Frequently asked questions.

Have Questions? Start Here.

Clear answers to what’s confusing now—and what could trip you up later.

The off-grid journey brings up a lot of questions. Some are practical. Others are unexpected. That’s exactly why this page exists.

We’ve organized the most common questions by category so you can get straight to what matters—without digging through everything else. Whether you’re just getting started or stuck mid-project, this is your place to reset, refocus, and get unstuck fast.

Still need help—or just want a more interactive way to talk it through?

Scout, our built-in guide, is ready when you are. Use the chat tool at the bottom of the screen to ask questions, troubleshoot challenges, or get personalized direction based on where you’re at.

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Need quick answers? Choose a category to go straight to the questions that matter most right now.

Mindset & Planning

  • A: That’s more common than you think. This book offers strategies for involving hesitant family members—starting small, respecting their pace, and letting your progress speak for itself.

  • A: Yes. You can reduce dependence through portable solar, stackable water storage, container gardens, and more. Start where you are, not where you wish you were.

  • A: No. It’s for anyone reducing reliance on fragile systems—from urban apartment dwellers to rural landowners. The tools scale to your location and lifestyle.

  • A: Begin with your most urgent need—power, water, or food. The Off-Grid Planning Worksheet helps you map your situation and next steps.

  • A: Not at all. Many readers start with under $100. The book includes budget-friendly starter wins like solar chargers, rain barrels, and container gardens.

Water Systems

  • A: It depends. Most U.S. states allow it, but local rules may limit indoor use, tank placement, or system type. Always check local zoning and water rights.

  • A: Untreated water: every 6 months. Treated or sealed water: every 12 months. Always inspect for smell, discoloration, or contamination.

  • A: Not necessarily. Even clean-looking water can contain bacteria, viruses, or metals. Always filter and disinfect before drinking.

  • A: Rainwater is collected from the sky. Greywater comes from sinks/showers and can be reused. Blackwater (toilets) must be treated separately.

  • A: Yes—if done safely. Greywater reuse systems reduce waste and support irrigation. Use plant-safe soaps and avoid reusing kitchen or toilet water.

Renewable energy

  • A: It depends on your site. Use solar in sunny areas, wind in gusty zones, and hydro if you have year-round flowing water. Many readers combine them.

  • A: Start by listing what you’ll power (lights, fridge, etc.). Use wattage estimates to calculate your panel, inverter, and battery needs. The DIY Solar Guide helps.

  • A: Build in layers. Start with one panel or a portable generator and grow from there. Many readers save thousands by scaling over time.

  • A: Yes. Cloudy days, snow, or shade can limit output. Wind, generators, or battery banks provide redundancy that protects you when solar falls short.

  • A: Overspending on panels while neglecting storage and wiring. A balanced, modest system often outperforms a big, poorly planned one.

Food Storage & Readiness

  • A: For 30 days, a good starting goal is 2,000 calories per adult per day. From there, build toward mid- and long-term supplies. The book's checklist and starter guide help you do this affordably.

  • A: Yes. Chapter 5 shows how to build a survival food plan for under $200 using bulk staples, thrifted storage, and DIY solutions.

  • A: Use dry, dark, cool spaces and airtight containers. Mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, and proper rotation extend shelf life without needing refrigeration.

  • A: Use a simple log or rotation system. Color-coded tape, labels, and monthly check-ins help keep things fresh and avoid waste.

Growing Food Off-Grid

  • A: Absolutely. Chapter 5 shows how to grow food in containers, bins, or even dresser drawers with the right soil mix and sunlight.

  • A: Focus on calorie-dense, fast-growing crops: potatoes, beans, leafy greens, and squash. Start with 10 square feet and build from there.

  • A. Yes. The Companion’s Garden Plan Builder will help you create a layout based on your climate, space, and food goals.
    You’ll find it in the Tools & Guides section of the Companion site under Chapter 5.

Off-Grid Toilet Systems

  • A: Not if they’re properly managed. Ventilation + dry bulking material = odor-free.

  • A: Maybe. Local sanitation codes vary—always check before installing a system.

  • A: Use insulated or indoor systems with sawdust. Dig compost pits below the frost line or rotate sealed containers indoors for winter use.

Emergency & Short-Term Waste

  • A: Use a 5-gallon bucket lined with a heavy-duty trash bag, plus sawdust or shredded paper. Add a toilet seat if available and store it in a sealed bin.

  • A: No. Always dig 200+ feet from water sources and downhill from living areas. Use soil, sawdust, or ash to cover each use.

  • A: Only as a last resort. Burn paper and organics only, away from homes, and never indoors. Avoid burning plastic or treated wood.

Personal and Perimeter Security

  • A: Use motion-triggered lights, tripwires, guard animals, gravel paths, and hinged gate alarms. Many of these can be built with scrap and cost under $20.

  • A: Tripwires and passive alarms are legal in most areas as long as they’re non-lethal. Always avoid anything that can cause injury—focus on alerts, not traps.

  • A: Yes—solar and battery-powered models work well for trails, gates, and outbuildings. Wildlife cameras are budget-friendly and motion-triggered.

Community & Mental Readiness

  • A: Assign roles like communicator, patrol lead, and medic. Use radios or light codes to coordinate. Start small with a shared plan, then add drills.

  • A: Practice code words, drills, and fallback plans. Involve kids in safe roles (like whistle-blowing or hiding) and rehearse under low light or simulated pressure.

  • A: Have a clear routine. Know what tool you’ll grab, where you’ll retreat, and how you’ll call for help. Run solo drills to build speed and reduce panic.

Ham Radios & Emergency Communication

  • A: Not at all. Most people pass the license test with a weekend of practice. Local ham clubs can help, and basic radios cost under $50.

  • A: Yes—to legally transmit. But anyone can start by listening. Once licensed, you unlock long-distance, repeater access, and real emergency networks.

  • A: FRS/GMRS radios and a NOAA emergency radio. Add a Baofeng ham radio for under $40 to expand range and resilience.

Family & Community Communication

  • A: Pick one check-in method, one meeting point, and 2–3 emergency code words everyone knows. Practice like a game—monthly.

  • A: Run a no-grid drill. Turn off phones for 24 hours and test radios, backup power, and signal range. Fix what fails.

  • A: Try forums like Permies.com, survival expos, or barter meetups. Radios help too—listen for local nets or join ARES/RACES if licensed.

First Aid & Emergencies

  • A: Wound care, pain meds, infection control, splints, gloves, and a printed emergency guide. Customize based on climate, distance from care, and household needs.

  • A: Herbal remedies can help—but serious infections still require antibiotics. Learn both paths and when to escalate.

  • A: Use pillows or bananas to simulate practice. Follow AHA guides and rehearse with your family using printed drills.

  • A: Use free Red Cross or CERT videos, run drills monthly, and practice realistic scenarios at night, in bad weather, or under pressure.

  • A: Head injuries, sepsis signs, anaphylaxis, uncontrolled bleeding, or breathing problems all require evacuation. Use the Red Flag guide to know for sure.

Financial Independence & Budgeting

  • A: It depends on your setup. Minimalist builds can cost $5K–$15K, while full-featured systems range from $75K–$150K. Most people land somewhere in the $20K–$50K range with phased upgrades.

  • A: Yes—but it’s harder. Prioritize debt payoff and start with budget-friendly systems like solar generators, used materials, and part-time homesteading to build momentum while reducing expenses.

  • A: Choose what fits your skills and bandwidth. Digital sales, freelance work, seedling starts, and sawmill services are common. Start with one 30-day micro-goal and track time vs. return.

  • A: Start with your neighbors. Post a wish list, host a skill swap, or use IOU-style “credits” tracked in a notebook or spreadsheet until a group forms.

  • A: Review your budget annually, add a 20% learning buffer for mistakes, and build in a zero-day fund (cash or barter-ready goods) so setbacks don’t wipe out your progress.

Sustainable Tech & DIY Systems

  • A: Often yes—but not alone. Hybrid systems with wind, water, or a backup generator are safer. Always oversize battery storage for winter and cloudy weeks.

  • A: Yes. Charcoal-sand-gravel filters, solar distillation, and ceramic units all work without power. Choose based on water source and contamination risks.

  • A: Always build with manual fallback options. Print troubleshooting charts. Use simple modular systems you can fix, bypass, or replace with basic tools.

  • A: Use cold frames made from reclaimed windows, deep mulch beds, and hardy crops. These can extend your season by 2–3 months without electricity.

  • A: Focus on heat, water, and shelter. Examples: biogas from scraps, snowmobile skis turned into sled runners, and barrels into vertical gardens or rain catchment.

Getting Started and Next Steps

  • A: Not at all. Most people start with one area—like solar or food storage—then add more as they gain confidence. It’s a process, not an all-or-nothing leap.

  • A: Water is usually the most urgent. After that, base it on your climate, budget, and goals. Use the Chapter 1 planning worksheet to decide what matters most right now.

  • A: That’s part of the process. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence. Every mistake builds skill. Learn, adapt, and keep going.

  • A: Try a weekend off-grid trial. Turn off your power, cook with backup methods, and see what works. You’ll learn more in two days than two months of reading.