While our grandparents might remember what it was like to cook with a wood stove as opposed to the gas and electric options available today, most adults haven't the faintest idea about how to cook when their appliances give in. And yet, during a cataclysmic event like a natural disaster, you may find yourself without access to modern services like water, gas, and electricity. If you're smart, you've stockpiled plenty of non-perishable food and water for such an event. But you'll almost certainly want to have access to hot food at some point, and you can definitely plan for it by preparing for the prospect of off-grid cooking. Here are some basics to get you started.
Equipment
Of course, the main thing you need to cook food when you're no longer able to use your appliances is heat. But we'll get to heating options in a moment. You also need some amount of equipment to cook food. If you're an avid camper, you probably already have some of the items you'll need on hand, including compact pots and pans. You'll also need basic tools for cutting, stirring, and eating, so having a few utensils on hand is definitely a must.
If you're staying put (i.e. bugging in), you'll have a much easier time, and a cast iron pan will serve you well in this case. But if you're on the move, weight is definitely a factor. Don't forget to carry a roll of tinfoil with you. It's not only lightweight, but in a pinch it can serve all sorts of functions, including acting as a pot to boil water or cook food.
Wood/Pellet Stoves
As means of cooking go, using a wood or pellet stove is going to be the closest thing to the appliances you're used to, although you won't be able to control the heat as precisely. Still, it's a contained and sustainable heat source so long as you have the proper fuel. And it boasts a heated surface that you can set pots and pans on to cook your food. If you're bugging in during a disaster situation, it behooves you to install this type of stove, not only for cooking, but for warming your home, too.
Grills
Whether you're the BBQ champ in the family and you've got a massive propane grill with all the bells and whistles or your backyard grill is little more than a metal bowl for charcoal, you can definitely use your outdoor grill for cooking when your power goes out, provided you have the proper fuel. If you happen to have a lot of perishable meats and vegetables that are going to spoil, grilling is a great way to get them cooked in a hurry.
Camp Stoves
The nice thing about a camp stove is that it features a cooktop much like the one you use at home. Unfortunately, it does rely on fuel (gas) to operate, so once you run out, you're out of luck. But much like a gas stove, you have some control over temperature and the convenience of a grill rack that you can put pots and pans on, line with tinfoil, or even place food directly on. And while most camp stoves aren’t exactly lightweight, they are meant to be portable, so you could cart one with you if you're not going far.
Open Flame
Whether you've got a fireplace indoors or a fire pit outside (or both), cooking over an open flame is yet another way to create a hot meal, although it's a bit more temperamental than the options listed above. For one thing, you probably don't want to put pots and pans directly on the flame, which means you need some kind of elevated grill rack or tripod setup. And naturally, you'll need chopped wood and kindling, as well. However, open flame cooking is something you can do at home or on the go (in a wooded area), making it perhaps one of the best options for off-grid cooking.
Solar Oven
In some countries, this is the preferred method of cooking, but it can take quite a bit of time since it relies on the power of the sun to cook your food. However, it can work great in a pinch, especially if you live in a predominantly sunny climate. All you have to do is buy or build a solar oven to keep on hand for an occasion where off-grid cooking is required.
