Living without Electricity: How to do without a Refrigerator Off the Grid!
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Outside of air conditioning in warmer climates your refrigerator uses up more electricity than any other appliance in your home. It is my opinion to be truly independent when going off-grid one should be able to survive without using any electricity at all if needs be. Civilization has survived for thousands of years without refrigerators and without electricity at all but due to dependence on the grid and corporations for every whim and need we have lost the knowledge of how to live without electricity or refrigerators. Here is how it's done!
First of all, let me say right here that it is a lot easier to go without electricity or a refrigerator in cooler climates. For that reason alone I think the northern states are more conducive to off-grid living. However, people have gone without electricity and without refrigerators in warm climates for..well forever. It just takes more of an effort in warmer climate IMHO.
Secondly, I'm all for setting up windmills, hydroelectric systems and solar panels. However, not everyone can afford these systems. Moreover, you cannot depend on these systems 100%. The sun goes down, the wind stops blowing and water systems can dry up or freeze. To be truly independent one needs to know how to get by without any electricity at all. Then should you be able to have some electricity it will be a boon instead of a necessity.
So..how does one go without a refrigerator? At first glance it might seem preposterous to even consider the thought. I know it did to me. However, when boiled down it's really not as difficult as it might first appear.
The very first thing you should consider is buying or building a home with a cellar. Cellar's also known as root cellars have temperatures much lower than main floors and considerably lower than outside temperatures. Just having a workable root cellar can preserve many food items for a very long time at a cost of...well nothing after it's built!
Additionally, many people with Cob homes have built within the walls a “cooler”. Items wrapped in water and towels and put in the cooler will last for days as well because the cob walls will stay cool even though the temperature outside is high. These are located where a typical energy guzzling refrigerator might be in the kitchen.
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One of the advantages to living off the grid is having fresh food. In order to do without a refrigerator it is important to pick crops at the height of their nutritional value. So if you have more than you need you can either dry them, can them, sell them or feed them to your pigs! The same goes for meat. Meat that is not eaten right away can also be dried, canned, smoked or sold. Having a solar dehydrator is key.
Now, if you do live in a cold climate you actually have your own freezer in the winter as you can set food items out to freeze (weather permitting) just be sure that they are in a place where wild animals don't have access to them! Items such as milk should be used within hours after coming out of the cow, however you can make butter, cheese and other milk products for the left over milk (as well as feed your livestock) and those products can stay at room temperature for days or in the cellar for weeks. One person I know of uses clarified ghee instead of butter. Apparently clarified ghee doesn't require any refrigeration. However, I have no idea what clarified ghee is so I cannot vouch for the taste of it. Additionally, firmer cheeses like Parmesan and Romano can stay fresh for weeks without refrigeration. Eggs will last for about a week at room temperature, however if you DON'T wash them and keep them cool in a cellar they can last for a month. After that..bake a cake!
Fresh fruit and vegetables will stay fresh longer if set in water as well. Food should be kept with roots left on (they will keep longer), wrapped in paper towels or newspaper, changing them each day. Many items like lettuce or cilantro will last for 3 days this way. You will have to do some experimentation. However, the best thing to do with green leafy vegetables is to just not pick them until you want to eat them. Some items, like grapes, will keep very well in wet sand. If they do start to disintegrate you can make jam, or stews and can them.
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Items can also be preserved by leaving them on your wood stove until the next morning. Keeping them warm to hot can provide a meal for the very next day. However you might not want to use this method for more than one day.
Sprouting items like beans, seeds, grains and nuts, not only prolongs the food item but is a very nutritious thing to eat. After sprouting, one can grind them and then dehydrate them, making crackers for later or use them in salads or stir-fry’s. The whole process can take days, thereby forestalling the degenerating process.
Items like mayonnaise and salad dressing should just be made in small quantities and used fresh.
In the past our great grandmothers knew recipes that could use stale bread, bit's of cooked meat and turnip tops as well as other items. I would encourage you to buy one of the depression era cookbooks or a cookbook that shows how to use these products rather than waste them. I have included some from amazon.com on this page.
Much of the Off Grid lifestyle comes by thinking outside the box. Most of us grew up never having to do without electricity (except for the occasional camping trips). We never even thought to turn off the fridge! However, when you really sit down to think about doing without electricity or something like a refrigerator is not as difficult as it first sounds. Knowledge is key and freedom is the goal! Happy Homesteading!
Related Articles by Brie Hoffman
- Off-Grid Composting Toilets and the Benefits of Humanure!
- How to Use Vegetable Oil in Diesel Cars to Save Money as Gas Prices Skyrocket!
- THE BEST HOT WATER HEATING SYSTEMS FOR OFF-GRID LIVING!
- The Best Roofing Materials for Off-Grid Homes!
- Rainwater Harvesting for Off-Grid Homes
- How to make MONEY Off the Grid!
- Where is the Best Place to Live Off-Grid?
- How much money does it cost to go Off-Grid and to live on the Land?
For those of you who think this can't be done in the city!
- DON'T FIGHT ROOM TEMPERATURE | More Intelligent Life
WHAT'S IN YOUR FRIDGE DOES NOT NEED TO BE THERE Can you live in a city, without a refrigerator? Some green pioneers think so, and have been blogging their progress, reports Robert Butler, in an extract from his article in the current issue of Intelli
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Yeah..me too. It's amazing what we can do if we just think about it a little! Thanks for commenting; please repost of facebook if you like it.
Incredible! It would never have occurred to me to live without a refrigerator but, of course, people did live without them for thousands of years!
Brie, this is a great article. There are people around the world that do not have electricity as we do. My grand parents lived in the rural south and didn't have a refrigerator. The had special lamps that burned some kind of fluid, (kersone)and they managed. They went to an ice place that gave a large piece of ice,(50 lbs.) and put it in a special icebox. When I saw this as a child I was amazed. You can survive and you need to know how to survive. Wnen my lights went off during a storm, I went to a gas station and bought ice cubes and put them in our freezer box to keep the meat cold until my lights came on again. We all need to know how to survive. Tornadoes can wipe you out and you need to have a plan. Canning is also good, I put my stuff in freezer bags. However if there is no freezor you can't do this. You can also salt your ham or chicken and smoke the parts and it will keep longer without a refrigerator. I marked you up on this one. I know you live in New York, and you seem to know about rural areas.
Wow. This is pretty amazing! Sometimes it takes an outside view to really see how to live without what we're used to on a daily basis. My solution is usually solar panels, but like you said, we can't really afford that yet, so it's good to know there are other options!
When I was in Iraq there were no bases yet so we slept outside for a couple months in ditches and on rooftops and learned to live without the amenities of modern life.
I also observed the people as they lived without electric, tv, fridges, runing water, and most premade foods. They did have stoves and ovens that used propane.
The experience was quite humbling and then to return to America and see people complain about the most petty things because they take everything for granted was really upsetting.
Very informative and food for thought!
Yes Deborah: Every time I come across a problem with going off the grid I think to myself..what did people do 100 years ago. The answer is always there. Thanks for commenting.
That's right Nan, I forgot about smoking the meat...I should add that to the article. Thanks for commenting.
Mochan: Yeah, solar panels can be very expensive and if TSHF you might not be able to get replacement parts..so it's good to know how to live without them just in case.
Yes, Dan, we are a spoiled, soft ignorant bunch (in general) but it is nice to see other people on this site that are interested in becoming free. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks Eva
Interesting Info, must try, voted up
Brie, are u off-gridding in the Big"A"?
Thanks Cherrycrime26
No Druid Dude, I haven't gone off the grid yet..just underground :)
Great little think-piece, Brie. I grew up without electricity (we did have a propane washing machine)and am not terribly sentimental about it, but I would like to get off the grid and I do realize that dryers and ovens are the BIG energy hogs...we have a neighbor that is going to stick a couple of wind turbines on his roof and he is currently actively harvesting rain water, growing a LOT of food, etc. He is willing to show other neighbors what to do. Pedal-power is really attractive to me for powering up one's laptop, for example lol. But so far I haven't moved on that one... I WILL keep this vision alive though... voting you up! ~Cynthia
Thanks for writing Techygran: I think today there are so many innovative ideas that it would not be nearly as bad as it was way back when. Regarding the washing machine. There is an invention shown on this hub:
http://brie-hoffman.hubpages.com/hub/How-much-mone
That washes clothes by using a bike. I've also seen hand cranked washers. I've been washing my own clothes by hand for two years now, but it's just me so it's not so bad.
As far as ovens, I have my eye on a fabulous wood stove that also heats water, they sell them at this Amish hardware store, they are expensive though. But, they will heat your whole house as well and they last forever...and I think they are cute :)
Thanks for voting me up..post it on your facebook too if you like. Thanks again for your comments.
brilliant and timely im researching this at the moment for our offgridding we hope to buy in Portugal in october.This is the hardest to overcome in a hotter climate. by the way clarified ghee is used alot in indian cooking and makes the food taste great very fatty though.another great article brie.
Thanks Zippot..make sure to watch the videos because they will help even in warmer climates. Thanks also for the tip on clarified ghee (I must say ..they need to name that something else because it doesn't sound very appetizing). One of these days I'll give it a try. I hope you take a look at all my other off-grid articles and please post them on facebook if you like them.
Thanks again.
Brie, back again. One of the best authoriyies of off-grid I've found so far is "Survivorman" Les Stroud. He has a number of books on the subject which might interest you. Just stopped by to tell you that. Bye :)
This is a great informative article Brie! I remember living without a stove/oven for many months back in the early 80's. The landlord in my first rental refused to fix the broken one. And we didn't have a microwave then. We used a hibachi grill in the kitchen. We made it without. Although thinking about no electricity at all sounds great, smart, and possible - I quickly remember a couple weeks ago when the electricity went out for about 7 hours during a storm. I eventually freaked because it was SO hot. And I do not currently own a car, so I couldn't even take a "cool" ride. But I'm sure I'd feel different about living off the grid if given an adjustment period and a cooler climate.
Great piece of work here!
Sharyn
Guess its a Manhaten thing Brie, but you sound like you just discovered these things. Great Grandmother using stale bread?? That was among my favourite desserts my mother made in post war reconstruction Europe. My North American born wife was born and raised on an off grid farm. Sailors in the sixties and even in the seventiies used to store two or three months of food on board without refrigeration. Eggs will last 60 daya when coated in vaseline.
My neighbor only got electricity in 1965. So those long ago days is not so long ago or forgotten by many people west of the Missippi
Thanks Druid, I'll look into him.
Yes Sharyn: I definitely COULD NOT live in a warm climate without electricity...I'm really just a baby! So in order to counter that I think a colder climate would be better...at least for me.
Well Elnav, it's not really Manhattan. Some things I write for others who are younger and have not heard of such things as bread pudding....You'd be surprised at the ignorance out there. The book mentioned above called Forgotten Skills talks about a culinary student who was going to throw out cream that was supposed to be whipped cream because she whipped it too much and didn't know that it had become butter! So you see, I have to help everyone!
Voted up and useful.
When we lived off the gird we had a propane refrigerator, it was made by Kelvinator. When I was growing up everyone had ice boxes, and I think people could revert to using ice boxes again if they want to buy blocks of ice every two days. Back then it was delivered by the ice man, and we kids would follow the truck down the street, and the ice man would chip off ice for us to chew.
Yes, I know that some people use propane and that is an option but I wanted to show how to get by with nothing if needs be.
Awesome Info, Ms. Hoffman - I'm always impressed. I wish I could just memorize your hub pages.
Hey if it's any consolation I have to refer back to certain articles for information because I forget what I wrote!
Thanks brie this is fabulous information and I will definately be letting people know where to come to find it.
Thanks Lyn.Stewart post it on your facebook if you like. To tell you the truth I really enjoyed researching this because it makes me feel like it is really possible to live a great life without having all these bills. It's not impossible, it's not like camping...it's perfectly civilized and possible and even (at least to me) preferable.
I agree with you Brie. I would love to be able to live off the grid.
I've been living without a fridge and freezer for a while and I don't miss them at all! I've been salting meat and fish but I'd like to use the Zeer pots. Trouble is I think they only work in hot temperatures and I'm in the UK.
My friend is helping me to build a copper pyramid because they preserve food.
I would think that they would work anywhere..try it and let me know. Thanks for commenting and thanks for becoming a fan!
I thought they work because the heat causes the water to evaporate. If it's not very hot wouldn't it take to long to cool it and perhaps it wouldn't cool enough? I'd love to find out but I've been googling and still don't have the answer.
Someone mentioned hving to 'buy' ice blocks. Before refrigeration wacommon northern lakes becaame ice block factories. The ice was stored in barns and covered with about 3 feet of saw dust or shavings as insulation Typically this lasted to about August.
With modern insullation, a well insulated root cellar type storage could provide frozeen food storage for a long time. The Zee pot containerr would be the daily storage. Up here in logging country we often find icy snow drifts covered in saw dust a couple of months after the snow has gone everywhere else.
I don't know Aslanlight, let me know if you find out.
Yea Elnav, I think a root cellar is the way to go...once it's put in it costs nothing!
"...it is really possible to live a great life without having all these bills..."
It is incredible how little the human body needs to be healthy and strong. Minimalists survive for days with only a flask of water and a pocket knife. One could survive very nicely in bustling Manhattan with only a rooftop garden and an occasional vial of fine gin. The problem is having the fortitude to do it. With any luck the London riots will come here and we can put your excellent hubs to work.
Well, I hope that doesn't happen (the riots I mean).
The riots are pretty disturbing over here! I hope you don't get them.
Today I ordered a cast iron pizza oven for the garden that can cook anything, and also a Wonder Wash hand crank washing machine. Also a solar shower to heat the water to put in the washer.
Now if there's a power cut I can do everything I'd normally be able to do with power! And I can live without electricity any time.
I spent a fair bit of money but it's an investment and I feel really happy about it! I can rest easy knowing I can take care of myself and my son when the power starts to go. They're talking about rationing it here in the UK!
Well, I hope so too but I fear that we are right behind you. Good luck..btw I have some other "off-grid" hubs that you might like.
http://www.compactappliance.com/Edgestar-80-Qt-Por
We've been using this on on our sailboat the last year.. works amazingly well and will run off the cigarette lighter in your car, a 12vdc battery or solar panels.
They make smaller ones as well, but I'm getting ready to buy a big one as the 43 quart is not quite large enought.
seriously though, one 80 watt solar panels and this freezer is all you need in an extended outage.
Great, thanks.
Its actualy cheaper to live without a refrigerator/microwave etc. There are foods in nature that you can eat without cooking, these may be the healthiest foods. Certain meats/veggis you could boil on a stove. However if you want to live without appliances you could boil them outside on sticks over a hole with fire in it.
If you want milk you could buy goats which are relativley cheap, and may even keep your grass well mowed.
Also it is possible to live in a warm climate without electricity. However it would be simplier to be a vegatarian. You could eat lots of fruits,nuts,and vegtables since many times you can just pick those off a tree/plant and eat them. You could still drink milk if you drink it right away. infact you could even eat certain meats. The thing is you would have to eat the meat right away, instead of saving it. I would reccomend boiling simple meat like eggs since boiled eggs can last longer, and would be simplier to eat right away.
Good Idea!!
Yes, it's cheaper to live without it but some people feel that they need something so I am happy to pass along alternatives.
Gregory my friend and I are currently in the process of making a copper pyramid to store food in. Think of it, pyramids were made to preserve pharoahs and the food they put in the burial chambers with them.
They work on magnetism. Apparently they keep flies and other insects away, energise the food and preserve it for longer. It's worth looking into. When the oil runs out it's going to be chaos and everyone will be looking for electric free ways to live. I'm preparing now!
By the way although I love meat and fish vegetarianism may be worth me thinking about, at least some time in future.
Ok, let me know if it works.
I had no electricity for over 6 weeks in the aftermath of a hurricane and it was quite an experience at first. It is amazing to me how much we rely on these "things" - but when you have to get by without them - you get pretty creative. The thing I missed the most, after my A/C, was the fridge!
The two things that use the most electricity!
Great thoughts you got there, believe I may possibly try just some of it throughout my daily life..
Refrigeration Equipment
I'm probably being dumb but what's A/C Jalus? Is it an American term for computer or does it just mean electricity?
I'm getting pretty inventive myself. I'm even going to look up how to make an underground larder in the garden. I want to find as many ways of doing things as I can.
Air Conditioning
Very interesting indeed, Thank you for sharing. One question though, what can be used to store a lot of fridge stuff, like lunch meat, cheese, milk, eggs, mayo, sour cream etc. My fridge is full so need a huge thing to do this with. Thanks you :)
You can get a fridge that runs on propane. I'm not sure how much that will cost you though.
Eggs don't need refridgerating, they should be kept at room temperature and they last quite a while. Cheese lasts quite well too. I don't use milk or cream but when my son lived here he kept his mayo in a cupboard and it lasted well. I don't think you'd need to refridgerate lunch meat if you eat it within 2 or 3 days.
Use by dates are not accurate as to how long food lasts, it generally lasts much longer than that.
Thanks Aslanlight..I like your name too! I go by Aslanwisdom on another site :)
Ah another Lewis fan! Kudos :)
Yep!
You're top-linked from godlikeproductions.com! Nice work Brie!
Very Cool. Love your blog.
Woo Hoo Thanks Ryan and J Stav!
Great Blog Brie! Y'all don't forget those solar ovens :)
Oh no, I wont! Thanks for commenting Nyx.NiteOwl.
excellent, and thanks for posting the videos and extra links, it's good to know exactly how to do things. I appreciate all your research
All my articles are about things that I am interested in. I just think that if I am interested in them others may be as well and can benefit. Thanks for the comments.
I really like this Hub, but I really need my fridge although I would love to try your ideas!
Maybe you just think you need it? I think that this lifestyle is like anything, you have to try it a little at a time and before you know it you are free.
The skills and knowledge we've lost in the last hundred years is just plain scary. Thanks for reminding of us of some of the things we really can do.
You're welcome, glad you liked it.
Brie, I dream of living off-grid one day and really enjoyed this Hub. I'm off to read your other hubs. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Thanks Thundermama, feel free to repost them on your facebook!
u01dtj6 9 months ago
Wow I never thought I could live without a fridge in my kitchen, but after reading this, I am certain I could. Thanks for sharing your tips.