what to eat during a power outage?

kimberlyk921

What kind of food do you eat if the power goes out during a hurricane? They are saying to expect long power outages and I'm just not sure what to do about that. We've only lost power twice since we've lived here and the longest time was 25 minutes. I know I'll need to stock up on batteries and more water but other then that I'm at a loss for what kind of food to buy.

LaurenSweat

We lost power for a few days before we had DS and we ate:

Peanut butter sandwiches, bagels, canned veggies, canned fruit, crackers, pretzels, tuna... basically anything out of the pantry that didn't have to be refrigerated.  

You can buy milk that doesn't need a fridge and we ate that with cereal in the mornings.

Also, even though our power was out, there were a few restaurants who had power still, so we did get take out when we could! 

JCGreene85

Cook what you can now before you lose power. Like chicken for salads and sone chicken sausages (I like it cold with crackers) Hummus and veggies/pita Salads with chicken Cheese and crackers Sandwiches-get lots of different toppings Chicken/tuna salads Fruits Pasta salads Cold soups like gazpacho I'd get the coolers ready with ton and tons of ice just in case. If I think of more I'll post. Good luck!

Sept1799

I have been through 3 of these hurricanes and pretty much know.

Do you have a grill? If you do make sure you have what you need to run it. You can heat food on here if you need to.

Make sure you have:

Water (you may loose your water supply) 1 bottle per person per day. Also fill your bathtubs with water as you may use it to flush your tolets.

Bread

Crackers

Peanut Butter / Jelly

Canned Soup

Canned Vegs

I make sure I have breakfast bars - Nutragrain bars or Granola bars

Chips, cookies

Oh yea if you loose water you will need paper napkins, plates, plastic forks, spoons, knives etc.

We were out for over 2 weeks each time. It was horrible. We also have a generator that helps to.

JLG95

In my case, we'll have access to a propane powered fridge and range in the motorhome.  But here's some of what we bought last night:

Bananas

Bread

Peanut butter

Canned chicken

Canned beans

Canned veggies

Canned fruit

Chips

Ramen cups

Since we have fridge, we bought this stuff as well:

Lunchmeat

Cheese slices

String Cheese

JhawkCE

First, you eat all the ice cream in the house while you are using all the milk, eggs and butter to make cake, brownies and cookies for later.

 

af2004rn

I would get an extra tank for the grill. Then you can cook anything like you would on the stove. I used foil and made a pizza one night on the grill. You can cook canned goods with a a pot too.

 

Don't forget paper plates, bowls, utensils, napkins and baby wipes.

kimberlyk921

This might be a dumb question but...does a gas stove still work during a power outage?

Sept1799

kimberlyk921:

This might be a dumb question but...does a gas stove still work during a power outage?

I knew some people that had gas and yes, it worked but don't count on it becuase I would think that gas lines could go down to.

LaurenSweat

kimberlyk921:

This might be a dumb question but...does a gas stove still work during a power outage?

Mine did not, but I had friend's who were able to use theirs.  However, you will have no fan or ventilation system so it is potentially dangerous to run the gas.  An outdoor grill is a much better idea.  I wouldn't get too much that needs to be cooled if you wouldn't be sure how long power could potentially be out for. 

JLG95

kimberlyk921:

This might be a dumb question but...does a gas stove still work during a power outage?

It's not ideal.  But during a power outage, I can light the range with a match.  If you're worried about fumes, you can always open a window.

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MrsCAA

I personally like this idea.

 But would add in addition to filling bathtubs, i would fill a couple large trashcans/plastic containers. B/c if the power/water is out for longer you can flush.

And its 1 gallon per person per day.

 

testtubebaby

i bought a bunch of those gerber meals that they sell in the baby aisle.  also canned ravioli, peanut butter and jelly, tuna, fruit, veggies, snack packs, pudding, soup, if i can keep the meat in my fridge fresh, i'll grill out and make burgers, steaks or chicken on the grill.  baked beans, corn on the cob cooked in the husks on the grill and grill up fresh veggies in a foil pack with butter, garlic and salt.  gerber also makes those vanilla milk juice box things that don't need refridgerated.