Best Ways to Purify Water Off Grid?

[TeaTimeTalisman]

When it comes to off-grid water purification, there are so many methods floating around that it gets a bit overwhelming. I’ve relied mostly on boiling and ceramic gravity filters for years, but starting to wonder if I should diversify a bit more, especially for longer emergencies where fuel’s limited. Has anyone here had success with solar distillation setups? I’ve seen those solar still tutorials, but curious about real-life use – are they practical for a family, or are they more trouble than they're worth?

Also, how reliable are those newer UV pens out in the wild? I hear mixed reviews—some folks say they're fragile, others swear by them as a lightweight option.

I stick to charcoal and sand filtration for bulk, but always worry about stuff like viruses getting through. If anyone's got a favorite off-grid method that doesn’t need constant supply replacement (tablets, bleach, etc.), I’d be grateful to hear about what’s worked—or what didn

 

[BlueMarigold]

I’ve seen those solar still tutorials, but curious about real-life use – are they practical for a family, or are they more trouble than they're worth? Also, how reliable are those newer UV pens out in the wild? I hear mixed reviews—some folks say they're fragile, others swear by them as a lightweight option.

Solar stills are really slow going, honestly—not much output, especially for a whole family. As for UV pens, I’ve found them handy for backup, but wouldn’t trust them as my only option out in the wild.

 

[AquaFern1028]

I’ve relied mostly on boiling and ceramic gravity filters for years, but starting to wonder if I should diversify a bit more, especially for longer emergencies where fuel’s limited.

Going off your point about relying mostly on boiling and ceramic gravity filters—honestly, I think you’re wise to consider diversifying, especially if fuel might run low. I’ve used ceramic filters for years too, and they’re solid as long as you keep them clean and avoid letting them freeze. But filters eventually wear out, and boiling eats up precious resources if you’re off-grid for weeks or months.

One thing I’d add is rainwater catchment paired with simple slow-sand filtering methods. Setting up a couple of food-grade barrels with a sand/gravel filter