As someone who used to live in a forest cabin without electricity for 2 years (and without plumbing for 10) in Finland, the first thing I did in winter was cover the windows so all your windows bugged me no end 😄 The last 17 years my cabin has been upgraded and I have all the amenities, which is nice. When I moved here from the city 27 years ago my friends and family were taking bets on how fast this former party girl from the capital would come back to civilization 😆 Proved 'em all wrong 😎
Love it, thanks for sharing. What was your biggest challenge when you first made the move off grid? And, you're not the only one commenting on the lack of thermal window coverings, it's a good idea and I plan to fix this. Cheers
Heating was the biggest thing, especially in Finland with the really cold winters. The cabin wasn't really meant for winter living so it was cooooold in spite of the large traditional masonry oven I had for heat. Those first couple of years I added insulation as money allowed but it was rough going even so. When it got to -30 C the dogs and I were all bundled up in winter gear and huddled up under the covers. I hung heavy carpets in front of the windows, that helped. The first two years without any power I had a small cellar under the floor for perishables, candles, oil lamps and flashlights for light. I carried water from my well to the wood burning sauna to wassh myself and my clothes. And the outshouse was freezing in the winter! But really Heating was the main issue, even after I got electricity two years in. After 10 years I found tons of mold in the structure of the cabin - it had been empty for years before I moved in and during that time the roof had leaked and although I had the roof fixed, the damage was done... so after 10 years I burned down the old cabin and set up a new one and at the same time finally got plumbing - running water and an indoor toilet, heavenly 😂
Like your point about the windows. Big solar gain if placed properly, huge heat loss other times. We found the best way to treat them is in layers, just like clothes. A honeycomb blind and a cover of air flow resistant fabric that can be placed like a curtain.
@@cleverjoe I live in the tropics, so I'm just guessing here. if the stove works for you and you have an endless supply of wood, then is there really any need to close the windows off. I imagine for your artwork in particular that all that natural light makes it flow more harmoniously. I'm in the tropics so take my thoughts with a pinch of salt. The cabin is a lovely set up.
Ha, that was one of my first thoughts as well. I live in Maine and winter warmth always includes heavy curtains on all windows. All of my windows are double pane, but draperies significantly help with heat loss.
Maine here... insulation is key. My old farmhouse had none so insulation was my first priority. Also a big fan of foam board and rock wool. You were smart to double up on your celing. Wood heat can't be beat for warmth and comfort. You have a lovely cabin
My tiny home can be heated with 5 candles. It’s very well insulated and only 10x6 on wheels. Candles is only a back up as I use electric heat when plugged in. Wood stove in the bush and diesel on the road. I’ve also got propane and a power station heated blanket combo with solar panels. The electric heater only needs 350 watts even down to -25. I did that so I could set up a solar package down the line and still use electric heat. I even made myself a small fresh air heat exchanger which I think is one of the main reason my tiny home is working well. I don’t loose much heat bringing in fresh air and that makes a huge difference. Someone needs to make one for tiny homes and van life professionally and put it on the market. Im surprised there isn’t one yet.
When I was growing up, wool was scratchy. I lived my life in cotton and was constantly cold. Synthetic fleece (thank you Polartec!), Smart wool and goose down changed my life!
Down comforters. I wash them in huge washers at the laundromat in hot water with soap and a bit of bleach once a year in the summer, hang on my clothesline til dry, then fluff in my dryer. They last for many years, and their lightness and warmth are heavenly. You have a lovely home...and pup.
Just discovered you and am so pumped- at retirement I will be moving to my cabin full time and can not wait! great ideas for cozy up in the cabin. Dog in bed is definitely already part of my winter warm up ( and his).
A bigger stove helps, I only reload every twelve hours at those temperatures. If it's forty below or so every eight hours. Love that heat after being out in nature!
'box section' blinds are very good to keep heat in, and occupy little space when stowed.... Maisonary/tiled fireplace have thermal mass to absorb heat and then release it slowly. We love our 'Tempcast'!
What a cool cabin! I have some naive questions that I’m hoping you can provide some insight on, please: 1) Why did you use foam board on the ceiling instead of rockwool? 2) The photos you include of the cabin at night don’t seem to have any thick curtains drawn, wouldn’t this help with heat loss at night and not make you get up every 5 hours for the wood stove? 3) Do you use a thermometer inside of the cabin or just go off of what it feels like to you? Thanks in advance for any insight you might have! 😊
Thank you! Foam board was much simpler to install on the ceiling, and the double layer provides about the same R value. Good point about the curtains, although when it's -18C or below, the smaller fire box on the wood stove will still need to be filled regularly. As for temps, I find that with any wood stove it's a constant dance between just perfect, much too hot, or a little cool.
Window covering, wool blankets from thrift stores, at windows keeps cold out. Weighted blanket, an 8-18 hour hot hands will keep your bed/you toasty, and a small solar generator can also keep an electric mattress pad warm, and shut off wen no longer needed.
I built a place off road I lived in part time when I had a travel job and weeks off at a time. I built it with 6” walls, fiberglass insulation and a good vapor barrier. The floor is even insulated. The wood stove even has an outside air intake. It is 384 square feet on the main level and a 2nd story with an 18/12 pitch roof. We used a Vermont Castings Aspen which is the smallest stove they make and it heats it great in subzero temperatures here in Alaska. Also I’ve never had rodent problems.
Fingerless glove-hand covers, shearling pelts on furniture, Down pillows/comforters, Wool blankets, Polartec Fleece clothes, SOCKS! Thermal drapes for all the windows and one to pull across the kitchen so the front door is “sealed” from the Living area. Just a few thoughts on how I’d make this Lovely space toasty. 😊
I have greatly enjoyed your videos and content! I truthfully find it fascinating watching you live and function off grid. I have also learned a lot from watching as well. Happy New Year and looking forward to new videos in the future!
Our Cabin is bigger 16x26 (576 square feet) but we live full time in ours, our is Cider block with the cavities filled in with quickcrete, and it retains and radiates heat very vey well. We Coffee Bricks in our wood stove, My molds are a #10 size, one of the great big ones, and a #2.5, a Baked Bean can, we put 3 of the big ones in our stove and they burn all night long and then some, Coffee Bricks burn 20% hotter and create about half the smoke, we do burn wood from time to time but mostly it's coffee bricks. The reason we went to Coffee Bricks is because they don't cost use anything, my Stepdaughter works at a coffee shop and they just give us all the used grounds I need and me brother builds furniture and I can get all sawdust I need, I get the water from the river in my back yard, basically all I have to buy is the flour I use as a bonding agent and I don't use much flour at all. We don't have a traditional stove/range either, We have a microwave, a crockpot and a 9 function air fryer.
Happy New Year! Thanks for the tips on staying warm. This year I have to build a wood shed to keep my firewood dry. I'm tired of trying to burn damp wood! - Dave
Fibreglass insulation is still used widely in Canada, my understanding is that it's perfectly safe if handled properly during installation, but I agree it's safer and far EASIER to use rockwool insulation. Another big consideration for me was the sound insulating factor. All the best.
If you're interested in seeing the off grid cabin power setup, I share it here: th-cam.com/video/HMQlddCGz7U/w-d-xo.html Cheers
As someone who used to live in a forest cabin without electricity for 2 years (and without plumbing for 10) in Finland, the first thing I did in winter was cover the windows so all your windows bugged me no end 😄 The last 17 years my cabin has been upgraded and I have all the amenities, which is nice. When I moved here from the city 27 years ago my friends and family were taking bets on how fast this former party girl from the capital would come back to civilization 😆 Proved 'em all wrong 😎
Love it, thanks for sharing. What was your biggest challenge when you first made the move off grid? And, you're not the only one commenting on the lack of thermal window coverings, it's a good idea and I plan to fix this. Cheers
Heating was the biggest thing, especially in Finland with the really cold winters. The cabin wasn't really meant for winter living so it was cooooold in spite of the large traditional masonry oven I had for heat.
Those first couple of years I added insulation as money allowed but it was rough going even so. When it got to -30 C the dogs and I were all bundled up in winter gear and huddled up under the covers. I hung heavy carpets in front of the windows, that helped.
The first two years without any power I had a small cellar under the floor for perishables, candles, oil lamps and flashlights for light. I carried water from my well to the wood burning sauna to wassh myself and my clothes.
And the outshouse was freezing in the winter! But really Heating was the main issue, even after I got electricity two years in. After 10 years I found tons of mold in the structure of the cabin - it had been empty for years before I moved in and during that time the roof had leaked and although I had the roof fixed, the damage was done... so after 10 years I burned down the old cabin and set up a new one and at the same time finally got plumbing - running water and an indoor toilet, heavenly 😂
Like your point about the windows. Big solar gain if placed properly, huge heat loss other times. We found the best way to treat them is in layers, just like clothes. A honeycomb blind and a cover of air flow resistant fabric that can be placed like a curtain.
@@cleverjoe I live in the tropics, so I'm just guessing here. if the stove works for you and you have an endless supply of wood, then is there really any need to close the windows off. I imagine for your artwork in particular that all that natural light makes it flow more harmoniously. I'm in the tropics so take my thoughts with a pinch of salt.
The cabin is a lovely set up.
Ha, that was one of my first thoughts as well. I live in Maine and winter warmth always includes heavy curtains on all windows. All of my windows are double pane, but draperies significantly help with heat loss.
Maine here... insulation is key. My old farmhouse had none so insulation was my first priority. Also a big fan of foam board and rock wool. You were smart to double up on your celing. Wood heat can't be beat for warmth and comfort. You have a lovely cabin
Thanks!
cozy as hell !!! love the art and vibe; the big windows are very nice personally
My tiny home can be heated with 5 candles. It’s very well insulated and only 10x6 on wheels. Candles is only a back up as I use electric heat when plugged in. Wood stove in the bush and diesel on the road. I’ve also got propane and a power station heated blanket combo with solar panels. The electric heater only needs 350 watts even down to -25. I did that so I could set up a solar package down the line and still use electric heat. I even made myself a small fresh air heat exchanger which I think is one of the main reason my tiny home is working well. I don’t loose much heat bringing in fresh air and that makes a huge difference. Someone needs to make one for tiny homes and van life professionally and put it on the market. Im surprised there isn’t one yet.
I like this video. I use a hot water bottle a lot. Enjoy
Thank you for watching! Hot water bottle is a great idea, we used them in our beds on cold nights at the cottage when I was a kid.
When I was growing up, wool was scratchy. I lived my life in cotton and was constantly cold. Synthetic fleece (thank you Polartec!), Smart wool and goose down changed my life!
Smart wool for the win. I grew up in scratchy wool too!
Down comforters. I wash them in huge washers at the laundromat in hot water with soap and a bit of bleach once a year in the summer, hang on my clothesline til dry, then fluff in my dryer. They last for many years, and their lightness and warmth are heavenly. You have a lovely home...and pup.
A little thermal mass around the wood stove and insulated roll-up window shades would help hold the heat, especially at night.
Great suggestions!
thanks for sharing!
Cabins are cozy with wood heat for sure, its amazing how the bees stay warm, nice spot you created
Thank you!
Just discovered you and am so pumped- at retirement I will be moving to my cabin full time and can not wait! great ideas for cozy up in the cabin. Dog in bed is definitely already part of my winter warm up ( and his).
Nice! You must be over the moon excited. Good luck with the move!
A bigger stove helps, I only reload every twelve hours at those temperatures. If it's forty below or so every eight hours. Love that heat after being out in nature!
'box section' blinds are very good to keep heat in, and occupy little space when stowed.... Maisonary/tiled fireplace have thermal mass to absorb heat and then release it slowly. We love our 'Tempcast'!
That was good! Thank you and best to you. Lots of hard work there. That can be fun too, when it’s over!😂
What a cool cabin! I have some naive questions that I’m hoping you can provide some insight on, please:
1) Why did you use foam board on the ceiling instead of rockwool?
2) The photos you include of the cabin at night don’t seem to have any thick curtains drawn, wouldn’t this help with heat loss at night and not make you get up every 5 hours for the wood stove?
3) Do you use a thermometer inside of the cabin or just go off of what it feels like to you?
Thanks in advance for any insight you might have! 😊
Thank you! Foam board was much simpler to install on the ceiling, and the double layer provides about the same R value. Good point about the curtains, although when it's -18C or below, the smaller fire box on the wood stove will still need to be filled regularly. As for temps, I find that with any wood stove it's a constant dance between just perfect, much too hot, or a little cool.
Window covering, wool blankets from thrift stores, at windows keeps cold out.
Weighted blanket, an 8-18 hour hot hands will keep your bed/you toasty, and a small solar generator can also keep an electric mattress pad warm, and shut off wen no longer needed.
Cabin centerfold made me lol
Those lights are cool.
I built a place off road I lived in part time when I had a travel job and weeks off at a time. I built it with 6” walls, fiberglass insulation and a good vapor barrier. The floor is even insulated. The wood stove even has an outside air intake. It is 384 square feet on the main level and a 2nd story with an 18/12 pitch roof. We used a Vermont Castings Aspen which is the smallest stove they make and it heats it great in subzero temperatures here in Alaska. Also I’ve never had rodent problems.
Fingerless glove-hand covers, shearling pelts on furniture, Down pillows/comforters, Wool blankets, Polartec Fleece clothes, SOCKS! Thermal drapes for all the windows and one to pull across the kitchen so the front door is “sealed” from the Living area. Just a few thoughts on how I’d make this Lovely space toasty. 😊
I have greatly enjoyed your videos and content! I truthfully find it fascinating watching you live and function off grid. I have also learned a lot from watching as well. Happy New Year and looking forward to new videos in the future!
Thank you for the kind words, I appreciate you watching!
pumpkin has the right idea!
i've got a scotch collie.can't get enuf of the cold. she's out back right now. in the sun. sleeping in a snow bank...
Our Cabin is bigger 16x26 (576 square feet) but we live full time in ours, our is Cider block with the cavities filled in with quickcrete, and it retains and radiates heat very vey well. We Coffee Bricks in our wood stove, My molds are a #10 size, one of the great big ones, and a #2.5, a Baked Bean can, we put 3 of the big ones in our stove and they burn all night long and then some, Coffee Bricks burn 20% hotter and create about half the smoke, we do burn wood from time to time but mostly it's coffee bricks. The reason we went to Coffee Bricks is because they don't cost use anything, my Stepdaughter works at a coffee shop and they just give us all the used grounds I need and me brother builds furniture and I can get all sawdust I need, I get the water from the river in my back yard, basically all I have to buy is the flour I use as a bonding agent and I don't use much flour at all. We don't have a traditional stove/range either, We have a microwave, a crockpot and a 9 function air fryer.
That sounds interesting and is new to me. Any issues with creosote buildup?
@@cleverjoe Not anymore than burning wood but I do throw a Creosote log in once a month.
Happy New Year! Thanks for the tips on staying warm. This year I have to build a wood shed to keep my firewood dry. I'm tired of trying to burn damp wood! - Dave
Good on the wood shed, dry wood is your best friend in the winter season! Thanks for watching.
Thank you for your inspirational video! Cosy and smart, made with love...may I ask - what's the wood stove you're using? The brand name?
Thank you! It's displayed during the wood stove review but the model is the Century S245. Cheers
how cold did you say?? well for me that is a 3 dog night lol - throw another dog on the bed (or two more) lol
Celsius or Fahrenheit
@@susansharp112 Celsius
BATHROOM!?
I'll be doing a video about this topic (outhouse vs composting toilets) soon.
Fiber glass have been forbiten more then 30 years ago. Câncer and lungs issues were the reasons.
Glad you don't use it.
Fibreglass insulation is still used widely in Canada, my understanding is that it's perfectly safe if handled properly during installation, but I agree it's safer and far EASIER to use rockwool insulation. Another big consideration for me was the sound insulating factor. All the best.