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

I love that I have finally bought my trangia set. I still have my rucksack and walking boots. Just need to add a bit of meths and off I go, into the wilderness again. Much better than pontificating about what people should not spend their money on

Also very useful as in prepping for a power outage

DaisyAnne

I shan't mind a flask upgrade Fleurpepper. If the cost of energy doesn't come down, they may come in useful even if the "plan" doesn't have to be put into action.

However, it seems Putin will not back down, so I feel it best that I am prepared.

Yes, it's almost impossible to fill flasks with narrow neck with 'chunky' soups, etc- so they are great. You can also buy a wide 'stemmed' funnel.

Just thought of something else, and looked for them in cupboard. I've inherited from my grand-parents, 3 glass deep dishes with metal lid, where you can put 1, 2, or 3 tealights to keep dishes warm. Never thought they might come in handy again one day! lol.

The plan is there for you to see. You seem to think it is big and clever to remain ignorant of the facts. Elegran summed up the plan

That’s very personal and insulting DaisyAnne - I don’t claim to be “big” or “clever” just pragmatic. Oddly enough I am not ignorant of the facts either.
For what it is worth, I have several Thermos flasks, regular and wide necked (used to use for making yogurt) which I can fill with boiling water or tomato soup - as long as we know in advance.
I can live on bread and cheese if necessary while it lasts, and make my own preparations for an outage . Worst case scenario I get the kettle barbecue out of the garage We are quite used to power cuts where we live, anyway. I have candles, torches and nightlights, and know to keep my fridge and freezer shut in the event of a power cut .
Yes it might be inconvenient and I am not denigrating Elegran’s helpful information, but to accuse me of thinking I am “big” or “clever” is way out of order. Calm down.

What happens if you are on the at risk list?

Very useful idea fleurpepper. Has the lid got a few holes it? Tealights will burn the available oxygen and go out, so it would need some holes. I expect a metal tin would also work. I have a good one upstairs and could drill some holes and it would sit safely on my stone hearth.

I bought a couple of lsmall ightweight metal cake tins, for my air fryer. They would be ideal to fill with soup, cover with foil and place on top of metal over t lights. Plus providing some room warmth at the same time

yes, I have often seen them in Indian restaurants- the lid is made of heat proof metal, and cut with lovely designs.

Just found a few modern versions here

www.amazon.co.uk/tea-light-food-warmer/s?k=tea+light+food+warmer&tag=gransnetforum-21

DaisyAnne
I assume I’m one of the people will ask neighbours for help
Having lived for 20 years off grid I can assure you that we are more than capable of surviving ? for 3 hrs without mains facilities.
As for asking neighbours, we are usually the people who they come to for help.

25Avalon

What happens if you are on the at risk list?

They aren’t able to isolate power supply to individual homes, but this article explains the processes.
www.theguardian.com/business/2022/oct/06/uk-power-cut-warning-prompts-fear-for-people-using-life-saving-machines
When I worked in the NHS, we always had a big spike in admissions when there were power cuts, due to both people on lifesaving equipment at home needing a constant supply so being admitted, and people having falls and other accidents.

I live in a village without gas. So if only the electricity is switched off I will cook in the dreaded AGA which has a cool oven for casseroles. We also have a log burner in the lounge which at a push I think we could boil a kettle on. So at first sight not badly of warmth at both ends of the house and the ability to cook. Though if oil prices soar then we are in the same pickle as everyone else. We have a selection of torches candles and night light at the ready as we often have power cuts.

We live rural so we are used to power cuts and no gas (though we have oil which relies on electricity for the boiler and timers to work!) and I'm still worried about there being planned power cuts

I think I'll rely on cold food for shorter periods because, unless you have something that cooks foods through properly, there are risks to "warming" food. We do have a Gas BBQ so if things get more lengthy, we can cook.
I am not worried for us, I am worried about how the Care Homes will cope.

i live on sandwiches and salad, always have the fridge well stocked with cold meats and cheese and plenty of bread, there is a torch sitting on my coffee table and one in my bedside drawer, even at 59 i am still scared of the dark (trauma abuse as a child). i burn scented tea light candles most nights but i do have some bigger ones if needed.

So most of the people who said they were not going to spend money buying camping stoves, wide-necked flasks etc, already have these things, or barbecue stoves and similar ways of heating food if they are needed So why do they condemn others who don't go camping, hold barbecues, kept their fondu sets and so on?

Some of us are already prepared, some are having to start from scratch. Some don't think they will want a hot meal or drink while their blackout block is running. Others would like that as a comfort.

Has anyone condemned anyone?

I had not thought of it before this thread, then I realised, that I had quite a few things that could help, if and when.

I can’t speak for anybody else but I have not condemned anybody!

Some of the comments on here remind me of the league of gentleman sometimes. I don't think it matters what 'others' are deciding to do. Why are people taking everything so personal? Do you think it's because we feel insecure at how the world is atm and it becomes difficult to be rational? (I am being serious)

Christmas Day meal timings could be interesting.

MawtheMerrier

^The plan is there for you to see. You seem to think it is big and clever to remain ignorant of the facts. Elegran summed up the plan^

That’s very personal and insulting DaisyAnne - I don’t claim to be “big” or “clever” just pragmatic. Oddly enough I am not ignorant of the facts either.
For what it is worth, I have several Thermos flasks, regular and wide necked (used to use for making yogurt) which I can fill with boiling water or tomato soup - as long as we know in advance.
I can live on bread and cheese if necessary while it lasts, and make my own preparations for an outage . Worst case scenario I get the kettle barbecue out of the garage We are quite used to power cuts where we live, anyway. I have candles, torches and nightlights, and know to keep my fridge and freezer shut in the event of a power cut .
Yes it might be inconvenient and I am not denigrating Elegran’s helpful information, but to accuse me of thinking I am “big” or “clever” is way out of order. Calm down.

I have looked back at what your post said. The "THREE HOURS!!!! -honestly folk " set the tone. The tone of that post was one of deprecation, personal insult and belittling.

You were talking to people as if they cannot work out for themselves what they, not other people, need. In a pleasant and reasoned conversation, posters considered the possibility of anything from the odd shutdown to continuous, possibly increasing, three-hour energy shutdowns and how it would affect them - personally. They hoped to get ideas that suited them - individually. They looked their needs in a world that has changed dramatically from the quoted 1970s, as have our ages.

If you want people to treat you like a pleasant person joining a reasoned and helpful conversation to get hints and tips, I think it is worth posting as if you are that person - not someone out to antagonise others.

My worry is being caught out by an unexpected power cut in the evening and not being able to find things suddenly in the dark. Can't keep everything constantly on view. At the mo camping lantern, wide necked thermos, candles etc are in the garage - no room for bulky extra items in utility room.

DH claims that one decent-sized torch kept downstairs and one upstairs will be quite sufficient - but I say Hmm.

I well remember the '70s with 3 young DDs underfoot and how trying it was even with notice, so have bought a couple of cyclists head torches for ease of moving about in the dark and am wondering where to keep them. ...

Ahem
@DaisyAnne - as you will have realised those were not my words but Franbern and while I said I agreed with them, , I did not say them
But hey, never let the facts get in the way of a pile-on .

Franbern

I am not making any arrangements. IF.......and it is still a very big IF, I get a three hour outage, I think I can manage to survive without having to worry about no 'hot food'!!!

Assuming we have notice of these outage (should they occur - (and will probably not), I may consider filling a jug flask with hot water, but that will be all.

THREE HOURS!!!! -honestly folk - are you going out and spending money on purchasing camping cooking items for that sort of outage time???? I will save that money and use it for keeping my flat nice and warm the rest of the time.

@DaisyAnne - in case you are not familiar with the Quote facility - you will see the author of the relevant post at the top.

icanhandthemback

I think I'll rely on cold food for shorter periods because, unless you have something that cooks foods through properly, there are risks to "warming" food. We do have a Gas BBQ so if things get more lengthy, we can cook.
I am not worried for us, I am worried about how the Care Homes will cope.

locals here would rally round the local care home, although I do expect that they would have generators. Nice to be in a caring and close community.

If you want people to treat you like a pleasant person joining a reasoned and helpful conversation to get hints and tips, I think it is worth posting as if you are that person - not someone out to antagonise others

Such good advice - pity more people don’t take it! .

We have a barbecue and, if necessary, DH can cook on there.
If it's just electricity then we have a gas hob, we thought of changing to one of those new electric hobs but luckily didn't get around to it.

We used to have camping equipment but got rid of it years ago.
When we first moved in here the power used to go off frequently, a fault which the electricity board eventually discovered and rectified but we had our Gaz stove then.