Cook safely during a power outage
At the bare minimum, have one safe way to heat food that you've actually tried, like a camp stove used outside.
When the power goes out, the food in your fridge is on a clock and your stove may be dead. This is the order to eat things in, and how to cook without poisoning anyone with carbon monoxide.
YOU'LL NEED
- A camp stove with fuel
- A CO alarm with batteries
- A cooler and ice
- A fridge thermometer
- A lantern or headlamp
Instructions
- Keep the doors shut. A closed fridge stays cold about 4 hours. A full freezer stays frozen about 48 hours, or 24 if it's half full.
- Eat in this order. Fridge first, then freezer, then pantry. Your shelf-stable food lasts longest, so save it.
- Cook outside only. Never use a camp stove, grill or generator indoors or in a garage. Set up on a porch or patio at least 6 m from doors and windows.
- Use fuel wisely. Use one pot and keep the lid on. Turn the heat off early and let the pot finish cooking in a blanket wrap. Lentils and quick oats cook fastest.
- When in doubt, throw it out. Throw out meat, dairy and leftovers that have been above 4°C for more than 2 hours.
TIPS
- Freeze water jugs now. They keep the freezer cold and become drinking water.
- Keep a 3-day no-cook kit: peanut butter, crackers, canned fish, fruit cups.
Products to consider
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