No Electricity? No Problem! How to Cook Food Without Power

Even the best emergency food stockpile is useless if you can’t cook it. If the power goes out or you need to evacuate, will you still be able to prepare meals?

Here are essential off-grid cooking methods to help you stay prepared.

1. Build a Fire 

A fire is one of the most reliable ways to cook without power. If you have kindling and wood, you can:

• Cook meals over an open flame using a Dutch oven or cast iron skillet.
• Wrap meat and vegetables in foil and place them in hot coals.
• Use an indoor wood-burning fireplace (if safe and properly maintained).

2. Use a Wood-Burning Stove

If you have a wood-burning stove, it can provide both heat and cooking ability.

• Boil water or slow-cook meals using cast iron cookware.
• A great option for winter emergencies when you need warmth and food.

3. Portable & Non-Electric Cooking Appliances

A power outage doesn’t mean you have to eat cold meals. Consider these portable cooking solutions:

Space Heater & Stove 

• Small, lightweight, and burns Chafing Fuel
• The RescueHeat Emergency Space Heater & Stove is safe to use inside, never needs electricity, portable and easy to move or store, and doubles as an emergency stove

Portable Camp Stove

• A compact, gas-free option like the StarFire Camp Stove makes cooking easy.
• Ideal for evacuations, camping, or bug-out bags.
• Can cook enough food for two people.

Solar Cooker 

• Uses the sun’s energy to boil water or cook food without fuel or electricity.
• The Sun Kettle® Solar Cooker is portable and heats water quickly.

Solar Oven

• A solar oven is one of the best ways to rehydrate freeze-dried survival food.
• Great for indoor use when a fire or gas stove isn’t safe.

Be Ready Before Disaster Strikes

Emergencies don’t come with warnings—prepare now.

Stock up on survival food, solar cookers, and storage containers so you’re always ready. Your family’s survival depends on it.