Ep.16 MacGyvered Hot Water Tank for Off Grid Cabin - Fire Burning Radiant In-Floor Heating

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 fire burning radiant in-floor heating.
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.
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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.
Many people ask me where I am from and where I film my projects. I am from Northern Ontario, Canada, and live in an area where off-grinding is easy because I have lots of land to build on and experiment with different buildings and materials. Everything I do is to try to be more self reliant, and to depend less on others. But that doesn't mean I don't like working together with other people on projects. Knowing people who have skills is part of being self reliant, and trading skills is a great way to get more things done!

[@ModernSelfReliance]

*Chris's $10,000 Bass Pro Shopping Spree:* kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJK1en14qL-kZ9E

[@Chris_K_907]

what about cutting down some of the distance by moving the water heater closer to the cabin and with insulated pipes see if that helps the flow

[@kingrafa3938]

👍👍👍

[@nicholascervone4734]

It looks like it's time for you to build a boiler room next to the cabin.

[@steveellis98]

Your gal are slightly bigger how's your 22 caliber have they taken it from you yet

[@loriheller2500]

I love that about your channel, you don't cut out all the bumps in the road and you think outside the box all the time! I just love that.

[@ModernSelfReliance]

You guys gotta be on the roller coaster with me. ;-)

[@we02]

HI DON ❤ So good to see you ! Glad to see you are doing well. You guys are so good hanging out together. Love it! Love this so much.

[@pasveritas1872]

Good damn try Kevin. Your problem solving ability is second to none. Cant wait to see the solution to the water heater. Don looked fabulous, the new beginnings suit him

[@aquabeast1059]

Good video very informative and it's always nice to see Don back in. Quite frankly I don't think the videos look right without Don in them

[@solitairesmith3553]

Love this channel ❤ Soo nice to see Don.

[@Michael-Madrid]

even if it didn't work out as intended, it is still a win, always fun watching you tinkering with your projects, thank you

[@kingrafa3938]

So great to see Don again.

[@kflan3342]

You had my attention at 'MacGyvered'....

[@fishinghole333]

Okay, I see how it goes. You sometimes act like this simple, everyday guy who builds stuff, when you're actually a genius engineer/designer/artist who can re-imagine pretty much anything. Very clever 😊

[@sueyates3555]

Always nice seeing you Dawn glad you’re doing well. Thanks for taking that 20 Hour Dr. to come in hang out with Kevin. Always enjoyed seeing you both work together.. love your channel. Look forward to it every Saturday. I hope you never stop doing this. Take care.

[@royrush288]

It's great to see Don come back for a visit. He seems to be doing well.

[@KatherineWilliams-y4z]

So great to see Don, send him my love.

[@kingrafa3938]

Thanks for the video Kevin. Happy weekend everyone!

[@christopherbeston4473]

Just keep tinkering with it kevin you'll get it working the way you want loved the video

[@jaykay9460]

Another great episode Kevin I'm always amazed at your ingenuity.

[@ronaldcline1235]

It's looking great. You will be warm and cozy soon.

[@WeAreG.A.M.E]

You guys are awesome and love how family oriented you are.

[@sb88sb]

To get the air out, you can either get an air release (however - this only works if the fluid is moving). What I did was let the fluid empty into a bucket and then used a sump pump to pull from the bottom back into the hoses. This could easily take 30 minutes to pull all the air out of stuck points. I also put in a clear drain out (amazon) so that I could actually see the fluid and or bubbles. It had been running perfectly for 6 years after being tuned up. I also use an instant water heater and a INKBIRD thermometer switch so that i can control it from home. The hot water doesn’t turn unless the pump is on and pump doesn’t turn on until I change the temperature. I can keep the place at 3C all week and heat up the day before.

[@sb88sb]

PS love your videos as I can totally relate to them!

[@ModernSelfReliance]

This is a great idea. Thanks.

[@RosanneGrow]

I love your videos. Keep up your hard work and imagination. Thank you.

[@CLP99th]

Love tool time with Kevin!

[@johndietle9975]

Welcome back Don! Great to see you. Glad you are enjoying PEI!

[@kevinmoynihan5029]

Nice to ser Don! Great vid as usual

[@slightlyoffensive9990]

Should call yourself “The Real Red Green Show”😀

[@ModernSelfReliance]

The Red Green Show recently subscribed to he channel... The OG.

[@-DEATHSTROKE]

As Australia goes into sweltering heat waves, we are blessed with Kev out doing shenanigans in the snow. Man i wish i had that life 🙏🏻

[@jamess1787]

And I wish I could go nude sun bathing in December or August. Can't always win. Life is a compromise! 😂

[@BlueEyedColonizer]

I once had a dream I fought a kangaroo......so I'm pretty much an Australian

[@frankensteinracing3520]

Well sweltering heat mixed in with excessive rainfall

[@henryknight7876]

great to see you Don

[@candacemiller-wh5rm]

Kevin love your videos. So glad Don made the long trip. It's wonderful to see Don again. Kevin please put an awning over your hot floor heater to protect it from future snow. ❤❤❤

[@cmclaren7]

So nice to see Don again. I know you enjoyed his visit.

[@miitheweirdartist6794]

Amazing work..

[@DongusKong]

DON! I'm so happy Don came back out

[@TimandLiamsEastcoastkoillc]

Hello and good morning Kevin great job on the radiant heat system in your boiler setup. when you do off-grid DYI it's a little trial and error. but it looks like it's going to work out real good for you guys.

[@thomaslewis448]

Sweet brick fit. Cool to relocate your channel.

[@chandrasutton4669]

Merry Christmas to you, Don, and your brother!!!😊🎉❤ The cabin is going well too!!!😊😅😂

[@suecoatham5168]

Always entertaining, thanks!

[@NancyPhillips-q2l]

So nice seeing Don! Enjoy your visit

[@PatricesProjects]

So great to see Don again!

[@tmwamp6204]

Thanks for visiting us, Don! You are missed! Take Care and God Bless

[@jaymeswheeler]

0:20 kevin's guide How to throw out your back and How to convert a water tank into a wood burning water heating system "The idea is to get this onto the table without getting squashed by a tank. They're not that heavy. Let's see, the back's already kinda dented, we'll use the back. Then we're gonna lift using our or just using our back in a twisting motion, let see...?" Then, as demonstrated lift with your back and not your legs! * for those of you just joining me, do not try this at home **Dangermen Working

[@jaymeswheeler]

20:35 example of safety first for dangerous tasks that may shoot objects into your eye. * wear safety protective gear Thanks Kev 😂

[@richardmawson6709]

Hi Kev great update on the build plus the best thing was seeing Don missed him so much and he looked very into everything keep up with the great work soon we'll be seeing you in the house full time

[@karolmolitor4675]

Good to see you again Don.❤

[@cindyfinn4845]

Hi Kevin ,Don and Chris, The addition looks really good ,Don you are missed .

[@marcberm]

Taco's headquarters and main manufacturing plant happen to be one city over from me. Whenever we talk about "the Taco factory," it makes me wonder how many people would think it was something else entirely if they didn't hear it pronounced "tay-co." 😂

[@Gwenivere60]

We have a loop that goes into our wood stove and added an old water heater tank between the stove and water heater to take down the pressure in the system so wood heats water all winter

[@russellwatters5891]

Always great to see Don after his departure! If theres a problem with your radiant heat set up, itll be the length of tube/size. The pump can get it there, but itll start to cool down moreso before your firebox can warm it back up. IMO Love what you're doing 😊

[@dawnkangas2968]

Awesome as always nice seeing Don

[@douglasgatian1401]

Nice to see Don! Love the channel.

[@ChilledJil2010]

Happy Holidays, Kevin and Family, Don, and Wooded Beardsman and Family!🎄

[@glennedwards1449]

Ya Dons back

[@matiopat7032]

Thanks for video Sir. Greetings from Poland😊

[@TheStephencraig01]

Nice first try. looking forward to the final version. Thanks for the content. Full Stop

[@vipingel6999]

I ‘m not worried you always seem to come out on top.. nice to see Don…

[@TeresaEdwards-kw3np]

Thanks for the video!

[@danielsyner5915]

It was great to see Don

[@jonpomerance-trifts6113]

Nice to see you Kev...and Don...and Chris ...and Holden...and ..., oh dear, I've forgotten Mrs. Beardsman's name! Some fan, eh? Glad you added the pump. Still think you should split it into three rings (or two minimum)...but I appreciate that is a lot of work for future Kevin. The project is really taking shape! And now you have heat, winter work won't be so bad.

[@theslag1978]

If Don ever creates a KZbin channel it should be called “Don’s Knots.”

[@feckjr]

Good video Kevin! How you did the water tank was cool. Hopefully you'll get the tubing right so things will flow well. Sure that you will man. Nice to see Don! The way you were talking to Don about how you were going to do the cabin sounds really good! Look forward to your next one. Take care.

[@glorialange6446]

Wonderful

[@BongicusMaximus]

Great to see Don!

[@alexcountryman7489]

As a plumber I am proud to let you know Plastic and metal do thread together as long as the pitch is correct

[@bethgadaire6064]

It was soooo good to see Don on this episode. How's his health doing? He looks good. Kevin, you are ingenious with all you know how to do. Love your off grid property.

[@ModernSelfReliance]

He's doing great..

[@whiteboi1856]

Great video kevin 👍

[@stevebrown4294]

Love the weekly cabin build updates but I have a question, did Chris let you get the $250 gloves ???? 😆

[@ModernSelfReliance]

I ended up buying them myself.. :-)

[@stevebrown4294]

@@ModernSelfRelianceAnd It’s working, just move it closer to the tubes coming out of the building…..looks like you chose a spot that adds a bunch of length to the tube…

[@gridfreedomquest8613]

those pumps don’t make pressure. they circulate pressurized water loops. make sure you have 10 to 15 psi in the pipe and it should move the coolant easily as far as you want

[@sandrajones3921]

Hope you have a merry Christmas and a happy new year . I live in Northern CA in Sutter Creek

[@vmoutsop]

When Don is around, the videos seem to have a more coherent flow to them. Also, just what I always wanted, an new and improved way to cut off my digits.

[@michaelvandehey6860]

Hey Kevin, I love your videos and all of the inventions that you come up with. I've got an idea. I'm in the middle of watching your video on the wood fired hot water tank with my mother. She is also a fan as well. We are both having a hard time hearing you and Don when you're not close to the camera. Have you ever thought about investing in some wireless microphones to clip on your shirt? It would really help with people being able to hear/marvel in the genius that is your brain. Ha ha ha!

[@mikeyjames]

I’m Canadian and I didn’t even know where PEI is located in Canada 😂 i’ve never been anywhere in Canada that was outside of Ontario.

[@mrMacGoover]

Nice dry cut chop saw, I saw those at Princess Auto, they are not cheap but good German quality non the less. Good investment!

[@ModernSelfReliance]

It's really a game changer to near dust less metal cutting.

[@willardsisson7065]

Don!!!!!🎉😊 You are truly missed…😢

[@CharlesBundy-z9n]

Hello Don! Jaw dropped at 20hr drive one way.

[@NOFx420x]

Your welding is getting better

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Thank you !

[@thefrankmoose]

Lets goo

[@450rhino1]

Perhaps do a test by moving the fire, uphill, to the side, not down hill. The pump may work easier. I realize you wanted it away from the cabin. Build a Pallet wall so you can't see it. LOL

[@denisewilson8367]

I had radiant heat in my big farm house, basement, and the livestock water trough, the neighbors big ranch style house, basement apartment, and her garage. It did a great job. I had taco pumps and later wersbo pumps. Best heat, no dust or expensive duct work. Wish I still had that heating system and all thar property.

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Once you have radiant infloor it's hard to ever have a different system.

[@terrymacdonald5500]

Hi Don, I'm out is Sk where it gets really cold sometimes. Anyways, I can see another future challenge. You will need insulation on your pex line to and from your floor loops. Otherwise you are loosing heat between the heater and the pump. So... relocating your water heater into your place will be something to do when you are ready.

[@allenenabnit7078]

Great to see you Don Kevin you might be able to make it work with using a much bigger feed line from tank heater to cabin like 1-1 1/2” return can stay the same as you have it no guarantees when working outside the norm. You’ll find a way to make it work and make it look easy with all the yelling and cussing off camera.

[@michaelwilson4132]

Love Don!

[@chrisbocker2255]

Don, great to see you and back on the channel for a moment, are you going to document what you’re doing with your new place? Would love to see it.

[@MrMatto84]

Far out I thought don just loved up the road lol

[@Mr76aspen]

Move the boiler closer to the house and have the in-floor heating lines Midway of the tank if the fluid is wanting to stay at a natural field position instead of gravity feeding down into the tank you will not have to use as much energy to move the fluid around you could put the bowler on the porch where you mentioned a hot tub possibly cuz you don't want to be Fighting Gravity even placing it behind the house where the water wants to naturally feel the system and instead of using the expansion tube vent you can go with a expansion tank which gives you more volume in case of evaporation very interested in the project keep it up

[@BooneeXCdad]

Don!

[@dennisschickling2249]

Nice Video. Lets see a Road Trip to Dom's Place on a updated on his place. Merry Christmas & Happy New Years 2025. #STAYSAFE #PHILLYPHILLY 🇺🇸

[@susanherrmann2938]

For all the "kids" out there who said in high school math class, "When am I ever going to need math after high school?" this is why. Kevin does it in his head.

[@ModernSelfReliance]

I was terrible with math... Still am.

[@dalewoods7308]

1,800 km=1,118 miles

[@criticalevent]

I thought the thermal siphon was a bit ambitious. I've got a Grundfos pump running mine because I needed to put it on the hot side, but putting a cheaper one on the cold side it should last longer. I've got 3 300' parallel loops running off almost the same oil fired heater and it has no problem heating a 25x25' 12' ceiling garage, I burn about 400L of oil a winter keeping it at 6C when I'm not in there and 10C when I am (air temperatures, floor is much warmer).

[@ModernSelfReliance]

I was optimistic that the thermal siphon would work.. but you never know unless you try. Probably need 1" pipe running up.. three zone manifold be like a radiant heat super highway.

[@BillyCollinsArmwrestling]

I like it

[@darthgbc363]

Make a rocket stove boiler, burning wood chips, & fed by an auger.

[@ModernSelfReliance]

That sounds like a great idea! I'm going to look into that.

[@criticalevent]

This is something I've been meaning to do as well. I looked at my pellet stove and wondered why can't I just make that a little bigger and feed it wood chips?

[@Nomadsliperypole]

If you have 600 line, you could always move the boiler closer and have it so that there are two separate lines going into the boiler for the two different sides But having handles on each side, so you can control either you want heat for one side of the house or heat for the other side But still using the same boiler It would also help in the sense of because you used the poem. It will retain it longer, so you wouldn’t need to use the boiler for one side nearly as much as the other.

[@christopherlenahan3906]

My NPT rule is generally 2-3 threads to hand tight, 2-3 threads pipe wrench tight and a couple left over. You know you cut a good thread if that works, some fittings are here and there though so results may vary :)

[@AuditorsUnited]

PEI its like the bahamas of an ice tundra

[@Evan-dc6mt]

Kevin you need to close the system and install a 10 gal expansion tank. This will allow the fluid to expand without blowing off your relief valve.

[@Evan-dc6mt]

You system should be at a minimum of 12 psi. FYI. Love the hard work keep going Kev

[@IkeCoblentz]

I had this exact problem too. My pump is the green Vevor one and it says 9 gallon per minute but it was flowing just like yours. I actually have 8 runs of 300ft each with one pump and I'm just guessing that's too much resistance for one pump.

[@ModernSelfReliance]

I had some kinks in the 600ft line.. it worked much better when I straighten those out.

[@IkeCoblentz]

@ModernSelfReliance that's good to know! I might disconnect a few of my runs and try it again. My manifold is very small diameter as well I think that affects the flow.

[@InDeathOnlyNothing]

I didn't thoroughly watch this video yet, just skimmed through it. They make water heater insulation covers if you'd be interested in covering your water heater. But you could rig up your own water heater insulation with tape and stuff you may already have.

[@matthew42085]

for the fridge hole, you should make something tube likethat can "pop" up and pop back down so you dont have to climb down and would allow for max storage

[@dennispriser769]

If ya want a little more information look at some of Diesel Creek videos where Matt is building his garage and house.

[@freakonaleash235]

I wonder if you isolate the bathroom. That would also split up your run into three separate sections. You’ll probably end up having to get/make an inlet and outlet manifold. We have on on our infloor heating. You’ll want to up the pex from the water heater to 1” too so you have more glycol moving to and from your parallel runs. Just a suggestion. Love the vids btw

[@c.a.g.1977]

Good to see Don again, did he help out as in the old days, when he was visiting? Awesome project, this in-floor heating system. I was wondering, how will you power the electric pump? Hope you will get it up and running as you intended. I'm sure you'll find a way!

[@pauleddy5146]

May I suggest a closed system with an expansion tank?May I also suggest the circ pump installed in the middle of the run instead of at the end/start. Push/pull effectively making a 600ft run 2 300 ft runs. In theory.

[@ModernSelfReliance]

Sounds like the possibility of disaster... Pressurized water tank with a fire under it..

[@private15]

For the fridge I would suggest the Beer be on a rope so that when drinking, no one needs to climb into the hole.

[@michaelnadeau3238]

Don!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@niscola1]

If what you got for aircraft de ice fluid is type 4 (green stuff) it may not be so good below -25. It can't be used on aircraft below that temp. Not sure what it would do in an in floor heating situation and worse when diluted. Good to see don again!