MacGyvered Hot Water Tank for Off Grid Cabin - Fire Burning

I use a standard household hot water tank and convert it into a hot water tank that runs on wood and will heat water for the off grid cabin in the woods.
Turns out that it's pretty easy to convert a hot water tank. I simply removed the cavity under the tank, and then cleared the air vent outlet. I was able to make a fire right in the tank part, and heat water within just an hour. This works surprisingly well.
"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.
MODERN SELF RELIANCE MERCHANDISE! modernselfreliance.myspreadsh...

[@ModernSelfReliance]

*New Tiny House Build:* kzbin.info/www/bejne/fH-mZ5ygipyjhqM *Instagram:* instagram.com/wood_chucker_987/

[@sch6353]

Nice work, how about instead of burning direct in the firebox, hook up a rocket stove type system and use the firebox for heat transfer only? it may cure the water drop on fire and cleaning the chimney potential issues. The burn area wouldn't be in the container so easier to clean and if the fire is heating the water too hot, maybe the rocket stove burn section could be detachable or diverted away from the current tank firebox?

[@NealD]

I don’t think the condensation would ever be enough to put out the fire. A flat metal plate in to the back and sticking out might make cleaning out and starting the fire easier.

[@f1s2hg3]

Kevin you are cool 😎 please keep making the videos!

[@f1s2hg3]

Great job 👏 😅

[@rudysaldivar4228]

My grandfather did this in Mexico over 60 years ago. He used corn cob as the fuel. Still remember being amazed of it.

[@ModernSelfReliance]

be a great way to limit btu and control over fireing.

[@crazyflatlady1816]

That was awesome thank you.

[@davidfranco1308]

I guess you could say you were a maze d at it lol

[@RamonHernandez-ux4uz]

Hey Rudy, you are right we are using this system in Anahuac, N.L. since I remember (early sixties) we got another one, we call it boiler also wood burning

[@UmBungo]

You mean “a-maize-d”? 😂

[@jackiesanders489]

I'm an 81 yearold missouri hill billy and grew up with a wood fired hot water heater

[@ModernSelfReliance]

That's awesome!

[@dalekronk496]

I was stationed in Germany and my girlfriend at that time had a woodfire hot water tank. This was on 1991

[@radroofer]

Great I'm in SW Missouri. I will do it.

[@Bobby-mg1uj]

Hey neighbor! Family from a Missouri thorp... village is so small it fits in a camera viewfinder. Good people, good life in those small towns.

[@ohsohighnow]

I like the setup my only advice would be to add a mixing valve to control the water temp coming out of the heater so you don't burn yourself

[@willmorton8254]

Maybe you could put a tee with a ball valve on the pipe above the tank on the hot water outlet , so you can open it while you are heating the tank, and after you have heated the water close the ball valve so youcan now pressurise the water and use it and you dont have to worry about over pressuring the the tank and lines

[@ModernSelfReliance]

That my friend is the simplest solution to a real problem... AWESOME! Thanks!

[@ChileExpatFamily]

Here in Chile we have been off grid for 7 years. A hot water tank like you are making is very common here in Chile. Plus hot water heating loops in wood cook stoves as well. The stove you are building is Illegal in many states in the former USA because .... you may hurt yourself. We have 2 PPR valves on our system and it makes steam in less than 30 min. Our little wood cook stove heats all our water for showers, Radiant floor heat and for the kitchen. Cool trick and video. Just thought you might find it as interesting as I did that the Chileans have been doing it for 100 years! Hahahah. Jim in Chile

[@ModernSelfReliance]

That's neat. I haven't really traveled so I don't get to see what they do elsewhere.

[@ChileExpatFamily]

@@ModernSelfReliance We burn a lot of wood here to say the least. Jim

[@ChileExpatFamily]

@@ModernSelfReliance Yes we burn a lot of wood here. We also have an insulated storage tank that keeps the water for 3 days. We like long hot showers. Jim

[@doneown503]

thx for the input, Chilli Jim!

[@Dustinhahn88]

How do you use wood to heat a radiant floor? @chileexpatfamily

[@livingtherufflife]

My dad this over 40 years ago instead of heating the tank with propane. He did a lot of off-grid things while living on a small homestead. But we still had electricity and water. This is a great way to reuse old water heater tanks.

[@pfow2006]

only a couple mins in but i love the honesty and sincerity in the start of your video, “is this gona work? i dont know, i never saw this before” lol

[@theycallmebacon5692]

Macguiver hot water..... Not so much. Appalachian American technician level 10 engineering? Yes... Absolutely yes! I couldn't be any prouder of your channel.

[@cmosphoto1]

Thanks Bacon!

[@gstyles74]

i remember having this set up in Mexico about 35 years ago. it worked very well. I was only 13 when we used to use this

[@thatdude5104]

Great video, I'd go as far as to say you have a natural talent for making video's. Also great build!

[@cmosphoto1]

Thanks for watching!

[@dallastrygstad3120]

Yes it works! My aunt and uncle had a wood burning water heater for several years... worked great. Dont build too big a fire and careful with the temp. It gets HOT. And you smell like a campfire after your shower. 😂

[@cmosphoto1]

This one's closed loop you won't smell like camp fire afterwards!

[@scottewen2522]

Ideal Build. 1- elevate water containment/storage higher than hot water boiler. 2- Elevate higher on the hill than a shower head to create water and pressure. 3- combine smoke house and hot water tank. Fire box under hot water tank. Run multiple copper tubes up through bottom of water tank and out into the bottom of the smoke house evenly spaced. The hold the heat in tank for a while brick it in with rock on out side and sand around inside of tank. This lets you be able to pull it out if you need to get at it. Cap with a metal cover that could have a steam discharge like a moon shiner would. This would allow you to boil water and collect the condensation off the steam to drink safely. Get hot water for outdoor shower and sink while you are smoking meat at same time. Could even boil a mash up to make home made beer, water or something else. 👍😀

[@cmosphoto1]

So many things to think about!

[@JCK0711]

Like a water tower

[@ArielleViking]

Really interesting and fascinating reuse of an old hot water heater. I love it fullstop. 👍

[@cmosphoto1]

Thanks for watching !

[@TheGreenAcreWI]

You are one of the KZbinrs that inspired me to start my own channel on sustainability! We live on a single acre with plenty of zoning ordinances restricting the type of lifestyle we can live. However, we are doing everything we can to live a lifestyle of self-sufficiency and documenting our journey here on KZbin. We currently have gardens, orchards, a vineyard, chickens, honeybees and hope to one day install a solar system to go off grid. I love your channel, keep up the inspirational work!

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Glad I could offer some inspiration! Thanks for watching!

[@chrispycriter6682]

I got one on top my wood furnace and drilled a hole on top of the tank for it to vent the steam/no boom,it heats our cement pad for our house and heat rises,helps with cold feet in winter

[@cmosphoto1]

Genius!

[@albertmills4435]

Nice job. That is a great idea. I would think of away to keep it from tipping over. That tank full of water could weight about 400 pounds. That dirt under the rim could wash away or shift. In the winter the Temperature/Pressure valve could freeze, then boom, boom goes the water heater. 🤪

[@cmosphoto1]

It's a three season water system... Won't be using it in the winter.

[@NightshiftCustom]

@@cmosphoto1 can just fill it as you light a fire in the winter time can also use this to heat your place with the hot water a rad and fan i do this with my shop as i don't want the fire inside !!

[@ragheadand420roll]

When i lived in philippines they had white charcoal burning water heaters... back of apartment I painted mine black,, after that you didnt even need to use charcoal The heat in philippines was so intense... u had hot water almost any time you wanted

[@paulineackermann2598]

Wow! Great idea.~:>

[@peteterry8563]

super underrated channel. great knowledge of the trades! my new favorite

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@goddessofgreen1]

I just found this channel, and I'm totally with you on that! One of my favorites also, and I'm only two videos in 😂

[@williamnelson4066]

Oh and if you like the idea, I think its 48 retaining wall bricks to go around the rim to make it aesthetically pleasing to the eye instead of looking at the rusty old rim. I remember you saying you like things to look pleasant.

[@cmosphoto1]

I like the look of rust it's a nice patina .

[@FeelLuckyToday]

Great video Kevin. I really enjoy your MacGyuverism and cabin additions. It is not a simple off grid cabin but a nice place for retreat and enjoy nature. Good luck with the coming projects!

[@cmosphoto1]

Thanks Dato!

[@williamnelson4066]

Also love the info you included in the description. About the self reliance.

[@catgynt9148]

When I was stationed at Indian town gap military reservation (IGMR) we used coal fired hot water tanks. Similar system with larger firebox. Cheers.

[@cmosphoto1]

That's neat!

[@CorMorse]

I had to google that to see if its the same place as FIG, and I guess they officially changed the name to Fort Indiantown Gap in 1975 lol. Its been probably 10 years since I was down there for qualifications. Cant remember where we stayed, but they were similarly built to Ft Drum's WW2 barracks.

[@catgynt9148]

Kevin the Wood Chucker after everyone showered we shoveled glowing coals out in piles under engine blocks and fuel tanks of our diesel trucks to warm them on winter mornings. Untreated diesel fuel gels at about 30°F.

[@catgynt9148]

Cor Morse thanks for update, I was there in 1971 while prepping for Vietnam. Those WW2 barracks were temporary shelters that were still in use in the 70’s. T’was better being 20 in the 70’s than 70 in the 20’s now.

[@InsideTraderNancy]

I personally would have kept it a propane heater. Cleaning out the ash will be a nightmare. None the less its fun watching along.

[@justinlimitededition7457]

I agree, it's because he gets free wood. Much cheaper that way for him.

[@cmosphoto1]

Leaf blower would probably work really well!

[@lindahon5109]

i Agree, just use this as back up, but i will modify the bottom of the burner with a steal box with legs or get a old wood stove weld on, so it can take big woods and easy to clean. just don't take shower with it use a tub.

[@MrSprintcat]

Awesome video thanks. What you might want to do is make a basket when the water reaches its temperature pull the basket out with all the fire in it

[@ModernSelfReliance]

That's not a bad idea!

[@c6q3a24]

Just an idea - you could rig up a simple water line that vents into the firebox if the tank runs over pressure. That way the tank won't explode, and it will put the fire out for you.

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Just re-direct the pressure relief pipe to spray inside the firebox.. self monitoring.

[@jalleman61]

MacGyver lives again.Good job

[@ModernSelfReliance]

I'm still surprised how well it works.

[@mellissaa.kennedy7251]

Your video brings back a flood of memories of just such a project that my Father put together as he taught me the importance of improvising growing up. It was also for off grid and was a welcomed addition using this simple conversion. Cheers!

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@StanleyGavin]

Never seen that done before and here in New Zealand see so many people throwing gas hot water heater's away only one problem I could see is the wooded beardsman can't cook on it but knowing him he will try keep up the dyo videos love them

[@cmosphoto1]

I'd like to see him try to cook on it..

[@TheMetalRedneck]

I've said it a million times people like us need a warehouse for all of the stuff we collect from other jobs.

[@cmosphoto1]

Right... It's hard to throw away useful stuff!

[@artisticboundaries]

I rented 2 storage units. One for my large tools and equipment and the other for left over materials and parts from previous jobs. It was one of the best decisions I made for my company. I could go shopping for parts and materials at my place...

[@TheMetalRedneck]

@@artisticboundaries And everyone thought you were probably nuts but you were the smartest one in the room lol.

[@candyslife160]

Good Job Kevin! You never cease to amaze me. Keep up the good work.

[@cmosphoto1]

Thanks for watching!

[@denislosieroutdoors]

Cool build I will try this thanks for sharing... in the past I have used the burner tips from old hot water tanks to make turkey fryers roasters just hook up to a propane tank

[@cmosphoto1]

You telling me I should have just cut it off..

[@daynerohn3259]

Great build, ever since I started following I now look up videos on repurposing things before I throw them out! Awesome!

[@ModernSelfReliance]

You are gonna get a pretty good stockpile of stuff!

[@JJ-Legacy]

Absolutely it will work, it will just have to be cleaned a lot dude to the flue damper. Plus there will be no temperature control you’ll have to install a gauge to make sure you know how hot the water is so you can prevent scolding.

[@martinpanev6651]

He looks kind of like Linus Tech Tips... Linus Modern Reliance Tips!

[@ModernSelfReliance]

I've gotten that at least once before!

[@jaimepegueroles8154]

Dude since a couple day i start following the channel i ask my self the same thing, both guys looks so similar.

[@martinpanev6651]

@@jaimepegueroles8154 I am not sure whether to believe Linus or Modern Self Reliance...

[@--2]

They don’t look that similar, but how they act is very similar! How linus talks when he’s building pc’s or installing AC in his house or something he always kinda mumbles something while doing something, and that guy does it too!

[@thirdeyesurvivor3886]

Linus is a really bad person, this guy is awesome.

[@cmh2111]

We did similar with two 45 gallon drums 50 years ago. One cut in half for the fire box and the full one on top. We elevated them on stilts, put a hose bib on the water drum, and had a outdoor shower. The water is collected from the roof and routed through a strainer system to the top drum. It's so nice to have a shower at the deer camp. The grandkids are still using that set up to this day.

[@ModernSelfReliance]

That's Awesome!

[@shedtalksreloaded]

Right on Kevin! I'd love me one of those cool wind chimes! Looks like your soldering skills are good too! Keep up the great videos, we the people are very entertained!

[@cmosphoto1]

Head on over to the scrap yard and get yourself a wind chime!

[@robertalejocruz7902]

Outdoor shower,.. I also live where there's not electricity and water,..

[@robertalejocruz7902]

Can't wait for your next project,.. ( outdoor shower ),..

[@wes11bravo]

I'm all for stuff like this. Yeah, I can build a poncho hootch and sleep on the ground and bathe out of a canteen cup if I have to. If you don't have to? DON'T. Build cool stuff like this!

[@samq2844]

They have water heaters that are built with both electric and wood fired in Europe. I used one in Northern Italy at my aunts house. It’s been around for a long time.

[@ModernSelfReliance]

I'd own one if those were around here.

[@pistolpunch349]

Yeah they are quite common, my parents heat the whole house with them, having floor heat. You should get one with a temometer installed so you know it is not getting to hot and explodes. Winter might be a problem with the tubing too. If you use a circular system with insolation you could keep it going, but that requires constant wood and electricity and I guess that is not what you are after.

[@Chris_at_Home]

Great idea. We have an off grid/road cabin and we use a lot of propane in our RV water heater.We also used a couple of tote tanks to store water. I have it figured out, a tenth of an inch gives me 30gallons off the roof. This cabin has been a 20 years project so far. We spend most of our summers there now.

[@richardsolomon8076]

Well done Kevin 👏 that's awesome

[@cmosphoto1]

Thanks!

[@jacelandadventures1523]

Did this 15 years ago! I welded a 17 “ truck steel wheel to the bottom, cut out the center, put it over a fire brick chamber! Works better than anything else!

[@ModernSelfReliance]

awesome!

[@carolhewett3756]

Cut out the center of what? The hot water heater? I'm really fascinated by this set up.

[@jacelandadventures1523]

Carol Hewett I cut out the center of the wheel! Where you bolt it up to a car! That 17” rim fits perfectly, under a 40 gallon gas water heater, the rim will give you the space you need to have a fire chamber under it! Two rims stacked on top of each other welded together, will give you even more room for a fire chamber! And for the top of the water heater, the exhaust hole in the center !!!!! Needs a pipe added a few feet above the tank, just like a wood burning stove pipe! I used a tractor pipe. Fit like a glove !

[@carolhewett3756]

@@jacelandadventures1523 gotcha, thx

[@jacelandadventures1523]

Carol Hewett I should mention it is just a couple of spot welds do not weld all the way around the rim to the water tank!

[@purplegeckocraftscrissietu9296]

Great ingeniuity.. forest shower sounds amazing x

[@cmosphoto1]

Nice calm hot water in the forest!

[@benhightowerv]

That's awesome! Great addition to the cabin!

[@staceymarkum3873]

That's an awesome upcycle! It's like a rocket stove! I know some families from church that have a wood fired furnace that heats the house and water. Then another family has the old school prairie stove to cook with that has reservoir for water. Off topic, I just found out that peas are like crack to ducks. So if you want to give them a treat you can give them peas!

[@cmosphoto1]

Thanks for the info Stacey!

[@staceymarkum3873]

Hey Kevin, so one brand of woodfired water heaters I found is econoburn and apparently they also serve Canada! The prairie stove is sold in PA at a atore store called Lehman's. They have a catalog and website you can order from. The store caters to the amish so everything is off grid!

[@blueclothes1]

I get more and more jealous every time I see another amenity added to small cabin in the woods

[@johnjones1181]

You amaze me Kevin you are so inventive and funny when youre working another good video

[@cmosphoto1]

Thanks for watching!

[@tellkemp6869]

I LOVE watching what you can build!! Fantastic video as always !! Lots of love to you and your family, all the way from Australia 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@cmosphoto1]

Thanks for watching!

[@Nevisblau]

Watching your channel while working out, makes me inspired for my house build back home. Unfortunately, Mom’s managing it due to COVID19 travel restrictions. Can’t wait to get my hands on DIYS as soon as I can travel back home. Your wit, humor and of course your expertise is crazy admirable! Keep on doing what you do! It’s awesome 😎 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@cmosphoto1]

Thanks for watching!

[@MrMEmEmEmEMEMEeeeeee]

"Hot water hysterectomy"...Liked/subscribed for that remark alone!

[@adamjacobson1993]

You should try to elevate your reservoir so your water is gravity fed.

[@michaelyarmie4858]

Yeah you should of milled some wood to make a tower for that water tank . At least higher then the taps in the kitchen.

[@cmosphoto1]

Maybe a Future build!

[@gazzabowers1184]

Bang on boys perfect suggestion save pump and better pressure. Stay safe everyone 😷.. Gazza

[@JCK0711]

Yeah water tower!

[@catgynt9148]

Kevin will have to add a second or third floor to the cabin, raising the roof sufficiently to gravity feed captured rainwater into a water tower. Perhaps a tarpaulin could be stretched and strung from several trees forming an additional catch basin for rainwater at a higher level.

[@vinceglauser4770]

I'm looking forward to the next build.

[@cmosphoto1]

Thanks for watching!

[@Conservchick]

Very, very cool. I just changed a water tank and now I know what to do with the old one. THANK YOU.

[@randylanhart1796]

VERY NICE YOUNG MAN...YOU GAVE ME AN IDEA FOR MY WOODED REFUGE.

[@chickfamilyink]

Hot water... Bucket list... I see what you did there. Next level punnery

[@ModernSelfReliance]

I'm Punny. Lol

[@living6a916]

Again a great one ! I am definitely doing this one with my brother at our cabin. Thanks. I will be heeding the “Don’t boil warning “

[@cmosphoto1]

Let me know how it works out.

[@Blessings.429]

Stunned as it was just last night that I was talking to my cousin about how in the 70's we had a wood fired hot water system and wondered why they stopped making them......

[@staceymarkum3873]

They didn't! They are still available in the USA

[@cmosphoto1]

Cool!

[@cmosphoto1]

@@staceymarkum3873 what's the brand name?

[@Blessings.429]

Stacey Markum not in Australia 😢

[@staceymarkum3873]

@@Blessings.429 that is such a bummer!

[@scoobyallwork470]

"Hot water hysterectomy" Lord have mercy, I'm dead right now 🤣🤣😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣

[@ModernSelfReliance]

First one to catch that!

[@Fearlesslikeahoneybadger]

I was looking for this comment... If tearing it was a hysterectomy, putting the wood in was a prostate test...just saying...

[@porkchop0711]

What a great idea

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Glad you think so!

[@nonyabusiness9747]

I really appreciate your demeanor. Subscribed for that fact alone. Great builds are a plus to priceless demeanor.

[@kuzadupa185]

Great job! Awesome how excited you are. Setup a very very similar system 2 summers ago at a friend's cabin, where we made his hot water tank multifuel (it can burn gas, diesel, used machine oil, engine oil, cooking oil, wood, etc) and the system has also an inline with shut off/redirect valves and pipes a small gas water heater, as an emergency measure that can run in natural gas or LP/propane. He had an extra 1 from a job he did and we thought itd be nice to put in. BUT when we were running the piping, we did not make holes and push through the bottom of the cabin. Instead we got a bunch of pipe connectors /extenders (the kind that are male tipped on both ends) and labelled them (cold kitchen. Hot kitchen. Cold bathroom, hot bathroom. Etc. male on both ends, so we have these mounted halfway in the bottom of the floor, heavily caulked and sealed off, with added insulation, and we then added on the inside shut off valves before laying in the piping. This not only make it neater but it made it compartmentalized, so in the future it may be easier to service and extend replace. Etc ) One benefit of this was before this years winter we came across some extra piping, enough to put it into the bedroom floor, some heated flooring piping, using a small pump to circulate the hot water standing still in the hot water piping.

[@taxalterror]

Nice one Kevin, top job. :)

[@cmosphoto1]

Thanks!

[@rev.taylor1245]

It would be pretty cool to have a wood stove heater/ water heater combined in the cabin, for the cold months just to get the most out of the wood being burnt.

[@davidreid8353]

Great video Kevin. Simple build for the cabin. Build a separate shower building and put the hot water heater in it out of the elements.

[@cmosphoto1]

I have a idea and up coming project to store all the utilities.

[@freedomforusa1658]

Send me the 'wind chimes'! Lol Good idea for a water heater, I was thinking of make a container that heats up by the sun, have it above the shower. Thanks for the cool video and creative work!

[@ModernSelfReliance]

I like the sun.. it's rarely around to heat things when you want to make things hot.. ie: Winter!

[@Shabam.01]

He sounds like a professional when he talks

[@ModernSelfReliance]

I try my best.

[@randyfredricksen5963]

I think you just invented...the boiler. lol

[@martinvho]

This is so cool to see. I actually wrote about this in one of my books as I assumed it was possible, but never before got to see it in action. :D

[@cmosphoto1]

Cool!

[@pcmiller2710]

Love your videos and the witty sense of humor!

[@cmosphoto1]

Thanks!

[@skm9420]

Just FYI: If you're learning how to solder you can definitely have to much flux because if you burn the joint you have to take it apart, clean, and re-flux. Otherwise you'll have a bad joint that will leek or fail down the road.

[@cmosphoto1]

How can you tell if you have too much flux?

[@ThatStevenLouis]

@Mando Halrissian laughing way harder than I should have at this one 😂😂😂

[@cerecedessquad6806]

It’s a pressure relief joint

[@swann548]

You really need a wrap a round deck. Nice conversion on the water heat. Maybe if u remove the baffle & use it as a windchime. Paint it & it would make an awesome wind chime. I would watch that video ! That might stop the dripping. You got pex down. ☺👍

[@ModernSelfReliance]

NEXT UP: Wind chimes! USING Your water heater!

[@paulineackermann2598]

That's what I was thinking, great minds.~;>

[@kimberlymaxey4349]

I did this 4 years ago and still am using it

[@ModernSelfReliance]

That's awesome!

[@kimberlymaxey4349]

@@ModernSelfReliance Mine is on top of another water heater that I converted into a smoker so I cook eat take a bath the water then goes into the garden and is soaked up into the wood chip and stored

[@ruththomas6361]

In the home I grew up in (and perhaps many more in the area) we had copper coils inside the firebox of our oil cookstove. The stove had been converted from a wood burning cookstove to oil sometime in the early years of the 20th century. The pipes to the coils came into the house from the water line, and the line out went to the water tank which was in the attic. This, of course, meant that there was no constant temperature, and your wood burning heater would be the same. But we had a good supply of hot water as long as the stove was on, and since it also heated the house, it was kept on. Once a year in the summer, we turned off the carburetor, and Dad took the stove outside (because of all the soot.) He cleaned everything including the coils, and we were all set for another year.

[@deadly134]

This is amazing!! Please do more videos on this. Have you thought of expanding the fire box by taking an angle grinder and making the door a bit bigger so you could fit a good long burn log? Anyways amazing job keep it up!

[@cmosphoto1]

I wouldn't want to ability to add any additional wood.

[@mikeycityify]

Look at him go. Legend

[@cmosphoto1]

Thanks for watching!

[@joecieri5122]

I have been watching you for months now and I now finally subscribed , I enjoyed everyone of them thank you for sharing your projects you have really great ideas

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Thanks for subbing!

[@earth_rot.manwasnotmeantto6877]

Very informative. Love this video it made me subscribe. Just came across your site today through KZbin recommendations. Looking forward to more videos. Great work. Gonna go check out the rest of your vids now. Cheers from Canada.

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Welcome aboard!

[@milesmoore5422]

It will be interesting to see just how long your "Firebox" lasts before it burns though.

[@socialhostage8534]

It might only burn through if you leave the water tank empty. You can even cook on paper without it burning!

[@deanweber4370]

I think it would be better if he cut out most of the bottom and had fire on the ground but then u need a door in the rim ?? something to use to put wood in

[@ChuckFinley88]

I think PEX degrades in UV lighting. So you might need to be aware of that.

[@ChuckFinley88]

@joann Loves CountryLife Yes he is. Branches and leaves don't 100 percent cover everything under it. If that was the case then he wouldn't have a lot of light shining on his cabin. Unless all those trees are evergreens, then in the winter the only thing covering his cabin would be branches. Either way, UV light is present and it degrades PEX. That's why PEX is only rated for indoor use, unless buried in the soil depending on code and stuff.

[@richardbedard1245]

I'm glad you made this video. Now I think I may use your idea on my cabin as I get closer to finishing it. Thank you!

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lorben6735]

This is how a resort I stayed in Zambia did it. It works great.

[@dogleg6669]

You might can get some amount of solar energy heating if you painted the tank black. Works great in the summer time in Utah, USA with black tanks for hot water just an idea. Full Stop!

[@cmosphoto1]

The tank itself is insulated so it stores hot water quite well. It doesn't get much sun there.

[@scottewen2522]

Did that in Iraq. To the point it would scald you. 😀

[@dogleg6669]

@@scottewen2522 we used a small camping bag showers OIF1-2, always I had good access to shower in 09-10 when I went back to Iraq.

[@scottewen2522]

@james burrows I was in OIF 1-2. Supported 4-ID in the CSB out of Camp Spiker. Old Iraqi Air Base. I over saw laundry/showers, water purification and filling all those water tanks everyone had on base, fuel, Class Nine Warehouse, Transportation assets. At first we just had a 5 gallon tank that we would travel with on the HMMWV to use. Felt so good at the end of a day. We brought a shower head with us that attached to the jug. Turned it off and on. Threw up a ponchos and we were good.👍😀

[@tgvaillancourt]

I would recommend not actually having the fire in the bottom of the tank and just having the exhaust gas run through the chamber and flue. The flame impingement will cause the tank to corrode faster. Also you should keep the draft Hood on the top of the tank to cool down the exhaust gas that b vent is only aluminum inside and will melt.

[@ChunkOcoal]

What do you mean by this? I’d like to do this with an empty tank of mine

[@allengermosen7982]

Best channel on KZbin

[@cmosphoto1]

Thanks for watching!

[@allengermosen7982]

@@cmosphoto1 thanks for showing us young men the ropes you ah leader thanks for your service helping me alot

[@peregrinegrace8570]

I'm buying my little forest this winter. 5 or 6 acres. I'll keep watching 👀 for these great tips and tricks . The good life ..

[@danieloliver20]

Kevin, can I convert my old microwave oven to a wood burner? Haha, great conversion, just be careful with that rolling open firebox above your cabin!

[@cmosphoto1]

I could give it a whirl! Lmao!

[@GreenMasterMike]

Hey I have family in Mexico and that's how they do it dude but what they do is they in line the inside with brick so it's not hitting it directly

[@joespivey9104]

Love this channel man super fun to watch

[@cmosphoto1]

Thanks for watching!

[@harryrenner4016]

Cleanliness is close to Godliness when it comes to soldering. a lesson I learned a very long time ago. I'm probably showing my age in saying that. but it's a lesson that has served me well.

[@HobbitHomes263]

Teh purpose of th eWInd Chime is to slow down exhaust gasses to slow heat loss. It has to stay in there for this operation

[@redhauscreator146]

Anytime MacGyver is used as a verb is a good time. You may want to check out joeandzach survival KZbin channel. He boils water on a wood stove and then has a battery-powered pump for his shower. But I think your way has more flair.

[@aprilarmijo6967]

HORRAY ❤️❤️❤️🎉🎉!!! EXCELLENT JOB 👍👌

[@djtomtrain2015]

I love this! I feel the urge to try this. Like a calling. Keep up good work. I will be learning a lot for my try at this in 18 months.

[@ModernSelfReliance]

You can do it! Just be safe with it.!

[@djtomtrain2015]

Thanks. And I will.

[@jackmehoff2961]

Greatest thing since egg sammiches !

[@cmosphoto1]

Right!!!

[@bobbyduke777]

wouldn't you want to place it where you can feed it from inside? for the winter

[@seachers6124]

Great idea!! Simple , efficient , doable!!!

[@virginiarocks]

I’m impressed. Well done!

[@robertn2813]

IT'S NOT A HOT WATER TANK !!!!!! IT'S A WATER HEATER !!!!! hahahahahahahahaha

[@eddiehoff5278]

Nailed it. When will you be staying in the cabin for a weekend?

[@cmosphoto1]

It's almost ready... Probably this fall!

[@user-qn9cu7fk8p]

Uncle turned one into a woostove/hot water heater in the 70s. Works good