Top 9 Pieces of Cookware You Need For Emergencies
Check out these nine pieces of cookware you need for emergencies. Suppose you’re ever caught up in the middle of an emergency or natural disaster. In that case, having cookware that allows you to cook using various options and prepare meals for your family will be extremely important for survival.
Significantly, if your situation doesn’t improve over a more extended period, it’s all about being prepared before we need to be, right? We can do this, and life is good when we are prepared.
Here are several cookware items that are highly recommended for emergencies. In case you missed my post How To Use A Kelly Kettle, you only need twigs or pine cones to boil water or cook with a small soup pan.
Cookware You Need For Emergencies
A Butane Stove
I have mentioned this before, but I highly recommend a butane stove and stocking a few extra canisters of fuel. Mark and I used one for a few weeks while waiting for a gas line to be run into our home for a gas stove. Butane Stove and Extra Canisters I was surprised at how versatile the butane stove was for cooking things like eggs, pancakes, and even small steaks.
When I taught classes, the stores supplied me with food storage meals to cook in front of the students. If you use butane at home, crack a window, or use them outside if you feel more comfortable.
Dutch Oven
I like the 6-quart size iron Dutch oven for making full-size meals. If you have a fire pit, you may want to practice cooking over open campfires now to be ready when an emergency requires this type of cooking. They are also perfect for camping. The charcoal will last longer if stored in airtight buckets, and the charcoal briquettes without the lighter fluid can be stored indefinitely. 6-Quart Dutch Oven, 4-Quart Dutch Oven
You can cook several items at a time using different sizes of Dutch ovens. Please print this out so you have it when you need it. Lodge Cooking Guide Dutch ovens aren’t designed to be used on a stovetop, especially when it requires the induction process.
I have a few pieces of enameled cast iron cookware items. I like cast iron pans for cooking soup and stews. The enameled surface makes them similar to a non-stick skillet, and thus easier to clean. I tend to hand wash my non-stick cookware pieces even though they are considered dishwasher safe. I use the enameled items for baking.
Mess Kit
The Mess Kit may not include eating utensils but provides an aluminum or stainless steel frying pan and a lid to organize them. Stainless steel is more efficient when cooking and is much lighter to carry. This kit would work for up to two people and be great for camping. Mess Kit
G.I. Can Opener
You don’t want to be caught off guard following an emergency and not having a P-38 or a P-51 Can Opener, especially when canned foods are ones that you have a pantry stocked full of. Of course, the ones we have at home work well, too. A Can Opener or Electric Can Opener (helps with arthritis) is for everyday use.
Telescoping Fork
Coghlan’s Telescoping Fork is an extendable cooking fork that’s easy to rotate while pushing the thumb roller. It’s perfect for hotdogs, smores, and other types of food that you wish to roast above the fire and not have as much risk of burning your hand.
Camper’s Knife
A knife is another tool you don’t want to be caught without. Camper’s Knife comes with a fork, Swiss army knife, detachable spoon, and can opener. Its rubbery handle makes it easy to hold and is quite a practical, compact tool. These are perfect for 72-Hour Kits.
Stainless Steel Cup
Remember to drink plenty of water, too. If you’re a big coffee drinker in the morning, you’ll need a method for holding your cup of Joe. A Stainless Steel Cup is durable and convenient to carry, holding up to 20-24 oz of liquid at a time.
Stainless Steel Multi Utensil Kit
This Stainless Steel Multi-Utensil Set is versatile and compact. It comes with three handy tools: a fork, spoon, knife, and more. The cover is included. The metal utensils are very durable and should last a long time. Be careful not to use them on your non-stick cookware since that may cause damage to the surface.
Deluxe Chow Kit
The Deluxe Chow Kit is the way to go if you don’t need all those extra tools or a regular cutlery set. This cutlery set will genuinely be an excellent choice for when an emergency strikes.
Are There Other Items You Should Strongly Consider When Cooking in an Emergency?
Some items I’d suggest you have in your cookware/meal prep inventory are:
- A stock pot
- Baking sheets for cookies and other treats
- Sturdy mixing bowls – most of mine are metal and less prone to break
- Roasting pan
- For cooking, you’ll always need potable water. Have containers to store usable water and filters to make sure the water is safe to use.
Final Word
It’s a smart strategy to be prepared and in a position to prepare the food necessary to feed your family following an emergency. Several cookware kits and tools will provide the essential means to make cooking much more manageable.
These are not only great for emergencies but also for when you decide to go camping. What cookware do you need for emergencies? Would you add to this list? Do you have any of the top 9 cookware items you need for emergencies? These are pretty inexpensive and great for camping and everyday use! Stay safe, stay well. May God bless this world, Linda
Copyright Images: Butane Stove AdobeStock_230731685 by Randy Anderson
As far as the “G.I. can opener” goes, there are two types. The P-38 and the larger P-51. Your link goes to the Coghlan’s page on Amazon. However, if you search Amazon for either one I mentioned you will come up with less expensive options.
Hi Karl, thank you, I will look for those. Linda
Amazon sells one with a spoon on the end. While it’s short as a spoon it works well for my wife and her arthritis hands as leverage even better than the 51.
MORNING FROM EVANS,WA. I just bought the one burner stove off AMAZON it very nice ! I had for years the GI can opener ! OH yes I even carry In my VAN 4 rolls of T P ! THANK you for some very good information
HI Sarah Jean, I love hearing you have used the GI openers for years! You will love having that stove. Yay for 4 rolls of TP in van! Linda
The butane stove that I have I was able to find a small oven that fits over the top of it and is great at biscuits n such.
I’m probably (as in I am LOL) on the extreme end of things but I’ve got the butane stove with canisters, the oven that goes on top, a coleman stove, a single burner gas military stove, a stove/oven in the camper, a BBQ grill, smoker, a homemade firepit with homemade tripod and hanger, a Dutch Oven, stand alone fireplace and a few hundred pounds of propane and 4-5 ricks of wood at all times.
I think I have a problem
Like I’m short on butane canisters and I need to fix that LOL
Hi Matt, we both have a problem, we love being prepared, it’s who we are! I love hearing the items you have, ditto here! Linda
Wait, no smoker, Sun Oven though!!
Linda ~
I have everything I need because I primitive camp. One thing that I am not doing at this time is getting more cookware!! I have enamel ware pots/pans, dishes/cups for my primitive camping (Mountain Man Rendezvous re-enactment) and cast iron. Heavy and I suppose if I were to have to bug out with a backpack, none of what I have or very little of it would be able to go with me. My camp kitchen box has 3 ways to open cans! – regular hand operated can opener, 3 or 4 P38 openers and butcher knives! Of course, butcher knives are the least efficient and least safe but I have opened many a can that way in a pinch.
Hi Leanne, you are my hero with primitive camping! I always love hearing your thoughts! Linda
If you carry a good jackknife (as I have since 4th grade!) you’ll have a can opener with you. Plus quite a few other things, depending on what you choose! ;-D
Hi Rhonda, so true!!! Linda
Have you tried the mengrills.com outdoor pressure cooker? I haven’t purchased one yet and was wondering if you’ve heard of it?
Hi Cameron, no I haven’t!! Oh my gosh, I quote: “MenGrills Camp cooker can be used on any heat source – coals, camp stove, propone stove, charcoal or gas grill, stovetop, etc. This is used by fishermen, hunters, workers in the fields, mountains, picnic lovers in the woods, or in summer cottages.” There is a typo “propane”, but wow, wow, wow! It’s a pressure cooker than can be cooked on any heat source!! These are amazing, thanks for sharing!! Linda
Cameron ~
I am a Mountain Man re-enactor and was at a rendezvous several years ago and we made a HUGE meal in a primitive pressure cooker. What we used was an old fashioned milk can. We placed water/broth in the can, added kielbasa, corn on the cob (1/2 ears), potatoes (cut into large chunks), green beans, onions (large chunks) and a bunch of spices. We placed the lid on tight, put the whole thing over the hot coals. When we saw steam coming out from the lid, we took it off the coals and set it aside. One guy tried with no success to pry the lid off before it had depressurized. Once the steam stopped coming out, the lid came off easily. Everything was cooked to perfection in about 20 minutes on the coals and 15 off the coals. Oh and by the way, the milk can was a never before used (new) can AND it made enough to feed 8 families! It was HUGE!!
Cameron et al.: Reddit shares an article and several comments from owners of Mengrills. They loved the pot but now want to return for a refund because the metal contains LEAD!! Company owners are no where to be found, either. Just a heads up!!
(www.)reddit.com/r/PressureCooking/comments/168kgx8/mengrills_afghan_pressure_cookers_contain_lead/?chainedPosts=t3_168kli1
I have a Coleman 2 burner stove. I still need to get some butane or whatever fuel it uses. We do have a propane gas stove in the house. I also have a 1 burner stove with fuel containers in my BOB.
Hi Deborah, I used to have a Coleman 2 burner, sold it when we moved. I have so many options I had to downsize. But not every thing!! Linda
Hi Linda. I noticed a few things missing that I would put on my list. A stovetop percolator and/or tea kettle. A cast iron skillet, with cover. A 1 or 2 qt sauce pan (if not cast iron, hit the 2nd stores looking for the thick bottomed early 50’s skillet and pots/pan sets. (Durable but lighter in weight, but not prone to hot spots. Long handled utensils (don’t forget a ladle).for barbecues or wood fire cooking, and long fire resistant barbecue mitts that come well up the arm. You’ll be thankful for those when a fire flares up to your arms. Open flame gas fueled stoves can also flare up, giving a painful burn to the hands, especially if something accidentally boils over or slops over the sides. Fire resistant over mitts should be enough there. If you don’t have a grate for cooking wood or in the fire place, a Dutch oven with legs and a top that can be filled with hot coals. A hanging rack over a fire,( like a heavy duty rotisserie device with some heavy duty S hooks, allows you to hang pans over the fire. An old oven rack can be recycled as a cooking grate, balanced evenly using stones to make it sit evenly and sturdy. I my self prefer keeping a set of sturdy stainless steel eating utensils. Each set wrapped in a sturdy napkin or a bandanna. Easy to clean the utensils and napkins as needed. They will last forever with good care. As for cups, I prefer the coated speckle ware cups. They are thicker, keeping coffee, tea, and cocoa hot longer and the edges cool more quickly so you can drink it while it’s hot without 2nd degree burns on your lips and tongue. Many of these can be shopped at 2nd hand shops, thrift stores, yard sales and street shopping on trash days. That save your money for stoves, wood, and other important items. Most of it will fit into one of those storage units in the bed of a pickup truck. There are also the large storage equipment storage boxes on large boats. Just my thoughts. You may have all of the fancy stoves and such, but without the items you need to cook with, they won’t be useful
Hi Mary Ann, yes I have a percolator in my stash, good one to add to this list. I have always said it you have a Dutch oven you can cook or boil anything. I used to have some fire mitts for barbecuing outside, they got lost in the move, I need to get some. Great reminder. Start small and add to your stash and before long you will have the items you need. Linda
Hi Linda, I count the skillet, because it’s hard to cook eggs any style, flip them over and lift them out, for making bacon/sausage that have to have the grease poured off, during cooking. Then browning hamburger to drain the fat off. To use chicken in the Dutch oven or brown chicken before adding to soups and stews. To quickly cook mushrooms, onions, bell peppers or brown other vegetables to add to a soup or stew. Then there are all those 30 minute skillet dinners for those days when no body has time to watch and cook a longer meal. I cannot use cast iron and more it’s just too heavy for me. I use heavy carbon steel or thick porcelain clad steel. I have a large wok I will be selling soon since it’s too heavy and awkward (for me to use safely). Over the last 3 years, I’ve been trading in my wok and skillets for ones that have 2 handles, somewhat like a Dutch oven. They are so much easier to handle for me. A wok would be a great pan to use over a wood fire.Less likely to slop over when being moved around. In China they are the all around utility pan, as you have said about your Dutch oven. A good piece of real oil cloth can be scrubbed off after every meal providing a sanitary surface to eat from, without washing table cloths and/or adding cheap plastic sheeting to the environment. The recent deep freeze event has been making me remember how it was when I grew up, in much colder climes. We cooked and heated with gas and wood. My Mother always had a stove top Percolator and a huge tea kettle on the range, ( no whistles or rattling of her tea kettle).
Hi Mary Ann, I just donated my stainless tea kettle I haven’t used in years. I love the two handle cooking pans, yes cast iron is heavier for sure. Mose of my cast iron or stainless steel pans have two handles. I’m not as strong as I used to be holding a frying pan and draining off the grease with one handle. I sold my large cast iron Wok, it was too heavy for me as well. They work great for families. Great tips as always, Linda