While there are MANY great reasons to “do” food storage, the main one people think about is in preparation for a major natural disaster. Depending on the disaster, you could be without electricity and/or natural gas for anywhere from 3-4 days up to several months or longer. It is great to have FOOD to last that long, but eventually you are going to need to figure out how to actually COOK it. This is more of an advanced concept so if you are just getting started with your BabySteps feel free to bookmark or print this post for later reference.

A while back we did a brief overview of a few different options for Powerless Cooking. However, most of them require some sort of fuel to store in order to use them, so we wanted to cover cooking fuels today. Here are a few different fuel options to consider for cooking and storing:

Wood

Raw, dry wood is a very good source of fuel although it often becomes wet and unusable in a disaster. Also good for heating so it’s a valuable fuel to store, even though it takes up a lot of space.
Indoor cooking: Wood-burning stove or open fireplace (make sure they are properly vented to outside)
Outdoor cooking: Open fire or Volcano Grill
Storage limitations: In rural areas wood may be readily available at a relatively low cost but local permits may be necessary. In urban areas wood may not be as readily available and storage areas are limited.
Shelf life: Virtually unlimited as long as kept dry and covered.

Propane/Butane

Available in several sizes ranging from 1 pound to very large containers and is a good source for both heat and cooking.
Indoor cooking: When using propane to cook indoors you can ONLY use a natural gas stove that has been adapted for propane use. Without proper alterations it is extremely dangerous to use inside.
Outdoor cooking: Barbecue grill or Volcano Grill
Storage limitations: NEVER store propane indoors, or even in a garage or storage shed. It should be stored in a location that gets little to no direct sunlight. Limitations on amounts you are allowed to store generally apply due to its explosive nature. Check with your local fire department for specific storage restrictions in your area.
Shelf life: Most containers have a “use by date”, they need to be recertified 12 years from that date and every 10 years after that.

Kerosene/Heating oil

As with propane, a variety of storage tanks are used. Kerosene and Heating oil are good sources of heat for heating your shelter but generally not ideal for cooking.

Indoor cooking: A kerosene cooker-heater can be used for “one-pot cooking”
Outdoor cooking: Not applicable
Storage limitations: Store kerosene out of sunlight. If legal in your area, it can safely be stored in a garage or shed, but NEVER in your basement. Limitations on amounts you are allowed to store may apply in your area. Check with your local fire department for specifics.
Shelf life: Ideal shelf life is 1 year. High quality kerosene stored properly in a well sealed container MAY last up to 3 years.

Coal/Charcoal

Coal can be good source of heat and charcoal is great for outdoor cooking. Both are fairly easy to store without safety concerns.

Indoor cooking: A coal-burning stove can be used for “one-pot cooking” with proper ventilation. Charcoal should NOT be used indoors.
Outdoor cooking: Charcoal can be used for dutch oven cooking, in a barbecue grill, or in a Volcano Grill
Storage limitations: Large amounts are needed but it is easy to calculate how much you need to store. Must be kept dry.
Shelf life: Charcoal and coal can be stored indefinitely in dry locations indoors or outdoors.

Insta-Fire

Insta-Fire is a safe, simple, and versatile new fire starting product. You can use it to light campfires, prepare charcoal briquettes, or as a safe and reliable fuel source for cooking or heating in emergency situations.

Indoor cooking: Insta-fire can be used in a wood-burning stove or open fireplace. The key is just to have proper ventilation.
Outdoor cooking: Works fantastic by itself in a Volcano Grill, can also be used in a #10 can stove, open fire pit, or directly on the ground (even in snow!)
Storage limitations: None. May be stored indoors, next to food, in basements or attics, or outdoors.
Shelf life: 30 year shelf life.

PLEASE NOTE: There are many many safety concerns with the proper storage and usage of cooking fuels. We provided this information as a general overview but recommend you look into other sources for more detailed information. We found great info in Emergency Food in a Nutshell and the Family Preparedness Handbook.

-Jodi Weiss Schroeder
http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net