Emergency Food

If I didn't have a generator for power outages I would need a way to heat things.
A coleman butane burner is around $20, it's a great thing to have during outages. We camp alot so I have one of those, and a double propane burner. They are perfect to break out during outages so you can heat things up, especially water to make coffee. I think I can go without anything else but I need my coffee in the morning!
 
We survived 3 days with no electricity after Superstorm Sandy.
I would also say stock up on disposable plates, cups, utensils and foil disposable pans.
A hand held can opener was necessary.
Trying to wash dishes by candlelight with cold water got old fast
 


If you were going to be without power for up to 5 days what food would you buy/stock?
Protein bars, Vega protein powder, water, bananas, canned coffee, some snacks, peanut butter. We’ve been out about 5 days during a storm. It’s boring, but not that bad. The main thing is that you realize how early it gets dark out.
 


Had to do this after a Hurricane where we were without power for 5 weeks. Everybody on our street fired up their grills and we cooked our frozen food that was thawing, and that was fun for a few days. Then it got rough. :D

What I recall is I ate a lot of PB&J and canned stuff--sardines and crackers, tuna, Spaghetti Os, etc. It wasn't especially nutritious, to say the least. If I had to do it again I'd throw in nuts and dried fruit.

I have to ask, where were you living? The most we've not had power was 3-4 days. I can't imagine 5 weeks!!
 
The times when I have been without power for longer periods of time, my biggest issue was boredom at night when it got dark and I wasn't ready to sleep. Make sure you have a solar charger for your devices and a way to light your home in the evenings. We had to keep flashlights in the bathrooms and used glow sticks from the dollar store (the kind you break and shake up) to illuminate the top of our stairs. Being able to play music or have a radio is good way to avoid the "deafening" quiet when all of the background hum of appliances goes away.


when we were making arrangements for our whole house generator we had to pick and choose a few things not to include on it b/c we had some others that were essential and would draw more than normal (than the standard 'whole house') like our well pump. i was going though the choices w/the contractor and he was initaly shocked to hear me say i would opt out of washer/dryer if it meant retaining full power in all 3 bedrooms such that tv and internet could be sustained. then i explained how old my kids were and asked if he could imagine trying to deal, in the absence of any electronic video games or movies...with the 2 of them for the about 16 hours of sheer darkness we routinely have during the winter. he thought for a split second and said 'nope, i've got kids too-clean clothes come second to your sanity':teeth:

as far as temp lighting goes-those magnetic (and velcro sticky back) battery operated led light switches are fantastic. you flip them like a light switch and if you want can set them on a timer. they sell at the ups store for around $12 for a 2 pack. we got some to use in a couple of sheds.
 
We survived 3 days with no electricity after Superstorm Sandy.
...Trying to wash dishes by candlelight with cold water got old fast

One of my most favorite possessions is our GAS water heater. I have hot water even when I don't have power. It is lovely. Taking a hot shower by candlelight is actually kind of spa like.
 
Good question! I have to admit I don't know, off the top of my head, what I'd do. I should think it through so in case of an unanticipated crisis I wouldn't end up living off of chips and chocolate bars. :blush: Full disclosure: I've never in my entire life been through a power-outage of more than an hour or two and I've never gone camping or anything like that.
 
We can live with canned food for probably a month. After that we'll switch to Mountain House freeze dried. We have a propane camp stove and propane grill to heat food as needed.

We rotate about 30 cases of bottled water.
 
Assuming I'm stuck where I am for 5 days without a grill, I'd have loads of water, sardines, doritoes, canned chicken or tuna, bread, mandarin oranges and applesauce, Pb&J, and Lime-a-Rita. Everything's for my family except for the Lime-a-Rita. I'm going on a 5 day Lime-A-Rita fast while they eat.
 
Good question! I have to admit I don't know, off the top of my head, what I'd do. I should think it through so in case of an unanticipated crisis I wouldn't end up living off of chips and chocolate bars. :blush: Full disclosure: I've never in my entire life been through a power-outage of more than an hour or two and I've never gone camping or anything like that.
What's wrong with chips & chocolate?

This is my first experience with this possibility, thought word is now that my area won't lose power but things are pretty fluid right now. As for camping, as long as their is a bed & indoor plumping (aka a cabin) I'm all for it.
 
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One of my most favorite possessions is our GAS water heater. I have hot water even when I don't have power. It is lovely. Taking a hot shower by candlelight is actually kind of spa like.

We have a propane hot water heater, but well water. When we were without power for a week we had some nice hot water in the tank that we couldn't use. :sad1: We have friends in another part of town with city water, but an electric water heater who had plenty of water, but only cold.
 
I have to ask, where were you living? The most we've not had power was 3-4 days. I can't imagine 5 weeks!!
This was Naval Station Roosevelt Roads PR when Hurricane Hugo hit in 1989. We were without water for about 5 days. They got power for essential military operations & hospital via generator, but residential areas on base were without power for about 5 weeks.

Those of us on base were actually pretty fortunate. Residential areas off base were devastated. On base we didn't have power but aside from some broken windows in some residences, we were safe & our places were intact.
 
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friends in northern california are posting photos of lines of people at the gas pumps filling up in preparation for the shut down of power. family reports that their school district has already cancelled school for at least the next 2 or 3 days-and then it's on a wait and see basis for reopening.

what a mess.
 
friends in northern california are posting photos of lines of people at the gas pumps filling up in preparation for the shut down of power. family reports that their school district has already cancelled school for at least the next 2 or 3 days-and then it's on a wait and see basis for reopening.

what a mess.

Yep. Filled up this morning because I knew this evening would be crazy busy. Nearly 1 million people in Northern California are scheduled to lose power starting at midnight tonight.
 
Motorhome, full gas, w/generator and propane. 75 gallons of water onboard so hot water is easy. None of our food will spoil as I can run the generator to power the freezer/fridge in the house. But we also keep provisions like soup, noodles and things with a longer shelf life. Between the propane stove, oven and microwave in the RV we're good, but the BBQ can fire up to cook too.
 

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