about this site

People call me Slim. That's all you're getting on the name front.

I'm one person. I don't have a staff. I don't have investors. I don't have a YouTube channel or a podcast or a brand deal with Generac. I have a house that runs on a combination of solar, battery storage, and a propane standby generator. And I have a lot of notes.

I moved my family out of the city three years ago. My wife thought I was crazy until the first ice storm knocked out power for four days across the county. Our house never flickered. That was the last time she questioned any of this.

Before I moved, I was the same as most people. I paid my utility bill and assumed the lights would stay on. Then I started paying attention. I read the DOE reports. I looked at the data on grid reliability. I watched what happened in Texas in February 2021, when the state that produces more energy than any other couldn't keep its own people warm. I watched what happened during Hurricane Helene, when entire communities were cut off for weeks.

The pattern isn't subtle. The grid is aging. The weather is getting worse. The demand is going up. And nobody with the authority to fix it seems to be in any particular hurry.

So I decided to stop depending on it.

what I've tested

Over the past three years, I've personally run or extensively evaluated:

• 4 standby generators (Generac, Kohler, Briggs & Stratton, Champion)
• 6 portable generators across multiple fuel types
• 3 whole-home battery systems
• 5 portable power stations (EcoFlow, Bluetti, Jackery, Goal Zero)
• 2 solar panel configurations for off-grid backup
• More transfer switches, cables, fuel stabilizers, and accessories than I want to count

I've also spent hundreds of hours reading manufacturer specs, installer forums, electrician communities, and warranty claim data. When I recommend something, I know what I'm recommending. When I tell you to skip something, I know why.

If you want the full breakdown of how I evaluate products, I wrote it up on the how I test page.

why "Slim" and why anonymous

Slim's a nickname. Had it since I was a kid. It stuck. That's all you need to know.

I don't put my real name on this because this isn't about me. It's about the information. I don't want you to trust me because of who I am. I want you to trust the work because it's thorough, honest, and useful. The day I put my face on this site is the day it becomes about personality instead of substance.

Also, I write some strong opinions about utility companies and manufacturers. I'd rather not deal with their PR departments.

If you want to know how I ended up out here, I wrote about it in the journal. Start with why I left the grid.

affiliate disclosure

This site contains affiliate links. When you click a product link and make a purchase, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This is how I fund the site, the equipment I test, and the time I spend writing.

Here's what I want you to understand: the affiliate commission does not change my recommendation. I've recommended products with lower commissions over products with higher ones because the cheaper product was better. I've told people not to buy things I'd earn money on because they didn't need them. I'd rather you trust this site and come back than make a quick buck and lose you.

If I recommend something, it's because I believe it's the best option for the situation I'm describing. Full stop.