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Three days of food that needs no cooking
Updated October 2026
A box of ordinary food that works when the power does not. You probably already own much of it.
Why "no cooking"?
Many cookers and microwaves need mains power. UK Government advice is to keep non-perishable food that does not need cooking, such as ready-to-eat tinned meat, fruit and vegetables, together with a tin opener.
A simple three-day box
Think about what each person would eat across three days, and keep it together in one place. Some ideas:
- Tinned fish, meat, beans, vegetables and fruit
- Ready-to-eat meals and soups that are fine eaten cold
- Crackers, oatcakes, biscuits and cereal bars
- Peanut butter, nuts and dried fruit
- Long-life milk or plant milk
- Something comforting, such as chocolate
Hot drinks need a safe way to boil water. If you know a storm is coming, fill a flask while you still have power.
Store what you eat
The easiest way to build a food store is to buy a little extra of what you already eat, then use the oldest first. Check dates every six months. Keep in mind allergies, dietary needs, baby food and pet food.
Check the tin opener
It sounds obvious, but many homes do not have a working tin opener. Or choose ring-pull tins.
In a longer power cut
Eat food from the fridge first, then food from the freezer, then your stored food. The Food Standards Agency has guidance on what is safe to eat after a power cut.
What about freeze-dried food?
Freeze-dried meals are light and keep for a long time, but they cost more and most need clean water to prepare. They are worth considering later, but you do not need them to start.
Where this advice comes from
Based on the UK Government Prepare website and the Food Standards Agency. This guide is general advice for ordinary households, not a substitute for official guidance. In an emergency, call 999.