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

Sorry not read all posts but several mention hot water bottles. Be careful of older ones as the rubber degrades even if not used. There are new ones now for a couple of pounds more maybe but made out of silicone so hopefully last better.

Esspee

I thought cookers today wouldn’t allow the gas to flow if the electric ignition wasn’t functioning. It is a compulsory safety feature, so I was told.

Our gas cooker works when the electric ignition cannot - our cooker is very basic due to its size. Perhaps posher cookers have more safety features?

Oopsadaisy1

Forgot to mention that I have replaced the under cupboard lights in the kitchen with ‘motion detector under cupboard lights’ they are plug in to recharge lights, are just as bright as the electric ones which kept going out, after an expensive visit from an electrician they packed up again after a year or so, so we’ve replaced them.
I’ve bought another one to tuck under the bathroom cabinet and another to light the hallway. Handy for anyone getting up in the night who has a step in the way and handy for power cuts.
One charge lasts us for about a month for the kitchen lights, then I just plug them in with a usb to recharge.

Many of these are really useful for "staying safe" at any time regardless of electricity cuts. Thank you Oopsadaisy. I had thought of looking at the under-cupboard lights for general use so will put that one on my list.

I’ve Got a gas hob and electric oven…so I’m safe from whatever gets turned off. My friend is all electric….so she’s got herself a little calor gas camping stove…. and her son uses it for camping trips as well….I think you have to just refill the little canisters of gas or buy a new one…. it’s so handy.

Sipti1983

DaisyAnne

I hope I'm not beginning to sound like a prepper, but this is another little niggle I have. I have realised I need another flask (unless I find where I have hidden the second one) and then I can have soup and hot drinks, but I do wonder if there is anything I can do so I can actually cook.

(I think the other flask was "borrowed" to be honest)

To be honest, if this does happen (and I am not convinced it will - no proof just a gut feeling) the power will only be off for a couple of hours - I think 2 hrs at a time twice a week, so I think it will be easy enough to eat before or wait until it comes back on. Its a pain but its not the end of the world. Shouldn't happen (if it does) but most folk can wait for 2 hours before they eat.

I think you have missed earlier posts Siptil983.

Like you, I would like to believe it will not happen. However, the conversation was about people suggesting what they, knowing their age, limitations and circumstances, have found they could include in their own homes to suit them.

The information Elegran passed on to us earlier was that far from just being a simple 2-hour switch-off, the plan suggests it will be an initial three hours at a time. That is not just a one-off 3-hour block but, at Level 1, it is three, three-hour blocks in a week. Some would have four such blocks. Sometimes they are on a separate day but sometimes two blocks are on the same day.

By Level 3 of a plan that extends to Level 18, most would have three three-hour blocks on each of two, sometimes consecutive days, plus other single blocks.

It does seem at least a little arrogant to come on to a thread, not read it, and then decide you know better than others what they should do. If you can wait your assumed 2 hours, great. If others want to be prepared for the proposed 3 hours, 6 hours or greater until they have a hot meal, that is their choice. They know what they need or what they would like to be in a position to do. Opinions on what others choose to do are irrelevant.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/995049/esec-guidance.pdf

Have a camping stove and extra gas cylinders - used this when elecricity was being installed - alsi top if the wood burner. Have the usual candles and a wind up lantern. Because of where I live we are used to losing electricity, especially in stormy weather!

Daisyanne, it's a good idea to plan ahead. I have a gas hob which I can light with a match of there is no electric. I also have a gas fire for heat. And of course plenty of candles. If you have an idea when it's going off you could charge your phone and tablets ahead of time.

Luckily our touring caravan is on the drive with batteries charged. We'll just go & sit in there with the dog - it has Calor gas heating/cooker, lights and fridge + sockets are battery run and there is a toilet in there too. I can cook in there, make hot drinks, watch tv & if I run an ext lead into the router we'll have Wi-fi as well. I might not want to come back indoors lol.

Have battery operated lamps, battery operated candles for a cosy glow and torches. My iPad and iPhone are always pretty well charged so I can read and watch TV for a while. Sandwiches are fine! Will only be for a few hours so I’m not too concerned. And there’s always chocolate!!

I've already got a cast iron kettle for hot drinks on the wood burner.

I'm very much a prepper (and I wouldn't be any other way) but I hadn't prepped for possible power cuts particularly as yet. Seeing this thread I dug out loads of tea lights and put them ready in tea light holders and replaced batteries in a torch. Then I ordered four hot water bottles with knitted covers at half price online ( from a chemist beginning with L). If we arrive in power cut land I shall keep cooked casseroles and stews ready in the fridge and pop them onto the woodburner (which I had fitted this February in anticipation of Russia messing with Gas prices) to warm up and fill the whole with the scent of safety and warmth. I will get my wool blankets out of the loft next and wash them ready to sit on the arms of sofas and chairs. I don't think I'll buy a camping stove as back up as yet- but might give in later on.

I'm not too fussed about having a hot meal but will miss my hot drinks if I am caught unawares.
Snuggled in a blanket in candle light sounds ok to me. Who knows what we might find to do to keep warm !
I do have some solar panel table lights that will come in handy. Now where did I put those?

Have a wooden box with hay. Bring food to the boil on the (gas) cooker, and put it in the box (lid closed) for it too cook by residual heat (save fuel). Also, the candle thing for cheese fondue works, too, if all you need is to keep food warm... Or you can go in the yatrd and tinker with crayons and cloth and bits of oil to make a flame in food tins (on soil not on the ground because they will leave a mark), and place the pot on a tripod. Also - learn to like raw vegetables.

Hot plate on top of the log burner plus camping gas ring. But will try to be prepared if given notice with flasks etc.

I only have electricity in my kitchen so no alternative cooking source.

It's unlikely we'd have long power cuts, especially if they are planned as in the 70's so I suppose I'd aim to eat when we had power. I think I would simply get meals ready in advance and microwave it when the power came on, or cook something in a slow cooker and keep the whole thing wrapped in towels if necessary.

If you keep a cooked joint you can always make sandwiches which we like, particularly gammon. I have a manual rotary slicer which is very useful for this.

Or things to eat cold like spanish omelette are always nice for a meal.

We are lucky enough to have a gas BQ and we have a wood burner so we’d be ok. Won’t be the first time I have BQ in the snow and rain

I wouldn't. As we are most likely to know exactly when they are I will either eat before or after. Or make a sandwich for now. It only going to be 3 hours I think I can last that long with a sandwich and a packet of crisps. Maybe a few chocolate buttons.

Forgot to mention that I have replaced the under cupboard lights in the kitchen with ‘motion detector under cupboard lights’ they are plug in to recharge lights, are just as bright as the electric ones which kept going out, after an expensive visit from an electrician they packed up again after a year or so, so we’ve replaced them.
I’ve bought another one to tuck under the bathroom cabinet and another to light the hallway. Handy for anyone getting up in the night who has a step in the way and handy for power cuts.
One charge lasts us for about a month for the kitchen lights, then I just plug them in with a usb to recharge.

Hopefully we’ll be forewarned of power cuts so the helpful suggestions on here will ensure we survive, one way or another!
We’re used to unpredictable power cuts here so I make sure we have torches, batteries and candles, matches and lighters. At least we can use the gas hob so not too worried really. If the gas goes off too I’m sure I can adapt to that too ?

With continual power cuts in our rural location in the early 1990s we invested in a generator. One Christmas Day one year I cooked the entire Christmas Dinner in stages using the generator.

Power lines were upgraded in the late 1990s but we still experience the occasional power failure down to strong winds and snow in north-east Scotland.

We’ve coped well, thanks to our ‘Genny Genie’ and will continue to do so!

Casdon

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.

I would strongly advise against re-heating anything on a plate warmer, as I doubt the temperature will be high enough to kill dangerous bacteria and vira. Most need at least 70 degree centigrade to kill them.

If you have a food thermometer, I suggest you try heating a dish on your plate-heater to see how long it takes to reach a safe temperature. In the professional kitchens where I have worked, dishes being kept warm on a plate-warmer were the first thing any sanitary inspector who turned up at lunch time checked, and usually told us that the food was not fit for human consumption , which lead to a fine.

Reheating on a log burner is a better option, but it takes far longer than heating something on an electric hob, so put it on in good time.

We use the gas bbq if power is of for any long length of time x

Sandwiches, crisps and cakes for me !

Thankyou karmalady!
Your mention of a neck torch has reminded me that I have a head torch somewhere. I bought it many years ago for visits to my daughter and family in Cheshire. They were in their first house and I used to travel up from Berkshire with a folding bed which could be unfolded in the room her partner used as an office in the day. I used the head torch to read in bed as there was no lamp nearby and I was too lazy to get out of bed to turn off the ceiling light!
Must find it and check the batteries as it could be very useful in a power cut. I think they're mostly used by campers.

DaisyAnne

I hope I'm not beginning to sound like a prepper, but this is another little niggle I have. I have realised I need another flask (unless I find where I have hidden the second one) and then I can have soup and hot drinks, but I do wonder if there is anything I can do so I can actually cook.

(I think the other flask was "borrowed" to be honest)

To be honest, if this does happen (and I am not convinced it will - no proof just a gut feeling) the power will only be off for a couple of hours - I think 2 hrs at a time twice a week, so I think it will be easy enough to eat before or wait until it comes back on. Its a pain but its not the end of the world. Shouldn't happen (if it does) but most folk can wait for 2 hours before they eat.