SHTF Stove/Cooking

[pab1]

I just picked up an MSR XGK EX backpacking stove that will burn white gas, kerosene, unleaded gas, aviation gas, jet fuel and diesel. I figured the ability to use multiple fuels might come in handy. What do you guys use to cook in a SHTF situation?

[Victor3]

 I'm kind of a mini-stove geek. I like the alcohol burners made from aluminum cans best but if you've got no access to liquid fuel, the "hobo stove" (a google search will bring up lots of info) is better.

[SHOOTALL]

wood in a pinch . propane for short time.

[Pat/Rick]

If T S H T F, I would try to save my liquid fuels for gas tools like rototillers, and chainsaws. Gaseous fuels I would try to save for lantern and total emergency cooking. I would rely on my woodstove for heating and  cooking. Too warm for a stove? I would stack concrete block and and use an oven rack for cooking outside. Water for cooking purposes is taken care of, I have two sources on my property. Well and a gravity line from a local creek that I have water rights to.

[mechanic]

Depends on how many you are cooking for.  I've used many a tin can to make a twig stove out of when backpacking or camping.  Wood is the best source of fuel IMO in a bad situation, with the exception of smell and smoke.  If you're hiding that would have to be taken into account.  Alchohol works fine for short term, and is relatively cheap....isopropil from the dollar store.....

Ben

[powderman]

I bought a little sterno stove and several cans of sterno, but have never used it. Can the fuel be saved after cooking is done??? POWDERMAN. 

[torpedoman]

Depends on how many you are cooking for.  I've used many a tin can to make a twig stove out of when backpacking or camping.  Wood is the best source of fuel IMO in a bad situation, with the exception of smell and smoke.  If you're hiding that would have to be taken into account.  Alchohol works fine for short term, and is relatively cheap....isopropil from the dollar store.....

Ben

wood stove is the only way to go if the fuel is DRY smoke and smell should not be a problem.  I make mine out of tin cans with air holes punched in bottom and sides tent stakes can be driven around it to support cookware.

[bilmac]

Powderman  yup' just put the lid back on to put the fire out. Take it off and she's ready to burn again.

[Pat/Rick]

Wood fires can be "hidden" a little bit by using a "Dakota Hole" fire pit. Just search dakota hole. Alot of times when I am hunting and find some good wood near a downed log I will pile some up under it. never know when ya might be staying overnight, or, if another might be. I would be pretty gratefull if in strange area and turned around to find a dry wood stash.

[mechanic]

I've been getting into some backpacking, and where I've been wood fires are a no no, Ranger Rick will write a ticket.  I've never been around many of the new fangled gadgets, but looks like I need to learn...but in a survival situation the one thing you got plenty of is.....wood. 

[pab1]

...but in a survival situation the one thing you got plenty of is.....wood. 

For an individual/group situation this is probably true depending on where you live. For a major long term event, wood might not last very long. If fuel is not available or vehicles to haul it (EMP) there might be plenty of wood around but collecting it could be a problem. Once the wood that is easy to access is cleared out, it would become increasingly difficult to gather enough wood to supply a community. In this type of event, food supplies would probably dwindle soon which would make the work of cutting and hauling more wood difficult due to the amount of work required compared to calories consumed. With our current population, if people became nomadic, moving as wood/food supplies ran out, I don't think the resources could handle the numbers of people relying on them. In this situation, 100% of the community would be dependent on wood for their cooking and heating needs throughout the year.