10 Low-Tech Tools You’ll Be Glad to Have When the Grid Goes Down

When the power cuts out, everything gets harder—fast. If you’re relying on phones, electric tools, or modern systems to keep things running, you’ll hit a wall once the battery dies. That’s where low-tech tools come in.

The right manual gear can keep you cooking, cleaning, hauling, and surviving without needing a single watt. These aren’t outdated. They’re smart backups that still get the job done when the fancy stuff quits.

Hand-Crank Radio

When you’ve got no power and no signal, a hand-crank radio can still pull in emergency broadcasts. Look for one that also has a flashlight and phone charger built in. It’s not going to light up your house or run a fan, but it will tell you what’s going on—especially when cell towers are overloaded or down completely.

Manual Can Opener

You don’t realize how many cans you’ve got until the electric opener won’t budge. A solid manual can opener is small, easy to stash, and way faster than trying to pry things open with a knife. Keep a good one in every bug-out bag and kitchen drawer.

Washboard or Manual Washing Plunger

When the washer’s dead and the clothes are piling up, you’ll be glad to have a way to scrub by hand. A washboard or manual plunger gets things clean using basic muscle and a bucket. You don’t need power—just water, soap, and some time.

Cast Iron Skillet

Gas stove still working? Firepit outside? A cast iron skillet can handle both without wearing down. You don’t need electricity to cook if you’ve got the right cookware. It holds heat well, lasts forever, and you can clean it with salt and a rag if you’re low on water.

Manual Water Pump

If your well needs electricity to run, you’re out of luck when the power’s gone. A manual pump lets you pull water by hand, and while it’s not fast, it’s reliable. Even if it’s not your everyday setup, it’s a great backup.

Oil Lamps and Lanterns

Flashlights are great—until the batteries die. Oil lamps or kerosene lanterns give steady light for hours, and they’re refillable. Keep them clean, stocked, and in a safe spot where you won’t knock them over in the dark.

Mechanical Kitchen Scale

If you’re preserving food or following recipes while cooking off-grid, a battery-free kitchen scale helps you keep portions right. A spring-loaded one isn’t exact down to the gram, but it’s close enough to get the job done.

Garden Tools with Wooden Handles

You’ll burn out faster using cheap plastic-handled tools when you’re working land by hand. Quality manual tools with wood or metal handles last longer, don’t depend on power, and are easy to repair. Shovels, hoes, rakes—you’ll need them all.

Manual Siphon Pump

Whether you’re moving gas, water, or something else, a siphon pump makes it a whole lot easier than trying to dump or pour by hand. No power needed—just gravity and suction. Great to keep on hand for fuel storage setups, too.

Hand Saw

If your chainsaw won’t start or the battery’s gone, you’ll be glad you’ve got a reliable handsaw. It takes more effort, but it’ll still cut wood for a fire or break down branches after a storm. Keep it clean and sharp, and it won’t let you down.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.