ER-006

6-06

Cooking When

the Power Goes Off

Extension Family and Consumer Science Specialists

The Texas A&M University System

After a storm has knocked out electricity or gas lines, cooking meals can be a

problem and even hazardous if you do not fol ow a few basic rules.

Charcoal or gas grills: The most obvious alternative sources of heat for cook-

ing are grills. Never use them indoors. In doing so, you risk both asphyxiation

from carbon monoxide and starting a fire that could destroy your home.

Camp stoves: Likewise, camp stoves that use gasoline or solid fuel should al-

ways be used outdoors. If you have access to an electrical generator, you can

use it to power smal electrical appliances to prepare meals.

Fireplaces and wood stoves: Wood can be used for cooking in many situa-

tions. You can cook in a fireplace if the chimney is sound. Don’t start a fire in a

fireplace that has a broken chimney. Be sure the damper is open. If you’re cook-

ing on a wood stove, make sure the stovepipe has not been damaged.

Outdoors: If you must build a fire outside, build it away from buildings—never

in a carport. Sparks can easily get into the ceiling and start a house fire.

• Make sure any fire is contained wel . A good precaution is to placing stones

or a metal drum around the fire bed.

• A charcoal gril is a good place in which to build a wood fire. Never use

gasoline to get a wood or charcoal fire started.

• Be sure to put out any fire when you are through with it.

This information was excerpted and adapted from Food Safety in Hurricanes

and Floods, by P. H. Schmutz, HGIC Information Specialist, and E .H. Hoyle,

Extension Food Safety Specialist, Clemson University.

Produced by Agricultural Communications, The Texas A&M University System

Extension publications can be found on the Web at: http://tcebookstore.org

Visit Texas Cooperative Extension at http://texasextension.tamu.edu

Educational programs conducted by Texas Cooperative Extension serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic

level, race, color, sex, religion, handicap or national origin.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of Congress of May 8,

1914, as amended, and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. Edward G.

Smith, Director, Texas Cooperative Extension, The Texas A&M University System.