When preparing for an emergency, conserving fuel can be just as important as having a way to cook. One prepper looking for an efficient way to boil water received an unexpected suggestion that could accomplish both goals.
Here's what to know
In a Reddit thread, the original poster described owning three gas-powered cooking options including a large Weber propane grill, a camping stove with backup canisters, and a kitchen gas range.
Water treatment was one reason they needed boiling water, while making coffee and one-pot meals were others. They wanted to meet those needs while conserving resources.
"My question is what is the most efficient device or means to simply boil a pot of water in a SHTF situation? The grills seem inefficient/overkill to simply boil water," the original poster wrote. Soup, pasta, and rice combined with canned meat and vegetables were among their planned meals.
Some commenters on the r/preppers subreddit suggested wood-burning equipment.
"It's got to be the 1.8 litre Kelly kettle," a poster suggested. "Really affordable and as long as you have twigs it can make you a brew in just a few minutes."
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
However, one pointed to an electric alternative that is equal parts fast and efficient.
"I have batteries and solar," they said. "And one of those cheap single burner induction cooktops. Heats water up incredibly fast and only uses about 1100 watts."
More background
Both an appliance's power draw and how long it runs affect how much energy it uses.
The same commenter described using a countertop microwave to prepare food and a Breville Nespresso machine to make coffee. They reported that the coffee machine runs for 20 seconds at roughly 1,250 watts, consuming roughly 7 watt-hours per coffee.
Weather and other outdoor hazards could undermine another Redditor's plan for boiling larger quantities of water. Their proposed setup paired a stainless steel pot with an outdoor firepit fueled by locally available fallen wood.
What can be done?
A Reddit user recommended storing a daily minimum of one gallon of safe water for each person. Chemical and radiological contaminants remain a concern after boiling, they warned.
Boiling addresses biological contamination rather than providing a universal fix for questionable water. Both the electric and Kelly kettle suggestions had their fair share of support.
"The Kelly kettle is a rocket stove with a jacketed chimney, so it's highly, highly efficient," one commenter argued. "In that instance it is 'the best,' much more efficient than an open fire with a metal pot over it."
Backers of batteries and solar were equally enthusiastic.
"Batteries and solar (with a hybrid inverter and gateway) is a cheat code for blackouts," one declared. "Just don't tell your neighbours!"
Where can I learn more?
Using solar and batteries to cook during an outage means keeping an eye on power use and weighing all the contingencies.
• In San Diego, a prepper's $4,000 solar backup plan hit an electric cooking snag.
• Off-grid solar users warned some induction burners draw 100 watts idling.
• In Britain, a gas hob's reliability can depend on electricity during grid shortages.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
