The indoor boundary
London Fire Brigade says outdoor cooking equipment such as a barbecue or camping stove must not be used indoors because of fire and carbon monoxide risk. A doorway, garage, tent, awning or open window is not a safe workaround. A carbon monoxide alarm is a warning device, not permission to use the wrong appliance in a building.
Options and their limits
- Ready-to-eat food
- No heat, fuel or appliance needed. Works in a flat or home without outdoor space. Limit: choose food labelled ready to eat, check allergens, and keep a manual tin opener when needed.
- Existing fitted gas hob
- May allow normal cooking if the particular model works during a cut. Limit: electric controls or ignition may stop it, and the appliance still needs normal ventilation and maintenance. Never bypass safety controls; check the manual.
- Electric appliance on backup power
- Avoids combustion at the point of use if the appliance and power source are compatible. Limit: cooking loads may be too high or drain the supply quickly. Check appliance power, battery output and instructions before relying on it.
- Outdoor camping stove
- Can heat simple meals outside where allowed. Limit: exposed to wind and rain, needs the correct fuel and stable placement, and carries flame, burn, fire and carbon monoxide risks. It is not an indoor fallback.
- Outdoor barbecue
- May be useful for planned outdoor cooking where permitted. Limit: flame, hot surfaces, fuel and residual carbon monoxide remain hazards. Never bring it inside, even after cooking has ended.
How to choose without overbuying
- Start with the meal
Identify safely stored chilled food to use first, following Food Standards Agency power-cut guidance. List familiar foods that need no heat, then identify what actually needs cooking. UK Prepare recommends a reserve of non-perishable food that does not need cooking.
- Check your setting
A household without a suitable private outdoor area may have no appropriate place for a camping stove or barbecue. Check property rules and local fire advice before planning outdoor fuel use.
- Check equipment compatibility
Read the exact cooker and power-source instructions. Do not infer performance from a product category, battery capacity label or another household's experience.
- Check the food result
The Food Standards Agency says to follow packet cooking instructions and check food is cooked through. A stove that merely warms food may not be suitable for raw ingredients or leftovers.
Fuel, flame and placement matter
For an outdoor camping stove, use only the fuel and assembly method specified by its manufacturer. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service advises an even, non-combustible surface, cooking outside and away from flammable material, and turning off the gas supply before changing a cylinder. Fuel storage and cylinder changes need the exact product instructions as well as local rules.
London Fire Brigade advises never leaving cooking unattended and keeping cloths and loose clothing away from heat. Keep children and pets clear of the cooking area. If the weather or setting prevents a suitable outdoor position, use a no-cook meal instead.
A barbecue can still give off carbon monoxide after it appears to be out. London Fire Brigade says to keep it outside and well away from buildings and shelters while it cools.
If someone may have breathed carbon monoxide
The NHS lists headache, dizziness, sickness, weakness and confusion as possible symptoms. Stop using the suspected appliance if you can, go outside and get medical advice. Do not re-enter until advised it is safe. Call 999 if possible exposure is accompanied by severe breathing difficulty, sudden confusion, loss of consciousness, weakness or chest or muscle pain.
What this comparison cannot decide
There is no fuel-per-meal figure here. Fuel use changes with the stove, pan, food, wind and temperature. There is also no universal battery size for cooking: compare the exact appliance input with the backup power supply's rated output and usable energy.
This page does not assess a specific stove, cooker, battery, gas installation or outdoor area. Follow manufacturer instructions, local restrictions and current official safety advice.