Power’s out, fridge is off, and the microwave? Yeah, that thing’s a paperweight now.
But you still gotta eat.
Whether you’re off grid on purpose or just dealing with a blackout, here are five real-world ways to cook without electricity — no gimmicks, no “just eat beans from a can” nonsense.
1. Propane or Butane Camp Stove
This one’s the easiest. If you’ve ever been camping, you know these stoves work great. Toss a cast iron skillet on it and you’re golden.
- Small, portable, and cheap
- Butane is clean and quiet
- Store backup fuel in a dry spot
You can cook a full breakfast on one of these no problem.
2. Rocket Stove
This is my personal favorite. Built one from cinderblocks years ago and it still works like a champ.
- Burns twigs, pinecones, scraps — no fuel needed
- Gets crazy hot with very little wood
- Great for boiling water, frying, or cooking in pots
Plus, it looks badass.
3. Solar Oven
Sounds gimmicky, but these things actually work — especially in summer.
- No fuel needed
- Just sunlight and patience
- Great for slow cooking, baking, or heating leftovers
Tip: Don’t use it in winter unless you want to wait all day for warm soup.
4. Fire Pit Cooking
Sometimes old school is the best school. If you’ve got a fire pit or even a hole in the ground, you can cook like your great-grandparents did.
- Grill grate over hot coals
- Cast iron is your best friend here
- Foil-wrapped potatoes, grilled meat, even flatbread
It ain’t fancy, but it works.
5. Wood Stove (If You’ve Got One)
If your homestead has a wood-burning stove, don’t just use it for heat.
- Cook on top (slow but steady)
- Boil water, make stew, keep coffee warm
- Just keep it clean and level
It turns your heating setup into a backup kitchen.
Final Thoughts:
The grid’s not as stable as people think. Between storms, blackouts, and the occasional EMP paranoia, having a few off grid cooking setups is just smart.
You don’t need all five — but having two or three ready to go puts you way ahead of the average person.
Because cold beans straight from the can gets real old, real fast.
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