Off Grid Alternatives is something I’ve thought about a lot recently. Things that will work well without power to do everyday tasks. Items that will suit you during a collapse. My homestead will not be off grid. Entirely. More like semi off grid working towards fully off grid. There are exceptions I can’t work around. I need the internet for the blog, communication and cat videos. For other things though I can find alternatives. Simple no power off grid alternatives. This post is a collection of thoughts on a few items I’m planing on getting. If you have experience with any let me know.
Washing Machine
I’ve seen tons of off grid alternatives for washing machines. From the simple to more elaborate. I think I have settled on a model I like. The Laundrypod is the model I like the most. It takes only a few minutes to wash up to 10 garments. Some of the other off grid alternatives have very small capacities. I doubt I’ll be fitting in a comforter in the laundrypod smaller sheets and blankets should go. It is more complicated than a washing board but faster and less labor intensive. It is only supposed to take two minutes of spinning clean your clothes. It doesn’t say is but I bet spinning after the wash will remove some excess water. The whole thing is built like a salad spinner.
Hot Water Heater
I’ve thought about hot water a lot. I will not be giving up showers. Or a good long bath on occasion. I don’t want to go boom squish though. Heating hot water can be tricky. The myth busters showed how deadly a hot water heater can be. I’ve seen a million ways to heat water on the internet. I think in my final house design I’ll include a wood heated Japanese soaking tub. For now though I’m going to go with propane. I’ve looked at many off grid alternatives for tankless propane water heaters. I keep coming back to one model every time. The Eccotemp L5 Portable Tankless Water Heater and Outdoor Shower. It’s designed to be an outdoor shower but I’ve seen it used indoors. For a quick and easy hot water solution for a tiny space it will be great.
Music
This is just something I want for morale. Looking at off grid alternatives for music I decided I wanted a record player. I decided on a Victrola model phonograph. They are wind up record players. For being off grid and a great sound I like them. I looked around for new models or modern replicas and didn’t find much. You can still find them on ebay in working condition for a few hundred dollars. Less if you want to fix it up.
Off Grid Alternatives
Those are a few of the off grid alternatives I’m considering for my homestead. Any suggestions? Things you use on your homestead? Let me know in the comments!
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We’ve never used any of those; I had to resort to washing clothes in buckets (using Tupperware lids to scrape and a stick for agitation) when we had no washing machine for awhile. How do you plan to heat? We’re getting quotes for installing our wood stove right now, and OUCH. Considering selling a lung on eBay to finance that one. :-p
Hand powered tools:
Brace and bit drills
hand sharpening stones/ grinders/Files/ rasps
Hammers/ saw(s)/ from hand bow saw to 2 man logging saw
Chains/ cables, hooks. etc. fasteners of all types including nails and screws.
I love getting all these things that most people don’t seem to want any part of anymore from garage/ yard/ estate sales for pennies on the dollar. Let’s go yard-sailing
These are great suggestions. One should never overlook human powered tools, especially those for building dwellings, in there preps.
I have a laundry pod, and by trial and error I’m getting better at using it. Initially I was using too much soap, you really only need to use a small amount. I ended up having to rinse twice negating some of the water saving benefit. Also it is a stretch to think you can fit 10 garments in it unless it’s undiepants. Expect to fit three pairs of pants, or four pairs of shorts, or eight t-shirts in it. My full/queen size sheet set, or comforter, or dickies(carhart looking) XXL sized winter jacket will not fit in it. I hope I am not talking you out of it, just be aware of the size limitation. It does clean really well and we have few options for cleaning clothes in an off grid, or in my case, eco freindly dwelling. The other mistake I initially made was forgetting to get a cheap drying rack to go with it, since hanging your clothes outside isn’t always feasible.