When the grid goes down, your well-stocked pantry and emergency gear will only get you so far. If a power outage lasts for days, weeks, or even longer, you’ll need a new set of tools to survive. These are the powerless items and supplies that will become invaluable when modern technology fails.
Fire and Fuel
Without a working grid, you’ll need a reliable way to create and manage fire for cooking, boiling water, and staying warm. Propane tanks and camp stove fuel will run out, so wood will become your primary fuel source.
- Wood-Cutting Tools: A hatchet, a wood-cutting axe, and a splitting maul will become essential. These tools allow you to process wood into usable chunks for a fire. A good hatchet can also serve as a versatile survival tool, doubling as a hammer or a blade for bushcrafting.
- A Small Woodstove and Insulated Stove Pipe: A wood stove is a safe and efficient way to heat your home in the winter. A DIY kit that includes a rocket stove and an insulated stove pipe can be assembled in hours, allowing you to vent smoke out a window and avoid the risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Fire Extinguisher: Even if you’re an experienced camper, accidents happen. Keep multiple fire extinguishers in key locations to quickly put out any accidental fires before they can cause serious harm.
Water, Food, and Hygiene
When the municipal water system fails, you’ll need to secure your own sources of clean water and food.
- Water Filtration and Purification: A LifeStraw and water purification tablets are a good start. You should also have clean tarps and funnels to collect rainwater. Having clean, food-grade containers to store your water is essential.
- Charcoal or Wood-Fired Smoker: In a long-term grid failure, you may need to hunt for food. A smoker is the best way to preserve excess meat. A proper smoker allows you to seal the meat away from insects and precisely regulate heat and smoke flow to create jerky.
- Fermentation Crocks: These allow you to preserve vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and cucumbers, giving you a steady supply of food that also supports gut health and the immune system. You can even barter the excess with others.
- Sourdough Starter Kit: With a sourdough starter kit, you can make belly-filling bread from flour and other grains in your stockpile. Once activated, a sourdough culture can be maintained indefinitely.
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven and Frying Pan: Regular pots and pans can be ruined when used over an open fire. Cast iron can take a lot of punishment and is perfect for cooking food or boiling water. You can even use a cast iron Dutch oven to bake bread or roast meat.
- A Bulk Amount of Salt: If you can’t ferment or smoke, salt is your last and best option for preserving food. Salt never spoils, and a small amount can be used to preserve a large amount of meat.
- Waterless Toilet: In a prolonged blackout, modern plumbing will fail. A waterless portable toilet with a composting system provides a sanitary solution for waste and dramatically reduces the risk of illness and contamination.
Other Essential Items
- Solar Oven: If you don’t have the ability to make a fire due to a natural disaster like a flood, a solar oven can be used to heat up canned food or simmer water on a sunny day.
- Hand-Crank Flashlight: When batteries become a limited resource, a hand-crank flashlight provides reliable light without relying on anything that runs out. It’s perfect for checking the perimeter at night or moving around your shelter.
When the grid goes down, the power to survive doesn’t come from a socket—it comes from having the right powerless tools. By stocking up on these items, you’ll be prepared for a disaster of any length.
