From Laundry to Salad: Genius Washing Machine Conversion!

[@mytrueserenity5666]

Amazing how much a small farmer must do and how inventive they need to be. Resourceful, talented and inspiring!

[@MrTazHawaii]

Curtis, a tip for you. When you drill the center hole in your spinner 20 gal tote, use the appropriate size hole saw bit. When the pilot bit breaks through the plastic, switch your drill in the reverse mode and the hole saw bit will drill you a nice smooth hole.

[@offgridcurtisstone]

+Ken “TazHawaii” Robb yep. That's what I did on mine.

[@jamesleeschmidt7312]

Thank you so much for posting this video. I have been wanting to make something like this for a couple of years now and this video was very helpful. I have been essentially spinning all my greens by hand - AND IT SUCKS!!! I'm going out to find a used washer right now. Thanks again for all the great info.

[@davidsawyer1599]

Hello Curtis! You are a hugh help to those that want to endeavour into this market garden deal. Thank you is not enough. Okay here comes. As a licensed Electrician this is crazy scary! The best advice to offer for this is make sure it's plugged into a GFCI receptacle. No Electrician is going to wire this either. The liability is enormous. Again your the Best. It's understood you are looking for inexpensive solutions.

[@darbyblake7980]

I know this comment is from years ago but do you mind telling me whats dangerous about it?

[@tompapa9537]

thank you for putting in the effort to continually post informative vids. and good stuff to the guy on demonstrating diy electrical basics. electrical tape would have been nice to see, but the concept works.

[@66bigbuds]

Was the water pump still hooked up to push the drain water? Or is it converted to gravity drain?

[@davidbiewer8383]

Could you just use the washer just as is? Meaning couldn't you just open the lid and throw your greens and in and put it through a quick rinse and spin cycle?

[@eron1979]

I thought of put them in mesh sacks at harvest and rinse them in the sack throw couple bags in washer

[@triplefoutdoors6331]

I was thinking the same thing!! I would be way easier

[@vashti2415]

@@triplefoutdoors6331 work smarter, not harder.

[@sbwhite599]

I ordered your book, this is all VERY interesting! Got a 1/4 plus acres available to me and am seriously considering it, just to provide veggies for my extended family

[@daledurbin2354]

Word to the wise "Never wrap electrical wires in Duct Tape". I've seen two electricians almost get killed undoing Duct Tape from wires thought to be disconnected.

[@abideenturky]

Dale Durbin : 100% ryt

[@mkstihl441]

yes Dale- we SHOULD have done it more professionally!

[@wildrangeringreen]

word to the wise... make sure your power source is disconnected before you work on electric stuff lol

[@oshavlfarms7239]

It's hipsters learning trade skills for a farm, foreign ground for them :D

[@oshavlfarms7239]

@Wayne Marion Neither is a good long term solution as etape degrades pretty quickly. Take that silicon and squirting it in the cap is a way better solution, linemans splice the best for long term. Definitely not a skookum choocher.

[@hanginhillbilly]

By not having the pump hooked up electrically anymore how would you get spun water out of the outer drum, keeping that water from going stagnate? Or does the water just leak out through the pump on the bottom and out the normal exit on the lower back of the machine?

[@christopherarendt3531]

I'm really glad you guys made a video about this instead of having it just in your book. What is the benefit of this machine over a standard one though?

[@Doormaster77]

Great, video Curtis! I just build one of these spinners, and ready to try it out this week. What do you use for sanitizing everything in the greens area? I am familiar with the 20:1 water/bleach from brewing and maple syrup processing. Is their something new or better I can use for trays, equipment and such? My wife says she has heard of folks using vinegar, vodka or simple green for cleaning. thanks, Shawn, Field O' Dreams Farm Amherst, NH.

[@ryanjohnson282]

Love it, does it drain through spinning like normal, ir is that modified also

[@mkstihl441]

we use the regular drain pump- but it could be cut out too...

[@DuluthTW]

Very unique conversion. Nice.

[@yonidanor7197]

hey curtis. I have a (very) small market garden and want to convert a maytag (these vertical axis washers are a bit hard to find ..used here in israel, but finally I've found one..) before I even try to hack the electronics.. question - why cant I just use the spin cycle and drain, and not use the washing cycle at all (and not connect the water line, obviously..) ?Am I missing something? I'd appreciate your thoughts on this.. I've been watching your viedos for quite a while now and mcuh inspired by your work and content! thanks. keep up the great work!

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Wow, I'm surprised you found one in Israel. I know some people that have had a hell of a time finding them there. All you need is the spin cycle and drain.

[@yonidanor7197]

next mission impossible - finding a matching food grade bin ;-)

[@impseeder5756]

Curtis, I wonder about crushing. Every place there is a break invites spoilage. I might install a rheostat (about $20) for a speed control.

[@offgridcurtisstone]

+IMP Seeder great idea.

[@mkstihl441]

From the Slow Tool Summit which I was at this weekend- Commercial spinners usually run at 400 RPM's- that rarely gets the greens dry enough. Over 700 RPM's and you actually pull the water out of the leaves and crush product. The wash machines that we use top right out about 650 or so.

[@d_Gnome]

Michael, are you taking the wire through drain hole in the bottom? Or, did you create a new hole?

[@mkstihl441]

we are doing a new hole now....

[@donrad]

Nice video, thanks. What about the 4th capacitor wire? How was it wired?

[@mkstihl441]

we don't touch it-

[@KRYSISJAG]

Finally converted on in three days of watching this 👌 Maytag n all ..New Zealand

[@Tito_vibes]

Was the net bags not good enough with the regular spin cycle? I want to get a washer but I want to just do net bags first and transition to this... is that good enough to start with fall greens?

[@billpostma2684]

Does the water get pumped out the same way, or just drains?

[@terryfennell3331]

@SuperGoldnut Thanks for the info. as this is one question I have and where does the yellow wire for the capacitor go.

[@trayyrobinsonjr1940]

Awesome! How did you get involved in farm meetings? Is anything anyone can do to get notifications on when to come and where?

[@mkstihl441]

subscribe to my email list at my website inthefieldconsultants.com or Curtis Stone's at theurbanfarmer.co

[@trayyrobinsonjr1940]

Mimichael kilpatrick Thanks man

[@ABAdventureChannel]

Thanks so much for this video Curtis!

[@christopherstaples6758]

the run capacitor might be bad on that , it shouldn't be struggling that badly to start up

[@problemwithauthority]

Love this hack.

[@deltaheavy5553]

Awesome. Some great back yard engineering

[@thecasualgardener8474]

Really enjoyed this video. Great content. Thank you!

[@Aelanna]

OMG! I just had to replace my washer and dryer Labor Day weekend because they died. I wonder if I can use my old washer, still sitting in the basement, for this. As long as the motor is still good, it should work, right?

[@mkstihl441]

depending on the motor- facebook me if you want!

[@Aelanna]

Sent you a PM

[@bandbfarmskuna]

I highly recommend the use of the guard on the grinder. High RPM lacerations are really ugly.

[@shaunsprogress]

All you really need is a bucket, a electric motor, one of those buckets and a timing plug. Just have a frame hanging from the motor that the bucket attaches onto.

[@atripa645]

Sweet You guys are my type of people.

[@springerpumpsmaintenancere3730]

I love the idea. This is great. I just would recommend no one every using duct tape for anything involving wires caring any voltage. The adhesive in duct tape is conductive. Better safe than sorry! :)

[@rbevans4581]

Is there a video demonstration of this at work somewhere?

[@kevinhartley7099]

I am having trouble finding a Maytag or Whirlpool washer can I use any washer if so what size is the one being used

[@thefaeryman]

so here is the question other may not ask, why not just use the spin cycle on the washer, then the washer is still a washer?

[@edhorsegolfer4784]

They removed the control panel with the top to make room for the new removable green basket is my best guess

[@mkstihl441]

Its much slower, hard to fit the baskets in- and the newer machines don't really have a spin only cycle.

[@ascool7]

Hi is it possible to use a front door machine and lay it on its back?

[@Tito_vibes]

does he mention what kind of timer to use? i went to home depot and hesitated to buy a timer because on the package it said not to use with appliances....any ideas?

[@maguisp6479]

It's very practical!!

[@mahan2601]

Where do you buy the cargo pants? Ive been looking some some good gardening pants and cant seem to find what im looking for.

[@terryfennell3331]

what to do with the yellow wire for the capacitor and what about the drain?

[@EmadiAcresFarm]

what if the fill and drain function were left and the bubbler was attached within? getting rid of one whole step in the process...

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Try it and let us know.

[@mainelyelectric]

What is a bubbler do? And what creates the bubbles?

[@rexlandings7708]

Does he ever talk about what he does with yellow wire?? And what if your washer has a red, black, brown, yellow and white wire all going to the motor?

[@vickib4063]

interesting. But why bother putting a converted bucket inside the washing machine when it would already have a center piece and you could spin in it also. Not sure I see the advantage of putting another bucket inside a ready made spinning machine

[@offgridcurtisstone]

+Vicki B cleaning.

[@buyerofsorts]

Will combining dirty socks and salad greens affect the taste? The taste of the socks I mean, not the salad greens...

[@mkstihl441]

That's the reason for the basket!!

[@Roots-Of-Knowledge]

real education.. Tnxx for the grit :)

[@alexgordonepic]

haha duct tape! is he canadian? hehe anybody remember the red green show? "keep your stick on the ice". here's a link, if you wanna quick giggle. :) respect, from texas. :)

[@TurnerFamilyFarmsIncTeachey]

Great stuff, Curtis.

[@pacerodi]

Someone must be pissed off with Maytag! lol!

[@henrydoesstuff213]

Welling motor I think

[@normangilden3453]

Thx for that it was great!!

[@Heisenbrick]

This ias a very Niche video, I watched the whole thing tho, I have my reasons, I’m also a scrapper...

[@ZachFatPak]

what model washer is best to use?

[@abideenturky]

These days, although, farmers, are not productive in winter, They still need to pay bills to Uncle Sam , This should change. Small farmers are very precious people, They provide us wholesome foods. Strong Union needed To lobby Congress Defend small farmers grievances.

[@rickbeck111]

looks like a gov job everyone standing around watching one guy do all the work.

[@oscarp1104]

Humans!... amazing creatures....

[@spencerblack8098]

Awe some !

[@jodyjohnson265]

Don't ask KZbin brought me hear😂😂😂

[@jepcozenith40]

20 AWG!??!?

[@autotunethat5545]

John Philblade so many red flags going off in my head when he said that haha

[@Ryabnimation]

Niice

[@franciscol7861]

You know the top of the washer pops off instead of cutting.

[@jerricroft937]

Awsome

[@TrabberShir]

This is not part of your Equipment & Set-ups playlist. It really should be considering how many times you reference it in that list.

[@russellcampbell4964]

You went to a lot of unnecessary work I used the washing machine on spin cycle with out any modification and the basket is stainless steel and has about twice the volume of the plastic basket, also the stainless steel basket being nearly twice the diameter it will dewater the product a lot quicker, best to stick to the KISS idea.

[@ScantPear]

You don’t need that trash can just put the lettuce straight into the spin drum

[@ScantPear]

You don’t need to saw off the top just spin it like how it is without the stupid trash can

[@rexlandings7708]

I don't get it. If the converted trash can is bolted into the machine. It means you can't take it out to dump the greens when they are done spinning??? What's the point? Why not just put the greens directly into the washing machines tub. It's already perforated. I would THINK the benefit of the conversation is so you can pull the converted can out and dump the greens when it's done spinning. Having to go in and dig them all out seems time consuming and wasteful.

[@offgridcurtisstone]

It's not bolted to it.

[@rexlandings7708]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH so the bolts he puts in at the bottom of the converted trash can (the toilet flange) is JUST bolted to the converted can on the other side of the can??? AHHH.. just saw what happened. it's edited out in the video when he connects the bolts to the nuts underneath. So is the converted can being JUST spun by friction then?

[@mikeyand3]

@@rexlandings7708 same question. Just friction?

[@rexlandings7708]

@@mikeyand3 Yup. you set it in there and just friction. It'll stay. We do it everyday :-)

[@tuppybrill4915]

Aaagh! So many Health & Safety issues all in one video! I need my safe space! I need my safe space! Thank goodness i live in EU where everything is banned!

[@tuppybrill4915]

Just to add a serious comment, this could do with some sort of emergency cut-off kick bar and/or a simple cage to fold over the top when it is running. H&S is based on the fact that some accidents can be prevented if they are thought about first.

[@mikeguitar9769]

This is hilarious! I need my safe space! I need my safe space! On a serious note though, it is important, in order to not electrocute yourself, to: 1) have double-insulated waterproof electrical connections, 2) Connect the steel case to earth ground via the green wire, 3) power it through a GFCI outlet.

[@pedroag9862]

its mabe washing machine ? oh its maytag sorry

[@SuperBatiskaf]

Who says that americans don't understand nothing in DIY and they just stupid users? Please watch this video