Building a $5 Maple Syrup Evaporator worth THOUSANDS! (for the off grid cabin)

I turn an discarded old oil drum reservoir normally used for home heating into a wood boiler, evaporator which I will use turn sap into delicious maple syrup. We have some fun with knives from Acejet: www.acejetoffi...
Full Log Cabin Playlist: • Building a Log Cabin
Part 1: • Building a Log Cabin f...
Part 2: • Building a $5 Maple Sy...
Part 3: • How to Quickly Cut 1 Y...
Part 4: • Building a LOG CABIN i...
Part 5: • Building a Log Cabin f...
Part 6: • Installing MASSIVE Roo...
Part 7: • Framing Out the Log Ca...
Part 8: • Building a Roof for th...
Part 9: • Building a BEAR PROOF ...
Part 10: • Installing FREE $4000 ...
Part 11: • Building an ADDITION a...
Part 12: • $100,000 Tree Bucket L...
Part 13: • Finishing the Off Grid...
I will also cut down more dead pine trees that are on my 40 acre property to build a sugar shack that will house a maple sap boiler so we can enjoy some delicious maple syrup in the spring.
With the help of my chainsaw, I'll cut down all the overgrown and shaded out dead pines which I will cut into log to build a sugar shack. The pines in this replanted forest are fat too overgrown and have been grossly mismanaged. The trees should have be cut and thinned nearly a decade ago. Removing the dead trees is a good start to rehabilitating the forest. Later, we will thin even more and get the forest ready for replanting and rejuvenating.
In this first part, we will mostly be cutting trees and then getting the site chosen. It's a lot of tree felling, and hauling to get our raw materials.
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"Self-Reliance" is an 1841 essay written by American transcendentalist philosopher and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. It contains the most thorough statement of one of Emerson's recurrent themes: the need for each individual to avoid conformity and false consistency, and follow his own instincts and ideas. This channel will approach self reliance from a modern perspective. and will focus on various build projects using modern amenities, and tools to build a completely self reliant lifestyle.

[@ModernSelfReliance]

*Full LOG CABIN playlist:* kzbin.info/aero/PLwj3sDjjGtJpaMlqPWZCjyzpH49_53e1K Part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6THY5iZp5xoj9E Part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmW2dpSsoJx7m5I Part 3: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2PRp6iaiceJrNk Part 4: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnqndYSkaJ58iac Part 5: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZ_RnJ-Kj5J9pcU

[@lelandunruh7896]

As a resident of Austin, I never thought I'd hear a Canadian call something "Texas cold"!

[@brianwolfe5982]

MSR videos have become my reason to look forward to Saturdays. 🇺🇸🇨🇦

[@donniev8181]

Beardsman's head never turned faster than it did after you mentioning a roasted pig! Look forward to the build, God bless.

[@Bianchi8000]

Lol, that was funny. A nice Pig roast, before its syrup time.....there's an idea, Guys!

[@zianeshkasparen4358]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 PRICEE-LEESSSS

[@corollaae8645]

Lol I noticed that too!

[@countrycoopers]

Watching your videos makes 30 mins feel like 3!!! Could watch this channel all day!!!

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@sinfonianbarelytone9191]

You guys have so much fun. Our Kubota has beet juice filled tires if you can believe that! Crazy! Enjoy. Thank you for sharing.

[@vinceglauser4770]

Thanks for the info on only using premium gasoline in small engines. Very useful.

[@cmosphoto1]

Apparently to clarify.. make sure the premium doesn't contain ethanol... In Canada generally the premium doesn't contain ethanol.

[@GwynneDear]

I must be one of like 20 women who watch this channel, but I love it. It’s filled with creativity and knowledge, all wrapped up in “well let’s just try and if we fail we will try again.” That’s my jam.

[@jingocat6920]

21 women! I agree with you completely. I draw up my own “genius” plans, but they often stay in the notebook for lack of tools and muscle. It’s cool to watch a good brain take the “wing it” approach.

[@GwynneDear]

@@jingocat6920 I just go for it. Well, usually I ask my husband to do it and he procrastinates, and then I go for it. Get yourself some tools and start with a small project. You would be surprised how little muscle you actually need when you have the internet to tell you how to do stuff. Half the battle is learning how to measure properly on odd cuts. The screwing together of things is the easy part. Don’t be afraid to fail, because you will. When you do fail, don’t beat yourself up over it. Recognize you had a learning moment and move on. That is my sage lady builder wisdom of the day. Now get some of those ideas off of the paper. Edit: my suggestion for beginner tools is a drill with a small set of standard drill bits and a cheap kreg jig set, an impact driver with a small set of standard impact driver bits, a circular saw, speed square, measuring tape and a rotary sander. You can build a lot of stuff with that, and Father’s Day is an excellent time to find deals on all that stuff.

[@myheartisinthemountains2660]

I'm one of that 20! ✌🌻

[@jingocat6920]

Great comment Gwynne! You are so right. I have a good set of tools and can borrow others. It’s getting out there and sometimes asking for help when I can’t swing it solo. Your husband comment made me really laugh. I had a very, well-meaning husband who once took 5 hrs to complete a picnic table-from a kit. Result: the seats were upside down. I quietly fixed them later. Another time, he blew up my car battery trying to clean the terminals. That was something. This is a really good channel, isn’t it? Makes you want to create!

[@jingocat6920]

Cool. A good brain is not exclusive to men or women. Mr. Kevin has superb visual skills and a clever imagination. You must have talents too! Gwynne gave good advice about getting going.

[@nancyjeanharvey7647]

Looking forward to next time to see the completion.

[@jaanusmooses]

You gave the best advice that welder could give- just start trying. Buy yourself good machine and start trying. That is how I started and now I know how to weld.

[@larrycollette2986]

wonderful show today. i was smiling so much my face hurts. thanks

[@hardworker7598]

Yes 👍 good video 🥇

[@angler2058]

I think it will work good when done. Make two I want one. 👍👋

[@surfersurfer8824]

hi Kevin, AWESOME!!! its really starting to take shape!! be safe, stay warm, thank you, bill

[@idontneedaname85]

One of the best channels. Great job saving the tractor from the tree.

[@markbergquist4439]

You're having too much fun. And friends helping out, always makes it better. Can't wait for the next video.

[@joshtonry4291]

I'm with your brother about the larger production of maple syrup!! This channel is great!

[@GetWithItTek]

Genuinely one of the most underrated KZbinrs. When I first started watching you I thought you would be at about a million or so, and then I saw when I clicked subscribe and was shocked! Keep up the great work buddy really loving the content.

[@eurekacustomconcretellc]

I look forward to your channel every week! Thank you, for sharing our journey with “us”! I love how you create what you desire, want and need! Trash to treasure is such a sweet part as well! Salvage when you can, right. I absolutely love your way of thinking, projects and videos! Thank you, again!! Sincerely Sara, from Eureka Springs, Arkansas!

[@anubisamun7475]

People can say what they will..But his reactions when that tree fell was spot on...Him moving backwards and raising that bucket a bit saved his bacon for sure...I say good job now that is work wish I could come help!!!

[@joewamsley8004]

That looked like a trained response.

[@anubisamun7475]

@@joewamsley8004 I wonder how many people treehuggers get killed because of widow makers?

[@ecaryn.]

You guys are endlessly entertaining! Don is great... we should all have our own Don!

[@briancaldwell9549]

Hi from Melville Saskatchewan another interesting vlog love your creativity have a blessed day

[@vivianwilliams2216]

I used to watch when you and your brother made maple syrup, you guys made a lot, and your brother would do the canning, it was great to watch! 😊👍💕💕💕

[@jamesgoodman6243]

Your last comment was a SUPER ONE. Imagine after Maple Syrup Season is over. The shack will remain dormant until the next season. How about on the tombstone weld a rod holder connect a rod into to the very end that has a steel H design in the front where the wood is fed. Install a electric motor. Now the evaporator stove can be a rotisserie for a pig or deer to be slow cooked over a wood fire. Sounds very tempting.

[@IkeTomas2010]

I should make one of them. I've got two huge Maple trees and have always wanted to try to learn how to make maple syrup.

[@jamesmislock8734]

Love the videos. Keep it up! Could you do a video touring all the cool things on your property? Like a compilation?

[@sheilam4964]

You videos are always so entertaining and edcational, too. 👍👍👍

[@Xero1of1]

If I could offer a suggestion or three... Line the inside of your firebox with firebrick. 1" should be enough. After a while, the burning will oxidize the metal and cause it to rust and make holes. That's going to weaken the box which means your pan might deform or break it. (We make maple syrup too) Also... put a flat piece of metal from about the middle (lengthwise) of the firebox angling up towards the chimney... You'll have to custom cut it for your box... This way you'll get more even heating in the pan and you won't need a fire along the entire bottom of the firebox... just the front half. Also, you'll probably want a grate a few inches (up to 6" depending on your preference) off of the bottom of the firebox to stack the wood on which will allow for the ashes to drop through for easy removal. This will also let air get to your fire, which will make it burn better.

[@ModernSelfReliance]

What you are describing is exactly the next steps in the build.. you should put spoiler alert!..lol

[@Xero1of1]

@@ModernSelfReliance LOL! Sorry about that... hehe

[@Bianchi8000]

@@Xero1of1 that is some like minded thinking, there. Cant wait to see what you explained in the next Video.

[@Aphaedon]

Been watchign your channel for a while now, I love what you are doing. inspirational and enjoyable to watch. You defintieyl have a great group of people in your life wanting, asking to come out and hang out and work there for the sheer enjoyment! Definitely makes me envious, especially with all the snow!

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@jyoung6004]

I was a Kubota dealer for 8 years and our business has been in business for 32 overall years. You won’t regret foam filling those tires and yes they are worthy. You ll be surprised at the weight it ll add also. But those r4 tires are definitely worthy. It’s basically a solid tire once done and will have to be cut off when it wears out which honestly it ll dry rot before it’ll wear since you’re not on pavement 24 7.

[@cmosphoto1]

They told me they won't foam fill em... Because they said the tire was run flat... Gonna put some tubes for now and keep going...

[@northjoe]

Green slime works great.

[@Johnny_Stein]

By far my favorite KZbin channel.

[@Johnny_Stein]

Well right next to Ben’sWorx.

[@kellyekadesignswelly1608]

Yes, maple syrup mmmmmmmmmmm ! Don, has that good fire going as always

[@kimcushman1360]

The set up of evaporator was fantastic 👏

[@dutchyfresh1]

Dude I always have a appreciation for the stuff you build. I’m still looking for a a junk water heater. I found one on the road the other day but someone already stole the burner.

[@AlexOTD]

129k subs wow, channel grew fast.

[@peterjones7288]

I’ve made 2 same design, one for my son and another for a friend. They are an awesome evaporator. I also built one for my 100litre cast iron pot, that one lays on its side. Good job

[@glg3945]

Wow, great progress! So much work! Glad your friend didn't get hurt by the tree. You come up with some awesome ideas 💡! All the best. Peace and good fortune and good health to you and your family. "Throwing Knives" "It's all fun and games until somebody gets hurt"! Don't stand so close guys! 😁

[@frankensteinracing3520]

We had a wheel loader with gel/foam fill and was probably the greatest thing we did. Clearing lines through regrowth timber every other wheeled machine was doing 2 to 3 tire repairs a day.

[@davidreid8353]

Another great video Kevin! Things are progressing nicely I can barely wait for each new video. Amazing how Chris shows up when most of the work is done.

[@cmosphoto1]

He edits the video's! He shows up to pick up the footage.... Good guy Chris.

[@dirtysteve7866]

I water filter regular gas to remove the ethanol. Run it in a '78 Yamaha 2 stoke bike.

[@cmosphoto1]

Nice.

[@staceymarkum3873]

This video had it all, comedy, drama, danger, adventure and a pup! I'm jealous of the throwing knives, those things are epic! An idea for the next build could be an outdoor kitchen. I know you have a pizza oven, a smoker, and a cabin. BUT, just think of it huge grill, with interchangeable surfaces, a propane fueled mini fridge, a big chest freezer you can lock to store shelf stable food (and not feed the wildlife), some cupboards for dishes, a bar counter to sit at, stainless steel countertops to clean the kill and disinfect after, a pot rack, and all under a pavillion with extra seating and a table on the side. Put the throwing knives up there instead of darts... sound like fun? ✌💜🐖💨 (Btw, my mom loves your dog)

[@KaWouter_]

I love the timelapses! Almost as much as I love maple syrup.

[@chiggerferocity]

Texas Weather! 😜 This - 6 degrees fahrenheit is more fun to watch you in it than to experience first hand. Glad mother nature remembered to take that back to Canada, it was a nice 75 Degrees today! ☀️

[@rjstewart]

I love this series! When I was a teenager I worked several springs doing maple syrup and by the time I was 17 I was mostly running the operation myself with some help from my dad. I can’t wait to see you eat pancakes lol. Also I’m glad to see you guys started pulling the logs out with the tractor! :-)

[@MsVan13]

Lol. We survived it. Here in Austin Texas. No power for 3 days. I can survive the no power but the no water sucked!

[@EnsignLovell]

Oh boy, that's a crap ton of snow! I hope it eases up so you can build the cabin easier. :D

[@olyman63]

Another great show

[@aubreydonley7598]

Your absolutely right about the gas and oil for a saw! Ahh I build a shed today it was pretty fun.

[@laurenciachew2561]

Well Kelvin...hoping to see the build to house the drum for your collection of sap to make the *maple syrup*. So fragrant and yummy with pancakes...love it. And love what you are doing sweetie; be careful with the fallen dead logs. Cheers 😍😍😍

[@MrMitsos]

Was waiting for the new video!

[@henrikstenlund5385]

Glad to see you are tractor pulling, safer in that way. Thanks for sharing

[@rjstewart]

Yea, when I was watching the first video in this series and they were fiddle-farting around with the sliding board I thought that was smart. Then part way through I saw the kabota driving around and I realized they were probably going to do better if they could get the tractor in there and pull the trees down with it.

[@brannonszever]

love your videos man!!! keep it up. your like the only youtuber I cant wait till they upload again! i've re watched the cabin serious 3 times ahaha!

[@grumpy1962R]

I’m 10 minutes in an looking forward to seeing the evaporator come together. I have been wanting to use a 265 fuel barrel for years. My wife and I purchased 40 acres in northern Wisconsin several years ago and we’re finally ready to concentrate on syrup!!!! I don’t even know why because we literally only have pancakes about twice a year!!!

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Do it! I'm currently boiling. It's a very early start to the season this year. I'm still using this design going on two years. Works great.

[@asustainablejunglewayoflife]

Looking great 👍 Love the oil drum. Nice idea. 👍

[@taxalterror]

Nice one Kevin, its looking good. :)

[@frederickmoller]

We used foam filled tires on 5 yard scoop trams in an underground gold mine in northern Ontario in the early 2000s and they were the best tires ever used, they were recapped heavy equipment tires that were run 24/7/365. I know this as when the tires were finally finished due to the mining environment (Quartz and general rock) usually sidewall tears, it took several 'days' for the foam beads to finally exit the tire, all the while as the scoop tram was operational, that's my opinion about foam filled tires from what I witnessed.

[@sca662]

Knife throwing is something that we do in SCA on a regular basis. Looks like a great set, will check them out.

[@TokyoCraftsman]

Get Dwayne a helmet when working around tree felling, but you know that. I love your humility when you talk about welding, you are not an expert, go watch channels that can actually teach you how to weld, great advice. You have surrounded yourself with some great friends, that's the secret to a good life. Cheers from Tokyo Stu

[@quentinmanson3287]

Thanks for 30 minutes of quality content. Keep it up, looking forward to seeing this project come to fruition.

[@stanleykeith6969]

I saw one video that a guy cut down one of these oil tanks and made a wood burner stove for his garage. I think he had it 3 or 4 ft long. He used Heavy 2" pipes running threw it from front to back and a barrel stove door. Same some of that tank if you can for a wood stove. WOW, its a wonder that did not catch on fire when you where cutting it open. May be you should get those tires Foam Filled to prevent flats. 40 gals. of sap to make 1 gal. of maple syrup.

[@bryanpoole4749]

Love all your goofy content. ( I mean that in a good way) these videos are great for Saturday morning coffee with my 50 lb." Lap dog" Queensland blue heeler thinks he's a Chihuahua. Anyway, love your work and your humor!

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Glad you like them!

[@4kays160]

Haha same, currently near bathurst with my 45kg american staffy cross greatdane bullmastiff mix who also thinks hes a lapdog, while hes brother snoozes on the lounge haha..

[@palletcabin-YR_Author]

We enjoy all of your adventures. Looking forward to the pig roast!

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

That's brilliant 👏😀👍

[@offgriddeo6514]

I love the videos, you're such a character :D

[@lynnlegault985]

Remind me of old red green show scuttlebutt lodge or is it just a Canadian thing

[@Bioassasin01]

"Cool Tool Time" You gonna give us some "Tim Taylor" segments? You already have a Don to be your Al

[@jacksonstroup3941]

Awesome man

[@windyruler6645]

Haha we got power back over a week ago now, the reason most people were so cold is the houses here lack proper insulation and don't have fire places, both of which I actually happen to have

[@MSmith-Photography]

Fire + Maple Syrup = Awesome! 🤣

[@careyjohnson4143]

thank you for the great content, keep it up!

[@jaymeswheeler]

Hands up. So good Don.

[@llantup]

That tank reminds me of the tank my grandmother had for her house. It was filled with fuel oil, and she'd burn it in her stove (not a cooking stove, but we called it a stove; more like a free-standing space heater) for heat in the winter. That oil inside could be old remnants of that kind of oil, or just about anything.

[@ModernSelfReliance]

I removed that tank from an old body shop. It's used motor oil.

[@jamescraven76]

Plasma cutters are ace, the make lightning!

[@Nick1-22]

Great series, love the vids!

[@ynech]

Nice video.

[@pr3ttyxdogs73]

Yahho finally someone gets it!! Thats right for the home owner who uses his saw ounce a year, thats the way to go.

[@papajoe6254]

Great content as usual.

[@shirajulislam3215]

did u see wooded beardsman eyes light up when roast pig was mentioned

[@antonkool3106]

Glad to se a new vid, spring just got to Sweden. Hope ur having a good day

[@jackmehoff2961]

Got me hankerin for some buckwheat pancakes. Been awhile since I had those ... Ever put maple syrup on vanilla ice cream ??? Thanx for lettin us hang bruh !

[@janicecaves1496]

Good thing the bucket on the tractor was lifted up cause that would have HURT if it landed on Dwayne's head. Bean is a cute little doggo. One day I hope my puppy is that well behaved. I'm thinking Chris might have an inner pyromaniac. ;) I love how you repurpose 'junk' and make cool stuff with it.

[@canoelew2288]

Have you considered using the upper piece of tank you cut off to go inside, to line, the lower burner walls and then line with firebrick for the long haul? Just a thought.....

[@cmosphoto1]

It's going to be used as a baffle from the firebox to the chimney.

[@corybrook6330]

That was a great episode as always . When the tree came down on top of the tractor all I could think off is where is his hard hat lol . To many years in the oil patch lol.

[@tblbaby]

If I hadn't learned the tree cutting principals of looking the hell out ALL THE TIME and prethinking a rout to RUN! I'd have been dead long ago, unless I was horribly mangled to the point I couldn't do anything any more, but still "alive".

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Always have an exit strategy!

[@TimeSurfer206]

There are old loggers, and there are inattentive ;loggers... Grew up in logging country and still have all my appendages ^^

[@elblessarda4913]

Been waiting for you to release your new video just like your brother, keep it up man

[@ninagoldiloks]

What! Give Dwayne some syrup!! 🤝❤

[@devan2462]

Very entertaining channel

[@lifewithus42]

Looking forward to seeing this build progressing. Good stuff as always. 👍👍👍💯💯💯🐷🐷🐷🐷🐷

[@andrewmcgibbon9785]

A little throwing knife advise. You are out in the woods. Paint your throwing knives bright orange. They will be easier to find on the ground in the leaf litter when you miss or they bounce off at a crazy angle

[@acdatz6222]

I also put the first couple litres in the truck before filling the jerry cans with non-ethanol premium fuel.

[@mindym.1166]

I'm glad Dwayne was okay. And I'm thinking you guys are going to have enough kindling to last forever.

[@basshunter4144]

good to see ya again thx for vid plasma and a welder and a torch set is the things to have in any shop be safe love the vids

[@jingocat6920]

Really looking forward to this whole process. There is nothing in this whole world like real, dark maple syrup. We’re coming into sugaring season about now down here in Massachusetts.

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Exciting times!

[@rnxpx]

Haha... oh man I could watch that fire all day.

[@SomeSimpleGaming]

you need a chain fall on the top of your garage. I have one ran on an I beam. I can tell you, this makes life so much better.

[@travelingkaspersworld4096]

I came here to press the like button and let the video play.....Only stepping out now. So I'll have to play it again later so I can watch....Sure hope you don't mind the extra views!

[@marthaneuhauser1019]

Texas never get that kind of winter

[@mmemumu4604]

WOW... verry interesting..... good job... and I Don!!!

[@radagast6682]

It is 6°C here in Minnesota at 5:00 pm, and the low tonight will be 0°C, so you had better get that thing built. The warm weather is coming soon.

[@brandonwade215]

Love the video's!

[@lovitherc]

only use premium in your small engines yes, but you want to try and find ethanol free 91 octane as ethanol can turn to water if stored for long periods. and get your front tractor tires filled with calcium chloride it adds weight and helps to prevent flats.

[@bigdaddybop]

You can keep your cold we weren’t prepared for it

[@cmosphoto1]

I do better in the cold then the extreme heat.