6 Off-the-Grid Cooking Tips
How to Cook Without Electricity
When a SHTF situation does arrive, knowing the steps needed and having the right cooking methods available to cook for yourself and your family without electricity is important.
Like I always say, “Having skills before you need them is the key to any survival situation.” In this case, it’s the skill needed (and having resources available) for cooking your family meals…OFF GRID!
Here are six ways to cook for your family off the grid.
1. The BioLite Camp Stove
The BioLite CampStove is a unique compact stove that can also charge your devices. The fuel it burns creates the energy to charge a USB drive (aka YOUR PHONE).
That means that WHILE it’s cooking delicious food, it’s ALSO charging. You and your phone can refuel at the same time. That’s pretty neat.
Read here for more information on this awesome cooking device!
2. Cooking on a Rock
Cooking your food on a rock eliminates the need for a camping stove or even pots and pans. All you need is a fire and a rock! Pretty darn cool!
Check out this video from Outdoor Life on how you can set this up and cook your family a great meal.
3. Rocket Stove
The Rocket Stove is a rather unique invention that uses kindling-sized sticks as fuel, burning them very hot and very efficiently — all without using electricity.
This creates a hotter fire than you can usually get out of kindling, as well as providing sufficient heat to cook with very little fuel. And they’re fun to use.
Check out this video on how to make your own rocket stove!
4. DIY Flower Pot Grill and Smoker
This is a great project and it doesn’t require too much time and is inexpensive to make. The result? You have an awesome grill and smoker all ready to go when you need it!
Check out this video on how to make your very own flower pot grill and smoker!
5. Homemade Hardtack
Hardtack is a simple type of biscuit or cracker, made from flour, water, and sometimes salt. Inexpensive and long-lasting. It was and is used for sustenance in the absence of perishable foods.
Hardtack can be pre-made and would make an excellent addition to your bug-out bag and is perfect for any situation that may arrive where you need to feed your family in an off-the-grid scenario.
What you need to make Hardtack:
- 4-5 cups of flour
- 2 cups of water
- 3 tsp. of salt
Click here for the full recipe.
6. Homemade Survival Bars
Homemade survival bars are easy to make and quick, and they taste great. Yes, they should have a very long shelf life. There is no oil or any ingredient that goes rancid or spoils quickly.
They do not contain moisture, as you dry them in the oven, but they stay moist due to the Jello. Pretty cool, right?
These homemade survival bars will stay intact without crumbling, pack well, are great for camping, hunting, and hiking, and are also great to have on hand for emergency preparedness.
Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- 2 cups oats (regular or the quick variety)
- 2 1/2 cups powdered milk
- 1 cup sugar
- one (1) 3 oz package of jello (strawberry, cherry, orange, and lemon are our favorite flavors, but you can use whatever you like)
- 3 Tablespoons water
- 3 Tablespoons honey
Click here for the full recipe.
Do you have any off-the-grid cooking tips of your own? Share them with us in the comments!
For more tips on all things off-grid, visit our friends at Pioneer Settler.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on March 26, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
