This Tiny Canned Item Is Arguably The Most Important Wildcard In My Survival Emergency Kit

I know most of you are coming here to argue with me, and that's ok. I'm actually thrilled so many of you know, practice, and are prepared with your survival pantries and supplies.

Besides non-perishable food, water, and first aid, what do you think is the most important strange item in your kit? Cooking can be a little difficult when there is no power. The ability to cook both indoors and outside is crucial, depending on the emergency.

Sterno for the win!Photo byRichelleg

Option for Safe Indoor Cooking

So, how do we cook indoors without putting ourselves in danger when the power is out? Canned heat! This is available in a range of brands (Sterno, Safe Heat, etc.), burn times (two to six hours), and prices ($1 to $5 per can).

IMPORTANT: The only canned heat kinds that are acceptable to burn indoors are those intended for use by caterers. It is only safe to burn other types of canned heat indoors with sufficient ventilation. Although the fuel burns quite cleanly, some carbon monoxide may still be produced.

Make sure the can you plan to use indoors says it's okay to burn indoors all the time. Check the label!

What Is Canned Heat?

A disposable alcohol burner is also called canned heat. Caterers frequently use these cans to maintain hot food at serving temperature in cooking dishes. With extremely hot water beneath the food, the desired concept is to produce a portable steam table that maintains the food's temperature.

The cans are filled with either petroleum-based purple gel, which is flammable but does not burn quickly, or various types of alcohol. The fuel emits both a visible flame and a lot of heat, surprisingly. The flame and heat rise straight up and doesn't spread, making them perfect for heating canned meals or boiling water. They're also good for heating small spaces.

You can buy canned heat online, at wholesale warehouses like Sam's Club, or in smaller amounts in other stores' camping sections.

Portable folding stovePhoto byRichelleg

Safety Measures to Take When Using Canned Heat

Safe Heat has a temperature of 120 degrees as its flashpoint (the lowest point at which it will ignite when exposed to an ignition source) and 225 degrees as its ignition temperature (the temperature needed for it to fire on its own).

It should be kept in a dry, cool place for storage.

Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are the dangerous breakdown products that are produced when these are burned. However, the carbon monoxide concentration is low enough to permit interior burning with sufficient ventilation.

Make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors with a digital readout close by and that ventilation is available at all times, just in case. Use the lid to put out the flame. A lot of the time, you can't even see the flame, so blowing it out could be dangerous, as it's not really out. Put that lid on to be sure.

Using Canned Heat in Cooking

• You may easily use canned heat in an EmberLit wood burner, chafing dish, fondue pot, small Sterno stove, or EcoQue portable grill. We've even had excellent results using it in a portable charcoal barbecue.
• To boil water, cover your pan with a lid. The flame rises straight up; stirring frequently is necessary to avoid burning.
• Great for first aid, or heating water for bathing.

Using more cans at the same time will increase the heat. You should be aware that the manufacturer recommends using no more than two cans at a time. Keep that in mind.

Flat pack for storingPhoto byRichelleg

Even with an open flame, it is crucial to make sure you have enough ventilation for your cooking. Keep in mind that when there is insufficient oxygen for full combustion, any flame has the potential to release carbon monoxide. Exercise caution and wisdom!

Unlabeled Applications for Canned Heat

To light my charcoal, I like to put a can of Safe Heat underneath my charcoal. No lighter fluid, no newspaper, no blowing, just one match.

Terracotta pot warmer: google it. Can heat a small space!

How to Store

The cans should be kept in well-sealed containers in a cold, dry place away from "foodstuffs," according to the Safety Data Sheet for Safe Heat. Keep away from oxidizing, acidic, and alkalis (caustic solutions) components when storing. Stay away from sources of ignition. Make sure to discard any dented or damaged cans and store upright, away from heat sources.

Heating dishesPhoto byRichelleg

Ten years to indefinitely, depending on the manufacturer, is the storage life. Even after ten years, our oldest cans continue to burn just like new ones.

Attributions:

Carter, B., & Carter, B. (2016, January 16). Survival Cooking: How To Cook In An Emergency. https://uspreppers.com/survival-cooking-how-to-cook-in-an-emergency/

Pathways, W. (2017, May 2). Sterno - Great for Emergencies - Winding Pathways. Winding Pathways. https://windingpathways.com/sterno-great-emergencies/