Fire, Heat & Cooking / Stoves & Heaters
Real GuideBuilding a Rocket Stove
Build a simple rocket stove from bricks or a tin can, using an L-shaped burn tunnel to cook with less wood and less smoke.
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Food Preservation / Cold & Root Storage
Real GuideBuilding a Root Cellar
Use earth, shade, airflow, and humidity to keep food cool through winter without power. A practical, beginner-friendly build.
Energy & Power / Wind & Water Power
Real GuideBuilding a Water Wheel
Build a small working water wheel that turns a shaft from moving water, with the anatomy, water-feed types, and limits explained clearly.
Water Security / Sourcing & Locating Water
Real GuideCollecting Rainwater from Roofs
Set up a simple roof rainwater catchment using gutters, a screened barrel, an overflow path, and basic first-flush habits.
Navigation & Wayfinding / Celestial & Timekeeping
Real GuideHow to Tell Time Without a Watch
Learn three simple ways to estimate time using the sun, shadows, and your hands - no watch, phone, or electricity required.
Water Security / Sourcing & Locating Water
Real GuideSolar Still Construction
Build a simple solar still with a plastic sheet, a collection cup, and the sun, while understanding its realistic yield and safety limits.