Firewood Log Splitter

All You Need to Know About Types of Log Splitters

What Is a Log Splitter, To Begin with?

To a beginner, all log splitters can appear the same. However, there are several types of this essential tool – a log splitter can be manual, electrical, or gas-powered. A log splitter takes away the physical chore of splitting firewood with an axe, and if you have lots to split like we do, you will want to invest in a good log splitter.

Generally speaking, a firewood log splitter is a machine used to separate the trunk of a tree into two vertical halves by slamming it into a sharp wedge with a brutal force.

Depending on the source of power readily available to you at your locality, you can go with the manual variety or choose between the electrical and gas-powered options.

So, Which Type Is Perfect for Off-grid Living?

Whoa, not so fast friend! When choosing a log splitter, a few other factors need to be considered besides the location of your home and the type of “fuel” available.

Of great importance, however, is an understanding of the features of each type of tool as well as its benefits and drawbacks. If you glean at the differences between the three types, you will certainly identify one tool perfect for off-grid living. For that reason, let’s begin by glancing at the features and differences between the three types of log splitters.

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Pelican Sled

Our Pelican 75 Sled 

Living off grid in the winter can be a challenge for getting around.  I don’t know what we would do without our snowmobiles and pelican sled to carry cargo in the winter.

We have used these sleds for ice fishing and for hauling everything from groceries to lumber into the off grid property.

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Mosquito and Tick repellent clothing

Insect Repellent Clothing

The mosquitoes are so bad out on our off grid property this year that I had to source something better than spray this year.

Men’s Insect Repellent Shirt

I was surprised and somewhat skeptical when I hear about mosquito repellent clothing but I decided I needed to give it a try because really what did I have to lose? Either it’s going to work and I’ll be thrilled or it won’t and I’ll have a new shirt or pants.

Men’s Insect Repellent Pants

So I did some searching and bought a long sleeve shirt and a pair of pants. When I bought them I was just concerned about the mosquito repellent abilities of this clothing, but then also discovered that this clothing is also rated as tick repellent clothing, what a bonus that is as we do often do some hiking in the bush and ticks are known to be in our area as well.

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Most Effective Mosquito Repellents

Find out more about the Most Effective Mosquito Repellents



This spring at the cabin it has been so wet and our summer hasn’t started out much better. We really do need the moisture though after the forest fires from the last two years but the mosquito population is now at an all time high.

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What’s the best rat trap

Best Rat Traps on the Market

This year has been a really bad year for mice and rats, we have mice where they have never been before and it appears most of the neighborhood is experiencing the same problem.

Why do we have such an increase in rodent activity? I suspect it has something to do with the weather, we have had an unusually cool summer with much more rain than usual. Here is an article I found that talks about how weather can affect rodents. Home owners over run by mice

The best Traps

I don’t like to use poison as we are out in the country and who know what is going to eat that poisoned rat or mouse, so we are careful with how we get rid of these critters.

This year I found these new traps and I just love them! They are way better than the old Victors (that’s the old wooden ones grandma used) The Catchmaster traps I think are the best, they are so easy to set and to take the mouse or rat out of. They come in three sizes. I have them all!

Catchmaster 2-Pack Snapper Easy Set Mouse Trap
In the past we have tried all kinds of makes and models of mouse and rat traps, some works OK and others not at all. These are by far the best, and very easy to set and very easy to remove the mice as well. The trap is built well, not flimsy at all.

Price: $19.90 (two pack) Mouse Trap

Price : $24.97 Rat Trap

What to use for Bait?

Rodents eat mostly nuts and seeds – I think the majority of people use peanut butter to bait the traps.


I have used peanut butter before, but I found if I put two or three pumpkin seeds in the well of these new traps works very well.

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Off Grid Tools

Off Grid Tools Survival Axe Ultimate Outdoor Multitool-Hatchet Hammer Saw, Black

This is an excellent off grid tool, an all in one that comes with a Hatchet Blade, Hammer head, Nail Claw and Pry bar as well as a replaceable 6″ saw blade, but that’s not all.  It also has 5 hex sockets and a hardened steel glass breaker and seat belt cutter.

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Plowing the way out with Extreme Max 5500.5010 UniPlow One-Box ATV Plow

ATV Snowplow a must this winter

When living off grid often you will find yourself having to plow your way out in the winter. We have an ATV for the 2 km piece of road we have to plow out. This blade has proven to be an excellent asset to us.

UniPlow One-Box ATV Plow – everything you need to put a plow on your ATV

Price:  $537.94 (includes everything you need)  You just can’t beat that price.  

Everything you need to hook a snow plow up to your ATV. The box will include a plow blade, universal mount, and push tube assembly. The universal mount will fit most ATVs on the market.

This blade can be installed in minimal time and comes with everything you need to start moving snow.

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Portable Washing Machine

portable washing machine

We have been spending a lot of time out at the cabin this year and I’ve found it a bit of a pain to travel back and forth just to get some laundry done.  It’s time to find a portable washing machine.

I suppose I could go down to the spring and do it the old-fashioned way with a washboard, but somehow that just doesn’t sound like too much fun to me. lol.

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Tesla Off Grid Generator

Tesla Off Grid Generator

Tesla Off Grid Generator

Tesla’s electrical energy

A Tesla generator is a device that transforms the Sun’s radiant (electromagnetic energy) into power, electric power that will help to power your home.



More and more people are turning to renewable energy sources and becoming more eco friendly.  Finding and using more environmentally energy sources is becoming more important to many people.

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