We’re off the grid, grid, grid…
Living off-grid permanently is a dream for so many, but it’s one that requires Kanye-levels of wealth and perseverance to pull off (he might benefit from a little digital detox, come to think of it).
But for those considering a more temporary sojourn somewhere remote and disconnected, turning dreams into reality is infinitely more possible. That said, this thing isn’t as simple as pitching your tent in a quiet corner of a national park and living off the land until you find yourself missing your 9 to 5.
Instead, some shrewd investments gear-wise will make your whole back-to-basics expedition all the more manageable. With that in mind, here are 6 items of gear to buy to make your off-grid adventure more comfortable.
Buy A Solar Generator
First things first, if you want your off-grid adventure to feature at least some home comforts, you need to be able to generate your own power.
A solar generator is a great way to do this. Solar generators are powered by the sun, so you don’t have to worry about running out of physical, tangible fuel. They are also very quiet, so you won’t have to deal with the noise of a traditional generator, the latter of which do a pretty good job of disturbing that sense of serenity you’ve been courting.
And contrary to popular opinion, solar generators do in fact work perfectly well on cloudy days, generating around 25% of their normal, fair-weathered capacity, which will be music to the ears of those planning to holiday off-grid here in the UK.
Buy A Portable Fridge
Now we’ve established a source of power, one of the most important things you need to buy if you want to enjoy dinner off-grid without having to catch animals with your bare hands is a portable fridge.
Having one will allow you to keep your food and drinks cold (just because you’re spending some time away from society doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a cold beer!) even in the most isolated of places.
When you have a good portable fridge, you can rest assured that your food will stay fresh for longer, mitigating the necessity of foraging for questionable looking mushrooms and potentially poisonous berries. Look for a fridge that is durable, easy to use, and energy-efficient, as well as having the option for freezing, too.
Read: 6 gifts to give someone who loves eating outdoors
Some of the best on the market currently which tick all those boxes include the ARB Fridge Freezer, the Dometic CRX, and the Norcold NRF-30.
Buy A Large-Capacity Water Filter
Another essential piece of gear for living or holidaying off-grid is a large-capacity water filter. You can bring many gallons of water with you when you bid farewell to civilisation, but you’ll have to begin creating your own drinking water sooner or later.
A water filter will allow you to have access to clean drinking water, even if there is no clean water source nearby. For long-term water purification, avoid smaller personal-sized filters in favour of a filtration system designed for multiple users. Also, look at the flow rate and the level of filtration you need, as this will determine which you purchase.
It should be noted that water filters are generally only used for removing microscopic sediment, dirt and other impurities, improving the flavour. If you’re going to drink river water, for instance, safely, then you’re going to need to also disinfect and purify your water.
So, after filtering your water, you should boil it before use in food preparation and to make it safe for drinking. Boiling water is ‘’the best way to kill disease-causing organisms, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites’’, according to the US National Park Service. Your water is now reading for drinking.
Lots Of Shelf-Stable Foods
That’s your drinking needs sorted, but you’ll need to have plenty of shelf-stable foods with you if you want to holiday off-grid. Shelf-stable foods are those that can be stored at room temperature for long periods of time, making them ideal if you haven’t had the foresight to invest in that portable fridge we mentioned!
Items that come under this banner include things like canned goods, dried fruits and vegetables, dried grains, pulses and pastas, pickles, and even peanut butter. These types of food will last for months (or even years) without refrigeration, so you’ll always have something to eat, even if you choose to turn your off-grid adventure into something more permanent.
Buy Reliable Fire Starters
Yep, we understand your concerns and we’ve second guessed your next question… Just how am I going to boil water and cook that food when I’m off the grid?
Over a fire, of course. Even though you’ve got electricity because of your solar generator, there are times when you may need to light a fire (if only for the atmospheric quality one lends your off-grid experience).
This means that you need to have reliable fire starters with you at all times. Lighters run out of fuel, and matches are easily damaged by moisture, so it’s good to have a back-up. While convenient and always useful to have on hand, these simple fire-starting tools should not be the only ones you bring with you when you go off the grid.
Consider investing in a ferrocerium rod and some tinder. A ferrocerium rod (sometimes simply called a ‘fire steel’) is a small, handheld tool that can create sparks even when it’s wet. This makes it the perfect no-fuel fire-starting tool.
Tinder is material that catches fire easily and burns hot and fast. It’s essential for starting a fire, but it can be difficult to find dry tinder in the wild. You can buy tinder online, or you can make your own by collecting dried leaves, grass, bark, and other materials. Hey, you could even use your used matches as extra tinder (and we’ve suddenly realised that’s why they’re called ‘matches’ on Tinder…mind blown!).
Buy A Sleeping Bag
If you’re going to enjoy an adventure off-grid with a modicum of comfort, you need to be prepared for all weather conditions. This means that you need to have a good sleeping bag. Even if you are exposed to the elements or sleeping in colder conditions, a good sleeping bag will keep you safe and warm.
Bring at least one heavy-duty, dependable winter bag, but also think about bringing a lighter sleeping bag for warmer weather. And don’t forget to bring a nice blanket, too, for those in-between season nights.
The Bottom Line
So there you have it: the top gear to buy if you want to enjoy an adventure off the grid whilst still maintaining a degree of comfort doing so. With these essential items, you’ll be prepared for anything!
Speaking of being prepared for anything, let’s take things up a notch; here are 5 tips for getting you through a disaster in one piece. You might find these come in handy one day!