Fuel Options for Cooking

[Oddball]

I'll start by lamenting (again) the fact that I'm one person in an apartment. I was reviewing my supplies this morning and I really have to get serious about how I'm going to heat or even cook some of the stuff. Sure, a lot of canned food can be eaten cold if necessary. But, what about rice and dried beans and meat? The stuff in the freezer would need to be cooked and eaten right away.

My preference is (was) propane. But in an apartment, storing even a couple of #20s or a bunch of #1s doesn't sound prudent. What about sterno? You can get 8oz. cans that are said to burn for 2 hours. Having enough of them to carry you any length of time means lots of weight and bulk. But since it doesn't look like I'll be bugging out, would sterno be a viable option? I know nothing of pellets, but should I consider those? Shoot, maybe I shouldn't write off propane so fast. What do you guys think? Living in an urban setting with no ability to bug out, about all I can prepare for is a loss of utilities (electric only, here). Logic tells me bugging in in a real SHTF scenario would be catastrophic.

[Rustyshakelford]

I'll start by lamenting (again) the fact that I'm one person in an apartment. I was reviewing my supplies this morning and I really have to get serious about how I'm going to heat or even cook some of the stuff. Sure, a lot of canned food can be eaten cold if necessary. But, what about rice and dried beans and meat? The stuff in the freezer would need to be cooked and eaten right away.

My preference is (was) propane. But in an apartment, storing even a couple of #20s or a bunch of #1s doesn't sound prudent. What about sterno? You can get 8oz. cans that are said to burn for 2 hours. Having enough of them to carry you any length of time means lots of weight and bulk. But since it doesn't look like I'll be bugging out, would sterno be a viable option? I know nothing of pellets, but should I consider those? Shoot, maybe I shouldn't write off propane so fast. What do you guys think? Living in an urban setting with no ability to bug out, about all I can prepare for is a loss of utilities (electric only, here). Logic tells me bugging in in a real SHTF scenario would be catastrophic.

How about something like this?

http://www.target.com/Weber-Charcoal-Go-Anywhere-Grill/dp/B00004RALJ/ref=sc_qi_detaillink?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_r=1FWX0D2EVH3G25P9ZGWB&pf_rd_p=436115101&pf_rd_i=B00004RALJ&pf_rd_s=right-1&pf_rd_m=A1VC38T7YXB528&pf_rd_t=5101

[Oddball]

I just knew you'd link me to your famous "Can Stove" thread! ;) But no, you came up with a K.I.S.S. option instead!

A grill is probably the most practical and likely option. The only issue I have is that it can only be safely used outdoors.....which is the last place I'll want to be. Using sterno for any length of time would probably require some ventilation. But, that would be easier and safer than being outdoors advertising my presence. Of course, I guess propane would need to be strictly outdoors, too. Right?

[Zombie Axe]

http://zombieaxe.blogspot.com/2008/11/ramblings-on-optimus-nova-backpacking.html

This little jewel is a multifuel stove that will burn just about any Petro fuel. Kerosene is a fuel that can be more safely stored than gasoline or propane. Plus if you hafta scavenge you can burn diesel or gas in it in a pinch... It is also very effecient in that it burns very little fuel to boil water! If you are cooking, it still burns little fuel compared to other methods

Hopefully you can do this out on a balcony as I wouldn't wanna do this inside...

I would also look into the Volcano II stove. It uses charcoal or wood. This was a weakness in my own area as I have plenty of wood but not a good way to have a small focused stove to use the dutch ovens on. That was until I got this stove: http://www.volcanostoves.com/

IF you can use a charcoal grill at your apartment then you should be able to use the Volcano II as well. The outside body (and legs) remain cool to the touch. I have a friend that has enough charcoal stored for a year to meet his cooking needs. It also does not use as much fuel as other methods so it really fills a survivalists needs :)

Oh yeah... It will also grill as well.

[Rustyshakelford]

I just knew you'd link me to your famous "Can Stove" thread! ;) But no, you came up with a K.I.S.S. option instead!

A grill is probably the most practical and likely option. The only issue I have is that it can only be safely used outdoors.....which is the last place I'll want to be. Using sterno for any length of time would probably require some ventilation. But, that would be easier and safer than being outdoors advertising my presence. Of course, I guess propane would need to be strictly outdoors, too. Right?

Unless you want to get real light headed, and then just fall asleep forever. I was thinking you might have a balcony at your crib. The famous (infamous) can stove, after I put my range fire out at the homestead, did not put out any toxic fumes that I could determine. Maybe a combo of both?

What I like about the BBQ is that you can do a whole lot of cooking with just a couple of chunks of charcoal.

[Zombie Axe]

http://www.volcanostoves.com/index.pmg/page-builder/pageid-8

From the Volcano Website:

It happens!

Power Outages. Hurricanes. Tornadoes. Ice Storms. Floods. Earthquakes. Blizzards. Are you prepared? With a Volcano you can cook two meals a day for two to three weeks on 25 lbs. of charcoal briquets.

“Cook it on a Volcano, It’ll Cook Anything!”

[voodoo]

Sterno or Eco Fuel are good choices, and you can find them cheap if you search the auction sites. They come in 6-8 hour versions as well. Military Trioxane is also very good and cheap. Burns hot. Build a rocket stove. Google it. Similar idea to the Volcano, but cheap and easy to make out of coffee cans. Uses very little fuel. Almost any method will require venting, just crack a window open 1/2".

[oly]

Unless you want to get real light headed, and then just fall asleep forever. I was thinking you might have a balcony at your crib. The famous (infamous) can stove, after I put my range fire out at the homestead, did not put out any toxic fumes that I could determine. Maybe a combo of both?

What I like about the BBQ is that you can do a whole lot of cooking with just a couple of chunks of charcoal.

No doubt about the carbon monoxide poisoning. Seems like every natural disaster people will fire up a generator in there garage or something.
A couple of weeks ago there was a family that didnt wont to BBQ out side in the cold so they opened the garage door and fired up the BBQer, they was treated for CO poisoning.

[Oddball]

Excellent suggestions, as always! I seriously appreciate all your suggestions. You have to be real careful around here or you'll learn something without even trying!

That said, I'm not trying to be contentious....just realistic. I don't have a balcony (first floor apartment), so cooking outdoors really is a negative. There's justification for more than one option though, and a volcano or more traditional grill will be incorporated. I'm definitely looking into voodoo's rocket stove idea!

Don't let my comments deter further ideas. For all the posters on this site, there are likely plenty of lurkers. We need to get as many people as possible thinking about this stuff. I'll keep posting and let them see that at Xcolony, there aren't any dumb questions! :cool:

[Rustyshakelford]

Excellent suggestions, as always! I seriously appreciate all your suggestions. You have to be real careful around here or you'll learn something without even trying!

That said, I'm not trying to be contentious....just realistic. I don't have a balcony (first floor apartment), so cooking outdoors really is a negative. There's justification for more than one option though, and a volcano or more traditional grill will be incorporated. I'm definitely looking into voodoo's rocket stove idea!

Don't let my comments deter further ideas. For all the posters on this site, there are likely plenty of lurkers. We need to get as many people as possible thinking about this stuff. I'll keep posting and let them see that at Xcolony, there aren't any dumb questions! :cool:

How about a 12 volt battery and this little jewel:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=158880

[Oddball]

Now, that's something I never thought of! Might not be a 'Plan A' item. But like I said before, I think having lots of options is the way to go. I'll have a car full of gas in the garage and probably won't be using it for travel. Thanks for the new idea, Rusty!

[Rustyshakelford]

Now, that's something I never thought of! Might not be a 'Plan A' item. But like I said before, I think having lots of options is the way to go. I'll have a car full of gas in the garage and probably won't be using it for travel. Thanks for the new idea, Rusty!

Here it is.




Heat things up while on the go with this 12 - Volt Portable Stove.


Hungry? This handy 12-volt Portable Stove warms food to 300°F and is easy to bring along. Can be used to heat most kinds of pre-cooked food. Ideal for stews, beans, chops, rice meals, hot dishes / goulash and so on. Doesn't consume much power but will heat a good-sized portion in approx. one hour.
Details:

Plugs into most 12V lighter-type sockets
Heats to approx 300°
Includes 15 Amp fused 5 1/2' power cord
CE certified
Approx. 8" l. x 3 3/4" w. x 5" h.
Your ticket to hot eats! Order ONLINE Today!

[Zombie Axe]

http://www.scientificutility.com/prod_heat.htm

I prefer the magic heat stoves over Sterno and other types of gelled alcohol...

Of course the little stove that lazer got us to start making, soda can stove, will get a pot of water boiling much quicker than any Sterno or Magic Heat stove... and you could use it inside the home (still need to crack a window). The fuel is also easy to store and the soda can stove uses VERY little fuel!!!

So there is another option for ya:cool:

[flight or fight]

Another option is to buy an inverter and a hot plate burner. I just picked up an inverter we got in for $20 that plugs in your cigarette lighter and converts 12 volt power to a regular plug in.

[Oddball]

Nice ideas! All of them! Each seems to have its practical application. Magic Heat looks like a good product for someone in my situation since it can be reused, won't evaporate and can be used indoors. Since no one knows exactly what calamity awaits them, a variety of cooking methods is probably the best idea. I now have good options for indoors and outdoors. Hopefully, the worst I'll have to deal with is a lack of utilities as opposed to riots and mahem. Preparing to take care of myself while riding a gap in creature comforts is about the best I can do on my own. All your ideas make me feel much better about my ability to do that. Sure appreciate everyone's suggestions!