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Sustainable and affordable energy solutions are desperately needed in the wake of Sri Lanka's dire energy crisis, which has worsened by unstable economic conditions. The use of hand-cranking technology offers a low-tech substitute that may improve energy resilience in situations like this for charging cell phones during prolonged power outages. Although there are possible advantages, there is still a lack of information regarding the actual use and user experience of hand-cranking technology. This project intends to investigate the potential, particularly considering Sri Lanka's energy difficulties, of the use of hand-cranking technology for mobile phone charging during extended power outages. Guided by HCI research advocating for unmaking and undesigning as tactics for engagement (Fry, 2009; Song and Paulos, 2021), this research focuses on the experiential aspects of interacting with low-tech tools during energy crises. A technology probe study was conducted with Sri Lankan participants living in Sweden, who have experienced energy shortages. Participants used the Experiencing Prototyping method with hand crankers to charge their phones. Their experiences were analysed through inductive thematic analysis. The study revealed several critical insights, such as initial enthusiasm for hand-cranking often waned due to physical fatigue and the repetitive nature of the task; participants’ increased awareness of their energy usage and screen time, highlighting the technology's potential to promote energy-saving behaviours; the perception of technology as potentially valuable during emergencies, although its practicality for daily use was limited where noise and the inability to multitask were identified as significant drawbacks, suggesting areas for design improvement. The findings indicate that while hand-cranking technology holds promise for emergency energy solutions, there are substantial challenges related to user experience and physical demands. Enhancements in design, such as reducing noise and improving efficiency, are necessary to make this technology more viable. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of promoting low-tech, accessible solutions in regions facing energy instability. Integrating principles of undesigning and unmaking into the development of hand-cranking technology can address energy challenges in crisis contexts like Sri Lanka. By focusing on user experience and practical application, this study contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable energy solutions and highlights the need for continued research and innovation in this area.