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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Just found a few modern versions here

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

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

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

What happens if you are on the at risk list?

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.

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.

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

I have a little portable flat plate hob that runs on gas canisters. I’ve seen similar ones used at cookery demonstrations. Unlike camping stoves there is no flame. I haven’t actually used it yet - it’s been my emergency back up for the past 20 years. I do have a gas cooker and I can light the hob with a long handled match if need be.
I’ve also replaced the batteries in the big lantern I’ve had for even more years. It will light up most of the room. I have also replaced my stock of candles which reminds me you could have a chaffing dish run off chaffing candles to keep food warm if already cooked - they have some cheap ones on Wayfair.

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.

I've had a large wide neck flask for many moons. Really useful for keeping soups, bolognese, stews, etc, warm for a long time.

Quote from Elegran is from ^ to ^

MawtheMerrier

^THREE HOURS!!!! -honestly folk - are you going out and spending money on purchasing camping cooking items for that sort of outage time???^.


I agree! We must all have lived through the 3/4 day weeks and power cuts of the 70’s, so why the panic!
I used to be very cross when my “area” at work had its power cut and we worked by the smelly camping lanterns provided and then I would go home to the flat (another part of London) and guess what?
Power cut. Heigh Ho. Survived!

Why do you say we will only have a shutdown for three hours when it isn't true? 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.

^It is good that there are plans made, DaisyAnne but of course if it does have to be done they will still have to implement the plans. As you say, it is by no means "only 3 hours" It is "3 hours at a time"

Even at the minimal Level One, everyone would have at least three of those three-hour blocks in a week, and some would have four. Some people would have two separate blocks on the same day, and another block on another day.

At level three almost everyone would have three blocks on each of two days, (sometimes consecutive days) plus other single blocks. And so on.

They will have problems getting this through to everyone - and there are detailed plans for up to eighteen levels! Let us hope it doesn't come to that!

All those people who say they are doing nothing to prepare are going to be rushing round like blue-arsed flies if the worst comes to the worst. Will they be relying on their neighbours for help?^

Ignorance of the facts is not a defence in law or in life. You can, of course, choose to be that person. But trying to tell others what to do, based on a lie is verging on criminal.

It is not "just three hours". It is not the "1970s". If you believe that - fine. However, please do not try and tell others that your ill-informed view is a fact. It isn't.

Yes I agree with others, 1st World Problem, 3 hours is that all there's always Weetabix or similar!

Thank you for the very interesting link elegran. Won`t it be wonderful if we only experience a power outage of three hours a couple of times a week, no doubt putins laughing henchmen are waiting in the wings to disrupt things here. Level 1 is ok, once it gets upwards of level 1, people are going to begin to struggle

No card payments, no petrol pumping, no dentists, and on it goes. Thing is that there are many people who would struggle to cope, so a bit of prep here and there would be very helpful for that `just in case` scenario. We are not all the same as the `I am all right jack` types

There are quite a few ordinary souls who might just need an idea or two

Urmstongran

For a 3 hour window and given advance warning too, I couldn’t be bothered to faff about for a hot meal. I’d make a sandwich!
#lazygran
?

I am also a #lazygran!

No one will starve in 3 hours.

I take it you are all very fit and mobile, and don't rely on being in a warm room because you don't move around and keep up your body heat? That you don't have babies and young children to care for with no way of heating formula? No elderly parents to worry about? That you are not living alone in a home that you can't afford to keep all that warm at the best of times so it will cool down faster than average. Already there are stories of people who can afford either to heat their home or to eat.

Yes, you survived, as did most of us the last time there were power cuts, but not everyone did, and many had a miserable time Those who got through it best were the ones who had made their plans ahead and not left it until the lights all went out.

THREE HOURS!!!! -honestly folk - are you going out and spending money on purchasing camping cooking items for that sort of outage time???.


I agree! We must all have lived through the 3/4 day weeks and power cuts of the 70’s, so why the panic!
I used to be very cross when my “area” at work had its power cut and we worked by the smelly camping lanterns provided and then I would go home to the flat (another part of London) and guess what?
Power cut. Heigh Ho. Survived!