Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Play with your food! It’s time to start experimenting with different baking methods that don’t require a traditional oven! That means getting your hands messy, buying some new toys, and deep diving into some YouTube videos… for science.
Remember, bread making and primitive baking go back centuries before electricity was even invented. We don’t need to depend on the modern day oven to get our carb fix. Prepare to be amazed by what you can create once you embrace the homestead spirit!
Today, we’re going to walk you through traditional and non-traditional ways of baking without an oven. Some methods you can practice right now and some require a day or weekend of backyard projects that will only make your homestead more valuable and sustainable. Let’s eat!
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1. Gas Oven Tandoor
If you’re looking for the lowest maintenance and easiest method to bake without an oven, this handy invention is it. The Gas Oven Tandoor is a modern day machine that comes with multiple, interchangeable plates that allow you to bake practically anything and everything on a gas stove.
What to Bake: Pizza, Cake, Tandoor Roti, Naan, Roasted Tandoori Chicken and whatever else you can come up with!
How to Bake with a Gas Oven Tandoor:
Just like you would sear or sauté over a gas stove with a pan, you place this “oven” on top of the flame and adjust your cook time and heat accordingly.
2. Cast Iron Skillet over a Gas Stove
If you don’t already have a cast iron skillet in your kitchen collection, now is the time to order one. They are literally the only piece of kitchenware that gets better with age as the flavors burrow into the pan and infuse everything you cook… or in this case, bake.
What to Bake: Bread!
What You’ll Need:
- Gas Stovetop
- Cast Iron Skillet with Lid
- Butter, Ghee, Oil, or an Organic Pan Spray
- Large Kitchen Towel
- Small Scoring Knife
- Cooling Wire Rack
How to Bake:
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Just like you would with an oven, you will first prep the dough with yeast and let it rise in a pot. When it’s risen, the baking begins. Watch this video tutorial on how to make bread in a skillet from beginning to end!
3. Large Pot Over a Gas Stove
Very similar to baking pan bread, you can make lighter, fluffier buns by using the Asian-inspired pot method!
What to Bake: Eggless Pav, Cup Cakes, Dinner Rolls
What You’ll Need:
- Gas Stove
- Large, Deep Pot
- Deep Dish Pizza Pan or this versatile set
- Standing Rack
- Butter or Ghee or Oil
- Large Kitchen Towel
- Oven Mitts
Here’s a tutorial to walk you through the process of how to make delicious Eggless Pav.
4. An Earthen Oven
We’re taking it back to the 1800s where colonists would make ovens out of mud and clay and feed their entire village fresh, warm bread. The finished oven looks something like a poor man’s pizza oven fueled by wood.
What to Bake: Pizza, casseroles, bread, protein…use your stomach’s imagination!
What You’ll Need to Build an Earthen Oven:
- Sand from your Hardware Store
- Clay from your Hardware Store
- Straw or Dried Grass from your Yard
- Bricks or Fire Bricks from your Hardware Store
- Water
- Canvas Tarp
- Solid Base of your Choice (stone or brick table is often best)
Follow this step-by-step tutorial that shows you how to build an Earthen Oven in one day:
5. Brick Wood Fired Pizza Oven
When it comes to building your own Brick Oven, there are quite a few versions to choose from, spanning from modern to ultra-fancy! Both cook just the same, it’s just a matter of visual taste and how much effort you’re willing to put in.
What to Bake: Pizza, Bread, Casseroles, and Cakes.
How to Make a Brick Oven:
You’ve got options! Here are some tutorials for you to choose from.
6. Solar Oven
Solar Ovens are an essential for every survivalist. Made of lightweight reflective material that is easy to carry and store, and is powered only by the sun, there’s no excuse not to have one in your cooking arsenal.
What to Bake: Best for casseroles, soups, chicken, and more.
What you Need: We recommend the SunFlair Mini Portable Solar Oven which comes with everything you need to bake off the grid including…
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- 1 Solar Oven Thermometer
- 1 Trivet
- 1 Collapsible Silicone Pot
- 1 Handy Tote Bag
Watch the SunFlair Solar Oven in action here and learn some yummy recipes while you’re at it:
7. Tandoor Oven
Now, with a Tandoor Oven, it really takes dedication and intrinsic motivation to get this project just right. The basics of the oven are simple to assemble and can be done so in an hour. However, everyone seems to have their own school of thought on how to ventilate. That’s where creativity comes in.
What to Bake: Think middle eastern with baked kebabs, naan bread, and tandoori chicken.
What You’ll Need to Build a Tandoor Oven:
- Large Terracotta Pot
- Medium Terracotta Pot
- Small Terracotta Pot
- An all-purpose handsaw
- Stone or Pebbles to fill the Large Terracotta Pot
Learn from the pros in this video tutorial:
Pro Baking Tip: Learn How to Cultivate Yeast
If you’re a family full of bread lovers, then you need to start your infinite yeast supply now! Watch this 10-minute tutorial for a life full of bread bliss!
So, there ya have it! You don’t have to rely on electricity to bake delicious bread and casseroles on the homestead. As with everything you do out there, get creative and take pride in learning some new skills. Have a look around your property and start scouting out where you’re going to set up your next big baking project!
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