Equip your cabin or second home with these must-have off-grid appliances, ideal for making "roughing it" just a little more comfortable.
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If you’re thinking about building an off-grid second home or cabin as a rustic getaway, you probably don’t expect it to have all the comforts of your primary home. But, living off-grid doesn’t mean you have to give up every modern convenience. A number of different power sources permit you to run basic household appliances without having to connect to a municipal power grid.
Practical power sources for off-grid appliances include:
Solar, hydroelectric and wind-generated power is stored in batteries to which off-grid appliances can be connected.
The array of off-grid refrigerators includes everything from portable solar coolers to conventional fridge/freezer combos that may run on generators or solar power. Some portable refrigerators operate with a combination of solar, generator or DC (direct current) power, like that of a solar, wind or hydroelectric battery, with the generator as a backup when the weather is overcast for extended periods of time. Solar-powered options usually require that you have a solar system in place, although some models are sold together with a solar panel large enough to power the fridge.
Commonly used in RVs, propane refrigerators are another option. Anything resembling a full-size fridge and freezer combo is a significant investment for your off-grid cabin, but worthwhile if you plan to spend long periods of time there or host a crowd.
Like their conventional counterparts, tankless propane water heaters use the least amount of energy, because they only heat water when the tap is opened. A greener option is a solar water heater that’s powered by roof panels. But these have their drawbacks: They’re weather-dependent, so no sunshine means no hot water. And, once the hot water supply is depleted, you have to wait for nature to do its thing and heat up more water — a major drawback when you want a hot shower at the end of the day and someone else used up all the hot water!
For short-term freezer needs at your off-grid cabin, consider a cooler-size, portable freezer that hooks up to a 12-volt DC current car battery or your solar, wind or hydroelectric system’s storage batteries. It can be used as a fridge, too, depending on how cold you set the temperature. For longer-term use, like if you’re going to be in your cabin for weeks and want to freeze fresh-caught game or other perishables, consider this larger option, also powered by a 12-volt DC current.
The barbecue grill is the original off-grid cooking appliance, so for outdoor cooking at your off-grid cabin, you have plenty of options. The Home Depot sells dozens of grills and smokers that are fired with wood pellets. If you don’t want to haul bags of pellets or charcoal out to your retreat, you can grill out the old-fashioned way by making your own charcoal using hardwood firewood and a cast iron grate set over some bricks! Or, maybe a basic charcoal or propane grill will feel a little less like you’re roughing it.
We’re partial to pizza ovens, and the availability of portable models means you can take your oven with you when you visit your off-grid cabin. Several types, including the Ooni Fyra, are fueled by pellets, meaning no propane or natural gas is required. Ooni sells tote bags for its ovens, making them even easier to pack up for a weekend at the cabin.
Off-grid living doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a hearty meal. This slow cooker is powered by a 12-volt DC current, so it will run off the batteries attached to your off-grid power system. It makes it easy to enjoy soups, roasts and stews without standing over the stove for hours — because that’s probably not your idea of a vacation getaway.
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