Easy Green: Cut Electricity Use With 15 Unplugged Home Devices
Whether you want to slash your energy bill, go greener or be prepared next time the power goes out, those hand-cranked and other human-powered household items can help you get the job done in style. In the slick and innovative to time-tested classics, every one of those 15 finds offers a refreshing antidote to 24/7 plugged-in lives.
Lehman’s
Hand-Cranked Blender – $98.95
This hand-cranked blender out of Lehman’s will give you a workout while you whip up this breakfast smoothie. The Lehman’s catalogue is a fantastic resource for nonelectric alternatives to ordinary household items — the company was set to function Amish communities but now enjoys widespread attraction.
Pigeontail
Papervore Coffee Table
This coffee table doubles as a paper shredder and as a conversation piece. Insert the paper on top, crank the handle and watch as ribbons of paper fill up the oil base.
Poketo
Handy Manual Shredder – $45
This slick little hand-cranked paper shredder might be all you need for handling small amounts of paper and it looks really adorable that you will not need to hide it.
Anthropologie
Vintage Rotary Telephone – $198
In a power outage, cordless phones will not work, even if the telephone line is still operational. This revamped vintage rotary phone will keep working when newer models fail — and looks adorable to boot up.
Etón
BoostTurbine 2000 Backup Battery Pack – $59.99
Having the ability to use your cell phone in an emergency is key. Now you can always have backup energy with this slick little hand-cranked electricity generator out of Etón in your pocket.
Terrain
Ball Jar Coffee Mill – $98
Coffee connoisseurs insist that the top brews begin with legumes ground in a Burr grinder. This one is run by a very simple hand crank, and it has a charmingly old-fashioned appearance.
Crate&Barrel
Chemex 8-Cup Coffee Maker – $38.95
The simple, elegant design of the Chemex coffeemaker makes it a designer favorite — and the effortless pour-over method makes amazingly delicious coffee.
Lehman’s
Clipper USA 19-Inch Reel Mower – $599
Plan a greener backyard in more ways than one this year by trading in your gas-powered mower for a conventional reel version. Fantastic for smaller yards, this traditional push mower will give you your workout whilst trimming the grass.
Fred Flare
Dynamo Solar Crank Radio – $34
I like that this petite radio offers your choice of electricity method: solar or hand fold. Additionally, it is so good looking that you’re guaranteed to find yourself using it all of the time — not just when the power is out.
Hayneedle
Weston Hand Juicer – $27.99
Some juicing purists think that the warmth from a typical electric juicer takes something away from the freshness of raw juice this hand-cranked version will maintain your juice as fresh as you can.
Terrain
Glass Juicer – $28
Trade in your black orange orange juicer for this utterly basic glass version and save a bit of room in your cupboards.
Williams-Sonoma
All-Clad Food Mill – $149.95
A well-stocked kitchen should not be without a fantastic food mill. Use it to process tomatoes and create applesauce, mashed potatoes and heaps of different dishes.
WebOfficeMart
Table-Mount/Wall-Mount Manual Pencil Sharpener, Black – $25.65
Just like those that used to grace teachers’ desks all around the nation, this traditional black pencil sharpener does the task with a satisfying turn of the deal.
IKEA
Ljusa Flashlight, Hand-Powered – $4.99
You won’t have to remember to keep extra batteries on hand with this adorable little hand-powered flashlight out of Ikea. Stash a few around the home and leave an extra in the car for roadside crises.
Lehman’s
Greatest Hand Wringer – $199.95
Give your clothes dryer (a notorious energy hog) a rest with this classic hand-cranked wringer from Lehman’s. After washing squeezing the surplus water will shorten drying period.