How to Cook During a Power Cut in the UK

A power cut can leave an electric or induction cooker unavailable just when you want a hot meal. Planning a separate gas cooking setup gives you another option, provided the stove is suitable for the place you intend to use it and you have the correct equipment.

This guide helps UK households choose a backup gas cooking stove and prepare before an outage. Compare our gas cooking stoves if you are ready to choose a model.

Start with a practical household plan

The UK Government’s Be Ready guidance encourages households to prepare for disruption to essential services. Its checklist includes three days of non-perishable food that does not need cooking. A backup stove can complement those supplies; it does not replace them or guarantee a complete emergency setup.

Severe weather, faults and cyber incidents can disrupt everyday services. Plan around the practical need to prepare food without your usual cooker, rather than relying on a particular cause or assuming an outage will last a fixed number of days.

Can you cook with a gas stove during a power cut?

Government food-safety guidance identifies camping stoves, barbecues and bottled-gas stoves as possible alternatives when electricity is unavailable. It also says to follow manufacturer instructions, as most of these appliances are designed for outdoor use only.

Check your chosen stove’s fuel supply and ignition system. A bottled-gas appliance is a separate setup from a mains-connected cooker. Silver Line uses battery-powered ignition, so its battery is part of your preparation. Confirm the requirements for any other model before relying on it.

Indoor and outdoor gas cooking stoves: choose the right model

Never bring an outdoor-only gas stove indoors to cook during a power cut. An open window does not make an outdoor appliance suitable for indoor use. Do not use outdoor stoves in tents, garages or other enclosed spaces.

The HOT WOK Silver Line 4.5 kW is approved for indoor and outdoor use, subject to its model instructions, installation requirements and ventilation. It has a flame-failure device which shuts off the gas if the flame goes out. This feature does not remove the need to follow the instructions. Check the manual supplied with your UK appliance and ask us about your intended setup before ordering if you are unsure.

The Original 7 kW and PRO 12 kW are outdoor-only stoves. The 10 kW cast-iron stove and Double are outdoor-cooking options. Choose them only if you have a suitable outdoor location and can follow their operating instructions. Cooking stoves must not be used as room heaters.

Check the whole setup before buying

  • Cooking location: confirm indoor approval or a suitable outdoor area for the exact model.
  • Fuel and connections: check the specified gas, pressure, cylinder connection, hose and regulator. Do not substitute a regulator simply because it fits a cylinder.
  • Ignition: understand how the stove lights, including any battery requirements.
  • Cookware: check permitted pan types, dimensions and load limits. A wok-focused stove may need different cookware from your usual kitchen hob.
  • Included equipment: Original and PRO include a 30 cm wok, hose and regulator. The 10 kW stove and Double require a separately purchased hose and regulator; their cookware arrangements differ.
  • Storage and maintenance: follow the appliance and fuel supplier’s instructions, including checks before use after storage.

How much gas should you keep?

Fuel use depends on the model, heat setting, cooking time and conditions. There is no single cylinder size or runtime that applies to every household. Ask us to confirm your stove’s specified fuel consumption and compatible supply before planning quantities. Follow your gas supplier’s storage guidance.

Keep food preparation simple

Plan meals around the cookware your stove permits and keep drinking water and ready-to-eat food available. During an outage, follow official advice on chilled food, hand hygiene and cooking food thoroughly. If conditions prevent you from using your stove safely, use food that does not require cooking.

Shop gas cooking stoves or contact HOT WOK UK for help choosing a model and checking its equipment requirements.

Further guidance

Reviewed 12 November 2026. HOT WOK UK is an independent retailer; references to public preparedness advice do not imply government endorsement of our products.