Alternate cooking Source

**TangoFoxtrot** · 08-07-2011, 06:16 AM

Alternate cooking Source

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I purchased a freestanding metal firepit yesterday. It has a 14" depth and a large cooking grill. I entend to start storing wood and tinder along with bags of charcoal. I want this to backup my gas grill. I'm also getting an extra tank of propane to keep in storage.

If the gas flow to my oven in the house ever shuts off, due to a SHTF senario, I'll have alternate ways to cook. Does anyone else use a firepit like this? I forgot to meantion I live in the burbs (twp) outside of a small city, where burn barrels and bondfires are not allowed.

**crashdive123** · 08-07-2011, 07:23 AM

I turned into sort of a camp stove junkie (feeling much better now) so have several ways of cooking. Outside over a fire is one of them.

**randyt** · 08-07-2011, 08:37 AM

please don't laugh or at least don''t laugh too hard. We've used the inner drum from a washing machine for a fire ring. I'm on the lookout for a stainless steel inner drum, those are the Cadillac of drums.

**BENESSE** · 08-07-2011, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by randyt

please don't laugh or at least don''t laugh too hard. We've used the inner drum from a washing machine for a fire ring. I'm on the lookout for a stainless steel inner drum, those are the Cadillac of drums.

Laugh?!
Why that's brilliant, sir!

**randyt** · 08-07-2011, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by BENESSE

Laugh?!
Why that's brilliant, sir!

Benesse, thanks , The reason I said don't laugh is somewhere in there, there's a redneck joke. LOL. If you use an old washing machine to cook your lunch you just might be a redneck. Using the inner drum is a common practice around my area. A stainless steel beer keg with the top cut off and a couple handles added is used for a big cook pot too. It's great for a hobo stew.

**Sarge47** · 08-07-2011, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by randyt

Benesse, thanks , The reason I said don't laugh is somewhere in there, there's a redneck joke. LOL. If you use an old washing machine to cook your lunch you just might be a redneck. Using the inner drum is a common practice around my area. A stainless steel beer keg with the top cut off and a couple handles added is used for a big cook pot too. It's great for a hobo stew.

Randy, what a bout a split ring from a truck tire? Just thinking out loud.

**randyt** · 08-07-2011, 03:35 PM

Yes sir Sarge, I've used a truck wheel before too but the Cadillac especially for a long lasting rig is a stainless steel drum from a washing machine. The truck wheel lasted a few seasons and then rusted out.

**crashdive123** · 08-07-2011, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by randyt

please don't laugh or at least don''t laugh too hard. We've used the inner drum from a washing machine for a fire ring. I'm on the lookout for a stainless steel inner drum, those are the Cadillac of drums.

Nothing at all wrong with using what works.

**LowKey** · 08-07-2011, 06:53 PM

What kind of storage would you be keeping that propane tank in? Hopefully well ventilated...
When it comes to propane I have 3 small grill tanks in rotation. Two always filled (well, until recently, valve crapped out on one of them and needs to be recycled). You need to keep them in use, not just store them away.

A simple emergency situation can be handled with a firepit and a few bags of charcoal. For long term, you may want to think about an outdoor oven. Or a few additions to your fireplace that make hearth cooking possible. Then practice.

**JPGreco** · 08-07-2011, 09:41 PM

Well, for a short term situation (72 hr), you don't need much more than the wood itself. It's very easy to create a fire pit from either stone or just by digging a small ditch in the ground. A stainless steel frying pan, with the outside coated in soap, set on the coals will cook most anything, and its stuff you have laying around the house. I wouldn't go out and buy any kind of fire pit thing for an emergency use if you can't use it any other times. That just seems like a waste of money to me.

For long term emergencies, charcoal may become a liability. Personally, I would rather store large pieces of wood than a bunch of bags of charcoal. I know the charcoal briquettes can get crap out over time if they get damp, which includes storing the bag in a garage. Large chunks of wood are more reliable as a fuel source than charcoal IMO.

**randyt** · 08-07-2011, 10:14 PM

Good point on the charcoal JPGreco, Regular old fashioned lump charcoal will keep well. It's available at most places.

**hunter63** · 08-08-2011, 01:08 PM

I have used the 'kettle" part of an old Weber Grill........ works well as a fire pit.
Pick them up on the curb, No money, usually the leg connectors rust out or the wheels go bad, just take the legs off place in the ground or ring the sides with rocks, and away you go.

Built in grill, and the top will snuff out the fire when you are done with it for the night.

**Rick** · 08-08-2011, 03:02 PM

Tangofoxtrot - I have to second the storage caution. And make certain you store them upright. Remember that compressed propane is a liquid inside the tank. I'm a professed cook stove junky, too. I have military individual stoves, vehicle stoves, squad stoves, Coleman stoves, and medical stoves for sterilizing equipment. And all I have are MREs (sigh). Check your laws on the fires. I'm in the same boat but you may find they don't say anything if the fire is used for cooking. At least that's the way it is around here. All you have to do is show 'em the hotdog (chuckle). If it's just open burning then you need a fire pit, here. Of course, if it's an emergency then they probably aren't going to say anything anyway.