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Original poster

Tips for surviving power cuts

60 replies

hellohellooo · 27/01/2025 14:32

Ahhhh two days and no electricity

We have no heat no way of heating up food
Etc

What has helped down through the years when you were in this position?
Argos all sold out of camping stoves

Going to order a generator
Anyone know how exactly they work??

Unprepared is an understatement

OP posts:
BlondeMamaToBe · 27/01/2025 14:34

I would book a cheap hotel.

Original poster
hellohellooo · 27/01/2025 14:35

Agree

Tempted to book a one way ticket out of here

I know it could be so much worse
Just trying to plan ahead for next time

OP posts:
Doechii · 27/01/2025 14:37

For now i would second the hotel or maybe an airbnb with power for next time though i have a fair few power cuts where i live, I have a couple of luminaid’s they’re awesome can light up the room and you could charge your phone off them but I only use them for light. I have a large jackery power station annd phone power banks and I always make sure they’re charged. Cooking isn’t a problem as my cooker runs on lpg gas canisters but in your shoes I’d make sure to have a camping stove for if there’s a next time and a couple of lighters.

Original poster
hellohellooo · 27/01/2025 14:38

The large jackery power station

Only just coming across these

Expensive?

OP posts:
Mamabear999 · 27/01/2025 14:39

Battery packs for phones etc.
BBQ for heating food
Seen someone fry eggs with tea lights and an oven tray over the top and then frying pan on top.
leave and go to friends or family
water heated on bbq for hot water bottles

Betteroutdoors · 27/01/2025 14:39

Are you thinking of a petrol generator? In which case fuel it up, fire it up and it produces electricity. You'll have to run it outside.

Another alternative would be something like a big power bank such as a Jackery, but probably no use now as they don't come fully charged.

If you want a plan for next time I think a decent sized power bank and a couple of simple camping stoves. We're lucky in that we have a camper van so could effectively live in that for up to a week if frugal with power

Original poster
hellohellooo · 27/01/2025 14:40

Great ideas

Yea too miserable with no heat

We are getting a wood burning stove soon

OP posts:
Original poster
hellohellooo · 27/01/2025 14:41

Betteroutdoors · 27/01/2025 14:39

Are you thinking of a petrol generator? In which case fuel it up, fire it up and it produces electricity. You'll have to run it outside.

Another alternative would be something like a big power bank such as a Jackery, but probably no use now as they don't come fully charged.

If you want a plan for next time I think a decent sized power bank and a couple of simple camping stoves. We're lucky in that we have a camper van so could effectively live in that for up to a week if frugal with power

Lucky you

Would love a camper van

So without sounding ridiculous
Diesel generator ?!!
How hard to get set up considering I'm clueless

OP posts:
Original poster
hellohellooo · 27/01/2025 14:42

Had the sense to charge everything before storm and got extra power packs at the ready too

Need to get some tea lights

OP posts:
Doechii · 27/01/2025 14:43

hellohellooo · 27/01/2025 14:38

The large jackery power station

Only just coming across these

Expensive?

I picked mine up in a sale I think it was around 400/500 but wanted it over a generator as can use it inside and I’ve been able to charge it via the relief van in the past that they bring out when there’s a power cut, obv the downside is if you have nowhere to charge it, you’re all out of luck when it runs out.

Original poster
hellohellooo · 27/01/2025 14:44

@Doechii will take a look now

Thank you

OP posts:
Rollercoaster1920 · 27/01/2025 15:01

I have a wood burner as an essential backup (gas heating needs electric to work). You also need a supply of wood of course!
being on mains gas with a lovely basic hob means a lighter allows us to light the hob and we can still cook. Also have a camp stove in the loft, and various battery torches.

I do have solar panels on the roof, but the setup needs to be connected to the mains to power the house so no good in a power cut. I could spend a lot to get a battery to allow panel use, but it's not economically sensible.

Keep half a tank of petrol so can drive to somewhere else if needed.

Most of these things require planning and prep. I'm terrible at keeping enough food and loo roll in the house. Luckily friends helped out during covid.

Original poster
hellohellooo · 27/01/2025 15:02

Rollercoaster1920 · 27/01/2025 15:01

I have a wood burner as an essential backup (gas heating needs electric to work). You also need a supply of wood of course!
being on mains gas with a lovely basic hob means a lighter allows us to light the hob and we can still cook. Also have a camp stove in the loft, and various battery torches.

I do have solar panels on the roof, but the setup needs to be connected to the mains to power the house so no good in a power cut. I could spend a lot to get a battery to allow panel use, but it's not economically sensible.

Keep half a tank of petrol so can drive to somewhere else if needed.

Most of these things require planning and prep. I'm terrible at keeping enough food and loo roll in the house. Luckily friends helped out during covid.

Good to know !!

Gosh it is never easy

Hard to stay ahead when this happens

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 27/01/2025 15:05

Have you looked at other places like Halfords, b&q etc for a camping stove? Amazon seem to have loads too.

Original poster
hellohellooo · 27/01/2025 15:06

QuestionableMouse · 27/01/2025 15:05

Have you looked at other places like Halfords, b&q etc for a camping stove? Amazon seem to have loads too.

Will take a look this evening

Would be great to have a couple just in case

OP posts:
Original poster
hellohellooo · 27/01/2025 15:07

@Rollercoaster1920 we have lots of wood but no stove yet 😝😝😝🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

OP posts:
iamnotalemon · 27/01/2025 15:09

You could buy a camping stove for heating up food. Torches and batteries. Candles. Thermos for hot water (if you know in advance). Also having some non perishable foods for these situations is great. Battery packs.

starfishmummy · 27/01/2025 15:11

Hubby thinks we don't need a camping stove (s) and I'm not overenamoured with having the gas canisters in the house myself (no shed) but we now have no gas cooker and no way of making any hot food if the electricity goes off.

DemonicCaveMaggot · 27/01/2025 15:16

We were without power for a week once. A tornado wrapped the pylons at the outlet of the local nuclear power station into a tangle and the whole city was without power.

When our house was built DH had asked the builder to double insulate our hot water tank, and we had a second hot water tank installed as that was an option for our house. The hot water lasted until day 4.

DH had a camping stove and we reheated meals from the freezer over it. We usually kept several days of meals in the freezer. The freezer stayed reasonably cold provided we didn't open and close it too often. My neighbour went to local restaurants as they had ice they were willing to give to people to fill coolers.

One thing we had a problem with was cash. Local stores couldn't take card payments and ATMs weren't working. We ended up driving 25 miles to a place with a working ATM and joined the long line there. Petrol was also an issue as petrol pumps local to us weren't working. I was worried if it went on too long we'd run out and not be able to drive away.

About four days in I tried doing laundry in the bath. It was horrible. We had a makeshift washing rope as the HOA didn't allow washing to be dried outside normally.

Original poster
hellohellooo · 27/01/2025 15:19

DemonicCaveMaggot · 27/01/2025 15:16

We were without power for a week once. A tornado wrapped the pylons at the outlet of the local nuclear power station into a tangle and the whole city was without power.

When our house was built DH had asked the builder to double insulate our hot water tank, and we had a second hot water tank installed as that was an option for our house. The hot water lasted until day 4.

DH had a camping stove and we reheated meals from the freezer over it. We usually kept several days of meals in the freezer. The freezer stayed reasonably cold provided we didn't open and close it too often. My neighbour went to local restaurants as they had ice they were willing to give to people to fill coolers.

One thing we had a problem with was cash. Local stores couldn't take card payments and ATMs weren't working. We ended up driving 25 miles to a place with a working ATM and joined the long line there. Petrol was also an issue as petrol pumps local to us weren't working. I was worried if it went on too long we'd run out and not be able to drive away.

About four days in I tried doing laundry in the bath. It was horrible. We had a makeshift washing rope as the HOA didn't allow washing to be dried outside normally.

My god!!!
How crazy

OP posts:
Original poster
hellohellooo · 27/01/2025 15:19

starfishmummy · 27/01/2025 15:11

Hubby thinks we don't need a camping stove (s) and I'm not overenamoured with having the gas canisters in the house myself (no shed) but we now have no gas cooker and no way of making any hot food if the electricity goes off.

Same here sadly

OP posts:
Original poster
hellohellooo · 27/01/2025 15:19

iamnotalemon · 27/01/2025 15:09

You could buy a camping stove for heating up food. Torches and batteries. Candles. Thermos for hot water (if you know in advance). Also having some non perishable foods for these situations is great. Battery packs.

Yes absolutely

OP posts:
Asvoria · 27/01/2025 15:20

We have a stove for warmth, a gas camping stove with spare gas cannisters and several paraffin/Tilley lamps for light. Dh has an inverter thing that runs off a car battery so we still have internet. We can heat water and have a wash from a large bucket. Apart from the washing machine we're just about the same as when electricity is on. Don't have a TV or gaming setup to worry about and no children or elderly person who would be in a tight spot by living a la 19th century for a little while.

Lovelysummerdays · 27/01/2025 15:23

We also had a power cut. Ahh the joys. A decent supply of easy to heat food. I have a wood stove so can heat things up or a kettle of water. Candles / lights. Battery packs. I have an in car one that’ll jump start your car / inflate a tyre. Also holds plenty of charge for phones.

GreyAreas · 27/01/2025 15:24

If you are without heating or hot food and in the UK, ring 105. Your power company might be doing food delivery vouchers, food vans or hotels.