In times of emergency or when faced with power outages, having the right kitchen tools can make a significant difference in your ability to prepare meals. Manual kitchen tools are essential in such situations as they don't rely on electricity or batteries. They provide you with the means to cook, chop, grind, and prepare food without the need for power. In this blog, we will explore the seven best manual kitchen tools to have in case of an emergency, ensuring you can still cook and feed yourself and your family when facing unexpected situations.
Recently on the homestead, I had a broken frost-free hydrant in the garden that caused me to lose water in the house. Although I had electricity, I was able to practice a prepping scenario where I had no water because I literally didn’t! This blog is more geared towards if you don’t have electricity either, but it is a good reminder to practice what you have been prepping! You truly never know when you will lose electricity or water, so it is best to be prepared. I definitely didn’t expect to lose water this past week, but I was grateful I took the time to prepare for a scenario like that.
If you want to do a deep dive into prepping and start manage your prepping supplies, check out my downloadable prepper bundle where I help you organize your preparedness supplies.
Manual Can Opener
A manual can opener is a must-have tool in any emergency kit. It allows you to open canned goods without the need for an electric can opener. Look for a sturdy and reliable manual can opener that is easy to grip and operate. It will provide you with access to essential canned foods, ensuring you have sustenance during emergencies. This may sound wild, but I would suggest even having TWO manual can openers in case your first one breaks. Keep an unopened extra in your preparedness or camping supplies.
Take the next step: Buy the Gorilla Grip Manual Can Opener from Amazon and ensure you have a reliable tool to open canned goods in case of an emergency!
Hand-Powered Food Processor
A hand-powered food processor is a versatile tool that allows you to chop, dice, and puree ingredients manually. It typically consists of a blade mechanism and a hand-cranked system. With a hand-powered food processor, you can prepare fresh salsas, salads, and even blend ingredients for soups or sauces without electricity. Look for a compact and durable model that can handle various chopping tasks. Seriously, I use a food processor all the time to chop vegetables, make sauces, and do other cooking tasks. A food processor may not seem like a necessity in an emergency, but we are about thriving in emergency scenarios, not just surviving.
Take the next step: Buy the Manual food processor from Amazon and enjoy the convenience of manual food processing in your emergency kitchen!
Manual Coffee Grinder
For coffee enthusiasts, a manual coffee grinder is a valuable tool to have in emergencies. It allows you to grind coffee beans by hand, ensuring you can still enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Look for a grinder with adjustable settings, allowing you to achieve the desired grind size. A manual coffee grinder is not only useful for emergencies but also for outdoor adventures or camping trips.
I personally could survive without coffee in an emergency situation (I think,) but this may be a necessity for some! Think about how much you consume or depend on caffeine and plan for that in an emergency so you don’t have to deal with a cold turkey withdrawal.
Take the next step: Buy the JavaPresse Manual Can Opener from Amazon and continue to enjoy freshly ground coffee, even in emergency situations!
Manual Hand Mixer
When electricity is unavailable, a manual hand mixer becomes a valuable tool for baking and food preparation. It enables you to mix batter, whip cream, and beat eggs manually. Look for a hand mixer with multiple attachments and a comfortable grip for ease of use. With a manual hand mixer, you can still create delicious baked goods and desserts during emergencies.
I generally use my kitchen aid for mixing, but if the electricity was out, I would depend on my manual hand mixer. These are convenient and compact tools and remind me of how my grandma used to make things in her kitchen!
Keep in mind, I truly am about thriving in any scenario and that means being able to eat what I always do if the grid goes down. I want to continue life as normal as possible as I believe this will be important for me and my family’s mental state.
Also, make sure to practice with your manual items occasionally. Don’t wait for the electricity to go out before practicing.
Take the next step: Buy the Norpro egg beater from Amazon and keep your baking skills alive, even without electricity!
Manual Grain Mill
Having a manual grain mill in your emergency kit ensures you can grind grains into flour without electricity. It allows you to make your own fresh flour from wheat, corn, or other grains. Look for a durable and adjustable manual grain mill that can handle different types of grains. With a manual grain mill, you can continue to bake bread or make homemade pasta even during power outages.
Being able to make bread is important to me, so of course I have a manual mill! I bought this mill in 2020, and it is still going strong. I have used it to practice and ensure I know how it operates, but I will only use it for emergencies. There are a variety of manual mills, so see what works for you.
Take the next step: Buy the Victoria manual mill from Amazon and take control of your flour production, even without electricity!
Hand-Cranked Meat Grinder
A hand-cranked meat grinder is essential for those who want to process meat manually. It allows you to grind meat for burgers, sausages, or meatloaf without electricity. Look for a hand-cranked meat grinder that is easy to assemble and disassemble, making it convenient for cleaning. With a manual meat grinder, you can still enjoy freshly ground meat during emergencies or when electricity is unavailable.
Meat will be a high value item for trade and barter in an emergency situation. It may even more valuable if you have the ability to process it.
Take the next step: Buy the Huanyu meat grinder from Amazon and have the ability to process meat manually in emergency situations!
Having the right manual kitchen tools in your emergency kit is essential for ensuring you can cook and prepare meals even without electricity. The manual can opener, hand-powered food processor, manual coffee grinder, manual hand mixer, manual grain mill, and hand-cranked meat grinder are valuable additions to your emergency supplies. Investing in these manual tools will provide you with the ability to sustain yourself and your family during unexpected situations, ensuring you can still enjoy homemade meals when facing power outages or emergencies. Always be thinking of what your family needs but also what you will be able to barter in an emergency situation. Practice makes perfect!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these manual kitchen tools easy to use?
Yes, these manual kitchen tools are designed to be user-friendly and easy to operate. They may require a bit more effort compared to their electric counterparts but are generally straightforward and intuitive to use.
Can I find these manual kitchen tools in regular stores?
Yes, many kitchenware stores carry manual kitchen tools. You can also find them online through various retailers and specialty kitchen equipment websites.
Do these manual kitchen tools require a lot of maintenance?
Manual kitchen tools are relatively low-maintenance. Regular cleaning and proper storage will ensure their longevity and optimal performance. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for specific maintenance guidelines for each tool.
Can these manual kitchen tools be used for everyday cooking as well?
Absolutely! While these tools are excellent for emergencies, they can also be utilized for everyday cooking. They offer a manual and hands-on approach to food preparation, allowing you to have more control over the process and enjoy the satisfaction of preparing meals manually.
Are there any safety considerations when using these manual kitchen tools?
As with any kitchen tool, it's important to follow safety guidelines and exercise caution. Read the instruction manuals provided with each tool to understand proper usage and safety precautions. Always handle sharp blades with care and keep the tools out of reach of children.
