Posted on 10/30/2019 9:39:34 PM PDT by lee martell
My part of the California Bay Area (San Rafael) just completed a 2.5 day involuntary blackout. The local utility is taking precautions to reduce their power in areas of ongoing fire, or windy weather. They have already declared bankruptcy due to past mistakes and misfortunes. There is nothing I can do about it, but to be ready, more ready the next time. I can be thankful it wasn't longer. Tonight is the first time we have had street lights and traffic lights for a while. I recall gazing from my back terrace at the nearest avenue. All was pitch black. It was as still and empty as it usually is on Christmas Eve. I made sure to finish all my driving by 6.30, when the darkness fell, like a thick black curtain. I enjoyed seeing the stars more clearly, but the only constellation I really know is the Big Dipper. Every star cluster I see cannot be the Big Dipper.
I have already purchased an old fashioned BoomBox CD player Radio online that runs on either electricity or batteries. I have purchased a small, ancient Transistor Radio on Ebay. I am stocked up with canned soups and tuna fish. I heard that 30 miles north of me, some communities have had to evacuate their homes. Therefore, I have packed a 'Run-Away Bag', in case some one knocks on my door at 2.45 in the AM, saying I have one hour to GTF out of my apartment, and be ready to stay out for a week. I have a week's worth of medication. I first aid kit, a beach towel, change of clothes, Toothpaste and emergency snacks.
But, before it gets to the point of evacuation, I just want to have a way to heat a skillet or a pot of food that does not require electricity. I put 'Non-Electric Hot Plates' in search, and then, I get Electric Hot Plates anyway. Does anyone have any suggestions for a reasonably priced single burner hot plate? They must still be sold somewhere. The homeless always seem to have them to start those accidental fires on hillsides.
You might be better off with a camping stove.
How about a gas grill. Keep a spare tank around. It’ll last days or weeks with careful use. That is our cooking backup, plus our gas campstove.
Smart & Final has the single burner butane stoves. We use them all the time. Saves us about $100.00 a month on our electrical bill as we are a total electric home. We have four of those units, and they all work great.
...or a green solution: Get a large magnifying glass, and focus the sun on your bowl of food.
Your basic single burner camp stove looks like this:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-Single-Burner-Propane-Camp-Stove/34954742
I’d recommend upgrading to the 2 burner.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-Portable-Propane-Gas-Classic-Stove-with-2-Burners/895629
Butane or propane single burner. Campers and Mountaineers use them...Butane anyway. It will work. In the military we had a little folding metal box with cubed fire inside. Unwrap one of the cubes, light it and fold up the sides of the box and now one can make some coffee, heat up a can of soup, etc. Get a canteen cup, if those things still exist.
That’s what someone at Home Depot suggested. Sterno.
I may have to get comfortable working with gas fuel.
I’m not there yet. Not sure if there are many other choices though. Thank you for the advice.
I’m using one of these for a special project portable hottub. Coleman Powerpack Propane Camping Stove price: $39.00~
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAF_xhBst3Q
And they had those self-playing flutes!
I would suggest getting some coal,but I know that’s probably illegal in California.
Have you ever tried Mountain House freeze dried food? It’s for campers and only needs water added and is warm when you eat it, like an MRE. We took some when we went camping and they were actually okay. https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=mountain%20house
Mix that tuna with mayo and pickles.
Then embrace the suck.
Sorry
H-Mart, the Korean-owned Asian grocery store chain, sells butane single burner stoves. $20-30.
You can also find them on Amazon.
You ever think of a backup generator? That’s what I did the last outage. It sucks to throw out all the food in refrigerators and freezers. Then get to sit around in the dark wondering when the juice gets turned back on.
On my way back from the hospital I’ve been eating a Subway 12 inch Tuna sub with lettuce, tomato, pickle, smoked cheese, and ground pepper. Yummy.
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