More of this Feature • Part 1: Survival food pantry basics • Part 2: Emergency cooking equipment • Part 3: Survival Food Recipes

Related Resources • Cooking With Canned Goods • Expiration Date Terminology • Jerky Recipes • Disaster Preparedness Resources • Food Trivia Quiz • A to Z Food Glossary

Recipes • Canned Butter • Chicken Stir-Fried Ramen • Gado-Gado Spaghetti • More Survival Food Recipes • Main Recipe Index

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Emergency cooking equipment
If you have no power, you will not be able to rely upon those handy electrical appliances such as can openers, blenders, food processors and the like. Be sure to have manual equivalents, including a bottle opener. Tin foil comes in handy for packet meals on a campfire or grill. Reynolds HotBags Foil Bags are designed to be filled and set right on the grill. Plastic oven-proof cooking bags can be used on top of the stove in a pot of boiling water to warm canned goods with no dirty pot to clean and reusable water.

A gas barbecue grill is the most handy cooking tool to have around, and many of the newer ones even have a side burner to use with pots. Be sure to keep an extra tank of propane on hand. If you have a charcoal grill, stock up on charcoal or non-toxic wood.

If you don't have a grill, you may wish to invest in a camping stove, easily obtainable at most discount stores or camping supply houses. In an extreme emergency, you can make your own solar cooker from a box and tin foil. Keep a set of old pots and pans in case you need to use them on the grill.

A cast iron skillet and dutch oven will be lifesavers. If money is no object, you might want to consider self-heating meals for short-term emergencies, but be aware the convenience can be pricey, running an average of $5 US per individual meal. If you have a baby or small child, you can make your own baby food out of most meals. Just be sure to have a mortar and pestle, grater and/or potato masher on hand, and remember to go easy on the salt, herbs and spices.

Survival food tips and hints
•  First of all, if you have no power, you won't be able to check your computer for recipes, so make some hard copies of favorite recipes and place them in a notebook.
•  Disposable aluminum baking trays, paper plates, plastic utensils and paper towels will make your life much easier if there is a water shortage.
•  Don't forget to have a supply of plastic bags on hand for the non-burnable trash.
•  You can actually make gelatin without chilling if need be. Just reduce the recommended water down to one half to make a concentrated solution. It will take longer, but will set for a dessert treat.
•  A one-month supply for your family should be sufficient to get you through the crisis.
•  Start a garden in pots that can be sheltered from the elements when need be so you can have fresh herbs and vegetables.
•  Buy or can foods that you would eat even without an emergency.
•  Rotate your canned and packaged goods often. Codes on the packages and cans can tell you how old the food is.

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