Too Much Snow! The Tough Choice We Had to Make for Winter Survival ❄️

[@mrbriggs68]

When I was a kid my dad had a tank for water in are garage he installed a fish pond heater to prevent it from freezing in the winter

[@georgedavidson7986]

The tractor runs like brand knew. Replace all hydraulic hoses , get a proper snow blower and look for a bigger. Snow bucket

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

😁👍

[@Longeno55]

Jason and Jenny, you two are definitely inspiring “off gridders”. Stay warm up there! All the best to you both!

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Appreciate it my friend, hope you are staying warm too!

[@DaveS-gf4ik]

YOU ALL ARE A LOT TOUGHTER THAN I AM I AM 65 YEARS OLD AND COULD NOT KEEP UP WITH YOU ALL I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THAT COZY CABIN STAY WARM DAVE OUT LOVE YOU ALL

[@virginiavilas]

😂😂 As another 65 yr-old armchair enthusiast, I second your comment. -V

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Best wishes Dave ❤️

[@clarencedobsonjr.2585]

That's a lot of snow. Jen you have a beautiful smile. Reminds me of my late wife's beautiful smile.

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Aw, thank you!

[@stevenhawk7751]

Jay have you tried spraying cooking stay on your snowblower on the auger and inside the shoot because we do that so the snow doesn't stick and no it won't hurt anything

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

I have not tried it....but should

[@Painfulwhale360]

Reminds me of Joe dirt when he tells his girlfriend to spray her porch down with PAM so that the dogs you know what’s didn’t stick to the porch 😂

[@gibblespascack1418]

That tractor needs a shed. Maybe it is time to think about building a shed for the cars and tractor down closer to the road. A mile is a long way to go. That and a set of chains for the tractor could help with the snowfall. Loaders are handy, but a plow for the tractor could work even faster. The ability to move the snow to the side while driving forward can improve efficiency.

[@SandraCrockett]

All that snow makes things so much harder to get stuff done!

[@justiceleague1146]

That looks like a real nice sled! That will pay for itself in no time! Keep living the dream!

[@stevenfrazier8939]

we built a utility building for solar and water. then we heat it with a diesel heater. we have a 275 gallon IBC Tote for fresh Ozone treated and filtered water. Diesel heaters are amazing, we heat two buildings with them. the boss of the swamp has a skirted cabin and never has things freeze.

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

I'm seriously considering a diesel heater for the mini cabin....think it would work great

[@peterkohan9525]

Oh my that's a lot of snow. It's nice to have a neighbor that will help you guys out when the going gets rough. We too have such a neighbor that takes care of our cabin. We haven't been there in 5 months because of health issues but good news , we 're heading down to SC after Christmas. I'm feeling stronger and no appointments or tests to bog us down. Deer season will still be open! I worry you guys will have so much snow you won't be able to get to the out house or wood shed. God Bless you and hope conditions don't get worse.

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

So glad to hear you are doing better my friend.....and that you will get to enjoy your place as well. Great stuff my friend

[@papiirezz]

Cab you build a lean too cover and keep snow and weather off the tractor

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

This coming summer we hope to do this

[@DBarnim]

Those Canadian made Pelican sleighs are great. I have about 5,000 km of tough outdoors fun on mine, still going.

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Very nice......glad to hear that. Thanks

[@sammyrichardson8078]

We will miss you. Have a great winter.

[@juliederry3719]

That new sled looks like a great piece of kit Jay, you can carry so much more stuff, we don’t get enough snow here anymore to use something like that, I particularly like the bar that attaches it to your snow mobile, safety all around, tfs guys x Julie 🇬🇧

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Thanks Julie.....appreciate you my friend

[@TooCloseSeries]

Good idea for the solar panels. I have a long pole with a rubber end to push the snow off.

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

We just got a roof rake too, but wanted to try the blower out

[@jimdelong949]

I'm glad you're able to capture some of the snow as a water source. Otherwise the snow is beautiful. Wishing you the best of the holidays and a safe winter

[@virginiavilas]

👍👍 Working smarter, not harder !!! ❄❄❄🌨❄❄❄🌨❄❄☃☃ -V

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

😉👍

[@NancyS-qx3ez]

That’s great that you were able to make that deal with your neighbor. Will save you hours of work removing snow! ❄

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Ya, we are very grateful, it's a life saver for sure. 😁

[@R3alityBites]

That's a lot of snow. jay you have a beautiful smile didnt want u left out lol

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Awe......thanks my friend

[@Shelleys4Seasons]

Very nice sled! I'm still trying to figure out how to deal with cold temp here in Kentucky since we just don't really get the snow to melt and being off grid. Other than hauling water in. Oh and way to clear those panels off like a true Michigander-in shorts 😅

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

😁👍

[@Ocheecheenay]

What a cool sled. Looks fun to me. Good seeing you both. Be safe

[@SJPLilac]

Lol, thanks for picking up the parts of that box! I'm so OCD, that when someone throws trash around, I shudder. I love the suggestions that people make, but sometimes paying for those wonderful things is difficult! I hope people realize that we don't know your circumstances, and you may have other priorities. Just keep on being you!!

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Appreciate that my friend.......we are simple folks and we do what we do most the time for a good reason. Best wishes

[@glenharper3136]

Thanks for the video.

[@AlbinOnishchenko]

Such a nice property!

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Thank-you

[@brendahogue5487]

Jay love and enjoy your videos. May the lord bless and protect you and Jen working on the tractor and the homestead and keep cleaning the solar panels and going in and out of the cabin.

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Appreciate you my friend

[@johnkirby6547]

That's a nice sled Jay. Looking forward to seeing the wind turbine video for sure. Glad you got the tractor fixed and winterized everything, that's a lot of snow..

[@debrabremmer9541]

good conversation

[@robf2251]

That cover will keep the snow out of your stuff and the sled when you tow it.

[@Susan-n3o3e]

Another good video. Thank you for sharing.❤

[@marikajohn6522]

Still work to do. Cover for all , good job with new sledge. 😊😊

[@debbieshort9660]

It looks so pretty there.

[@Chris_at_Home]

We have a place six miles off the road. The only access is ATV or snowmachine. 5-6 feet of snow is common. I lived there half the time and worked away from home. We built a place close to town and still spend much of our summers there. We are in our 70s.

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

That’s a great way to do it!

[@occamsrazor7939]

It's beautiful there.

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Thanks my friend, it can be a bit overwhelming sometimes but beautiful for sure!

[@JimTexas806]

Real life, thanks. Enjoy the education.

[@KC0ZTR]

Good to have good neighbors. Surprised to see you out cleaning PV panels in shorts. You guys must have warmer snow than we do in Iowa! LOL!

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Lol.......sometimes I clear snow in my PJs lol

[@Stacia-ep9vr]

Jen-- Could you make some "pay for". digital downloads for that snow overhang & icicle configuration? I think they could make some really cool still shots in color and b&w. Jay--at least this early snow will help restore the water table, which is much needed. Ohio is severely lacking in any precipitation catch-up for the past few years. Stay warm and safe this winter and healthy New Year!

[@doughershberger4285]

Got a Kubota L3010 with a loader and it started with a cylinder seal leaking so I took both off and had them rebuilt. Put them back on, started it up and blew a hose. Replaced it, started it back up and blew another. Said screw this and just replaced them all, the problem was finding the fittings. Napa will make up hoses if they have the fittings. lol Guess that happens when your tractor is 25 years old (mine)

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

It seems to happen that way

[@lynellewilson9112]

Wow you have all that lovely snow while we are hunkering down for a top of 47 deg Celsius. It’s going to be a hell of a week!

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Isn't it amazing.....😁

[@lynellewilson9112]

@@OffgridwithJayandJen yes, considering this temp is well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

[@deborahnielens9134]

Now that's a nice durable sled we used to have a dog sled but they kind of give out after a while. Boy you guys got a lot of snow.

[@kristingrounds4163]

Wow that is crazy how you had to winterize to early!!!

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

It’s not ideal, but we’d rather be safe than sorry.

[@sandihandi7831]

Hi folks. Really enjoy your videos (from OHIO). I've seen folks from Alaska and they literally chop over hanging ice from the bottom up to relieve the pressure. Hope your spouting holds. Stay safe.

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Howdy......good to know. Thanks

[@SergioBernardoAlmi]

Good morning 🌞

[@geraleegallant]

awesome video guys! and yes, u guys might want to invest in some snow stoppers for next year, we also have a tin roof and use to have that same problem with snow, not anymore, we put them on every sloped part of the roof, about 16 inches up from the edge, and they do work, anyway. god bless, c ya'll next time

[@johnr3603]

What’s a snow stopper?

[@geraleegallant]

@@johnr3603 there are all kinds of different models, but for tin roofs its usually a "V" shape long piece of tin the runs along the edge of a tin roof to stop the snow from curling down the side of the house, u can google it to see it, have a nice evening

[@db.mc2]

Hi Jay and Jen, Timber 🐾🐾and Scout 🐾🐾👋🏻 Stay safe and take care, appreciate you always my friends 👍🏻 God Bless 🙏🏼and God Bless good neighbors ✝️

[@justman777texas2]

I know a lot of folks like those wind turbines, but for the cost, upkeep, and noise they generate, I wouldn't have one. I have a feeling you'll wind up throwing that thing away before you get your cost (time, energy) out of it....even if you got it for free.

[@davidbouffard8]

Cool video! The snow is coming to mont st hilaire this week end

[@Offgridlee444]

Beautiful! I have the same sled and when we head to the forest for wood with it, I ride in the sled, Yeehaw. 😊✌🏼

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Ye haw 😁

[@littlegriffoffgridalberta6837]

Great video guy's :) It's nicer with the sled getting in for the weekend 😀, It's hard to maintain solar unless you live there full time, I have a hard time keeping up & I live full time off grid, Hey that blower is a good idea for cleaning your panels 👍, Stay warm have a great evening"

[@danielnicholls6868]

i see some use a side by side with tracks and a front mounted blower . seems to work good 👍👍

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

That would be awesome

[@jetman258]

Keep an eye out for a set of trax. For the side by side on sale.

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

I'm seriously considering that rather than buying better snowmobiles.......kind amakes more sense, but it is hard to see the prices

[@farmyourbackyard2023]

Boss of the Swamp has a few videos on ice dams on that kind of roof set up, if you need to watch something about that. We still have no snow in NE Oklahoma.

[@canajian]

Good mornin 🖐😎👍

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Good evening my friend

[@MelissaMalzahn]

Hooray i so remember starting our Allis we had a blade on the back. 400' driveway wasnt bad. I wonder if i could even walk in the snow after 13 years being away from it. 😂😂❤❤ Smell the snowmobiles😂❤

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Good old two stroke snowmobiles.....😁

[@Doloresgbryant]

Please show inside videos of Christmas and your cozy cabin

[@marthaturki4891]

Come on down to Texas, we were 78 with the A/C running today and the next 3 or 4 days!❤️❤️🐾🐾🎄🎄

[@bushwalker2673]

Hello, was wondering how do you shower and use your great water drain in the winter? if you melt snow you can wash dishes but how do you shower? keep us posted. thank you so much for the great videos stay safe and warm.

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

We have a video coming soon showing the process, but big pots on the woodstove and a cheap portable camp shower pump,hose, and shower head makes indoor showers possible. Video coming in the next week or two

[@clarencedobsonjr.2585]

Must be the UP, I have about an inch in Harrison. Snow goes around us most of the time

[@paperchaser9565]

Do you have any tarps to place over the snow mobile and sled?

Shorts in winter you .must have been a postman before 😂 🥶🥶

[@evelyndole4618]

You can send a little of that snow ❄️ to Georgia 🍊for Christmas 🎄, but then you have to take it back!!!

[@russellwatters5891]

Way too much snow...😂 I'm lost though, winterizing the plumbing in your cabin, but still living there? Is it not 4 seasons? Just wondering. Love what ya'll are doing ❤️

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

We melt Snow and use pots and jugs. It's just too cold for our above ground plumbing. 3-4 months of struggle.....but it keeps us moving all winter

[@russellwatters5891]

@@OffgridwithJayandJen That clears it up, thank you.

[@johnr3603]

@@OffgridwithJayandJen Uggh

[@rabiabaloch6111]

hallo. why you don't shovel the snow and why you did not put down the hanging snow ?

[@bpatton3671]

With all the power up grades and the inclusion of wind generation, you can't power a heat tape system to be able to use water through the Winter?? There has got to be something you can use. Surviving Ringworm, is UP Michigan homesteader. He has a stove and a 5 gallon pot and will warm his outdoor shower area to start getting the frozen water to release from the 5 gallon jug. Or he will bring one from his cabin mostly thawed put it on the burner to prepare his shower. He has a small solar generator power a light and portable heater. He uses a small water pump to power the shower and it gets up to about 60 while showering. He keeps water thawed for cooking, coffee and dish clean up. He just takes his 5 gallon buckets to town to fill. He has an interesting channel, check him out! ❤❤

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

We use water all winter.....we just melt snow on the woodstove and use it in pots and jugs too

[@davidsmathers5621]

Hey Jay you 😊know the old saying if one goes they all go

[@jerrycopley9325]

Well jay don't want to make you feel bad but we are in Hawaii for 2 weeks 1 to go :) stay warm Merry Christmas !!

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Ha.....Jen just shed a tear i think lol

[@timrydman-mr5hp]

Get a old John Deere 60 that starts easy and put a snow blower on that.

[@tyfrazier2905]

Blowing the snow off was good idea. Probably not as long as it's not 2ft deep.

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

😁

[@airdrop1670]

what state is your cabin in ????? I just heard Michigan , upper mitt I guess . We live west of Saginaw lol the flat lands , have fun .

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

We are in Michigan. Lower peninsula!

[@airdrop1670]

You get the shed at Northwoods in Pinconning ??

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

You know....I have driven by and seen the billboard a million times......but have never been

[@airdrop1670]

Your missing a great store , all kinds of outdoor supplies , they have things you will not see in the others like Jays and Cabelas .

[@northernliving2387]

Jason how come you don't get a v plow made for your tractor so you can plow the driveway?

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Im not sure the tractor has the traction for pushing snow.......it might, but being 2wd I'm not sure if it would work......when the blower gets heavy or packed with snow it has trouble moving too

[@josephdangelo1503]

Hello Jay and Jen a lot of people are wondering why you would want to live in a climate like that well I totally understand it's beautiful and you love it❤. I'm new to your channel so with the way everything looks it kind of looks like Michigan or upstate New York. I live about a quarter mile from lake Erie in Huron Ohio and it usually doesn't get much snow here because of the way the lake is shaped it kind of blows right over us and further east gets hammered with lake effect. Don't get me wrong I've seen it very very cold here like -27 where I was working out in that and I've seen a lot of snow here too but hopefully we'll get hammered this year. We've already had a little bit of snow 🌨️ hopefully a whole lot more I like to watch the kids going down the hills. Anyway guys have a merry Christmas 🎄 and a far better new year to come.

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Welcome my friend......we are in northern Michigan and in the snow belt snow get a lot of lake effect snow for sure

[@Egleu1]

Why do you have to shut the water off? Is it because you can't collect water in winter or because of the freezing?

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Freezing. All our collection system and p I pumps are above ground so they would freeze at night

[@alankoehler4327]

Time to get a 2nd wind generator

[@victoriamoore1294]

Jay, is your snow lake effect snow or is it coming down from the north?

[@mrbriggs68]

Do you plan on retiring to the cabin full time

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

I always say we are semi-retired.....we live simple and spend most our time at the cabin already.....no need to wait until we retire.

[@OpposeNeurotoxins]

FYI ......When I lived in Traverse City , there was a older man who had a John Deer Snowblower who come around and ask us if he could clear the deep deep snow in that area , He charged $9 to clean our drive and under the carport of my mobile home in Kings Court ....you might call them and ask who that man was and if he still hauls his John Deer around to clear the snow ? He might travel wherever you are or know someone who also does plows snow ...for now it would be alot cheaper than buying a $30K JohnDeer Snowblower tractor......

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

👍

[@gail9227]

A snow rake for the roof maybe

[@sheilacharron5424]

The shoot on the blower is shooting almost staight up. Jay, maybe if you aim the shoot down more.

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Ya it's not a great system, but works ok

[@ineverhadthemoney7857]

dame snow

[@alicianneboyle2443]

I bet it's good to hv your gloves 🧤 on Jay

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Yes it is 😁

[@chloesmom412]

You must be near Gaylord. They were getting clobbered.

[@pattymccarthy5169]

As a person who is over 68 and has always wanted to go off grid why would you put your water tank on the side of your roof slanted ?

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Well its don't want to stare at them in front of my cabin and the sides are where the gutters are

[@johnr3603]

What’s a close city?

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

We shop at the up north shopping mecca of Northern Michigan

[@cliffandrews]

🚫No snow 🚫

[@billsmith-wq5or]

no snow rake

[@shannonsullivan1968]

So, you’ve winterized the water system in your cabin. Do you not spend 100% of your time living in your cabin?

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

We melt snow for dishes and bucket showers

[@georgedavidson7986]

You are losing a lot of heat through the eave

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Yes

[@georgedavidson7986]

You have to be careful how you insulate. The rafters need air flow would have to see to advise

[@barbaraslayden2277]

To much snow for this girl.

[@bettgantt7043]

Why don't you just buy a Tarp and cover the Tractor? Maybe you just like the Challenge? 😂

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Ya, the tarp gets heavy and hard to get on and off the tractor when covered with hundreds of pounds of snow. Easier to just brush it off

[@bettgantt7043]

So why can't you Brush it off the Tarp? What's the Difference? Maybe you just like the Challenge? 😂

[@davidvansickle563]

I gotta buy some stock in that sled company 🤪🤪. @$400 that’s gotta be some huge profit 😂😂😂

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Ya i agree......that is why I contemplated it for 4 years, lol. Every time that other one tipped over and stuff went flying everywhere I was cussing myself out, lol

[@billsmith-wq5or]

Why not just enjoy the cabin no work just enjoy

[@Sailor376also]

What is the angle, inclination of your solar panels? You live just about on the 45th parallel? So right now, winter solstice, the theoretical best angle would be the 23 degree tilt plus the 45 degree lat. 68 degrees from horizontal. Just by looking at your video,, and how accurate that view is,, not a clue, it looks like your panel angles are the best for summer 45 less 23 degrees. The theoretical best angle for solar panels fixed is latitude minus a few degrees , 8 or 9 degrees. This accounts for the morning and evening sun angles. SOoooo the annual best angle is 45 less the 8 degrees 37 degrees which is about what yours look to be. BUT the best winter angle winter solstice is then about 60 degrees. Back that off a little so the best is for a spread of 4 or 5 months and you ens at about 50 degrees for most of the cold months. This has an additional benefit snow has an angle of repose of about 45 to 47 degrees,, at 50 to 53 degrees,, most snow,, not freezing rain,, but normal Michigan snow,, most should just slide off on its own. Some experiment might be in order. If 53 degrees sheds almost all the snow without the leaf blower Your experiments should run between 50 and 60 degrees,, for auto clearing. Right now, your solar collection is hampered by an ideal tilt for April and May,, and the current tilt holds snow.

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Makes sense 👍

Them dogs get more love than you do jay

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Ha....it's true lol

[@billsmith-wq5or]

At least get a cover for the tractor

[@eileenredfern8364]

The sound of the wind turbine noise is annoying and would bother me.

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Ya, I'm not impressed either, big reason we didn't get one before

[@babewhowalks]

Oh lawdy, why are you wearing shorts?

[@ManJO601]

TRY TARPING IN YOUR TRACTOR EVEN A KID KNOWS THAT MY MY MY

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Pulling a tarp covered with 500 pounds of snow doesn't seem like it would be fun.

[@BrendaHewitt-y1w]

❤❤😊be safe!

[@jameskirk2579]

You rely too much on machinery and electrical appliances…..

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

What would your suggestion be? Hike around for miles and miles in the snow and get nothing done? Just curious how you would do it and why?