Safe outdoor cooking options, no-cook meals and the carbon monoxide rules for stoves, grills and heaters.
Key takeaways
- Cook with fuel only outdoors.
- Stock no-cook meals so you rarely need to cook at all.
- Plan fuel and water if you rely on freeze dried meals.
Never cook or heat with a barbecue, camp stove, charcoal or gas oven inside a home, garage or tent. They produce carbon monoxide, which you cannot see or smell and which can kill. Use fuel-burning cooking equipment outdoors only.
Safe ways to cook
| Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Camp stove or propane burner | Outdoors only, in open air, away from the house and flammables |
| Barbecue grill | Outdoors only. Keep it well away from walls and overhangs |
| Electric burner on a power station | Draws a lot of power. Check watts before using it |
| Chafing fuel or similar | Follow the product's indoor-use warnings. Many are outdoor only |
Meals that need no cooking
- Canned beans, tuna, chicken or soup (can be eaten cold)
- Peanut butter, nut butter and crackers
- Oats soaked in shelf-stable milk or juice
- Dried fruit, nuts, granola bars
- Tortillas or bread with canned fillings
Water and fuel
- Boiling water for freeze dried meals uses fuel and water. Plan both.
- Store fuel safely, away from living space, following the maker's instructions.
- Use disposable plates and utensils to save washing water.
Food safety
Follow the fridge and freezer rules, and wash hands or use sanitiser before eating. Cook raw meat to a safe temperature, using a thermometer.
Quick answers
Can I use my gas stove in an outage?
Do not use a stove or oven to heat a room. Cooking use depends on your stove type. Follow the maker's safety instructions and ventilate.
What is the easiest outage meal?
Canned beans or tuna with crackers and fruit needs no heat.
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