You don't have to be a disaster prepper in order to be ready for an emergency. Hurricanes, ice storms, and other environmental events can happen at any time. Staying ready for these moments just makes sense. The time to collect the right supplies is before the power goes out. One valuable way to help yourself and your family weather a storm is with an emergency cooking kit.
Along with first aid kits and water filtration, being able to cook food is crucial in an emergency. Especially so if grocery stores are inaccessible. With a lightweight and low-profile emergency cook set, you can boil water and prepare hot meals even when the power is gone.
Check out these emergency cooking kits, as well as a few supplies to go with them. They'll keep you ready for anything.
Best Emergency Cooking Kits
Best Under $25
1. Gas ONE Propane or Butane Stove GS-3400P Dual Fuel Portable Camp Stove and Backpacking Gas Stove Burner with Carrying Case Great Emergency Meal Cook Kit (Gold)
The Gas One stove is a high-quality option for having hot meals in an emergency situation. Not only is that important for maintaining your nutrition during a predicament, but it also helps with just staying comfortable through a difficult time.
The Gas One stove can support both butane and propane canister fuel sources. As such, it's better for outdoor cooking. Fumes from these chemicals are toxic in unventilated spaces. At 3-lbs and 13.5 x 11.2 x 4.4 inches, the Gas One won't take up much space and has an electric start button. No need for matches or a lighter.
Best Under $60
2. Esbit CS585HA 3-Piece Lightweight Camping Survival Kit for Use with Solid Fuel Tablets
The Esbit 3-piece cookware unit runs off of smokeless, solid fuel. These sorts of tablets burn incredibly hot, boiling water in 8 minutes time. That sort of speed and functionality is crucial in a crisis.
The anodized steel body is lightweight and easily portable. Stainless steel handles fold against that body for safe storage and handling. Amazon reviewer C. Morse has hurricane experience with this unit:
Best Under $12
3. Coghlan's Folding Cube Stove, 5" H x 6.5" W x 6.5" L Black
Coghlan's is the most portable stove on this list. The cube-style folds flat for easy storage and traveling. Coated steel walls will protect your heat source from wind, channeling warmth to where you need it most: your food. Speaking of fuel, this unit is compatible with canned sources like propane, solidified alcohol fuel, and fuel tabs.
Fuel for Emergency Kits
QuickStove Natural Waterproof Survival & Camp Fuel Disk Fire Starters - 3 Month Supply - 108 Count - 54 Hour Burn time - Made of Cedar & Wax - Perfect for Camping, Hiking & Emergency Preparedness
An emergency stove is important to have, but it won't do any good unless there is some fuel in your stockpile. These disks still burn when wet and will stay alight for 30-45 minutes. They heat close to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit and have an unlimited shelf life. A must-have for emergency preparedness.
Survival Food
ReadyWise Emergency Food Supply, Entree Variety, 25-Year Shelf Life, 60 Servings
What good are a cooking set and fuel without an emergency food kit to fill eat? ReadyWise provides long-term food storage with meals that are tastier than MRE meal kits. Dried fruit and granola only go so far. When you need something more filling, a crisis food supply stash can make a difficult situation easier. There are even gluten-free food buckets out there.
An emergency cooking kit isn't the only thing you need when disaster strikes. Make sure you stock your space with a reliable can opener and water filters too. You never know when you'll need them.
Editor's Note: Products featured on Wide Open Eats are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
