I used my first
Dutch Oven (a 6-quart Lodge; a "camp stove" with the three legs and a rimmed lid) back in the early '90's when I was a scoutmaster. I bought the same model with a week and fell in love with it and the entire idea. Just about anything you can cook in the oven or on a stovetop (including breads and pastries) can be cooked on a DO, especially if you can find a
Volcanostove to go with it.
We're talking abouit $300 here just for the two items, but you will have a versatile kitchen at your disposal which can use wood, charcoal, or standard 20-lb propane tanks and will probably be used by your grandchildren, when and if. Last month, I picked up two 2-packs of Kingsford charcoal (80 lb total) for $39.76 plus tax at my local Home Depot. With proper cooking, that will provide cooking for Dawn and me for at least six months if the electrical power goes away.
I can't recommend this setup too highly. If you get just one thing, go for the camp stove (make sure it has the three legs and the rimmed top for the charcoal briquettes) and as many bags of charcoal briquettes you can snarf up. The only caveat is NOT TO USE IT IN THE HOME because charcoal emits a lot of carbon monoxide, and you may end up well-fed, warm, and dead.
Cast iron, Volcano stoves, and bags of charcoal are heavy. These are not going to be in your bug-out bag; they should be on the kitchen porch of your homestead or the balcony of your condo apartment, etc.
But it's the most simple and versatile way I can think of to cook any meal you want. You can learn more about DO cooking
here.
