Emergency Cooking

Different types of cooking devices and fuels with facts:

1. Sterno
- A 6 oz can will burn for 2 hours steady. It can be used to cook up to 6 meals. -A great source of fuel for the 72 hour kit because it is lightweight and easy to start fire, but not explosive.
-Safe to be used indoors.
-Is shelf stable and stores for a long time, if kept tightly closed.
-Expensive, but convenient.

2. White Gas or Kerosene
-Not good for long term storage because it evaporates eventually.
-Explosive and cannot be stored in the home.
-Used in some Coleman stoves and is effective in giving off a large amount of heat.
-Not as clean as propane.

3. Newspaper
-Roll a 10-inch bundle of paper and it will contain as much heat as 18 lbs. of coal.
-Burns the best if used with firewood also.
-Avoid color paper because the ink gives off heavy metals that can be toxic.

4. Charcoal
-1 lb of charcoal will burn for 2 hours.
-Must be used outdoors because it is lethal in closed areas (it creates carbon monoxide).
-Store in airtight metal or plastic containers.
-$50-$60 will supply cooking fuel for one year.
-Great source of fuel for dutch oven cooking.
-Can be reused by putting in water for a few seconds.

5. Wood and Coal
-Must be used outdoors for cooking unless you have a stove. Many wood and coal stoves have a cooking surface and are more efficient than fireplaces.

6. Propane
-The most convenient, indoors or out; be sure to crack a window if using indoors.
-Cook with a pressure cooker to conserve fuel.
-Can light propane stove tops in home even without power to cook on.
-Propane ovens are available for between $100-$200.

7. Butane
-Comes pressurized in canisters; safe, burns 100% clean with no odors, residue, or smoke build-up.
-An 8 oz. canister will burn from 2 1/2 to 7 hours in a cook stove, three hours in a heater, and 5 hours in a lantern.
-Does not work well in cold weather.

Different methods of cooking include:
-reflector ovens
-apple box ovens
-bread on a stick
-aluminum foil cooking (make sure you store lots of heavy duty foil)
-hot rocks
-pit cooking
-buddy burners and vagabond stoves
-home made crock pots or magic ovens
-thermos
-patio BBQ grills
-Camp Chefs with dutch ovens and griddles

Before you decide what type of cooking device you'll provide for your family, you have to take into account these factors:
-How many people will you be cooking for? Is the ability to cook more than one food item important? If so, consider a larger unit, or more than one unit in order to cook family-style meals.
-Do you want your option to be strictly for emergencies, or should you choose something more versatile that can also be used for camping or outdoor entertainment?
-How much space can you allocate for the cooking option and its fuel requirements?
-How much are you willing to spend?