Returning to My Frozen Off Grid Cabin in the Woods

[@genespell4340]

1. When you need to light pilot lights on a stovetop after the gas has been off for a while. Turn the gas on and go do something else for about 30 minutes. When you come back they will light immediately. 2. Water was frozen in the loop of your shower hose. Hang the shower hose straight down so the water will drain out and be sure to insulate that wall between the commode and shower. Wet vac all of the water out of the commode tank and bowl. Have an outside faucet that you can turn on to drain all of the inside water lines. 3. Dry all of that bark out that you tossed aside. It makes great kindling. You may not see this but someone that reads it may benefit from it.

[@Constitution1789]

It doesn't seem like he replies to comments on his videos, but rest assured that I read yours and learned a few new things. 👍

[@DiegoTriesHard]

Thanks for watching and commenting 🫡. I've addressed the things you mentioned in previous videos. I have a 1 hour video showing in detail how I re-plumbed the cabin. Here's the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYm4ppiEjbRnkMk I have a lot of videos so I understand not everyone has seen them all in their entirety. I try my best to not annoy my regular viewers by repeating myself, while at the same time, helping new viewers understand my life & projects. It's a difficult balance. Hope you're doing well brother, have a great day 👊

[@dianajones7999]

I especially like # 3 advice

[@nicholasrolando9240]

Spot on as I have a cabin do just those thing except I use 2 gallons on tv anti freeze in the toilet. I blow my water line clear,take less then 30 minutes from start to finish.

[@justanotherperson584]

Absolutely

[@JohnSmith-b4b]

I'm a 71year old lady in the UK and I have just watched your video and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I like your critical calm thinking and outlook on take your time and think things through. Your voice is also very calming and shows your patience. Your cabin is to be proud of! 🇬🇧

[@SewFrancine6120]

We were taught to fill a cup of water in the freezer and put a quarter on top. When you come home, if the quarter is at the bottom of the cup you know the freezer shut off for a while. 😊

[@hausrx]

smart idea

[@sandradix3152]

A 77 year old great grandmother here - learning patience is one of the hardest things to learn in life - you seem to have gotten there younger than I did - live your cabin

[@christopher-jc2hj]

I must say Diego....I needed to hear your advice today about slowing down. I'm constantly 100 miles an hour because that's what my life/work demands. Ever since I was 18...that mindset has gotten me where I am. Yet, I'm also tired and realize I never just slow down and take it all in. It's sad when you even try and hurry up so you can relax....you can't relax because you're hurrying up. Thank you.

[@supercooldude824]

That’s why you got to balance it out with those slow relaxing moments in between your hustle maybe once or twice a week just wow down and do something like spend time with your fam travel or a hobby u like

[@MACLADILLY]

Appreciate your honesty in this video about the realities of off grid living.

[@etainepona4206]

Nifty trick: buy some solar lights and put them in a coffee can with rock or sand as holding base. Place in sunny window and when it gets dark, Shazam, you have lighting. I leave them in the window when I travel. It makes it look like someone is home.

[@CityToTheWoods]

I haven’t watched your whole video yet, or read any comments. With that said, here are some pointers that I use. Every time I close up the house for the winter, the water gets turned off, every Spicket gets turned on, and the toilet gets flushed, while the handle is being held down to drain most of the water out of the back. I put RV antifreeze down all the traps, as well as the toilet bowl and the back tank. The hot water heater and pressure tank get drained as well. I put a half gallon of RV antifreeze down every trap, and a gallon in the toilet bowl and another gallon in the back tank. When I open the house for the season, I make sure every valve is turned off, including the pressure tank and hot water heater. I bring the house up to temperature before I turn the water on. when the water is finally turned on, I open the faucets to let any air out, and give the hot water tank time to fill before I turn on power to the unit, my hot water heater is electric. I’m not trying to be a dick, but I hope this helps. Best of luck.

[@matt1544zxc3]

i've learned to add some antifreeze to the dishwasher and washing machine, and then force them to drain it a bit, so it's in the drain pump and drain line too.

[@jeanniehyde8090]

This is awesome advice, thank you 😊

[@ScottMcBlane]

I really appreciate being able to see the reality of living in situations like this. It’s not always easy, but it is doable - and mistakes are learning opportunities along the way. Great video!

[@m.a.nugent8278]

It looks like you have PEX piping in your cabin which is good. It may freeze but should not burst. I had to replace all the plumbing and fixtures in my place a number of years ago. All my pipes burst when I was gone for the coldest part of the winter. Arizona mountains at 7,000 ft elevation. Water to the main was off. When the plumber replaced everything, he put an extra shut-off valve on my side of the meter. When I shut off my valve, the water drains out of all my pipes so there is no water left in them to freeze. Works well for me.

[@davegray8451]

@genespell4340 nails it with the whole house drain. The traps hold very little water so a quick wet vac or a few glugs of antifreeze will ensure no burst traps and draining any hose, garden, shower, kitchen sink handhelds is a good idea. On a personal note, I really liked your expression of working on reducing time stress by your focus on self talk. Take your time and fall in love with the beauty of your work product as a result of a measured pace. Stepping back to assess your activity in the name of quality of the overall experience, is the product. Thank you.

[@OgMango_II]

this is the NICEST off grid cabin ive ever seen.

[@caveatlector1591]

This is probably the most realistic off grid cabin in the woods living (during winter) I've seen. Thanks for sharing this to us.

[@marciam6224]

My grandma used to say "The hurrider I go the behinder I get". I am NOT a patient person. When I start something, I want it to get it done NOW. lol I just want the job done so I can move on to the next one. I really enjoy your videos and this one makes me long for winter. I am in west MI and our winters have been pretty puny the past few years. I want a winter like we had when I was a kid back in the 60's and 70's. My daughter was born on a Sunday, we went home on Wednesday and Thursday we woke up to frozen pipes, It took a few days but what finally thawed them was covering all the floor heat vents and forced all the heat to go under our mobile home. We stayed at my mom's until they thawed.

[@dottiehildebrand3123]

So glad uou are back at the off grid cabin.. Stay warm Be safe.. God bless.. PRAY ON!!!

[@elizabethmckenzie6977]

You were lucky that the toilet bowl and tank didn’t crake when it froze. And don’t panic about the shower. Heat water on the stove and take a bucket and bowl into the shower and have a pan shower. Not as convenient but it works in a pinch. Take it from a 77 year old lady that has camped and made do with out hot water for 8 months except for the canning pot on the wood stove. You are still living in comfort.

[@CityToTheWoods]

Firewood: I have two circular firewood racks on either side of my stove. I use one rack at a time, and when one is empty, I refill it and give it time to dry next to the stove while I use the other. In my case the circular rack will last me two days , so that gives the other rack two full days to dry out. Hope this helps.

[@empret7704]

We all need to slow down. Hurry up to slow down lol I know that feeling - take care😊

[@delboy7039]

I always try to keep the light in the fridge working, its then an easy indicator that there is power to that appliance... And so true about not being in a hurry....

[@johnbrzenksforearm8295]

They have electric wood splitters at many big box stores that would put less stress on your body while storing fire wood.

[@suezaple4950]

would have sucked to come back to some frozen lines but all worked out. You have a wonderful cabin which sits in a beautiful spot. Your chat about not being in a hurry makes a great deal of sense .

[@lynhanna917]

Had a chuckle when you were lighting the pilots for the stove. I bought an old house with a gas stove every time this one visitor came she said she could smell gas. I thought she was nuts. I got a call from my house sitter who said the gas company had been doing line work but he wanted me to know that all four pilot light on the stove were lit. Four huh, i had only ever lit three. Now i knew where the gas smell was coming from. Glad to see the ice didn't damage the toilet.

[@FairyBoots]

Hi from Manchester UK, just found your channel, I love watching the seasons on homestead videos of Alaska and remote places, so different from my very urban life here. hi Al too!

[@bray4529]

I have a recollection of closing up our cabin in Maine with my dad, and he always had me take all of the water out of the toilet bowl and the tank before you put I think we might’ve used kerosene or antifreeze in it. Also, the person who suggested putting a quarter in a frozen glass of water in your freezer gave you good advice. If you come back and the quarter is sitting at the bottom of the glass, you’ll know that your refrigerator lost power. Beautiful place.

[@johnbrzenksforearm8295]

I always took a wet dry vacuum and sucked all the water out of the toilet tank and bowl and just poured anti-freeze in the bowl to keep sewer gas out. The same goes for the sink and shower traps. The purer the anti-freeze the better it works. Mixing it with water doesn't work as well.

[@TaylorZ2]

It must've felt so good to get back home! What was temp in cabin when you walked in? Your cabin is very neat. What a considerate guy. He changed the oil in the generator and cleaned up where he stayed.

[@davidwear1461]

I’ve fought splitting cherry wood plenty of times and never thought about the bark. Thx for sharing

[@secondwindtrailers]

Super wise advice... you are definitely on the right track. Most people NEVER discover the wisdom you just gave in that video. Keep going.

[@connieparker8896]

I’m so happy to hear your ( at peace) this is what so many people need to hear, good on you, I’m a new subscriber and enjoy this video, I hope to see more of your videos, Good luck and God Bless

[@poland153]

i was expected that toilet to crack with that hot water since the steam made it look like it was super hot water lol.

[@bamoessnijders4513]

next summer or sooner just make an nice wood shed and start sooner making alot of firewood.. makes it alot easyer for yourself to do other things or just rest

[@jennamcpherson4358]

When you poured that steaming hot water into the porcelain toilet I squinched my eyes closed and waited for the . I'm very thankful it didn't happen but suggest using warm water if it happens again, not hot.

[@DaggyForYou]

Watching from Philippines. It's nice to watch your content make me relax ☺️

[@gpo746]

You seem to be a very well balanced individual and you are right about doing things in a hurry . I really enjoy your videos, so calming to watch. Thanks for sharing

[@reinerschull7794]

Allways keep going. Nice video. Greetings.

[@monichaparro980]

Amo tus videos desde Argentina amo el bosque la paz y el trabajo duro para vivir ahí felicitaciones

[@mikecote2165]

Thank you for sharing. Well spoken.

[@hausrx]

you need to make a check list for opening and closing the cabin , that includes winterizing the cabin, and keep it on a wall near the entrance door, or on the wall, we always put Premium windshield solvent in the toilet , its more readily available & cheaper than RV fluid,

[@joewearsadroolbib7347]

I'm happy to see you brought your football along for the journey!

[@campingwithcharlie3011]

Was going to say have fun splitting that I just split some my self nice method there with the saw that is soft cherry sweet cherry or sweet birch people call it still great wood smells nice

[@99999cathy]

To make sure the food in your freezer has not thawed and re-frozen (cause then you shouldn't eat it) fill a solo cup about 3/4 of the way, then freeze it hard. Put a quarter on top of the frozen water. Then when you've been away for a while, check the quarter. If it's still on top, you're good. If it's sunk at all don't eat the frozen food. :)

[@johnmackey8508]

I live in Canada and have had a cottage in Ontario and because of the possibility of minus 40 C in the winter we must drain water out of EVERYTHING that has water in it otherwise toilets crack, water pump will crack, copper lines split as would plastic lines which weren’t around when we built, hot water tanks don’t work…it gets very expensive replacing everything every spring. We had an access door behind the shower to drain the water line between the control valve and the shower head itself as its a trap for water, it wont drain from that pipe. The water pump, shower, toilet and water heater were each drained separately. The best solution is to have one tap that will drain all the piping which is also suggested by someone below. Even 2 or 3 taps to drain all the pipes would be very workable. When all was drained we added antifreeze to sinks n shower drain for their traps, dishwasher and washing machine (run them for a bit to get antifreeze into guts of machines) plus the toilet as it had some water left in tank and added as much anti freeze to the base of toilet to prevent gases from coming back into cottage. Some of it will evaporate over time so add as much as you had water in bowl. Maybe you can use some of this to help your situ.

[@user-tg5wg6oe6o]

So great-full that I don’t get freezing rain.

[@Constitution1789]

I'm glad your Starlink is still operational. If I were you, I would build a walkway canopy to avoid all that shoveling. For the pipes, I might install heat tape so I don't have to waste time figuring out problems. Just plug in and done. You could also buy some kind of subzero sleeping bag. Expensive but worth it. I'm just imagining what I would do in your shoes. Cool channel!

[@lukeHyams]

Good and timely advice

[@Janmification]

A small plastic sledge or sled would help to move more of the split wood on each trip to the woodstack. Even a sturdy, large plastic bag, thinking about it. Just slide it along the path you made.

[@marthaobrien3742]

Really enjoy your videos. You are great at explaining things. Thanks for the cold weather information. Keep the videos coming.

[@connieparker8896]

That’s not a cabin,, that’s the size of my house, so yeah, I love your cabin!!!!

[@rhetterb]

Great advice to slow down and take your time. So true!

[@geoffblight6594]

Great little pad good place to have a rest

[@idawillis5997]

Great video and nice chat about “being in a rush”

[@agenttex7831]

The frozen toilet at the beginning 😂🙌

[@justanotherperson584]

Beautiful place

[@BS.-.-]

Showers have mixing valves in the cartrage that the handle turns. Mixing valves have prety small port and can freeze easily.

[@victoriaEish]

You HAVE to get up in the night to put more wood on your fire. No way around that. At least you have to get up to check it. Get in that habit, because when it gets really cold, you’re starting all over again to take off that cold chill. Just set an alarm. For how ever long your fire burns during the awake hours before you need to add more wood, prepare for that amount of time when you go to bed. I do it all winter long here in Northern Central Maine. Nice place!

[@victoriaEish]

And….get a wood splitter. Worth it!

[@jlamarche1088]

I would invest in a new woodstove. I played that game for a long time until i bought a new woodstove and its so nice waking up after sleeping ALL night to a warm house then just stir the coals and fill the stove again.

[@adventureor7621]

Hay Hey thanks for sharing - thats a lotta work there bud - I was thinking 1st step warm the cabin up good after a hard freeze like we had a couple weeks ago - let the pipes thaw out before trying to get water priming thru them - I had an RV had all the same problems and pain in der butt esp trying to keep piping from freezing tho I had to prime them all with antifreeze - Hey im near Portland if youd ever like to collaborate on a video shoot and hike sometime - I would dig flying my drone to add in some cool shots for you and your vids - just for the practice

[@mollymorris623]

To light a wood stove fire use cotton ball and Vaseline . It works wonderfully

[@alpinealpine2793]

I also make sure I'm well and truly early for flights. That gives me cushioning for traffic or train issues. While I'm waiting at the airport I buy an interesting book.

[@steveohorchler2669]

Don’t rush slow down peaceful easy life 💯

[@nemanjaristic2170]

Great job as always Diego. I like the patience, precision and "military discipline" that you probably inherited from your father (at least the latter).

[@JunLee22]

You gotta great channel and content💯 I watch all ur videos with Al and gotta say you 2 are a great duo!! Respect from Finland🇫🇮

[@Anon-mk4ms]

If I might make a suggestion, you should buy a log bag, they're not very expensive and will reduce the amount of trips you have to make back and forth when taking split logs to stack on the porch.

[@thomasambers9977]

We always drained the toilet in our cabin ladle comes in handy

[@milenkodubaic2541]

you don't need antifreeze anywhere except in the car. ! first of all, when you leave, close the main valve, then empty the hose from the shower and the toilet kettle and all the elements where there is water.. when you enter FIRST, start the fire, make yourself coffee or tea.. then when the cabin is warm.. go and open the main valve is all wisdom

[@loralinder3851]

You should always drain your hot water heater in a winter time if you're going to be gone for a long time

[@william9835]

Seems like starting the fire and heating the cabin slowly first would have helped get things thawed and flowing. Glad it worked out and no damage.

[@zapolistinkerman7588]

Love your vids and point of view on life, you will prosper in many ways. Tell Al hi.

[@tomrandall4871]

This brings back memories of what I did when I purchased 70 acres of virgin land and had to build all my infrastructure and building's from scratch. Summer was doable in a tent, winter was at times scary. 28 years later I enjoy watching others do what I had to endure. We did not have Internet or u-tube back then! Cheers!

[@undergroundupholstery]

That the pulp show in the back ground. Hell yeah brother. Here’s a sub.

[@jlamarche1088]

That confused the shit out of me. I thought it was coming from my end at first and couldnt find out how i was hearing it.

[@brocsisco312]

@@jlamarche1088 sounds like lewis phillips lol

[@murraycooper]

You need to blow those lines like an RV with a drain on the bottom of the system. Don't be shy with the antifreeze.

[@jeanniehyde8090]

Your videos came into my feed. Glad it did, thoroughly enjoying your vlogs and your life story, neighbours, awesome friends and your partner. Keep them coming 😊☕️ watching the ads to help out 😀

[@agenttex7831]

The little umbrella over the chain saw 😂

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Love seeing the views rack up on this video! Nice one man!

[@TheMontyOriginal]

When it comes to airports, I am the same way. I get there two hours before my flight arrives.

[@rtoadontheroad]

Another great video! Love this channel.

[@milenkodubaic2541]

the shower froze ??? boy FIRST STARTED THE FIRE TO WARM THE CAB AND PROBLEM SOLVED

[@jennys8720]

Morning always watching from Philippines..hello Mr.Al & to you

[@alfredmcintosh16]

Once you get a fire going and the house will get warm enough for the pipes to unfreeze.

[@Entropy-booster]

I’m surprised the lines to the shower didn’t bust. I guess you left the faucet open?

[@andyhutch8262]

Cherry wood is excellent firewood, at a rough guess where you live worth aprox $50, leave it in 3mtr lengths starting from the root end, total $350, Why you about to ask, furniture, or turned in a wood lathe.

[@wood73]

Wet and heavy snow.

[@babydoll9282]

I love your blanket go Blazers❤❤❤❤

[@insaynbcr]

Just came across your channel and love the content. The reminder to yourself to slow down and reduce stress is real advice to live by. One thing I would suggest is find a different location to stack your wood instead of up against the house on the deck. Being right up against the house invites rodents and insects to become a problem inside the walls.

[@ihteramulhaq786]

How you get water in snow season

[@ryangengler9585]

Great videos! Keep up the good work 😤 I also needed the timely reminder to slow down.

[@tbr528]

Pour antifreeze in the potty and it prevents the water from freezing

[@tbr528]

Someone already recommended this in the comments so sorry for the repeat. Enjoy your videos

[@lolabaevlogs]

I enjoy watching your videos fr Philippines

[@joyreno1034]

If you want to know if the freezer thawed while you were away put a cup of water in it till it freezes then put a coin on top of the ice. If you come back and the coin is still on top of the ice everything stayed froze while you were away. If you come back and the coin has fallen into the ice or to the bottom of the cup you know that the freezer thawed then refroze while you were away.

[@occamsrazor7939]

Hot water freezes first because the monlecules are farther apart. Frozen pipes are scary. Been there last year. I had a friend whose sewer line froze.

[@cayetanocanales7662]

Saludos from tx. Thx for the video

[@Richrad91OZ-bk5lu]

We have the same exact truck!

[@daleg324]

All my gas engines get Seafoam for winter. Oils and fuels. It makes starting compressor, generator and chain saws much easier.

[@RobertJLessard]

Usually I'd get the cabin up to temp before turning on water.

[@jetman258]

Oo, Wild cherry bark is most widely known as a cough suppressant; it contains the constituent amygdalin which is widely used to assuage coughing through inhibiting the cough reflex. The constituents in wild cherry bark help to reduce inflammation, relieve spasms in smooth muscles, and act as an astringent to tissues.

[@stevesaverin6866]

i live off grid allso ill never put my gen in the gargae again i had mine in the garage i had a honda 3000 bran new it must got a gas leak in it cult my garage on fire burned every thing i had in thier over 7 thosand worth ov stuff and almost took out my cabin now i built a seperat box for it out side away from my house and now i have to build a new garage and start over buying my stuff back take care my friend

[@Vanhockeymom]

Just found your channel and enjoyed this video and have now subscribed. Where in the PNW are you? I’m in Vancouver BC and we only had one dump of snow this season. Curious, will they cherry bark be as useful as kindling as birch bark is? I agree with you about being early, always. Makes life so much easier. I’m glad you found peace so early in your life. What a blessing that is. Most of us don’t learn that til we are in our 50’s.

[@davidisles4009]

Your only looking at things, guessing an hour north east of Vancouver. I live on 5he Washington coast. Wgere do you have that much snow, that cl oi s3e to Vancouver?

[@steveneddy9492]

You need to put a Damper in your stove pipe. It will save you wood and stop a lot of heat from going up the pipe...

[@andersvonderrecke3123]

The recliner seems nice, what brand?

[@glenharvey7195]

You can definitely burn green wet wood with some effort but clean your chimney often bro.