I want only portable devices like solar, and hand-crank chargers. I want to be able to boil water, charge my Laptop and phone, run my induction stove for a few minutes thrice a day, want it rugerdized at some point, and want to depend on my equipment for day to day life as preparation for having no support.
How am I doing so far? Did I waste money?
I have been using off-grid gear primarily for the last 6 years, both things that I can backpack with (I like goal zero crush light btw) and the larger/heavier stuff in my car.
Overall, the practical use of energy makes most cooking separate from my solar system. The acception is a 12v water boiler, but that is mostly while on the road. A wood stove is what I use most of the time, either a full size in a cabin, or a portable titanium one, with twigs and pinecones. It’s surprising how little is needed to boil a few cups of water.
If it’s a sunny day, just setting a black pot out in the sun will help get most of the heat (and mirrors if you want to get fancy), then less energy will be needed to bring it to boil.
It’s not impossible to cook off my system, but it would be a huge drain, and I rather run a computer all day or an electric blanket all night.