NOTE: This is a Special Guest Contribution from longtime BackdoorSurvival reader Donna! In a grid down situation or even a winter snowstorm presenting a temporary 3-4 day power outage, having a method to cook a hot meal would be a welcome way to bring some comfort back into your life. However tempting eating Oreo’s and PBJ for 3 days might sound to children, the result may be a group of sugar-wired children and adults. Of course, you already know that nutrition is most important in stressful times, so let’s consider one approach to being able to prepare the foods our family is used to eating and that will promote their comfort and well-being.

Solar Oven

My husband and I had wanted to try a solar oven for several years but we were just dragging our feet. N . . . Read More

Rocket stoves are popular right now.

Like any type of camping gear you can spend a few dollars or hundreds. Before you go out and buy a propane gas camp stove and spend a lot, it may be worth it to look into the many options in the world of rocket stoves.

There are a lot of advantages to using a rocket stove for basic cooking and water heating needs. Here are a few things to consider followed by some suggestions for purchasing and the ins and outs of making your own.

Rocket Stoves Are Inexpensive

There are a lot of rocket stoves out there for a lot less than a lot of the propane gas ones. You can also make one in an emergency out of a few large #10 cans if you have to.

Wood= . . . Read More

The advantages of a portable solar generator are easy to see. Harnessing the energy of the sun and getting the power you need can be a great thing for any short or long term emergency (for a power outage or just a backup power source). If you are off the main power grid or have a property that you sometimes use that is lacking in power then a solar energy generator may be an affordable solution to your power needs. First, let’s start with a few things you need to know about portable solar generators. A Few Key Facts on Portable Solar Generators

They are ready to plug in your devices, appliances, extension cords, etc.

While your average solar system is designed to be used with an inverter to convert 12 volt current to your standard 110 volt, a portable solar g . . . Read More

Solar ovens are a popular cooking choice for those who have the right environmental conditions.

In this guide, I'll discuss what to consider when buying a solar oven and  suggestions of the ones that work best for prepper's.

First let’s cover the basic pros and cons.

Pros of Solar Ovens

A solar oven offers a cooking choice when there is little or no firewood or other cooking fuel. You can also use them during dry conditions without the fear of a fire getting out of control. When it comes to camping, there are plenty of areas that don’t allow camp fires but they do allow camping stoves and solar cookers. Solar ovens are eco friendly and simple to use. A solar oven allows you to cook meals without heating your . . . Read More