Yes, if you go off grid the battery bank is the center. Keep the bank full and use the right inverters is the way. Like Anthony said before, you can downsize your generator, and only run the generator when bigger loads are needed. Not only a lot of fuel saved, also generator rebuilds. Little loads on a generator do more harm then a full load.
And a plus is easy integration of pv.
Ask Matt, he runs his shop off grid. I think Dave and Brian do it the same way.
Thanks for posting your charco maker design, that seems too make decent voluem/ i could build one like that- would be good too have for running smaller engine pull motor generators- or other power needs. Roughly how long it take too make a barrel of charco with this method.THANKS