Off-Grid Living

A Manual Well Pump for Grid-Down Scenarios: The Bison Pump

May 28, 2020 / 19 Comments

Guest post by Stephen Clay McGehee who blogs at The Southern Agrarian. When we decided to add manual pumping capability to our electric pump well, it came down to two alternatives – the Simple Pump or the Bison Pump. Both are designed for different uses, so one is not necessarily “better” than the other. They are, however, very different. We chose the Bison pump. Before we discuss the Bison pump, let’s look at the Simple pump. The well and pump …

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EcoZoom: The Versa vs. The Dura

May 28, 2020 / 6 Comments

Guest post by RightWingMom.  This is a review of the two models of EzoZoom stoves, the Versa and the Dura. Disclaimer: Our EcoZoom demonstrations were conducted while on a camping trip in Colorado.  The elevation at our camp site was 7703 feet.  The morning temperature was in the mid 40’s.  As with all meal preparations, cook times will vary depending on elevation and outdoor temperature. The Versa is a duel fuel stove.  It can burn both wood and charcoal.  The …

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Rice & Beans on a Rocket Stove

June 12, 2020 / 21 Comments

A lot of you know that I love and highly recommend the Stove-Tec Rocket Stove.  It’s a highly efficient cooking stove that uses very little fuel, either wood or charcoal, but is sturdy enough to take on multiple camping trips.  Reader RWM (RightWingMom) recently sent me an email detailing her experiences making a rice and beans dish on her stove.  I’m going to let her words and photos tell her story.  (Thanks, RWM!) “I still need to work on my …

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12 Things You Will Need to Live Comfortably While Homeless

December 29, 2021 / 11 Comments

Having lived in the woods, and houseless, for quite a few years before I had offspring, I know what you DO need and what you DON’T need to live happily in an off-grid, houseless situation. This would apply to a homeless situation, too. If you find yourself living out of your car, these supplies are priceless. (More tips for living in your car here.) Here is what you NEED for living in a homeless situation: Bandanas — Use as a …

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