Chapter 22 · Pantry and cooking without power
A 1- to 5-week reserve: three levels
The sections above build a 2-week pantry at 2,000 kcal per person, the label minimum. This plan goes further: 5 weeks, at the calories active adults need, in three levels you buy and use in order. Example: 4 adults and 2 dogs of ~7 kg (15 lb).
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Household calories per day | 10,500 kcal (3,000 for a large build + 2,500 × 3). Planning 11,000 gives ~5% margin |
| Per week | 73,500 kcal (77,000 with margin) |
| 5 weeks | ~368,000 kcal (385,000 with margin) |
| Protein target | ~100 g per adult per day (400 g/day for the household) |
| Cooking water (weeks 2 to 5) | 4 to 5 L/day for the household: it fits in the 2 L per adult per day for hygiene and cooking, but leaves little for hygiene |
The full list adds up to ~392,000 kcal and ~14 kg of protein over 5 weeks: about 37 days at 10,500 kcal (36 at 11,000).
Three levels, three kinds of preparation
- Level 1 (week 1): eaten without cooking and with almost no water. This is the level for when there's no power, no gas and nobody has the headspace to cook.
- Level 2 (weeks 2 and 3): basic cooking on a camp stove (outside). Quick-cooking grains and legumes.
- Level 3 (weeks 4 and 5): deep reserve: what lasts years untouched, plus protein powder and, optionally, freeze-dried meals for the evacuation backpacks.
Ready.gov (FEMA) asks for exactly this in the first phase: foods that need no refrigeration, cooking, water or special preparation, and that won't make you thirsty. In week 1, when water is counted, avoid very salty food (ramen, too much jerky).
