Grid Down Essentials

[@edieboudreau9637]

Hi Heidi. No power. No problem. I have lived without it. Easy. NOPE but not a problem. No wood stove, no solar set up, no jenny personally and if i did , well, i was unable to get someone to teach me how to use it properly. Staying warm.... I have done a "tent" over my bed using 2 pair old crutches & an old heavy cotton blanket. It works better than you would think. ( Zip tie each crutch to a corner post of the bed. Toss the blanket over it to cover padt the sides a bit. ). "Chair tent" --- a way to stay warm during daylight without heat in winter.... Need a shower ring that fits over a curtain rod. Sew ( best option) or pin 2 twin ( or a double or larger folded in half across the width to go around your chair) sheets together along 1 long side and 1 short side. Put a loop where they meet and put onto the shower loop. Now drape it around the chair and 🧷 the open side to trap the air. Be careful when getting up or down. If the drape is big enough, you can put a tv tray inside it to eat in a warmer spot. Thermoses are important to keep tea or soup hot. Cleaning dishes for me is no problem as I've done the boil water, and pour over dishes in dishpan and then wash using a cheap long handle brush. When done washing, drain dishpan and put dishes back in. Pour more hot water over to rinse. Let dry on drain board. Don't care if it gets spotty, it's clean. Best to do dishes early in the day and leave overnight ones with water on them to soak them. Use the same cup, utensils, plate & bowl for each meal and just rinse in between. If it's yours it's only your germs, so youre on. Put clothes in bed by head for next day so you can warm them before putting them on. Use hot water bottle. Be in bed by the time the sun goes down & get up when it comes up. First thing in morning, start something hot to drink & eat. Then trim wicks and refill and reset lamps. Lay out next days clothes on bed by head after making it. Clean up from day before first. Hand wash on warmer days. Hang on hangers to dry. It's going to take a while to dry. Hang in tub. Check on neighbors.

[@SilverCreekHomestead]

These are great! 😊

[@DebraMorris-q6r]

I use my empty laundry jugs ( that have the spigot button on them) and set them by each sink to wash your hands and dishes it works great!

[@SilverCreekHomestead]

We used to do that when primitive camping & when we used store bought detergent. It works great!

[@pen5532]

We put in a wood stove we bought from Sears in 1989! It is a tiny thing, but blows us out with the heat it produces. We have a space on top to put a wood burning stove fan on it to blow heat into another room, and space for a large tea/water pot. We loooooove our stove.

[@Minnehaha64]

I will say, even if you have your own well water, the pump runs on electricity. So a manual pump is going ro be necessary for a grid down situation. I bought 2 water Bobs a while back, and found another at a thrift store for $4. They fit in your bathtub and can be filled with lots of water. The water Bob one has its own pump for using the water, and I could pour it into my gravity-fed water filter, and also use for washing. I thought through what I would need in my kitchen if we had no electricity. One thing I did was get a manual grain mill. I tried it out, and it works great. We switched from an electric range, to a propane one, and we can use that for cooking, but I also have a few other ways to cook, including a grill, a rocket stove, and a fire pit outside. I bought a manual egg beater, a dough whisk for heavier doughs, and manual can openers! If you sit and think through the things you do on a regular basis, you may find you already have the things you need. But you will also realize you need an off-grid option for a lot of things. Coffee??? I bought a stove-top percolator. But I also have a cold-brew set up, and a pour-over cone for single cups, and a French press. It will definitely be a challenge, and a lot more work. But what else will we really have to do anyway?😂

[@sandrad518]

Thank you Heidi, great ideas! There are so many things we mindlessly use everyday that can be taken for granted. When I've lost power I tend to flip the light switch in the bathroom every time I go in there, then laugh, duh.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I still do the same as well, even with the great number of power outages we have! haha

[@rhealitytv.9999]

😊❤😊 love this type of video Heidi. I might add..hobbies..if you sketch or play an instrument..have paper and supplies..a nice diversion when stress levels are higher than normal....❤

[@joyjournal6157]

Absolutely!

[@SilverCreekHomestead]

We lived off grid for five months. Like completely!! We still have the outhouse & pump for water IF there were an emergency (we got in trouble with the county for building those things!) but you can also use a 5 gal bucket with bag & pop on a seat. I remember using a slop jar at my grandmas when a little girl!! Keep lots of candles & lanterns. Run water from gutters for watering animals && plants. You can also stretch out hair washing by using arrowroot in your hair in between washing. I only wash my hair every five days or so! Grow cowboy toilet paper to wipe! These are great tips!!! Great timing for this post too! 😅

[@joyjournal6157]

I learnt so much about frugal/emergency living by watching You Tube videos by folks who are living in their cars/vans. In fact, I just bought a minivan and I'm going to convert it to a camper, in case something happens and me and my cat have to leave the house. I don't have good health and it makes a lot of sense to be self sufficient in this way.

[@lindachandler2293]

Getting ready for an ice storm in Western Kentucky. I didn't make an extra trip to town; it was my regular shopping day. Our one little Food Giant was hopping. I met a woman with several of the battery tealights and candles in her cart. She said in our last power outage for several days she used a bushel basket of candles. I know I looks like I have a lot myself, plus other options, but 1 week of no power will push most people farther than they ever imagined. The day before it will hit, I'll bring at least half a cord of wood inside for the stove so this old woman doesn't have to get on the ice. I have all the necessities including an adult potty chair, if I need it. It's a forced vacation 🙂

[@joyjournal6157]

Wishing you safety through the bad weather!🦋

[@blessedbloominghomestead9134]

For the compostable toilet, you can buy wood shaving type pet bedding that comes in a plastic bag and can be stored away until needed if you don’t have access to your own shavings. Thanks Heidi!

[@meganleffingwell3437]

Dry leaves also work for this 👍

[@rogert8859]

also you can buy pelletized animal bedding that expands when it gets wet. I bought a 40lb bag for less than $10.00.

[@SilverCreekHomestead]

Fire ash & coffee grains in there as well.

[@SilverCreekHomestead]

@@meganleffingwell3437yes!

[@margaretpollard2179]

Thank you, Heidi! Always good information! Shalom!

[@deniselogan2733]

Batteries, I buy rechargeable from Pale Blue Earth & recharge them with a mini solar bank I can set it the window.

[@joyjournal6157]

Heidi, I've just bought a brake bleader for my dehydrated food. Thank you so much for informing us on preparedness! My next goals are investing in a gravity filter and extra pairs of glasses.

[@TheresaDarylsWife]

We have 4 generators 2. New ones take gas or propane Went yard sales, bought lots of propane tanks, and took 2 week filled them in emergency

[@marthathompson2012]

I really love your heart and your attitude so much! The willingness to be so freely of assistance, and yet the constant reminder to be diligent and responsible for yourself and own your own decisions is so spot on! I was trying to find some of your content on your faith-i know you've made some videos on the topic-and I was wondering if you had a Playlist just of that? If you do, KZbin seems to be hiding it from me at the moment. If you don't, could you possibly make one? Even if it's on the other channel. Let me know, if you would, please! Thanks in advance! 😊❤

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Here is our playlist, keep in mind some things have changed through the years as we continue to strengthen our faith along this journey: kzbin.info/aero/PLzVtTPDzFPKEfvZsgjEJ0i1WfBnyKhyHO

[@marthathompson2012]

@ thanks so much! Looking at this tomorrow…

[@magsstewart5488]

If, like me, you have 100’s of canning jars WITHOUT FOOD IN THEM 🤦🏼‍♀️, store water in them. 1) it makes you dig out all the jars & clean them 2) makes you realize how many lids you actually need 3) makes you create storage for that magical day when you’ve actually filled them all with food. Since the jars take up room empty or full, might as well be full of something. Then if a freak emergency happens, you have some extra water.

[@dreamingmusicgal]

I found one of the out door stove like you was using to make your enchiladas on. Now is it as big and as nice as yours no but it looks like it's better than nothing just starting out and the cost was only 61.22 for it. It's called on there site "compact and portable black iron camping stove. You can use it with wood, coal or propane. Blessings!

[@blessedbloominghomestead9134]

Thanks Heidi!

[@brendaogle-em7if]

Thank you Heidi More good information to have and use. I try to prepare best I can and have done even more with your wonderful loving knowledge that you share. However I don't stress to much about it. The bible says in the last days right before the rapture occurs it will be as it was in Noah day People buying, selling and being married. So it appears things will be somewhat normal up to the time Jesus comes to take us to the wedding feast ak rapture. Hallelujah Lord come quickly

[@stupidloopinfinite4768]

We're very blessed with a large garden and been preserving the harvest to be stocked and prepped pretty well for some length of time. We also get 50 lbs of beef fat/suet for $1 per lb, as much as we can handle. Plus I have farms that give me organ meat, beef bones, beef & pork fat that I render down to tallow, lard and stock. Our main heat source is wood heat, and has been since 2004, we also cook on our wood stove, and plan to build the dehydrators for that. We're in the middle of the largest Amish community in our state of MO. Our closest neighbors are Amish, so we have access to quite a bit of knowledge on living "off grid." I was also raised as a homesteader growing up, and we grew and raised most of our own food, with a 150x300 ft garden and orchard. We have unlimited dairy from a large dairy close to us, and I'm learning to make all my own dairy products and cheeses. I know I'm leaving some things out here, but I'm tired, just got back from picking up free organ meat from 3 beef butchers. We're also pretty much ready for the arctic temps, I hope everyone is. Take care and God bless y'all.

[@MeMe-cd1wy]

I bought Coleman camp stove in perfect condition, probably used once. Liquid camp fuel was still in it and the container was full. $5.

[@brightstarr57]

Great ideas and points!

[@valerieescabi6104]

Hi Heidi, God is good all the time. Hallelujah.🩷🩷🩷🩷

[@darleneschreiber9415]

Thank you! Finally coming out of the creeping-crud fog long enough to watch a few videos....and not endless episodes of Andy Griffith, while I nap in the recliner! LOL Praying you, Mr. Rain, and your family have a healthy, happy, and safe 2025! Maranatha!!!

[@conniekline9881]

Excellent list and ideas Heidi! Thank you.

[@millboroquiltersouthdakota6037]

Great video

[@user-jc6ok6cf7m]

Happy New Year, really good video. Thank you for posting it. M

[@patriotsweetie]

Thanks Heidi for sharing!❤ Shalom!

[@mooieplaats]

Thank you for sharing Heidi. I would like to reuse all kind of glass jars and be able to vacuum sealed them. God bless you Heidi ❤😊❤

[@trishthehomesteader9873]

Thank you Heidi. 😊 Great list! Blessings! 💜

[@SleepyHead76]

I bought a $10 campfire stove that uses chafing fuel. My thought was that’s a great and inexpensive way to heat a pot up. Would work great for a couple people.

[@NancyMorse]

Thanks for the informative video Heidi.

[@chrismaryb.7409]

Thanks Heidi 😊❤❤

[@tammywhite9229]

The one gallon ice cream buckets with a small trash bag in it can be placed into a regular toilet!

[@joycewedel9084]

Batteries for flashlight & other battery powered lighting.

[@KathyBertsch]

I love your channel, so many wonderful ideas

[@AnunciaKinzy]

Thank you! I’ve been watching your videos and learning so much! God’s blessings to you and your family from Fairbanks Alaska 💜🙏🏽💜

[@valeriebennett1011]

Thank you!!

[@lauritan66]

Happy New Year! Thank you so much for these videos! I am really going to concentrate on these essentials this year! Hurricane Helene - whew! What an eye-opener!

[@DirtMvGirt]

Thank you

[@tesshomestead8019]

I’ve done the bag in the toilet before it works pretty good . Just remember people change it after use one time or it’ll stink up your home fast don’t wait till it’s a pain to tie up . Yuk 💩💩💩💩 Godbless you all 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@12pointlife51]

Great info! Great video as always!

[@26skogen]

Happy New Year Heidi!

[@jst2708]

If you buy a solar powder radio, please read the instructions. Most say it's only possible to power the radio this way & it might take a few days

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Ours has many ways to charge it, which is best for as as we cannot depend on solar alone.

[@jst2708]

@RainCountryHomestead It just makes me mad that they leed 1 to believe that it can be charged easily by solar Technically, you can, but it will take days.

[@sweaterdoll]

Well covered and explained. I agree with all of these items. They are basic and clear. The only point I would change is storage of water in old milk jugs. The white plastic jugs are not meant for continued storage and break down faster, crack, and leak as my husband found out after filling and storing 30 of them. Five gallon BPA-free water cooler jugs are about $15 at Walmart. But litre and 2 litre soda bottles are also decent options if you have the room for dozens of those. I have a request: teach people how to cook on that wood stove. It's not a "cook stove" per se, and I bet people would really like to know how to cook on it - specifics - like how to make 5 simple things on it with or without a dutch oven. You can get by knowing how to make some eggs, skillet bread, beans, and vegetables on a wood stove top.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I agree on the milk jugs which is why I only use glass gallon jugs, however, water in recycled milk jugs is better than none at all so I try to give people ideas they can use if they cannot afford to buy other types of jugs

[@maryjaynejordan]

Never store an empty canning jar, fill it with water. That water can be used to drink, cook or even water for the next canning session.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Not something we personally need to do as we have our rain water collection and storage and I always have at least 30 gallons of filtered water in jugs that I rotate daily, however, great advice for those who do not have this nor a well and also have limited space

[@kleineroteHex]

In our are I have to drain our rainwater barrels over winter!

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Ours sometimes do freeze for a day or three but then quickly thaw in the next rain storm. Never had cracks or leaks

[@conniekline9881]

Provident Preppers (YT) have an interview with an expert regarding the sanitation issues.

[@theIAMofME]

I love that radio yoIu have. I have the same exact one except it's Yellow. I ruined the first one. I put it out to charge in the sun. I forgot it. Overnight we got some rain. It ruined it. I got another of the same because I loved that thing so much. It's a winner for sure!!! I have a few smaller back up ones. Gave one to someone during an outage and of course, they said they gave it back. But, no they didn't. Tried to make me think that I just forgot. I just let it go. I will never loan them another thing though. Always get the ones that are NOT digital. In my opinion, they work better.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yes, I have some things I have allowed "friends" to borrow with the stipulation that I really was going to need them back. Not cheap items either. I am pretty sure I will never see them again as they have since ended our friendship

[@theIAMofME]

@@RainCountryHomestead Well, I'm still friends with them. But, I won't be loaning anything. The weird thing is, I've loaned other things....not very expensie...again they never gave it back. But, I did ask about the radio and they acted like I was a coocoo for not remembering that "they gave it back". Lesson learned. It's sad people are like that.

[@joyjournal6157]

If you separate the urine from the solids it will smell much less.

[@jst2708]

If you know the storm is coming, scrub out your bath tub & full it, or you can buy a water tub bag. . It can hold a lot of water & it will keep it fresh.

[@kleineroteHex]

We don't have a bath tub!

[@jst2708]

@kleineroteHex Most don't, but do the best you with what you have.

[@kleineroteHex]

@@jst2708 always!

[@jholcomb9532]

Compostable paper plates, etc., would be good, they can be put in a compost bin/pile.

[@justynwolf6402]

thank you, Heidi, for this video. very nice info. You had mentioned you would leave a link to the handheld radios that you use but we couldn't find the link. If you are able to let us know which ones you use, we would love to look into it. Thanks again. (we are also going to check out Zack at American Homestead as per your recommendation). :)

[@RainCountryHomestead]

They are there, you may need to look again

[@janice303]

Can you list some of the things mentioned in this video, i.e. compostable bags and material? Thank you!

[@vivianp5962]

My sister Inlaw still has to port water in from town.

[@kleineroteHex]

Ouch! Not ideal.

[@his-sweetie]

😊

[@scottwilliams5196]

Excellent video Heidi !😊 I was wondering if you had any updated opinions on equipment needed for starting a youtube channel. We're thinking about it. We did watch your playlist on this. Thanks!

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I say make sure you have good sound and lighting and a decent video editor. The most expensive thing will be the editor but usually they are around $100. I use Cyberlink PowerDirector. But a decent ring light can be $25-$50 and as long as you have a cell phone that shoots decent videos, that is really all you need. When we first started I was using an OLD video camera then finally broke down and got an iPhone because it served many purposes including having a good camera and video camera. I only use an external mic when doing my live shows but not for my prerecorded ones.

[@scottwilliams5196]

@RainCountryHomestead excellent, thank you! Too many good looking young people like yourself on KZbin, we crabby old guys are underrepresented! 😉😊

[@joyanderson6906]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@debbiekrueger5576]

Question: I hear people canning water; our water has a lot of minerals, mostly lime, does that need filtered before canning? Would it corrupt the lids or seals if not filtered?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I do not think you would need to filter it. I personally do not can water but that is because we have our rainwater catchment and rotate our filtered jugs of water daily

[@debbiekrueger5576]

@ thank you! I know we get lime deposits on the faucets so wasn’t sure if that could build up in a jar..fortunately on a little iron. No rusty toilets or sinks..

[@Minnehaha64]

Yes. I can't seem to get into that habit! I'm used to filling up my boxes with clean, empty jars, not canning water! But it would be a good thing to do. And it wouldn't hurt anything if you never used it before you needed the jars for canning.

[@attagurlprepping9809]

I have canned tap water BEFORE I installed my RO water system and I still have it put back. I too have a lot of minerals in my water. I just checked it about a month ago and it's fine. It has been canned up for a little over a year. Regardless of popular belief, water does not go bad. Depending on how it's stored, it my need to be filtered and even boiled, but canned water should be fine. My intended use would be sterile water for medical use, but I wouldn't hesitate to consume it.

[@AwakenedOne447]

Where to get some good large mason jars?? Seems they’re not as well made as they once were - like everything else 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@debbiekrueger5576]

@@AwakenedOne447 I find them at estate auctions..I’ve gotten boxes for a dollar. You might have to discard some but it’s worth it

[@AwakenedOne447]

@ ty!

[@toniphillips1455]

Ball still sells 1/2 gallon jars, I find them at a local grocery store...s-o-m-e-t-i-m-e-s at walmart

[@AwakenedOne447]

@ ty!

[@JaniceCrowell]

I sure have had more jars breaking in canning than ever before

[@millboroquiltersouthdakota6037]

Where do you buy a toilet seat that fits a 5 gallon bucket

[@RainCountryHomestead]

You can find them on Amazon

[@debsblessed]

You can also use a pool noodle in a pinch. You have to cut a slit on one side, but it also helps keep a plastic bag in place.

[@qwertypoi654]

Walmart camping section

[@millboroquiltersouthdakota6037]

I can’t find your like for the radios for communication you and Patrick use, that you spoke of in this video. Or am I just not seeing it?

[@anthonyburdine1061]

I could not find it either.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Sorry, I forgot those links, there is a lot to remember when uploading videos: Emergency Radio: amzn.to/3DFIM7A Hand Held Radios: amzn.to/3W1mvr8

[@anthonyburdine1061]

@@RainCountryHomestead Thank you Heidi !! 😊I'm confident that I would forget more than you !! 😄

[@ttarpnelleoj]

Hello 👋

[@chickgirl1776]

😀

[@swiminclay]

🥰

[@carolynmoody9460]

❤❤❤🙏

[@danitalock5857]

How about a link for the compostable toilet bags please.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

There are all kinds you can choose from: amzn.to/4a46QwV

[@danitalock5857]

@RainCountryHomestead thanks Heidi!! Love you and appreciate your videos! 🥰

[@pammohler3253]

🌸🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🌸

[@reibersue4845]

Heidi, you look tired.

[@joycewedel9084]

Plastic bags for garbage

[@brandyyoung629]

Thank you