preparedness

8 Ways to Cook Indoors Without Filling Your Home With Smoke

Picture this scenario: The power has gone out due to a major blizzard and is expected to be out for several days. You and your family are starting to get really hungry, but you can’t use your electric stove or microwave.

Normally, you’d just go outside and fire up the grill, but it is absolutely freezing out there. Even if you can bear the stinging gusts of cold wind, you don’t want to open the door and let any heat out of your home. You could bring your grill indoors, but you’d just fill up the house with smoke and unintentionally murder your entire family. So what can you do? This article will answer that question.

Cold weather isn’t the only reason you might want to cook indoors. Maybe it’s raining and you don’t have a covered porch, maybe you live in an apartment and literally can’t go outside, or maybe it’s too dangerous to go outside due to roaming gangs of looters. Whatever the reason, you need to know how to safely cook food indoors without electricity and without filling your house with smoke.

Fortunately, there are many options. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Fireplace

If your home is equipped with a fireplace, then you’ll have the ability to cook with an open flame without smoking up the house. Of course, fireplaces still produce smoke – it’s just transferred outside via your chimney.

This smoke may or may not be a concern depending on how worried you are about alerting others that there is someone living in your house. If this isn’t a problem, though, you can get creative and use your fireplace to cook in a variety of ways.

To cook over a fireplace, you’ll need a few tools such as campfire tools, square pie irons, and an over file camp grill.

2. Alcohol Stoves

As the name suggests, alcohol stoves are burners that use alcohol as their fuel. When alcohol burns, though, it doesn’t produce any smoke.

Alcohol stoves are typically sold as single burner units and are a popular product for campers that are looking for a portable cooking method that uses an easy-to-acquire fuel. They will function just as well, however, for cooking indoors in an emergency scenario.

It is important to note, though, that alcohol stoves won’t work with just any type of alcohol. Both liquor and rubbing alcohol contain too much water to produce a roaring flame in the stove, so you’ll have to use a purer form of alcohol known as denatured alcohol.

Since you probably won’t have any denatured alcohol in your cabinet, be sure to set aside fuel for your alcohol stove ahead of time if you intend to rely on one as part of your survival plan.

One highly-rated alcohol stove that is worth considering as part of your survival supply is the Solo Alcohol Burner made by Solo Stove. This alcohol stove features a simmer ring that lets you control the heat of the burner as well as a sealed cap that enables you to store unused fuel in the stove without having to worry about it spilling or evaporating.

If you’d prefer, you can also make your own alcohol stove.

3. Wood Stoves

There are two main types of wood stoves – stoves designed for cooking and stoves designed for heating. Wood stoves that are designed for cooking indoors will typically have more cooking-related features such as burner tops and an oven Wood stoves designed for heating will most often hold more wood and burn hotter. Nevertheless, wood stoves that are designed for heating can certainly be used for cooking as well if you place your pots and skillets on top of them.

As with cooking in a fireplace, cooking on a wood stove isn’t exactly smoke-free – it just transfers the smoke outdoors. So, again, if having a smoking chimney is something you would rather avoid, then you will probably want to consider other options.

Otherwise, here is how to cook on a wood stove.

4. Propane Stoves

There are a wide range of burner tops, grills, and even ovens that are fueled by propane – which won’t produce any smoke when it burns. Best of all, propane tanks can be stored indefinitely without ever having to worry about the fuel going bad. This makes stocking up on fuel for your propane stove much easier, especially when you consider the ready availability of propane.

If you are looking for a good propane grill, consider the Coleman Camp Propane Grill/Stove. This 2-in-1 stove allows you to use both the grill and the burner top at the same time, and it puts out a total of 20,000 BTUs of cooking power.

If you want a more comprehensive propane cooking solution, the Camp Chef Outdoor Camp Oven is worth considering. This propane stove features a two-burner range as well as an internal oven, allowing you to cook just about anything that you could cook on a full-size electric or gas stove.

The oven in the Camp Chef Outdoor Camp Oven will reach a maximum of 400 degrees Fahrenheit while the two burners on top of the stove are designed to put out up to 7,500 BTUs a piece. Best of all, the entire stove weighs just 35 pounds, making it a highly portable option as well.

Safety Warning

I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that you need to be very careful when using a propane grill indoors. First of all, a grill that’s not meant for indoor use could emit CO2, a colorless and odorless gas that can be deadly. And second of all, if the flame goes out and you don’t turn off the gas, it can pool above your floor and could cause a major explosion if ignited.

Here are some safety precautions you should take:

Tighten all the connectors to make sure there are no leaks.
Use in a well-ventilated area, or use it near a cracked window.
Don’t leave it unattended, and turn the gas off if the flame goes out.
Install a carbon monoxide detector near your grill.

5. Candle Stoves

Cooking over a candle may not be ideal if speed and high-heat are what you’re looking for, but in an emergency situation, it can be done.

If you want to use candles to cook with, though, you’ll have to get a little creative. Your best bet is to put together a makeshift emergency stove by building a platform, resting an oven rack on top of it, and placing multiple candles underneath it.

When choosing candles to use for your candle stove, try to choose larger candles with thicker wicks. Candles with multiple wicks will put out more heat as well. It’s also best to use candles that burn cleanly such as beeswax candles, and avoid candles that are dyed or heavily scented.

For an instructional guide on building a candle stove with readily available items and using it to cook, check out this video.

6. Hydroheat

Every option on our list thus far has relied on some type of open flame in order to produce heat. However, that isn’t the case with hydroheat.

Hydroheat stoves such as the Hydroheat Flameless Cooker use a chemical reaction in order to produce flame-free heat to the stove’s heating element. All you have to do is place a heat pack into the stove, add water, and allow the chemical reaction to take care of the rest.

Typically, the term “chemical reaction” isn’t something you want going on around the food you are cooking, but hydroheat stoves are completely nontoxic and safe to use. Of course, you’ll have to make sure you have plenty of heat packs stored up if you plan to use this stove very frequently, and it’s also important to note that hydroheat stoves simply won’t get hot enough to cook everything that you could cook on an electric or gas range.

Nevertheless, for applications such as scrambling eggs, boiling vegetables, and more, hydroheat stoves are a great option to consider.

7. Canned Heat

Canned heat is an alcohol-based burner that is popular for keeping food warm at outdoor events and on buffet tables. However, canned heat can certainly be used to cook food as well.

The most popular brand of canned heat is Sterno, which sells individual canisters of canned heat that are designed to burn continuously for up to two hours before the canister runs out of fuel.

There are, however, a few important things to keep in mind if you plan on cooking with canned heat. For one, canned heat canisters are designed for a single use and cannot be refueled like an alcohol stove once their fuel runs out. Also, if you plan on heating up anything more than a small pot of liquid using canned heat, then you are probably going to have to use multiple canisters to get the job done.

The good news is that canned heat canisters are highly portable, affordable, and can be safely used indoors without producing any smoke. While you may not want to rely on canned heat as your only smoke-free cooking option, canned heat canisters are certainly a valuable thing to include in your survival supplies.

8. Use a Generator

Naturally, the most effective way to cook indoors is to use the same range and oven that you always use. If the electricity and/or gas has been shut off, though, this may not be an option.

However, assuming you have an electric stove, you can always use a generator to provide power to your stove long enough for you to cook a meal. The main drawback to using a generator, though, is the attention they draw. However, there are a few things you can do to minimize generator noise.

The other drawback is the fact that generators require either diesel or gasoline to fuel – both of which are likely to be precious resources and both of which can only be stored for so long. (Here’s how to make it last longer.) If you’ve got fuel to spare, though, and are longing put your electric stove back into action, powering up your generator will give you the electricity you need.

What to read next: The Ultimate Guide to Cooking Without Power

Want to prep but not sure where to begin? Download your FREE One Year Urban Survival Plan!

This article first appeared on urbansurvivalsite.com See it here

preparedness

4 No Cook Meals For Surviving The Pandemic And Food Supply Shortages

When it comes to your food supply, you just can’t risk not having enough. These no cook meals will be a great addition to your food supply planning. Check out the recipes below!

No Cook Meals to Help You Through the Pandemic

As of the writing of this article, there are 20 meat processing plants that have been shut down due to COVID-19 infections. We have been worrying about these types of effects on our food supply for months now, and this is the first real sign of how infections can affect the food supply.

When you walk into a supermarket, you might not see all the choices you had in the past. An empty meat case is a humbling thing for your eyes to fall upon. It’s the shocking realization that the seemingly infinite supply of chickens, pigs, and cows that are butchered for us has begun to run dry!

To deal with this issue, we are going to present four no cook meals that will help you create dinners at home that will feed your family without worrying so much about what’s available, or unavailable, in the meat case.

1. Smashed White Bean, Avocado and Salted Pork Sandwiches

Smashed White Bean, Avocado and Salted Pork Sandwiches | No Cook Meals for Surviving the Pandemic and Food Supply Shortages

As preppers we get beans. There are a bunch of ways to use beans and this a great example of how you can pack a sandwich with great nutrition and protein.

Serving: Makes 4 sandwiches

Ingredients:

Can of White Beans
Olive Oil
1 Avocado
8 Slices of Whole Grain Bread
8 Slices of Salted Pork (Prosciutto, Ham, Virginia Ham)

Instructions:

Begin by draining your beans in a colander then smashing them up in a bowl add a few glugs of olive oil, salt, pepper. This little mix is delicious. If you add some minced rosemary, you can even turn this into a delicious dip.
Pit your avocado and cut it in half and then quarters lengthwise. Leave the skin on.
Lay the bread out on a clean work surface for assembling the sandwiches.
Spread your mashed bean mix onto one side of the bread.
Peel your avocados and slice 1 quarter for each sandwich. Spread slices over the bean spread.
Add a few slices of your pork to over the top of the avocado.
You can finish this sandwich with some lettuces, fresh sprouts, or just eat it as is.

2. Delicious Crab Salad

Canned crab is a protein option that will likely be around through much of this meat crisis. It does have to be kept in refrigeration, but it’s delicious and this chipotle mayo salad is great in the spring and summer.

Ingredients:

1 Can of Crab Meat
1 Bunch of Asparagus
Chipotle Mayo
1 Bunch of Green Onions
1 Bunch of Cilantro

Instructions:

Drain your crab in a colander and set it in the sink.
Slice your asparagus into 1-inch pieces. Throw them into a bowl.
Thinly slice your onions and your cilantro and throw that into the bowl, as well.
Gently toss in the crab meat.
Squirt on enough Chipotle mayo to coat everything and toss gently not to break up the crab meat.
Chill in the fridge and serve.

3. Simple Greek Salad

Simple Greek Salad | No Cook Meals for Surviving the Pandemic and Food Supply Shortages

The combination of simple summer ingredients makes for an incredible quick salad that you could add other proteins, too, if you wanted. These could be canned meats.

Ingredients:

2 Large Tomatoes
1 Cucumber
1 Red Onion
¼ Cup of Feta Cheese
A Few Sprigs of Fresh Mint
½ Cup of Kalamata Olives
Balsamic Dressing

Instructions:

I like to cut the tomatoes in large chunks and have them kind of be the main course in this salad. Peel and slice your cucumber in half. Remove the seeds and either dice or slice in half-moons.
Peel and slice your red onion in half. Julienne your, or thinly slice, your half onion.
Add all these ingredients to a bowl. Finely slice your mint.
Add your olives, crumbled feta, and mint to the bowl and add enough dressing to coat everything.
Stir it up and allow this to chill for at least an hour for the flavors to really blend.

4. Mediterranean Tuna Lettuce Wraps

Mediterranean Tuna Lettuce Wraps | No Cook Meals for Surviving the Pandemic and Food Supply Shortages

Using some similar ingredients and adding a protein like tuna, you can create some delicious lettuce wraps. The key to a good lettuce wrap is to have most of the items around the same size. So, consider that when you are preparing this dish.

Ingredients:

Iceberg or Butter Lettuce
Canned Artichokes
Canned roasted Red peppers
Fresh Cucumber
Feta Cheese
Minced Olives ¼ Cup
2 Cans of Tuna
Green Onions
Basil

Instructions:

Start by peeling all the full leaves from your lettuce. Set them on a plate either cover them with a wet paper towel or put them back into the fridge.
Dice the peppers, artichokes, and cucumbers into cubes. Go no larger than ½ an inch.
Thinly slice your green onions and basil and add them to a bowl with your diced vegetables. Add your loves to this bowl and mix them thoroughly.
Crumble your feta cheese over the mixture.
Drain your tuna thoroughly and then add that to the bowl, as well.
Gently toss this mixture. Try not to break up the tuna and the cheese too much but incorporate it thoroughly.
If you want, you can add some olive oil to the mix or a few glugs of balsamic vinegar. It’s also delicious just how it is.
Scoop a few tablespoons into a lettuce leaf, wrap it up and eat up!

These no cook meals should help lessen the stress you feel when thinking of what to feed your family. If you don’t have the specific ingredients, use your creativity, and use what you have. You might discover a new recipe while you’re at it!

What’s your favorite no cook meal recipe? Please share it with us in the comments section!

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This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

preparedness

Billionaire Whistle Blower: Wuhan Coronavirus Death Toll Is Over 50,000

Exiled Chinese businessman Guo Wengui recently revealed leaks from Wuhan crematoriums. He claims based on the number of bodies their furnaces are burning, the death toll could be as high as 50,000.

A Chinese billionaire and whistleblower who lives in U.S. exile says Wuhan crematoriums have burned 50,000 coronavirus victims. | Credit: Chinatopix via AP

The official coronavirus death toll in China is a little over 800. But an exiled Chinese businessman says crematoriums are leaking the real figure.
A billionaire whistleblower alleges Wuhan has crematoriums working 24/7. He claims they’ve cremated some 50,000 coronavirus victims.
Guo Wengui is a Chinese billionaire living in exile in the United States.

The official coronavirus death toll is some 800 people in China. The current official death toll worldwide, outside of China, is 774. But a Chinese billionaire with a history of blowing the whistle on his former government says the real figure is much higher.

Exiled Chinese businessman Guo Wengui recently revealed leaks from Wuhan crematoriums. He claims based on the number of bodies their furnaces are burning, the death toll could be as high as 50,000. Wengui made the bombshell allegations in an interview with former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon.

Whistleblower: 1.5 Million Coronavirus Cases In China, 50,000 Coronavirus Deaths In Wuhan

He also claims to have inside information that there are 1.5 million confirmed coronavirus cases in China. Wengui is emphatic that these are not merely quarantined or “under observation” but confirmed cases of coronavirus infection:

China has struggled to contain the coronavirus. But it has also struggled to contain public outcry against censorship and tight control of information. Dr. Li Wenliang, who sounded the alarm about the disease, succumbed to an infection and died this week. The Chinese government arrested him for blowing the whistle.

Then officials tried to suppress news of his death. Afterwards, millions of Chinese citizens saw the hashtag #IWantFreedomOfSpeech on Mandarin language social media. But the Chinese government censored that too.

Are Wengui’s Crematorium Claims Credible?

Watch VICE’s 2017 profile on Guo Wengui. At the time, he published bombshell documents alleging corruption in the Chinese government. He got the attention of the media and reportedly the U.S. State Department.

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