Sensible (not panic!) prep ideas for if no power/electricity, etc.

[PrepNotPanic]

I’ve been scrolling through some of the threads on here, as I realised it’s probably sensible to do a bit of prepping. I generally have a sensible stock of things for if we were all suddenly unwell or snowed-in, etc. but I’ve realised quite a lot of these things would still require an oven, hob, kettle or microwave.

Some of the threads on here mention this, but the ideas are mixed in with ideas for if you still have access to power/hot water.

I thought it would be helpful to create a separate thread with ideas just for if we were in a situation where we had no power. (I also don’t want ideas that require a camping stove or BBQ as I’m in a flat.)

I’m not a panic buyer, but just thinking through a few sensible ideas. Come and join me if you have a similar mindset and we can share ideas.

Paper bowls, paper plates, wooden forks/spoons.
Plastic plates/bowls/fork/knife/spoon, tumblers - Ikea kids range.

No power, limited water, keep washing up to a minimum.

Excellent idea that.

A safe flat camping gas stove can be used in a flat with windows open to boil a kettle and heat soup etc. the main risk indoors is carbon monoxide so the windows open is essential and ideally next to the window. You must have a working carbon monoxide detector in the room. Never use a charcoal or liquid fuel burner inside. Ideally stand your stove on metal or something else heat resistant and non flammable.

I've got an aluminium camping table to stand my camping gas stove on, it wasn't expensive, I got it second hand on ebay and you often see them in charity shops. They roll up into a small bag when you aren't using them.
You can use water on muesli, or you can use powdered milk. Most supermarkets sell Nido or Tropical Foods, its around £5 for a small tin. There's also dried coconut milk in the World Food aisle which is really nice but a bit sugary.

Do you have a gas hob? I’ve only ever had one where we live now and it took me an embarrassingly long time in our first power cut in this house to realise I could still cook on the hob, use it to boil water etc provided I light it with a lighter rather than the inbuilt button

Ps my gas hob works in a power cut but need to light with a match

Keep some smallish jerry cans full of tap water in case the supply is cut off.
Anything tinned that you don't mind eating cold.
Crispbread, oatcakes or rice cakes keep well.
If you have a gas hob that lights with a match rather than needing electric ignition, on no account replace it with something more modern.
Hot water bottles if you'll have access to hot water.
Plenty of matches stored in a dry place because they eventually go soggy if you have them out in the kitchen. Candles and lanterns rather than candlesticks, to avoid accidents.

I've just looked at our (visibly full) food cupboard with a mindset of what's edible without being cooked and realised only a small proportion is. Most shelf space is taken up with condiments, spare tea/coffee/sugar, bird seed(!) and empty jars waiting in vain to be repurposed.

So thank you OP for this thread, I'm off to buy more tinned items. And reduce the number of empty jars.

What's your cooker?
We have multiple day power cuts (NE Scotland) but generally our gas has stayed on (gas boiler won't work but hob does). If you do have a gas hob then make sure you have a lighter or matches as the ignition won't work.

You can also get self heating meals they aren't cheap but if you only had a few then one a day would work.
Many people forget about water. I would say cities and towns they tend to be pretty quick at getting stuff sorted.

Tips I would say its about keeping body warm so thinner multiple layers work best. Hand warmers help alot and the non reusable ones you can pick up a big box quite cheaply. Can go in slippers as well.

Powerbanks are your friend you can get some solar ones as well.
Lighting - head torches but also a decent USB charging light.

Wow genius idea. Making sure i have plenty tea candles in

Just popping back to say thank you for all the comments/ideas so far. I didn’t want you to think I’d started a thread, then wasn’t returning. I’ve got a busy day today but will be back later today or tomorrow to read properly and reply.

I just saw a question about hob/oven - I only have electricity in my flat, so no option of gas hob cooking for me (but useful for other people to consider that as an option).

Battery operated lamps- I have a few from TK maxx or rechargeable ones but they don’t last as long
tealights in muffin tin to heat hot water/food
long life milk
milk powder
easy eat foods that you like
a flask- so last night I thought our power was going to go off as a neighbourhood close to us did- I boiled a kettle filled a flask and hot water bottles
battery operated oodies
plenty of water

allows you to be hands free….hat torch

https://amzn.eu/d/09s6i93E

I got a camping stove from halfords very affordably. That will make a big difference. Pasta with jarred sauces, tins of stewed beef, chili con carne, and chicken chunks in cream sauce. Plus tinned beans, fruit and veg. I've been buying an extra dozen eggs and rotating them. I'll get plenty of use from them.

Also remember that you can use the stuff up in your fridge, first. That could take you through the first day. Don't open your freezer until the 3rd day, as it should be OK if full and not opened for 48 hours. Then, feast on the stuff in there.

So, you're not really looking at eating spam and tinned tuna or whatever for at least a couple of days.

I bought 25 liter food-safe plastic jerry cans on ebay. They fit under my bed. I do have some packs of regular bottled water for a short outage. I have a water butt that will provide grey water with which I can flush the toilet for a couple of days.

This may sound extreme, but I have bought an indoor butane heater. It was only £52 on ebay and runs on calor bottles. I bought one of those used off Facebook market place, so I've saved a good bit there.

Anyway, I have water and fuel to cook and heat for about a week.

Still need a couple of bits and bobs like a rechargeable LED lantern. I will use my car to charge things like that.

It's not terribly expensive and it has given me some peace of mind.

Unheard do a dried oat milk which is very easy to store and pretty good- I buy it to make shelf stable cold soak oat pots to take to events or when travelling and it would be perfect in an emergency. Works best with quick oats, just mix oats with a couple of scoops of dried oat milk, dried fruit and water and leave for 30 mins or longer.

If you want a quick solution, a pack of MREs will help you have hot food. Not perfect at all because of cost but if you have little space, a bit of spare cash and a household of people unlikely to take well to muddling through (at least initially) it might be an idea.