeotropic distillation with benzene (and benzene is cancerous). Normal distillation will only get up to 96% ethanol, so anything higher than that involves some process other than a simple distillation. Maybe it was dried with molecular sieves, but I doubt anyone sells pure ethanol-water mixture at over 96% for a price under good taxed booze. So, if you got a deal on that alcohol and you have plans on drinking it, id find out whats in it first.

Edit: and as a sanitizer, you want 30-40% water in it, otherwise it evaporates off too fast to kill anything. Even 70% burns well... Why pay for the dry stuff?
 
MNwr786 said:
It's probably a tax thing. Most alcohol not produced for consumption is denatured (make unfit for consumption) so people do not buy the cheaper non-ATF booze and drink it. Might also be the shipper wanted delivery confirmation. Or... maybe it's the warning that says you won't sue them for drinking alcohol contaminated with benzene.

You might want to consider where that alcohol is coming from if you plan to drink any of it. 99% ethanol is a common lab solvent, and an easy way to get it is by azeotropic distillation with benzene (and benzene is cancerous). Normal distillation will only get up to 96% ethanol, so anything higher than that involves some process other than a simple distillation. Maybe it was dried with molecular sieves, but I doubt anyone sells pure ethanol-water mixture at over 96% for a price under good taxed booze. So, if you got a deal on that alcohol and you have plans on drinking it, id find out whats in it first.

Edit: and as a sanitizer, you want 30-40% water in it, otherwise it evaporates off too fast to kill anything. Even 70% burns well... Why pay for the dry stuff?
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Trust me.
We wont be drinking any of it.
I suppose in hard times I could put some koolaide in it and sell it to some liberals. :p
 
Arcticdude said:
When they built this house they put in 6 smoke/CO detectors per code. I got tired of the dang things going off at 3am so I disconnected all of them. These things had a woman's voice that said "fire, fire, CO danger". Blah, blah, blah. Sounded like a nagging wife.
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Thats why I changed the SIRI voice on the laptop to some french sounding accent.
It's far more sexy sounding. I was hoping to find one that speaks in a breathy voice like Marilyn Monroe but no Joy.
 
MNwr786 said:
It's probably a tax thing. Most alcohol not produced for consumption is denatured (make unfit for consumption) so people do not buy the cheaper non-ATF booze and drink it. Might also be the shipper wanted delivery confirmation. Or... maybe it's the warning that says you won't sue them for drinking alcohol contaminated with benzene.

You might want to consider where that alcohol is coming from if you plan to drink any of it. 99% ethanol is a common lab solvent, and an easy way to get it is by azeotropic distillation with benzene (and benzene is cancerous). Normal distillation will only get up to 96% ethanol, so anything higher than that involves some process other than a simple distillation. Maybe it was dried with molecular sieves, but I doubt anyone sells pure ethanol-water mixture at over 96% for a price under good taxed booze. So, if you got a deal on that alcohol and you have plans on drinking it, id find out whats in it first.

Edit: and as a sanitizer, you want 30-40% water in it, otherwise it evaporates off too fast to kill anything. Even 70% burns well... Why pay for the dry stuff?
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Pure anhydrous ethanol with no denaturants runs around $150 a liter. The liquor tax is inconsequential at that price.
https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/sial/459836I use 95% Everclear. It stores quite well in the original bottle and it's close enough to the azeotrope that a little evaporation doesn't significantly change the composition.
 
DrHenley said:
Pure anhydrous ethanol with no denaturants runs around $150 a liter. The liquor tax is inconsequential at that price.
https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/sial/459836I use 95% Everclear. It stores quite well in the original bottle and it's close enough to the azeotrope that a little evaporation doesn't significantly change the composition.
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Obviously I didnt buy 8 gallons of that stuff,thats expensive as all get out!!
I could see where everclear would be a good investment.
It does do everything 99% denatured alcohol does but you can drink it in a pinch.
A shot of everclear in a glass of koolaide would be better than nothing and a little goes a looooong way!
We were thinking on stocking up on vodka which can be turned into a passable Kahlua with some freeze dried coffee and brown sugar. You'd probably want to water it down a bit to lower the proof though.
 
Smart move with the propane/CO2 alarms and smoke alarms. We have all 3 in our travel trailer. I have 2 liquid fuel Colman stoves. I feel much safer with the liquid fuel stoves than propane gas. With fire restrictions here in New Mexico there are times when you can't have a campfire.
 
Captjim_NM said:
Smart move with the propane/CO2 alarms and smoke alarms. We have all 3 in our travel trailer. I have 2 liquid fuel Colman stoves. I feel much safer with the liquid fuel stoves than propane gas. With fire restrictions here in New Mexico there are times when you can't have a campfire.
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Does that include stick stoves like the Solo?
We have fire bans on occasion but they dont include fires that have safety screens and they allow charcoal fires.
 
TexPrep said:
Does that include stick stoves like the Solo?
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This is all for only POST-SHTF situations...nobody will care about prohibitions of ANYTHING then. These little stoves are great for small fires, fast cooks, little meals, a bit of heat in winter and some of them even produce electricity while burning if you buy the right one...little smoke is great, little fires are frugal on wood and small flames can be easily covered with little camo to hide you at night. Only the heat signature is visable for over 50 miles with a drone and FLIR.....cook underground and/or very well insulated overhead...Gary
 
GaRp58 said:
This is all for only POST-SHTF situations...nobody will care about prohibitions of ANYTHING then. These little stoves are great for small fires, fast cooks, little meals, a bit of heat in winter and some of them even produce electricity while burning if you buy the right one...little smoke is great, little fires are frugal on wood and small flames can be easily covered with little camo to hide you at night. Only the heat signature is visable for over 50 miles with a drone and FLIR.....cook underground and/or very well insulated overhead...Gary
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CaptJim
Was talking about fire bans where he lives and he was referring to present day.
If the SHTF all bets are off as far as laws go.
 
I saw and realise that TP, just wanted to get a few words in from my experience for unknown preppers without too much of the same...Gary
 
DrHenley said:
Alcohol stove
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This is a good suggestion but let me give some caveats: alcohol stove is good for boiling water but not great for other things like frying. Also, it's not good for kids or people who are frail because the flame is hard to see (invisible flame), it's crazy hot, and most models tip over easily.


Digout said:
Look for a Kerosene/Alcohol fuelled stove, like an Optimus, Tilley, Valor, Coleman, Primus etc. to mention a few.
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Yeah I think a coleman stove with the red tank is your best bet overall. It offers several fuel options (some people have used gasoline but I am not recommending that, though I recommend you look into it.)

These are commonly had for $30 or less at thrift stores and garage sales. You can also hook them into a big propane tank, as with a BBQ, with a long hose. But the larger tank must stay outdoors.

Holly1 said:
I think I must invest in a carbon monoxide detector
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I've seen these at thrift stores too but yes you should have this (probably should have this anyway?)

TexPrep said:
Thats why I changed the SIRI voice on the laptop to some french sounding accent.
It's far more sexy sounding. I was hoping to find one that speaks in a breathy voice like Marilyn Monroe but no Joy.
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I can't vouch for anything in here but thought it was worth sharing: Apple’s Siri is eavesdropping on your conversations, putting users at risk: Report
 
campandtravel said:
This is a good suggestion but let me give some caveats: alcohol stove is good for boiling water but not great for other things like frying. Also, it's not good for kids or people who are frail because the flame is hard to see (invisible flame), it's crazy hot, and most models tip over easily.
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True for 99% of alcohol stoves but I'm thinking more along the lines of this one.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/314014625360?hash=item491cbaee50:g:OlYAAOSwfbNikn9xThe faint blue flame is because of the efficiency, which could be a problem if you aren't careful. However, it is necessary in order to fit the stated requirements.
 
Holly1, what do you do for backup heat? If the power and gas go out, what will you do for heat to survive? That may be your answer for cooking.

While I have several options, the one I go to first is a simple kerosene heater. I can put a pan on top of the heater and heat food, water, etc while also providing heat for the home.
 
JackDW said:
Holly1, what do you do for backup heat? If the power and gas go out, what will you do for heat to survive? That may be your answer for cooking.

While I have several options, the one I go to first is a simple kerosene heater. I can put a pan on top of the heater and heat food, water, etc while also providing heat for the home.
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We obviously dont have that problem in Southeast Texas. Here it's more about keeping cool.
I'd much rather have your problem since keeping cool requires energy while staying warm is pretty simple.
More clothing and setting up in the smallest room in your house makes it much easier to stay warm.
And of course you can use solar.
The Wife and I are going the solar route mainly because it's free energy and it's quiet.
And while the initial cost is up there you get free power after the initial investment.
 
Wow im late for the party . Will think more about it but one of the last resorts could be a simple fondue set.

A metal fondue pot is more versatile temperature wise. It can heat to higher temps for a good boil, or the flame can be lowered as to not burn the cheese.

A ceramic pot will get hot and bubble your food a bit but may not vigorously boil without some effort. It will also take longer to heat than metal. It is, however, less likely to burn the bottom of your food and make it stick to the pot.

The pot is simple to use with either its ethanol fuel base (just pour and light, ethanol Fondue pot fuel is inexpensive) or heat it with small candles/tea lights under it (some have a base you can buy to ensure they don’t tip over and stay the right distance from the pot.)

Will think about it a bit more and try to come up with something better.
 
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