Cooking Without Electricity - (Are you prepared?) Episode 1

The first part in a series about being prepared for everyday life. Do you know how to cook when the electricity is off, and you can't use your home cooking range?
January 2016
MRW Programs Anonymous

[@RetiredEMT96]

I was going to throw away my mother’s fondu pot. I’ve never been into that stuff...I then realized it’s an excellent pot to warm canned soup, stew etc, thanks for the other tips as well.

[@annebrasher302]

I used my electric fondue pot when our kitchen was remolded

[@vadamsable]

Great idea. I have a small fondue pot.

[@RetiredEMT96]

@@annebrasher302 Hello, Mine is sterno heated.

[@stacylynn4414]

Best concept he promoted: practice cooking on what you plan to use when there's an outage!

[@carolanestanley4030]

Yes, have an outage right this minute (6:30 in the morning). Also I don't have a gas stove, so I'm trying to find out how to make a hot cup of coffee. Lol

[@elizabethcope1502]

If one is worried about fire hazard from various stoves, this is my suggestion. Take a low sided metal container that if your stove gets knocked over, it falls inside the container. Put sand in the container. Sand can be used to smother a fire. I have metal containers that are made to sit items in. The metal containers that hot water heaters sit in are excelliant for this. You could just buy aluminum roaster pans @ $Tree. Playground sand is @ Lowes, Home Depot, etc. God bless.

[@randomcodeing]

The value of this video keeps going up as the year progresses

[@chucknickols1735]

Amen. Had substations go down in Paulding Ohio today. Good reminder to keep educated & prepared.

[@wleon4068]

It's people like you that make this world a better place my friend. Great information here. Keep on doing what you do.

[@matthewsresilientways]

Thanks! I'll keep trying!

[@jesuschild2218]

Question if i got one now where does i keep it??

[@93lbBALDSPOTSonya]

@@matthewsresilientways currently watching in the dark, no power hurricanes ida hit Louisiana power outage throughout the entire state it's hot in the summertime and have a sick relative living in the home. It's a real struggle when something as simple as cooking or heating food can not be done. So thank you so much for your video

[@mila_can_see]

Watching this in July 2020!!

[@killitwithfire2321]

Waching this in February with the power out, in about 3° temperature. In an apartment, trying to figure out how to cook some chicken :'(

[@Buttercup251]

@@killitwithfire2321 Did it work with the chicken?

[@killitwithfire2321]

chicken... No! But it was enough to boil some water for coffee, ramen, etc.

[@whitedragoness23]

@@killitwithfire2321 if you can cook ramen and coffee and not starve when there's no power then i say your successful

[@SuperEholmes]

When my husband and I moved into a house in Ohio, we had some issues with the electric meter and went without electricity for almost a month while getting it back up. We cooked over a candle. Dinty Moore beef stew, and soups but now I wish we knew about these different ways. Thanks.

[@tomcatt998]

Live & learn, i never cooked over a candle B 4,, kinda sloooo i would imagine 🏕

[@herpy2925]

Went 3 days without electricity after hurricane Zeta. I was glad to have my gas stove that day. I even have a camping oven which came in handy cause I had a pizza in the oven when the power went out.

[@krys3216]

use a piece of spaghetti to light your fires, less ways to burn yourself than a lighter :)

[@deborah5568]

I thought I might be the only person to use spaghetti to light candles, cooking etc,,,lol

[@cherylT321]

That’s awesome, l wouldn’t have thought of that. Thank you!

[@CSAcitizen]

Make a Rocket Stove outside and it cooks great ! And it's easy to bold with just a few cement blocks. You can make one in just a few minutes.

[@matthewsresilientways]

And what if you live in a high rise apartment building? Not everybody has access to an area they can build a fire.

[@a.nefertiti6980]

Or what would you do in a Canadian winter setting?

[@thebrokenroadhomestead9956]

I didn't know about the pop can and rubbing alcohol. Good video.

[@KevinBenecke]

Another thing to keep in mind is a lot of outdoor grills often come with a side burner on them. So if your stove doesn't work, you can still bake things in it too. I actually baked a cake in my grill once believe it or not.

[@winkfinkerstien1957]

That's a great tip!

[@kathyhollenbach7413]

Just remember, food sure does smell really good when cooking on the grill and will draw hungry people.

[@winkfinkerstien1957]

Hey, brother, great video. During the grid down situation in February 2021, I used the sterno folding stove to cook a cod fish fillet with scrambled eggs. Worked great! I was able to find another brand of the gel fuel at our local Family Dollar store for only $1.00 each! May I recommend that if using it with a can, the height of the can determines the amount of time it takes to boil water. In other words, I would recommend using a can that is not as tall. 🙂 One last share is that I placed the folding stove and sterno on the stovetop surface (the flat area) just for precautions peace of mind. Thanks again!

[@carolanestanley4030]

I'm going to order one right now, thank you!

[@janicaleflore]

Those Cast Iron Skillets! ❤️

[@walterconnell1244]

Maybe we do know, I watch because I may learn a new way or even one difference that may make all the difference!!! Thank You!!!

[@patsycav]

It might be a good idea to buy some long matches to light the fire. Less chance of burnt fingers.

[@cheryladams7258]

This is SCARY but we have to start using our primitive instincts. We especially here in America are so spoiled that we never had to go on instinct and have lost touch with US. Soon we will be tested and only the strong will survive. But the stage has already been set . the day we were born. Stay woke family and please realize WE have more in common than NOT

[@lilchina6145]

Cheryl Adams AND THE TIME IS HERE

[@thechosenone9855]

Time is here

[@laragreene8328]

What?? I've been thru power outages all my life 😁🤣

[@frithsteadfarm904]

2021 Cold Dark Winter Time has come

[@stacylynn4414]

Denatured alcohol works well in the alcohol stove. It also doesnt put out soot like rubbing alcohol does.

[@kfl611]

I have an old 1920's alcohol stove, that did not like denatured alcohol, but works fine with rubbing alcohol. I guess it all depends on the stove and how it was constructed. Try different fuels to see which one works the best for you and stores the best in your house / garage or shed.

[@notyoung]

Good info for many people. We had a lot of experience cooking on a 2 burner Coleman (white gas) stove when our kids were small as we camped in a popup camper and cooked outside most of the time. The Coleman stove is more than 30 years old and still in the basement, along with a Sterno stove (and a case of fuel) and a small folding, wood burning "camping" stove that's more properly a backpacking stove. We normally cook with gas and have a long reach lighter for using that when the power is out. We also have dual backup for AC power, with a 2000 watt pure sine wave inverter that's powered from a 12 volt, 540AH battery bank that's kept charged by solar (not enough solar power to run everything yet). That combination can power essentials for 8 to 16 hours (depending on the season) plus a gasoline generator for longer outages. I typically use the solar generator until daylight or until the storm passes and get the gas generator out after perhaps 8 hours. Most outages here are less than 8 hours, but we've had one 16 hour outage in July (wind) and a 12 hour outage in December (snow). We had a 3 hour outage yesterday when a tree fell across the high voltage line from the substation, taking out power for us and 850+ other customers. I prefer not to be setting up a generator in the dark or during a thunderstorm although I have done it in the dark with snow coming down.

[@elizabethcope1502]

A gas generator can be used to charge your solar batteries. It just needs setup for that & generator needs to only run maybe hour or two. Check into this. God bless.

[@caroltraxler267]

Great presentation! I have 3 stoves, propane similar to yours, old Colman 2 burner propane stove and....small tiny scrap wood and tender wood stove. Unfortunately, propane, alcohol, sterno will run out and you’ll need some way to continue to cook. Wood is free and is very renewable.

[@HawaiianSkies]

Well, when you have no other options!

[@aprilespinoza3568]

@@HawaiianSkies no

[@janicewebber5584]

I made a rocket stove out of bricks. I learned it on KZbin 😊

[@angielacook1723]

We in texas and louisiana wished we watched this before the ice came.

[@alisamoose2132]

I hope you guys are doing ok. I watched a girl with candles and terra cotta flower pots make a heat source. Very good.

[@kimberlyhayes1474]

Anyone here from the Texas Storm?

[@bryansevera3893]

Water will boil faster with a lid on the pot.

[@faithrada]

For those who are not so handy... you can buy a really nice manufactured alchohol 'stove' from Trangia. They are very efficient. I believe they are a Norwegian Co. ? They are very efficient and dependable. Though they can burn many types of alchohol, the best is denatured, or marine alchohol. Isophropal alchohol that people have in their med. cabinets burns pretty dirty... so I would use that only in a pinch.

[@tomcatt1824]

Heet in de yello bottle works good

[@oldtimerlee8820]

I have a Trangia. They are nice! Since I DIY, also have the Fancy Feast Cat Food Stove made from a cat food can and a tomato paste can. Much easier to make IMO than the soda can stoves and it has a built in pot stand. I've made a number of these to give to friends and family for emergency situations. Agree with you what you said about fuel. I prefer denatured alcohol and Heet in the yellow bottle -- NOT THE RED. IMO, the best Iso alcohol is 70%. It doesn't give off as much soot as the 91%, and isn't as likely to burn out of control. The 50% alcohol is too weak, if you can get it to light.

[@HawaiianSkies]

@@oldtimerlee8820 What do you use the paste can for? I looked up the fancy feash stove and didn't see that. I like the idea. Thanks so much.

[@oldtimerlee8820]

@@HawaiianSkies Here's a YT video that'll get you started. I've made a bunch of these and given them away to friends and family to have a way to heat a can of soup in grid-down. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKWlnYCsodCYpa8 You can search YT with the phrase Fancy Feast Stove to see variations of this build and a whole lot more about them. Hope this helps. They are fun to build. PS: Dogs like cat food, too. Instead of buying the alternate cans mentioned in this video our dog enjoyed a treat from time to time. :-)

[@donaldsmith3048]

The alcohol stove works in a Sterno folding stove. That way the pan don't touch the can. Everyone should have a Sterno stove. I make candies in used Frito onion dip canes. They fit the Sterno stove. And work well. As for knowing about this. I live in south Florida and the Hurricane takes out my power from time to time. I know much of this, but watch the video because there are new and better ideas in many of them. When there is a problem and the power is out, we can't know to much!

[@lockergr]

I have a whole stack of Fritos lids and I don't know what to do with them! I thought they would fit on my regular can. Interesting that you are able to make candies in a Fritos can. Clever useage!

[@scooter1117]

Thanks,you have great knowledge to have to share with everyone God Bless your Heart!

[@matthewsresilientways]

Thanks! I'm working on more videos! :)

[@happyhomelesshomesteaders158]

We cook on simple coffee cans with a couple holes in the bottom add a grate perfect off an old gas cook stove they fit right atop the coffee can, with a few sticks coffee is done under 5 to 10 minutes

[@HawaiianSkies]

I'd like to see a video of this!

[@electropalsceo]

thanks for sharing , I learned alot I didn't lnoe,about the alcohol trick. many blessings

[@floydvaughn836]

On propane, get the 2 burner. More stable and yeah, it's 2 burners. Maybe 10 to 15 $ more. My choice is a butane buffet range. You can use regular pans on them, and they too are stable. You haven't lived until that too tall green bottle stove tips over, spilling your last can of chili all over the place! The ranges and fuel are also cheaper, if you go to an Asian food store or restaurant supply house.

[@matthewsresilientways]

Good point on the double burner being more stable!

[@floydvaughn836]

@@matthewsresilientways Let me expound on the buffet ranges. My first one is branded Gas One. It's a burner in a steel frame, piezoelectric ignition. Wal Mart carries them under the Coleman brand for 30 ish $, but both of mine were cheaper. Gas One was 12.00 from Major Surplus. The 2nd one I got at an Asian mega Mart in Houston, TX. The fuel is butane, but the cans feature a safety notch that must be lined up and locked in place to work. Very safe. The fuel used to be found only in restaurant supply places. With the prepper craze, Wal Mart now has the fuel, ditto Bass Pro, etc. Hit the Asian markets to get them cheap. Along with the stability I can also use regular household cook ware on them. Perfect for household use. The stoves come in a plastic case. One of these and a dozen units of fuel sit on a shelf in my closet, out of the way, but ready to go when needed. I have literally taught a 7 year old how to run it.

[@Fullovjoy1]

Your water took so long to boil is because you didn't put a lid over the pan ! So your heat was rising out of the pan instead of making stay inside to heat .

[@FISHBREATHH]

I made a bunch of the alcohol stoves a few winters back. thanks for the vid.

[@matthewsresilientways]

+FISHBREATHH I'm amazed at how fuel efficient they are.

[@HawaiianSkies]

@@matthewsresilientways I like how you can keep the alcohol in an apartment.

[@ingebrecht]

I cook outdoors year round. I use charcol. But I have a propane grill and an indoor ventless natural gas heater and a generator. I live in town but still fire up the generator once a month to test it.

[@quercus4730]

ingebrecht: Bet you will be popular when the lights go out.

[@lisastroud7222]

You look like a young Steve McQueen (the actor), anyhow great presentation and thanks for sharing.

[@matthewsresilientways]

I get that comparison a lot! :) And You're welcome.

[@valerieaguirre1843]

I’m watching this February 2021 because the power here in Texas is out. Please stay safe, Everyone!

[@matthewsresilientways]

Good luck down there!

[@bc24roxy4]

love that iron skillet!! I have always been a propane user. The alcohol makes me nervous, never used it , but the more videos I have been watching it seems to be the safest and cleanest for using indoors. I have butane stoves, propane stoves and the little folding stoves for back packs with Sterno. Going to get a propane one and try it. Thanks for sharing

[@matthewsresilientways]

The one thing I wish I'd known when I made this video was the trick of using a "stand off" for the alcohol stove. (It's simply a stand that keeps the cold pan from touching the alcohol stove) It makes a huge difference in performance. I'm still not too happy with cold weather performance for alcohol, either, but usually it's not a problem.

[@cherylbiedermann748]

Thank you

[@daflare783]

whos here in 2020

[@matthewsresilientways]

I'm still here! LOL!

[@connieelliott5359]

Me too

[@terrinewman7390]

I already knew about the things in the video but...... you never can tell you might learn some thing new if you're not careful!

[@oklahomaisok]

I have a bucket-stove portable rocket stove and a large pot that fits snugly on top plus a Coleman oven that can be used on top of it, also cast iron to cook in. Also have a propane cooker and a couple bottles of propane to use. I can use wood sticks in my rocket stove, pine cones, dry corn cobs wads of dry weeds etc. Also charcoal will work in it and a can of Sterno fits just right inside. If the Sterno runs out I can refill it with packed cotton balls and 915 rubbing alcohol…

[@felicidadevarao4241]

I have one of those from Cooper guide was sold by a booklet over 30 years old I use as decoration

[@daledeo5545]

The wisest words yet in these times.well said, self reliant.

[@3zonker88]

Great video! Thanks for sharing! I have both the single burner stove and the Coleman double burner. I also have a propane heater for the small bottles of propane! No electric = no heat!!!

[@matthewsresilientways]

Thanks! Sounds like you're prepared! :)

[@spiritualaries4500]

Wow Ive learned something new. I'm single mom with a daughter n learning to be self reliant so thank you.

[@domingue4god]

You have a lot of common sense! I wish more people were like you! Thanks!

[@matthewsresilientways]

Thanks for the kind words! :)

[@bleurose8380]

If I had one I would use that wood stove behind you. Other than that camping is second best. Good info. Thanks

[@marciathompson1237]

For the alcohol stove build I use three soda cans instead of one, and I make it bigger which means it lasts longer if you're going to be cooking things that take a longer time to cook. I have a fondue pot that I use as my alcohol stove with it for a stand and put it on a metal container / pan.

[@thamaravalencia2448]

OMG i have a shaffer pot like that one without the lid i found it 10 years ago in a antic shop and didn't know what it was til now! lol

[@marjorielouis204]

I am trying to be prepared for this year. I heard crazy things may happen. Thanks for sharing.

[@matthewsresilientways]

Crazy things can happen every year, I doubt this year is special. However, I firmly believe everyone should be prepared. Check out ready.gov for more resources and checklists. My advice is evaluate what you think is the greatest risk to you, such as a blizzard or earthquake, or heaven forbid, nuclear fallout. Then try to get enough provisions to get your through 2 weeks without needing outside resources. I've got a video coming out in the next couple weeks with some thoughts and lessons learned from having to bug out for real due to a huge prairie fire, so check back, it will have some information that you might find useful.

[@betsyoman7173]

One caution. If you cook outside in cold weather, be sure that meat gets cooked thoroughly. To that end, don't cook on the edge of the grill! I'm saying this because I know of someone that had a bad experience with meat cooked on the edge of the grill during cold weather. Serious, life-changing illness happened.

[@1caramarie]

If you use a cover and a cast iron skillet, the meat will continue cooking for a while even after the flames are out.

[@kfl611]

That's why I like to use a meat thermometer. My sister always said you can tell by how it looks or touch it and see how well it springs back. Not me. I put in an instant read thermometer or a regular old fashioned dial meat thermometer and you can quickly get a nice reading as to the internal temp of what ever you are cooking. Also things differ if you are starting off with raw room temperature meat or starting off with a frozen piece of meat.

[@CM-ve1bz]

A Coleman camping stove, a 20lb propane bottle, and $15 hose, you can cook for a couple of weeks or more

[@johnmine5609]

i get 2 weeks or more out of a gallon of gasoline in a dual burner coleman camp stove

[@michellemybelle62260]

Very informative ! Thanks a lot! I have 3 of those check g dishes somewhere. Time to go check my storage and see how many more tubs have fallen over . Maybe they will fall right out in my lap?!? With my luck it will be on top of my head! I live in a small apt. And we are not allowed to grill in any way or even store propane and they do inspections ! Thanks for sharing. QUESTION? COULDN'T YOU USE THE ALCOHOL BURNER WITH THE CHAFING DISH FOR FASTER COOKING???

[@trevethan82319841]

Sun oven is a lot better because no need to look for or buy fual

[@2tallnegrito7cmn55]

Happy i just found you, I am about to gono. A year long outdoor living journey

[@Eusebeia7]

Consider using this pot to use less energy. Kuhn Rikon Durotherm Swiss-Made Cookware, Casserole with Lid, 7-Inch - 2QT with say a twig stove or alcohol or propane stove.

[@kahnaemery7767]

Very good information-know your neighbors! Also, you can use your wood stove to cook.

[@kfl611]

My mom grew up with a wood stove as the only source of heat for the shack and place to cook their food. They felt real high on the hog, when they migrated to a kerosene stove. Sometime in the last 1940's they actually got a house with electricity and gas heaters to warm the house. They finally got running water in 1969 ! Praise the lord - yes I remember the out house and hand cranked water pump to get water from the well. And bathing in the zinc wash basin....not part of the good old days........

[@maverick3517]

I love the expression when he asked "are you prepared?🤨"

[@Sodylin]

Watching during the 2021 texas blizzard. Thanks.

[@matthewsresilientways]

I hope the information helped a little. I'm surprised at how cold it's getting down there. We tried to keep it to ourselves up here in Kansas! :) Good luck y'all!

[@mariehammond934]

Thankyou! I will be preparing myself next week. This has been very informative

[@vadamsable]

Gel fuel is not a good option because it doesn't get boiling hot. The gel canisters smell really strong too. I have 2 cooking alternatives. I found that the mini stoves that use 99% alcohol or Heet yellow are great sources for cooking. The 91% alcohol didn't burn for me (using the mini stoves). My second choice would be the propane stoves. Mainly because the carbon fumes would be an issue. I tried making an alcohol mini stove and it would never work right.

[@jude7321]

Thanks so much, you're a lifesaver... Really!!! God bless you real good 💕 🌿

[@lilchina6145]

Great GREAT VIDEO 👍👍👍we are all going to need this looks like very soon!!

[@tomcatt1824]

I tryed some vodka in my alcohol burner,,, works better in me !!

[@chrispierce2942]

For the alcohol stove, use YELLOW bottle heat gas line antifreeze or denatured alcohol, they won't leave any soot on your cook ware.

[@GEAUXFRUGAL]

I bought a wood gas stove use hardwood pellets. 2 cups of fuel a pressure cooker you have a gallon or more of beans. Run out of pellets get your axe or hatchet.

[@quercus4730]

Frugal Prius-RV: Most people live in cities now finding wood to burn would be like finding a drink in the middle of the ocean.

[@GEAUXFRUGAL]

quercus Funny I went to the store and right there with the BBQ bricks was 40 lb sack's of hard wood pellets. They stock it for smokers. $8.88 at Walmart probably can get it for less at another supplier or just do what everyone else does? Go online and have it delivered. See they call em preppers because they think ahead and prepare now. So when they need it they will have it. what do you think a city is made of? Lots of wood, trust me you can go on the street find furniture thrown out. Remember the good book said "Better is a problem before it occurs then the end of it afterward". Right there it tells you that, you should be a prepper.

[@quercus4730]

@@GEAUXFRUGAL Can you imagine a thousand people in an apartment building all making a fire then their half a million neighbors doing the same.

[@GEAUXFRUGAL]

quercus No I can't because people in the city have empty bottles all over the place and you never fill them up and put them in the freezer people in the city die of heatstroke when the power goes out because they didn't put any water bottles in the freezer. People in the city are to f****** stupid to prepare for anything they figure they'll just go get it off the shelf. This is a prepper a prepper prepares for things before they happen City people generally or not Preppers the only thing they prepare to do is get in line at the Apple store to get the new f****** phone. They wonder how they are ever going to retire while standing in line to get $10 cup of coffee.

[@quercus4730]

@@GEAUXFRUGAL Well good all the city people will be dead in a shtf situ. so you need not worry about them raiding your larder but what about neighbors and family that didn't prepare?

[@MegaCashmagnet]

Thank you for your video. Great tips and advice. However, you did not mention installing a wood stove. That would heat a home and provide for cooking.

[@matthewsresilientways]

Most people can't install a wood burner in their home, especially in a high rise apartment building, nor do they have the ability to get firewood.

[@NeverGiveUp-ib3xb]

Thanks for being brief. Very helpful!

[@matthewsresilientways]

I try, but I do get carried away sometimes.

[@anonymus5788]

Where do you store the propane for single cooking? How long can you store them?

[@verucasalt4535]

omg that spoiled doggy at 00:40 kills me. X-D

[@matthewsresilientways]

Yep, he's a riot!

[@scooter1117]

Adorable doggy

[@jarikinnunen1718]

6:00 Two alcohol stove. One for boil water and less hot for keep cooking heat.

[@jenniferj7588]

You can use butane burner i do every day don't like propane and if want use the little alcohol stoves use denatured alcohol instead blue flame only no sutt on pans

[@matthewsresilientways]

What's the difference between butane and propane besides the butane will still work in colder temps?

[@RoseBud-fk4qg]

I made 3 when the BBQ ran out i put them in the BBQ on lower rack food on top rack heated corn on one hot dogs on other and hot water for coffee . My oven quit I used BBQ to make cakes and may items for 6 months

[@honeysheree5988]

Loveee this thank u

[@Mixwell1983]

I have a coleman white gas 2 burner i got used for cheap on offer up. $15 and all it needed was an o ring for the filler cap. Also have a coleman pocket stove that runs white gas as well as 4 coleman gas lanterns 👍👍. Have a charcoal and gas grill also with 2 tanks that are both about empty. I need to refill em.

[@matthewsresilientways]

Nice score! Sounds like you have options! :)

[@judithvandermeulen8821]

I brang one from Dominican republic only gas there and you have to have water so i shipped home three of each propane was a small tank. I brang home all i could Dominican republic dryer washer all propane water machine with hot water three stove tops

[@elohansen8971]

Make a alcohol stove burner, Or buy a fondue to alcohol. With a cooking pot. Then you have, a alcohol stove burner. Can uses to many things in, not only to cheese. Cooking potato, spaghetti. Etc.

[@HawaiianSkies]

I have a fondue pot. But what do you mean fondue to alcohol?

[@zairdawn4622]

Thank you for this video. It has taken the scare away of lighting them and controlling them. IT was very helpful make some more I need help..Like getting ready for a black out event. plz

[@matthewsresilientways]

I'm glad it helped you! More videos on living without the grid coming! :)

[@zairdawn4622]

@@matthewsresilientways thank you so much. I love when people show people how to use things because it takes the scare out of it. Like if you never did that in your life and had to without anyone showing you..Its pretty scary. My dad isn't around any more SO I pretty much have no one.

[@notyoung]

Good info. Thank you. We cook with natural gas so we only need a spark lighter for the burners. Backup is a Coleman liquid fuel stove (have several gallons) plus an aftermarket propane adapter that takes 1lb bottles and I have the hose + regulator for a 20lb tank (one on the gas grill and the spare beside it). Next backup would be a Sterno stove or a small wood fire in the second fireplace. We used the Coleman stove camping in a popup camper when the kids were small. As we currently cook with gas, those skills - other than pumping up the tank - are effectively practiced daily ;-) I'm one of those crazy people who think you should have backups for your backups ;-) For power outages, I designed and built my own small solar system - NOT a whole house system, just a "Wait until daylight" design that can provide some power so I'm not out in the dark or a thunderstorm getting a gasoline generator started. That's the idea behind my "solar generator". Depending on the season, it can provide 8 to 24 hours of limited power: fridge, some lights, charging cell phones, internet, gas-fired furnace. Using the furnace obviously takes the time closer to 8 hours. Solar panels don't work at night and don't work much when it's cloudy, raining or snowing so their backup is a 1600/2000 watt inverter generator. With the small electrical loads we limit ourselves to during outages, the little gen runs 4-6 hours (or a little more) on one gallon of gas. It can power the limited loads and recharge the batteries on the solar gen for another night of silent power. I don't run a gas generator unattended after dark as I've not heard one during any previous outage (more than 10 years at this location) and you can hear them run for quite a distance when there's 7" of snow. I've had 5 gallon cans of gasoline "walk off", so generator use is either daytime or attended. If there's a little sun, the stored (treated) gasoline should last at least 3 weeks.

[@matthewsresilientways]

I guess I missed your comment. You sound well prepared! Backups need backups. What's the saying about "One is none?" ...Two is one and one is none? Something like that. The wait for daylight solar approach is a great way to go. I've been playing with super capacitors, as they fit perfectly into the "emergency/daylight use" category, and there's no worry of them being ruined when their voltage drops to zero, which is great for those good weather times when it's not in use.

[@notyoung]

The biggest problem with super capacitors is being able to specify their amp hour equivalent when you need to provide XX watts for Y hours. Battery amp hour ratings are well defined - from fully charged (maybe 13.2 volts at rest) to fully discharged (10.5 volts, depending on the battery chemistry - that's 4.2 to 3.0 volts for most but not all lithoum cells). To define amp hours for a capacitor, you must choose a starting voltage (maybe 2.7 volts) and an end voltage. The end voltage is the problem, as it's limited by how low the input voltage on your device can go and the device still function correctly. This page has that discussion with the math: www.quora.com/How-do-I-convert-from-farads-to-ampere-hours

[@marycahill546]

I store my Coleman 2 burner stove and the propane in my garage detached from the house. I wouldn't use that pop can alcohol stove in the house -- fire hazard. I think an esbit type stove, also quite cheap to buy, would be a better alternative to boil water.

[@beaulieuc8910]

Very good video

[@Bk6346]

The Northeast Blackout of 2003 there was no electricity for two days. I remember cooking on my outdoor Weber BBQ. The December 2013 Ice Storm caused up to 72 hours power outages due to frozen utility poles and tree branches collapsing under the weight of the thick ice accumulation.

[@JacklynAllen]

Thank you! Great video!

[@matthewsresilientways]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stompthedragon4010]

Lots of homes are hooked to propane for their stoves and ovens. Mine is

[@lilyv1856]

Absolutely wonderful. Thank you for such informative video.

[@matthewsresilientways]

Thanks! I've been kind of slow making new videos since I had to move, but hopefully I'll get back in the swing of things soon! :)

[@lilyv1856]

Will do. Hope all is well with your new home

[@fredjack2021]

I have a question if I living apartment can I prepare everything's because if something going to happen is not safe for my family's and so I can u please helping out where we can go because I am not rich man I know lot's of richest people's buy their own land underground but us poorer people's we can't buy home underground what can we do.

[@gyovini]

Great information!!!How do you call that vintage cooking pan? Thank you for your information. Have a great day!!!

[@matthewsresilientways]

Thanks! My Grandma called it a "Chafing Dish."

[@gyovini]

Thank you so much Matthew for responding. Many blessings!!! I will save this video because I need this since I live in a building apartment that has an electric stove. Got to prepare for what is coming!!!

[@domingue4god]

Matthew Walz Chaffing dishes were designed to only keep food warm, not actually cook with, but in a pinch it could be used to cook inefficiently.

[@mymonkeycoco7055]

How long does the alcohol can burn?

[@herowither12354]

I want to cook a hamburger on an alcohol stove out of spite.

[@tracker5849]

It can be done..ON trangia or pathfinder...I use an army mess tin as a skillet..you do NOT want to cook over the flame on a grill...horrible!!!! Full of chemical taste and smell. I use denatured alcohol in all alcohol stoves

[@dlight2669]

How long will that amount, on average, burn? Then when it burns out must you go through the same process or is it primed for all the rest of use?

[@richardleesaner4382]

Why I did watch your video and thank you I got me a propane Cause we was in the watch a storm in Texas

[@lockergr]

Have had really good luck tonight finding ways to have emergency cooking on the cheap. But you said that one pan is called a chafing dish? That really looks nice. I need to find one. You can cook a proper meal with that. Perfect for power outages. Went without electricity for over a week during an ice storm. No heat or fire either. I made it, but when my car wouldn't start I started to get that animalistic feeling about food. No one in their right mind was driving anywhere, but I'm a Michigander and so us transplants (well me and the other guy in the pickup truck which was the only guy I saw on a 20-minute drive) didn't let a little (LOT) of ice stop us!

[@dabbayoo]

Get two car jumper battery packs and charge one with an inverter while you drive. Use an old zippo to cook using it on baking tray in the bottom of oven and cook on first rack right above that with second rack on the top wrapped in foil to protect the oven. Make wicks out of cotton balls formed into strings twisted with a bit of wire and pour a bit of fuel on top and light with an old dead lighter spark. Take flint out of zippo I heard they can explode. I've used gasoline but not to cook. It stinks a little and probably not safe. Flatten your burgers out mcdonalds thin and cook soup in old pie tins if you need too. F warren buffet electric companies. You can usually wipe out your winter bill for free if you live off grid for the summer. That's free power all year. Wow wrote this before I saw that alcohol stove, that's awesome good video.

[@matthewsresilientways]

That's some good info. Thanks for sharing! I'll have to play around with cooking in the oven.

[@dabbayoo]

Matthew Walz so I made the alcohol stove and cooked a pork roast with it priming the whole time because I just couldnt get it primed no matter what I did. I messed with it for hours then just cooked with the initial flame but it still lasted a real long time, cooked it crispy. I just need some ghetto off grid fridge I can't really use solar or anything though my place isn't good for it

[@phooesnax]

Nice job Matt

[@matthewsresilientways]

+phooesnax Thanks!

[@karenmcgrouther6173]

We can not get this kind of alcohol in th UK.When I go to buy it they just give me surgical spirits which smells like a hospial. I doubt it is the same thing.

[@lauras627]

Watching from Houston, Texas 2/16/2021. I have 2 sternos

[@matthewsresilientways]

Also look into "vegetable oil candles" for more ideas. They just require a jar, some cotton, and cooking oil. Best of luck to y'all and hopefully you can stay warm!

[@Peg-ee5ei]

Great video. Lots of good information. Liked and subscribed.

[@matthewsresilientways]

Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@kaiballington55]

We can all be more self-reliant.

[@CPUDOCTHE1]

And where do you find a new church key? I have several old ones, but had not seen any new shiny ones. Probably most people don't remember having to open all steel oil cans (I just barely remember that) or cardboard oil cans with steel ends with a church key or an oil spout that cut the lid.

[@matthewsresilientways]

Most hardware stores around here have church keys, like Ace Hardware and Orshceln's/Feldman's. I'm not sure what you have in your area. I do remember opening oil cans with the pointy thing in the spout. I want to say Pennzoil was one of the last companies to switch to plastic, and we got it in cans.

[@patriciawallace511]

Thankyou!

[@Preppermamaw]

I have a Coleman camp stove. Need more propane bottles. Walmart shelves are already empty!

[@matthewsresilientways]

This time of year is always difficult to find propane because of camping and bad weather. If you really have trouble, Crisco (or other brands of cooking grease) can be used to easily make candles. It's not a lot of heat, but it can be enough to boil water with some patience.

[@cellis3045]

No. 1...don't fancy storing propane fuel anywhere either in or near my home in case it blows everything up...and no. 2 the soda can method looks dangerous...that flame is far too wild...

[@pietersleght8235]

Solo Burner on Amazon for $19.99..... denatured alcohol is best.

[@matthewsresilientways]

I just did a video on an even cheaper stove.