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

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

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

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.

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.

Wood barbecue, and camping gas stove.

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.

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?

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've got a gas cooker.

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’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.

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

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

Sandwich, salad, anti pasta with wine and water.

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.

Like DaisyAnne we have plug in PIR lights, on by each external door, one on the landing and one in the hallway. I highly recommend them.
Whilst on the subject of endorsed products, can I use this opportunity to give many, many thanks to you, karmalady, for the information and advice about perfect fit window blinds? We had been unaware of this impressive system until you posted; your approval seals the deal.

I haven’t got the brain power to worry about this to be honest if gas and electric are blacked out at the same time (extremely unlikely) I ll eat cold food
I honestly couldn’t care less people are living underground in Ukraine and my family managed in the war I managed in the 70 s with 3 small kids and I ll manage again
It isn’t worth a minutes worry it’s not happened it may not happen just live for now

My new cooker works with manual lighting espee so think you were told wrong

Esspee Gas cooker knobs have to be pushed in and held while they light. Once you let go, unless they are lit the gas supply is cut off. That is the safety device.

Providing you light the gas while pushing and holding the knob in, it doesn't matter how you light it: automatic lighting system, independent gas lighter or matches, or flaming brand. The key thing is that the knob is being held in.

We already have 4 small portable gas cookers in the garage
( they are blue) which we use during power cuts, when we got them from Amazon a few years ago they were only £14.99 each, as we have an electric cooker they get used quite often as they are quicker than Electric to cook certain things, they have been very useful and we use them with a camping kettle and saucepans which are lighter and heat up quickly.

DH is a fisherman, so we have a shed full of off grid cookers, heaters, lights etc. We also have a gas BBQ. I'm more worried about cold water washes.
As others have said, it'll only be a few hours. We'll just have to adapt our usual habits.

We’ve bought extra gas canisters for the camping stove.
If given prior notice of the cuts, we’ll eat hot meals at other times and use the camping stove just for cups of tea. To make the gas go further, I’ll fill flasks with boiling water when the electric is on and bring it back to the boil on the camping stove. I might also keep a small jug of milk out of the fridge at those times to minimise opening the fridge door.
We’ve a good supply of dried noodles in case we have lots of stir fries.

And retreating to bed with a torch or camping lamp sounds good too!,

If it’s only a few hours then I will use flasks with hot soup . The slow cooker stays warm for quite a long time so can make a casserole in advance and then wrap the switched off slow cooker in a blanket if necessary.
The gas hob can be lit with a match too so plenty of options here ?

If we were given a 3 hour window I could cope round that, I would probable go to bed with my wind up torch and battery radio.

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
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