Being able to cook through different methods is a great way to spice things up a bit. I’ve found 7 neat ways to cook without a stove. Some of them you possibly have heard of before and you just might learn about a new technique as well. I think it’s fun to learn new ways to cook, especially since I don’t always have a stove available.

7. Exhaust pipe

Photo Credit: evan_stanbury

Don’t worry, your food isn’t placed directly into the pipe to cook it. There are stoves rigged up that allow the exhaust pipe to pass through the center of the stove and allows heat to enter, but not fumes. If you’ve ever gotten too close to the tail pipe of your car, then you know just how hot those things can get. They supply more than enough heat to cook with.

6. Sterno

Photo Credit: jpmarth

This is a jelly-like substance and it gets extremely hot. The little cans have lid on them that is removed and then the jelly stuff is lit with a lighter. You can place a pan or skillet right above the flame, but not right on top of the can itself. If you cover the flame completely, then the fire will be suffocated and go out. These are great for emergency situations.

5. Dashboard

Photo Credit: Amit K

A work colleague of my husband used to make cookies on his dashboard. He would take a small cookie sheet, place 6 balls of dough on it, and set the tray on his dashboard. By the time he came out for lunch, the cookies were finished and ready to eat. This is more of a summertime method of cooking. I thought it sounded like lots of fun. Plus, can you imagine how wonderful the car would smell after the cookies were finished baking? Yum!