What arrangements have you made for cooking should the energy be turned off?

I’m planning to cook the evening meal at lunchtime, and warm it up in the microwave at 7 when the lights come back on, that’s when we normally eat anyway. If the power doesn’t come back on, I’ll reheat on top of the logburner, but you could probably do the same with a candle operated platewarmer, they are very efficient.

Sandwich, salad, anti pasta with wine and water.

Ahhh nannagarra, you made my day, how very lovely of you

tbh, as well as handy cuppasoups, it looks as though any power cut will be rolling and we will get advance notice. I fully intend to live happily on sandwiches hard boiled eggs and salads in a blackout. They will keep nicely in my cold garage

I’m sure we’d be fine, if it’s a few hours we’d eat cold food, any longer we’ve a gas hob and bbq. It’s not something I’m fretting about.

I have two little "thingies" to light the gas cooker if necessary. I dont know what you call them. Its like a wand and you press a handle. They produce a small flame but only if you keep the handle depressed. You can use them to light a cigarette or candle if necessary. Safer than matches.

I've got a gas cooker.

I agree Urmstongran we will manage. Even those with food issues will sort it out. Those with any condition exacerbated by cold, will find a way. However, what is so great about simply "managing"?

I think dry food and a flask of hot water would/could keep people fed and warm if the cut-off were to continue, so that's a good idea. I have never found anything like that I can eat (our dried food has a lot of unexpected ingredients in it ). However, it makes me think an extra, extra flask with porridge in it might be an idea.

I was the "mum" in the 70s Redhead. You were not the responsible one; your mother was. I'm sure she didn't want you to worry. We had an extra coal ration as we didn't have any central heating (we did soon after all that!). We did have a 6-month-old baby. But being in your 20s and being in your 70s are very different. Then I was both capable and responsible. Now I think others will feel they are somewhat responsible for me. Finding ways of being "capable" will be very different.

The ideas people are coming up with really do help. I, and others, may not be able to do exactly what they are doing but it can spark possibilities and I often hear of things I didn't know existed

I love my little camping gas stove and often use it regardless.
I'm buying tins of chunky soup etc. so all they need is heating up. Baked beans/spaghetti. Cup-a-soup. And fill a hot-water-botttle.
Is this really going to happen, do we think?

We have a supply of candles both scented and ordinary white candles.
We always have a torch ? handy, it's kept in the same place so it's easy to find in the dark. We have a log burning stove but it is set into the fireplace so no hot drinks available, but we are happy with cold food.
Sandwiches, scotch eggs, pies and biscuits.
My DH always has a good supply of juices and soda water so we will be fine.

Wood barbecue, and camping gas stove.

Nothing, no alternative means of cooking* unless we invest in a camping stove - if they’re not already sold out!

*except the barbecue, I forgot that - don’t know whether there’s still any charcoal, though.

Our stove is gas, so should be OK.
We have plenty of candles and a lighter. But, no candle holders. I suppose I could just put them in saucers?
I bought a camping stove with a supply of gas canisters, for small things to heat up.
Was thinking of getting a couple of head torches, for reading in bed.
Plenty of fleecy throws and duvets to keep us warm. But only 1 old hot water bottle.

I read the other day that power cuts are now thought to be very unlikely.

Auntieflo jam jars are safer, in case they fall over.

There’s a really good article here which describes exactly how power cuts might affect us, summarising the National Grid plans. We are being drip fed information, I think that means that they think that it’s more likely it will happen than it won’t - and there’s certainly no harm in being prepared anyway.
www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/read-this/uk-blackouts-the-exact-times-your-house-could-face-hours-of-power-cuts-this-winter-amid-energy-crisis-3888951

I read a tip somewhere about power cut prep, put some milk into the portable ice box to avoid opening the fridge. When I boil the kettle I always put the water into a big thermos anyway.

I'd get a new hot water bottle Auntieflo, a friend's has recently split soaking her mattress. Some of mine must be at least twenty years old, I'm replacing them.

My semi is 1960 and has a proper chimney. There is a gas flue going up the chimney but I guess the open fire could be reinstated. Is this feasible?

I haven't given it a thought.

We had a week without any electricity owing to storm damage. We burnt wood for heating and cooked on the BBQ. There was no hot water, either, so we went to my daughter’s for showers. Lots of candles for lighting. The fridge and freezers were off, of course, so we lost all the food and they gave us $200 compensation ( about half of the amount lost but we didn’t complain ).

We would probably have tuna sandwiches, tinned sardines or mackerel with tomatoes, cucumber etc, rolls or bread and butter, sausage rolls etc. Tinned potatoes are ok cold. Fruit juice, squash or water. It would be fine.

I'll cope for a few hours eating biscuits, cheese etc. I have a couple of charged up torches and lots of warm dressing gowns and duvets if it's cold. If I get enough warning I'll have something hot to eat and make a flask of coffee. I just went to Ikea and bought lots of candles.
I've lived in India where power cuts are very common, without any notice. Mind you it's warm there.

Being rural, we are all electric, no gas. Shall fill flask if given notice but no way of heating.

Thanks Razzamatazz I suppose I really should get a new Hottie.
M0nica, all my jam jars are full of Marmalade at the moment. ?

Thank you for the link Casdon. It used to be a British characteristic to "be prepared". It will be good if we are moving back to it. This sounds as if at least some of them are moving back to it.

I can't see a link to the actual plan though.