10 Fun and Practical Ways to Live Off Grid

We like to be connected to everything, but sometimes modern life can feel a little bit too plugged in. Between the buzzing of appliances, the rising utility bills that pop through the letterbox, and the constant ham of technology, many of us have daydreamed about getting away from it all. But living off grid isn’t just about escaping. It’s about reclaiming some control, living sustainably, and building a life that works with nature. 

You don’t have to be a wilderness survival expert or a hippie to go off grid. With the right tools, the right mindset, and a little bit of creativity, anybody can take steps towards a more independent lifestyle. Whether you want a full-fledged homestead or you just want to cut a few cords, we’ve got some practical tips to help you to live off grid.

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1. Power your life with solar energy. When most people think of off grid living, solar energy is the first thing that comes to mind, and for a good reason. With the correct setup, solar panels can provide enough electricity to power your home, your tools, your appliances, and even your car. But the real magic happens when you pair solar Panels with solar battery backup systems. These systems store the energy that you collect during the day so you can use it at night or during cloudy weather. They’re essential for anyone who wants a reliable round the clock power supply without depending on the main grid. Knowing that you’re powered by the sunshine is a pretty great feeling, especially if you’re not relying on energy retailers who constantly put their prices up.
2. Harvesting and storing rainwater. Electricity may be the first step for off grid living, but water is arguably even more important.Instead of relying on municipal sources, off grid homes will often turn to rainwater harvesting to meet their daily water needs. Rain is released from the sky and therefore is free and you can install a basic system with a few barrels and gutter attachments. You could even go full out with tanks that filter and purify thousands of gallons of water. Some off gridders even use gravity fed systems to deliver water throughout their home without electricity and with the storage you don’t have to worry if you have a few dry days. Make sure that you use food grade containers for storage and install leaf guards. You should also make sure that you add a first flush diverter for cleaner water.
3. Feed your garden with compost. If you’re not currently composting, you’re missing out on one of the easiest and most satisfying ways to reduce waste. Composting turns your food scraps, yard waste, and cardboard into rich, nutritious soil that plants absolutely love. You can start simple with a backyard bin or tumbler, and you can go high tech with worm composting and vermiculture. If you want to compost indoors, it’s not just for gardeners, but for anyone who wants to close the loop and stop sending perfectly good nutrients to landfill. Your compost pile is also going to support your off grid lifestyle by improving your garden soil, reducing the need for store bought fertilizers and helping you to grow your own food.
4. Think about off grid heating and cooling. Modern heating and cooling systems use tonnes of electricity and if you’re off the grid that can be a problem unless you get creative. For heating, nothing beats a wood burning stove. Not only is it efficient and reliable, but you get that cosy cabin vibe that makes winter feel like magic. There are EPA certified stoves that you can buy today that are clean burning and can even be used for cooking. Cooling is trickier, but passive strategies work wonders. Designing your space to take advantage of natural breezes and installing reflective roofing can help you to insulate like a pro. If you do need to run a fan or a small AC unit, you’ve got a solar battery backup system that can help.
5. Go old school with your cooking. There’s something satisfying about cooking a meal without a single appliance. Off grid cooking brings you closer to your food and slows things down in a better way. Solar ovens, for example, use the power of the sun to bake everything from cookies to casseroles. Rocket stoves are compact, and they’ll burn small amounts of wood very efficiently. Outdoor grills and cast iron pans give you versatility and flavour that electric stove tops cannot match. And yes, you can still have a fridge. Many off gridders use propane refrigerators or efficient DC models. These are powered by your solar battery backup systems. You can also explore root cellars or even build your own cold pantry.

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6. Choose minimalism with your kitchen. An off grid kitchen is more about functionality than fancy gadgets. You have a chance to go back to basics with manual tools like hand crank, coffee grinders, can openers and food mills. Storing ingredients in bulk to reduce your packaging and trips to the store will also help.
7. Power your shower by the sun. Just because you’re off the grid doesn’t mean you have to give up your hot showers. A DIY solar shower can be made with black water tanks or coiled tubing placed in the sun. These systems absorb heat naturally and deliver warm water on demand.
8. Stay connected with smart technology. You don’t have to be off the Internet unless you want to. There are solar powered satellite Internet options where you can still browse the web, watch Netflix or work remotely from your tiny house in the woods. Walkie talkies and ham radios are great for emergency communications and silo powered charging stations ensure that your devices stay ready. You can live off grid while semi connected to it. Whether you’re calling for help or checking the weather, having a solid communication plan is a must no matter where you live.
9. Rethink how you get around. Transportation is often overlooked in off grid planning, but it’s an important piece of the puzzle. If you live in a remote area, you’ll need a reliable way to get to town for your supplies or emergencies. Some off gridders opt for solar charged electric vehicles to match their solar powered living. Alternatively, you can go truly old school with a bike.
10. Always be prepared. The one thing that off grid living can teach you is to be self reliant, which also means being prepared for the unexpected. Power outages can still happen and extreme weather events can happen too. It’s always best to plan ahead for these where you can. You can stock up on essentials like canned food and extra water, first aid kits, flashlights and tools. Make sure that your solar battery systems are regularly checked and maintained, and consider a secondary energy source like a wind turbine or a propane generator as a backup, too. Preparedness is not about feeling fear, but about feeling confidence that nothing is going to stop you from living off grid.

You don’t have to give up comfort, connection or convenience when you live off the grid. All you’re really giving up is paying big corporations for the services that you’re getting. You don’t have to panic about prices going up because you know that you’re going to be living a dirt cheap life without having to worry.

These are just some practical steps that you can take to live off the grid and start relying on you.