7 Ways To Cook When You Lose Power

Today, it’s all about 7 ways to cook when you lose power. Yes, we will all lose power at some time or another. It may be a day, three days, three weeks, or three months. You may know that September of every year is National Preparedness Month, and it’s a great time to take inventory of our own preparedness efforts.

However, this year I was packing up my home to move north, closer to family and friends, so I didn’t have time to write a post on this preparedness holiday, as it were. I’m actually updating one from September 2017.

Here’s the deal: there may be some items available today that you can use, and some that you won’t be able to use, for instance, the Sun Oven. If your location has limited sunshine, you would not want to purchase a Sun Oven, as it requires a lot of sunshine.

In Southern Utah, we typically experience around 350 days of sunshine per year. It’s a perfect place to use year-round. I have now moved to Northern Utah, but it should work fine on most days here as well. Here are my favorite cooking devices when we lose power.

7 Cooking Items When You Lose Power

Sun Oven

Pros:

No purchased fuel is required; only sunshine is needed. You can bake anything in a Sun Oven (sold out as of July 2025) that you can bake in your conventional oven, provided you can get the Sun Oven up to the required temperature to bake your meal. I gauge my cooking using the sun from around 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M., when it tends to be at its peak. You may want to check eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

I have the most consistent sunshine during this time period where I live. No special recipes are required; if the pan fits inside the Sun Oven, you can bake it. It will pay for itself very quickly because you need zero fuel to cook a meal.

Cons:

It won’t work without adequate sunshine. Ensure you use glass baking pans or dark-colored pans. Shiny pans will reflect the heat away from the item being baked. It won’t fry chicken; actually, it will only bake, so don’t plan on using this device to fry anything for your meals.

You can use other cooking devices if you want to fry some food. Some may think it’s a bit pricey, but you may want to consider buying the Sun Oven without any accessories. If you have pans that fit inside the oven, you don’t need to buy the package that includes baking pans.

What can I cook in a Sun Oven?

• Bread
• Dinner Rolls
• Biscuits
• Casseroles
• Baked Chicken
• Roast Beef
• Pork Tenderloin
• Cakes
• Cupcakes
• Muffins
• Breakfast Casseroles
• Whatever you bake in your regular oven now (if the pan fits in the Sun Oven, it will work fine)

Volcano Stove

Pros:

The great thing about a Volcano Stove is the fact that you can use wood, charcoal, and propane. Please check if you decide to buy one, as there are two different adapters for using the Volcano Stove when using propane.

The unit will come with either the small propane canister adaptor or the large propane tank adaptor. I have both, but I prefer using the large adaptor. So, just check the package to see which size comes with the one you are purchasing. I love buying things I can use in emergencies, such as when we lose power or go camping.

Mine came with a zippered bag and other handy items, but the fuel fits compactly inside the larger heavy-duty bag if you want more options for transport and storage. This is a perfect camping item because you can cook on top of the picnic table if it’s sturdy. Adaptor for Volcano Stove

Cons:

The Volcano Stove must be used outside because it utilizes propane, wood, and charcoal. I suppose it’s not a con, but I want to ensure you’re aware that it’s perfect for cooking outside only. Some people may think it’s a bit pricey, but I see it this way: it can use three different types of fuel. As long as you have fuel, this is a great stove option.

What can I cook on a Volcano Stove?

• Hamburgers
• Hot Dogs
• Bread (if you use their tent)
• Steaks
• Cast iron pan: 12-inch Cast Iron Pan
• Anything you would barbecue

Thermal Cooker

Pros:

It uses very little fuel. Once you bring the food to a boil (I use a butane stove), use the inner pan for four full minutes, then quickly put it in the outside Thermal Cooker and lock it closed. It now functions like a slow cooker. Please don’t put frozen food in this gem, as it will not defrost and cook the food. You don’t need a particular recipe, as it works similarly to a slow cooker. 

I have a few Thermal cookers. Additionally, given the current shortage of many products that require parts, I would recommend buying whatever you can now. Thermal Cooker

It’s great for frying sloppy joes, and it will keep them warm for 4-6 hours after the four full minutes of boiling. You can make chili as you do now with cooked beans and fried meat, and bring it to a boil for four full minutes. Place the inner pan inside the outer thermal cooker, set it, and forget it. It will keep it warm for 4-6 hours.

Bonus: If you make a salad, place it inside the inner pan and refrigerate it overnight. The next morning, place the inner pan inside the thermal cooker and close the lid. It will keep your food cold for 4 to 6 hours. Perfect for family reunions.

It’s perfect for ball games, busy families, and traveling. It uses very little fuel. I love it for traveling and for those times we lose power.

Cons:

Avoid using a tough piece of meat, as it may still be tough after cooking in a thermal cooker. I have a friend, Kendra, who made a small pork roast that turned out delicious. However, it was a small roast, and she added potatoes, carrots, and onions.

She covered it with liquid to within one inch of the top of the thermal cooker. You need some type of stove (I use a butane one) to bring the roast, carrots, potatoes, and onions with some liquid to a boil for four full minutes.

Then, place the inner pan inside the outer thermal cooker and lock it shut. Please note that tender meat is recommended, as a heads-up. It will be cooked in 4-6 hours.

What can I cook in a Thermal Cooker?

• Small pot roasts with potatoes, carrots, and onions
• Soups
• Stews
• Chili
• Baked Chicken
• Lasagna
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Spaghetti Sauce and Noodles
• Oatmeal
• Bread
• Applesauce
• Anything you can cook in a slow cooker

Kelly Kettle

Pros:

I love my Kelly Kettle because you can use twigs, dry leaves, or pine cones to cook outside with this awesome stove. The fuel is practically free if you have some pinecones nearby where you live. I store them in buckets. It boils water and food very quickly. Mine came with a bag that I can use to store the unit and help protect it.

Cons:

I have to give it a con only because you can only use it outside. It won’t hold a heavy pan on top, which would make it a little unstable. However, you can make small pans of soup or boil water within minutes, literally.

What can I cook on a Kelly Kettle?

• Boil Water
• Make Chocolate (with heated water)
• Instant Coffee (with heated water)
• Make soups
• Heat up a cup of chili
• It has a small cooking surface, but it works well

Butane Stove

Pros:

I like my Butane Stove because I use it indoors. I’m a Nervous Nellie, so I crack a window. Now, the box on some butane stoves says they must be used outside. Please refer to the instructions that came with the one you purchased.

I taught many classes inside stores using a butane stove, and everything went fine. Just use your own judgment. I gave all four of my daughters one of these so that, in case of a power loss, they can still boil water or cook a meal. Butane Fuel

Cons:

I love these, so the only con I can think of is that once you run out of fuel, you can no longer cook a meal. I used one canister of butane for six weeks, cooking one meal a day. I only cooked food for two, so keep that in mind. Please remember that your pan cannot be placed over the grill plate, as it poses a safety issue.

What can I cook on a Butane Stove?

• Boil Water
• Heat a can of soup or stew
• Make Mac and Cheese
• Cook anything you would on a small burner on your stove

Camp Chef Stove/Oven

Pros:

The positive thing about this stove/oven combo is that I can make pancakes, bake bread, and boil water all with one unit. Keep in mind that I use only the large adapter for the larger propane tanks. The oven can accommodate a 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan, ideal for lasagna or your favorite casserole. Camp Chef Stove/Oven (out of stock everywhere that I looked, July 2025)

Cons:

The only con would be that if you run out of propane, you can’t use the stove/oven combination. Without fuel, there’s no cooking or baking.

How can I use a Camp Chef stove or oven?

• Bread
• Dinner Rolls
• Casseroles
• Brownies
• Cakes
• Cupcakes
• The griddle on top: grilled cheese sandwiches
• The griddle on top: pancakes
• Anything you cook or bake in your oven or on your stove right now, as long as the pans fit.

Lodge 6-quart Dutch Oven

Pros:

You can bake bread, biscuits, or make just about any recipe you want if you have charcoal stored. You can boil water, make soups, and make peach cobbler, to name a few of my favorites. I buy charcoal briquettes without lighter fluid because they can be stored indefinitely in air-tight containers.

I prefer a Lodge 6-quart Dutch Oven because they are not as heavy for me to carry or move as an eight-quart Dutch oven.

Cons:

If you run out of fuel, you won’t be able to bake or cook anything.

What can I cook in a 6-quart Dutch Oven?

• Boil Water
• Breakfast Casseroles
• Pizza
• Peach Cobbler
• Short Ribs
• Carnitas
• Fry the Taco Meat
• Bake Chicken
• Almost everything you can cook on your stove or in the oven

Prepare Your Family For Survival by Linda

Bugging In by Raymond Dean White

Final Word

I hope today’s post provides you with a few tips on how to cook when you lose power; there are many other ways to do so as well. These are the

7 ways to cook when you lose power, I wanted to show you today. May God bless their world, Linda

The post 7 Ways To Cook When You Lose Power appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

from Food Storage Moms