Maine Cabin Masters FAQ
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Disclaimer - Unaffiliated with the Maine Cabin Masters
I am not affiliated with the Maine Cabin Masters, Magnolia Network, or Hero Media Arts/Hero Media Network. All opinions expressed here are my own. We are simply fans of the show.
This FAQ was developed for the “Friends Who Like Maine Cabin Masters” Facebook Group. With >70k members, this is the Official FB Fan Group for MCM. Originating at their headquarters, the Lead Administrator is Mike Eldridge, Cabin Master Ryan Eldridge’s Dad,
I am greatly indebted to David Emmith, owner of the cabin in episode 610, 2 Bathrooms, No Bedrooms, for his immense assistance in assembling this FAQ.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Please DO NOT disclose locations or photos of cabins being worked on by the Maine Cabin Masters. - Please keep posts relevant to Maine Cabin Masters.
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The Maine Cabin Master’s have many younger fans who don’t need to be exposed to foul or improper language. Please be sure of your facts given…..this is not a gossip site! - Friends MUST like the show and its cast!
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- PLEASE read the Featured Posts before posting.
Maine Cabin Masters is produced exclusively for Magnolia Network. There are a few ways to watch:
- Discovery+ and MAX: Previous seasons 1 – 8 are available for streaming on both Discovery+ and MAX. As with these seasons, future seasons will be added once the airing of the full season has aired on Magnolia Network, although this timing is solely up to Discovery Networks.
- Disney+: You need to add Hulu Live to Disney Plus to watch the show, but only seasons 1 – 6 are available.
- Cable Providers: Comcast/xfinity (ch. 121 or 240), Spectrum (ch. 103), Verizon/Fios (ch. 167/667 HD), and Cox TV (the channel depends on the region) are currently providing Magnolia Network as part of their line-ups. Many other local cable systems, such as D&P Communications in Michigan, are also carrying Magnolia. However, Bee Line Cable in Maine does not offer the channel.
- Satellite Providers: AT&T U-verse (ch. 454/1454 HD), DirecTV (ch. 230), Dish (ch. 111), Interstate Telecom (ch. 112), and Mediacom (ch. 296/881 HD) are all showing Magnolia Network.
- Sling Lifestyle Extra Bundle: With Sling on a Roku or other device, the additional Lifestyle Extra bundle includes Magnolia Network. Note that you need the main Blue Sling package first (not just the Orange package), then add the Lifestyle bundle to it.
- YouTubeTV. Magnolia Network is part of the basic package, and first-run episodes are included.
- Philo: Magnolia Network is part of the Philo base subscription package on a supported device.
- Hulu: On the Hulu streaming service, Magnolia Network is part of the basic package.
- Amazon Prime via IMDb: The Maine Cabin Master Episode Guide on IMDb includes links to individual episodes that are available on Amazon Prime Video. Note that not all episodes are available.
- Google Play Movies: You can purchase either complete seasons or individual episodes on the Google Play Store.
- Vudu: You can purchase either complete seasons or individual episodes on Vudu.com.
Season 1 | January 2, 2017 – March 13, 2017 | 11 episodes |
Season 2 | November 27, 2017 – March 26, 2018 | 16 episodes |
Season 3 | December 3, 2018 – April 1, 2019 | 16 episodes |
Season 4 | December 4, 2019 – April 6, 2020 | 13 episodes |
Season 5 | April 13, 2019 – May 25, 2019 | 7 episodes |
Note: Originally airing as part of season 4 as 414 – 420, those episodes were renumbered as 501 – 507 to create season 5 on or about December 3, 2020. This is the reason for the apparent late start date for season 5. | ||
Season 5 Repacks | June 1, 2020 – July 20, 2020 | 8 repacks |
Season 6 | November 30, 2020 – April 26, 2021 | 10 episodes |
Season 6 Repacks | March 15, 2021 – June 14, 2021 | 8 repacks |
Season 7 | November 29, 2021 – March 14, 2022 | 16 episodes |
Season 7 Repacks | July 11, 2022 – August 22, 2022 | 7 repacks |
Season 8 | November 7, 2022 – February 27, 2023 | 15 episodes |
Season 8 Repacks | August 21, 2023 – October 16, 2023 | 9 repacks |
Season 9 | October 23, 2023 – March 11, 2024 | 16 episodes |
Season 9 Repacks | November 20, 2023 – June 10, 2024 | 8 repacks |
“Building Italy | June 17 – July 22, 2024 | 6 episodes |
In researching the answer to these questions, we’ve been made aware that there are, in fact, three separate and distinct season and episode numbering systems for the Maine Cabin Masters. One of these really isn’t any kind of “system”, but it exists and we do have to recognize that it’s there.
Two factors have gone into why season and episode numbers are so confusing.
The first issue occurred because season 4 contained 20 episodes. For some reason, which has never been explained, on about December 20, 2020, the season was split up by (at the time) DIY Network to create what we know as season 5. Episodes 401 to 413 remained in season 4, while episodes 414 to 420 became 501 to 507.
This split of season 4 into seasons 4 and 5 is why the episode shown on May 27, 2024, “Best of Season 5”, is to fans “Best of season 6″. This also happened with the repack titled “Best of Season 6” shown on August 12, 2024, which fans recognized as “Best of Season 7″. Internally, Dorsey Pictures uses their own season and episode numbers. They track what they call “build seasons”. As described by Producer Lisa Stanley, “There will be more ‘best of season’ episodes and those seasons may not match up exactly. It goes by build season and doesn’t count how the network may have split things up, renumbered a season or if there were any special seasons in between”. Because of the earlier season split by DIY Network, to Dorsey Pictures, season 6 was technically “build season 5”, which is why, to them, “Best of Season 5” was the correct title for what to fans was “Best of Season 6″.
If Dorsey Pictures is then internally behind one season, why are carriers ahead one season, showing season 9 and labeling it season 10? Your Moderators use the Maine Cabin Masters’ own web site at https://mainecabinmasters.com/episode-guide/ as our reference for season and episode numbers. Their episode guide reflects the split of season 4 into seasons 4 and 5, and only lists “build seasons” (with one exception: their episode 905, “Total Teardowns”, is a repack). Their episode guide lists season 9 the way we reference it. So, how did this occur?
Lisa Stanley explained: “It’s confusing! We always have specific season numbers we follow internally and then the network changes it however they need to for airing purposes. They will sometimes split episodes from one season into another or start one season as something and change it to another.”
An example of this can be seen in the label on the DVD sent to David and Maria Emmith, owners of 610, “2 Bathrooms, No Bedrooms”. Not only is the episode number different, but so is the episode’s title.
With this in mind, the reason why carriers are generally ahead one season, such as showing season 9 and labeling it season 10, is the repacks. This becomes even more confusing as there’s literally no way to make sense of any of it over time.
Repacks began on June 1, 2020, with “Top Ten Waterfront Episodes”, only one week after the original season 4 ended. The split of season 4 into seasons 4 and 5 then took place on or about December 3, 2020.
What happened then is that the network began labeling the repacks with their own internal season and episode numbers, something carriers need to have for the broadcasts. Remember though, internally Dorsey numbers the repacks differently from what they call their “build seasons”. The network then is known to have either numbered repacks with a previous season, or to create a new season with them. This latter action then throws off the numbering for the MCM-labeled build season from their episode guide that we use in the Group. This is what has resulted in the carriers showing season 9 and labeling it season 10, and doing the same with earlier repacks after the original season 4.
As with seasons 6, 7, and 8, the current season will not be released on the Discovery+ and Max streaming services until after the full season airs on cable and satellite carriers, Sling, Philo, etc., i.e. those having daily broadcast schedules. This is always up to the folks at Discovery Networks.
There are two street addresses for this location, as one is retail, and the other is for The Woodshed. Use the following though, and you won’t get lost:
915 Western Avenue
Manchester, Maine
04351
The Back Forty is not open to the public. While locals know where this is, this location is now the personal workspaces and offices for the sole use by the Maine Cabin Masters team.. It’s also doubtful this location will be seen any further than it was in the episode. When in the area, please visit the team’s Retail Shop and The Woodshed, as well as visiting the site for the schedule of events there: https://thewoodshedmaine.com/events/
They were never on HGTV, except for a few promotional airings. The Maine Cabin Masters first episode, 101 – The Daggett Family Camp, aired on DIY Network on January 2, 2017. Chip & Joanna Gaines bought DIY Network in 2020, with the intention of renaming it as Magnolia Network. This renaming occurred on January 5, 2022. The first Maine Cabin Masters episode with Magnolia Network branding during end credits was 712 – Revamping the Cook’s Beach Camp, on February 14, 2022. The majority of carriers maintained the same channel position as was used for DIY Network.
Note: Any network branding “bug” in the bottom-right corner of the screen, as well as similar branding in “bumpers” for commercials, are added during the episode’s broadcast and are not indicative of the episode’s branding. The episode’s branding can only be found in its end credits, which are added during editing.
They didn’t really change channels … DIY became Magnolia Network. Even DIY was part of an extra bundle on all carriers. If there’s additional cost from before, that’s the carrier. Sling and DirecTV didn’t change their costs, while maintaining the same channel numbers.
The official Episode Guide for the From The Woodshed podcast can be found at:
The costs covered by the cabin owners are for materials only. The production company pays all labor. Additionally, 3rd party vendors may offer their services at greatly reduced rates because being on the show is like free advertising. And of course, there’s Chase and his crew’s propensity to reuse and repurpose existing materials.
To watch Chase and Ryan explain the budget, listen to this segment of their very first From The Woodshed podcast on their YouTube channel beginning at the 12:57 minute mark:
New seasons always begin airing in November or December.
Anyone with any television and video experience will tell you it’s difficult work. The average build time for each residential build on Maine Cabin Masters over the eight seasons that have aired so far is 9.3 weeks. Some, such as 215, A Family Cabin Fit for a King, and 507, A Changing Of The Gurd’s Camp, ended up being 16 weeks each.
Approximately 40 hours of camera footage for each build is edited down to the final 40-minute episode (no, that episode length has not changed whatsoever), along the way going back-and-forth between editing, production leads, and the Network for changes, etc. It’s a huge amount of work
There’s a dedicated team taking care of the Production side of the show. We posed the following question to one of the individuals involved in Production: “How many other shows do the filming and post-production teams work on?” This was their response, which echoes information given on the “From The Woodshed” podcasts:
“Generally our main staff (producers, editors, etc.) are dedicated to only working on MCM and their work can take place both in the field and in the office. The actual film crew (camera operators, audio, etc.) are all freelance so they work on other shows when they’re not booked on MCM … The amount of episodes we film a season is dependent on how many episodes the network orders and how much Chase & his team can handle. 14-16 episodes in a season is usually the sweet spot. We’ve done 20 episodes in one season [season 4 before the last seven episodes were split off to create season 5] and it was challenging.”
NO. They’re all still working on the show, regardless of any outside activities. If any of them leave, we’ll let you know as soon as we know.
In season 2 episode 16, “A Cabin For The YMCA”, the team also takes the time to complete Chase’s barn. While they’re giving it back to him Lance says “I got a couple of surprises for you guys. One’s bittersweet. I think it’s gonna be my last year. We’re having a little boy.” There are happy hugs all around, and he says “So I’m gonna be raising a little boy next summer.”
He then follows by explaining separately in an interview segment, ”You know, it’s been a great couple years. We’ve done a lot of stuff. Put 27 cabins back together. Love working with the guys, love doing all this stuff. I’m at a point right now in my life where I’m gonna raise a family. And between child-rearing and farming, I’m not gonna have time to do this anymore. Hopefully I’ll get some time to come back, but as it stands, I’m gonna start raising a family.” He then gave Chase the rented ponies, to get Chase back for giving Lilly and himself non-rented emus… You can keep up-to-date with Lance by subscribing to his YouTube channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0DSxI0aRhcRkDM8zLEu7nA
Lance later made a cameo appearance in episode 302, “Paws, Present, and Future.
No, but as they winter in Hawaii the cabin is available for rent during those months. You can rent the cabin during that time by following this link:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/48069101
In talking with Maine Cabin Masters HQ, and in asking individuals at Dorsey Pictures, we’ve learned neither have any influence over the episode numbering used by your carriers. In fact, with so many issues, carrier numbering can largely be ignored. The numbering this Group works from is the team’s own guide, which only lists Build episodes:
- Maine Cabin Masters Episode Guide
https://mainecabinmasters.com/episode-guide/
As mentioned above, the MCM episode guide only lists Build episodes: Repack episodes aren’t mentioned in their guide. Carrier episode numbering for the repacks becomes more confusing as they rarely match each other. Here in the Group, we add the Repack episodes to the previous Build season.
For example, while the three repacks shown on August 21, 28, and September 4, 2023 were listed as episodes 901, 902, and 903 by carriers such as Spectrum, Dish, Sling, etc., we’ve numbered them as 816, 817, and 818. The first Build episode of season 9 in November or December will be numbered as 901 on the MCM episode guide, so our numbers fit into their numbering sequence.
You’ll find this complete numbering in two locations, which Dave Liske and David Emmith from this Group take care of themselves:
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6906110/
- Cuisinology: http://cuisinology.com/maine-cabin-masters-episode-guide/
While this numbering is not endorsed by either the Maine Cabin Masters or Dorsey Pictures, they’re aware of how we do this, and have not asked us to change it.
Look for “Camp ‘Contee Going Up!”, and you might find it’s actually “A Container Conversion”, and vice-versa. Season 7 episode 13, “Camp ‘Contee Going Up!”, and season 7 episode 14, “A Container Conversion”, were originally aired in reverse of what was announced. Because of this, many carriers will still show one episode on their schedule and air the other. It’s currently difficult to tell which will air at the specified time.
To live in freedom.
To go forward.
To love family.
To make something of life.
To never give up. To never quit.
That’s success.
– Travis Mills
Maine has its own annual Dexter Red Hot Dog Festival, which was held this year on August 12, 2023. Details may be found at: https://www.redhotdog.org
Local media in Maine reports on this from time-to-time, noting not only the popularity but also versions of the reason behind the red coloring:
“W.A. Bean & Sons … has been making the natural casing treats since 1918 … ‘We are the only makers of the red hot dogs left in the state of Maine,’ [Sean Smith, director of marketing and sales development] said … W.A. Bean produces an estimated 400,000 pounds of snappers each year, both under its own name and the Rice’s label that the family began producing nearly a decade ago, after negotiating a deal with its former owner and former competitor… It isn’t entirely clear why the red coloring was introduced. One legend has it that the coloring historically was added by the original European makers of frankfurters to mask less-than-premium ingredients … Smith, however, speculated that W.A. Bean added its signature coloring as a way of making its frankfurters stand out amid a sea of competitors. ‘And it took off.’” [Dawn Gagnon, August 17, 2012. Bangor company’s “red snapper” hot dogs are a beloved taste of Maine. Bangor, Maine: Bangor Daily News.]
The London-based Newcomen Society “exists to encourage study of the history of engineering and technology from ancient times to the present day.” The former American arm of the Society, founded in 1939 and disbanded in 2007, held their “1992 Maine Meeting” in Portland. Joseph “Chet” Jordan, grandson of the local meatpacker Jordan’s Meats founder and Chairman of the company at the time, was the Guest Of Honor. He gave the address “Jordan’s Meats: A Thriving Business in Its Third Generation–built Primarily on ‘hot Dogs’” on October 9th. The Society subsequently published the text of his address in 1993 as a 24-page pamphlet with historical photos from Jordan’s Meats. Mr. Jordan’s address specifically addressed the history of Maine’s red frankfurters.
“… Charles and Richard Schonland … were sons of German immigrants, and their father ran the leading sausage business in Lawrence [Massachusetts]. In 1891, the brothers had decided to found their own company and ‘investigated several cities’ before deciding on Portland. Schonlands began operations in a leased building … but later built their own building … Schonlands introduced the so called ‘red franks’ to Maine, and their distribution was Portland, Lewiston, Auburn, Biddeford, Saco and Sanford. This is why the ‘red franks’ today are still popular in those areas. They colored their hot dogs red to differentiate their product from the competition … Pa worked at Schonland Brothers, where he learned much and planned for the day when he could start his own company … [I]n 1927, the year I was born, my parents founded Jordan’s Ready-To-Eat-Meats … In 1935 a major benchmark was reached when Pa purchased Schonland Brothers, his former employers … [T]he red hot dogs that so many people associate with Jordan’s are only one of our many products. As I mentioned before this was a kind of trademark for Schonland Brothers which was continued by Jordan’s after the purchase. In fact, it was Jordan’s who introduced the red franks to Aroostook County in the mid-1930s. The ingredients of the red frank are identical to those in our uncolored franks, but demand for the red frank is still traditional in many parts of the state.”
The tradition of Maine’s red hot dogs has relocated since Chet Jordan’s address. As of the time of this writing, W.A. Bean is still producing both their own and the C.H. Rice versions of Maine’s red hot dog in Bangor, and is the only in-state manufacturer of the product.
Dixie’s Maine Seafood Chowdah (i.e., Chowder)
Ingredients
Ingredients – Full Batch, Dixie Style
- 8 Tbsp Butter (1 stick)
- 2/3 cup water
- 3 slices thick-cut salt pork or bacon
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 6 medium Russet potatoes
- 1 16oz can clam juice
- 1 lb clams
- 1 lb crab meat
- 1 lb lobster meat, cooked and cleaned
- 1 lb scallops
- 1 lb haddock
- 1 lb shrimp, small, cooked
- 1/2 gallon half-and-half or whole milk
- 2 bay leaves
- Oyster crackers (for serving)
Ingredients – Quarter Batch
- 2 Tbsp butter (1/4 stick)
- 3 Tbsp water
- 1 slice thick-cut salt pork or bacon
- 1/4 medium or 1/2 small yellow onion
- 2 medium Russet potatoes
- 4 fl oz clam juice
- 4 oz clams
- 4 oz crab meat
- 4 oz lobster meat, cooked and cleaned
- 4 oz scallops
- 4 oz haddock
- 4 oz shrimp, small, cooked
- 1 pint half-and-half or whole milk
- 1 bay leaf
- Oyster crackers (for serving)
Instructions
- Chop the onion. Peel and dice the potatoes to uniform size, about 1/2 inch cubes. In a large stock pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat and add salt pork or bacon. Add the chopped onion, and sauté until the onion is translucent. Add the water, clam juice, bay leaf, and potatoes. Simmer until the potatoes are tender.
- Chop the clams, then add the clams, crab, lobster meat, and shrimp to the pot. In a separate small pot, scald the milk but do not bring to a boil. Then add the scalded milk to the large stock pot. Stir minimally, then add the scallops and place the haddock on the top. Let simmer for 1 hour, stirring minimally, and do not let boil. (You may need to add more milk or half and half due to large amounts of seafood.)
- Serve the chowdah with oyster crackers.
What follows is a direct transcription of the information given in episode 313, “Diamond in the Rough” by mixologist Sylvi of the Hunt & Alpine Club in Portland, Maine. In the episode, Sylvi had first made them a Jungle Bird tiki cocktail, and then a classic Mai Tai before playing around with ingredients to come up with the Adirondaquiri. As with any recipe for mixed drinks, feel free to modify the recipe to your own tastes.
“We’re doing the Classic Silver with dark rum [Cruzan Aged Dark Rum], so this is aged for a couple of years, and then instead of the Orgeat [syrup] we’re doing Falernum, which is another syrup used in tiki cocktails. It’s got an almond spice, it’s got nutmeg and clove and a little bit of lime to it. It’s a great way to sweeten a cocktail without just adding sugar. Some house-made grenadine and then some fresh-squeezed pineapple and some lime juice and then some overproof rum, and then set it on fire which was quite fun.”
Bloopers: Adiron-Dacky. Daquiri. Adiron-Dickie? Adiron-Dacky-Ree. Ashley: “That rum went straight to my head.”
Airondaquiri
- 3 oz Cruzan Aged Dark Rum
- 1 oz Falernum syrup
- 1 oz grenadine
- 1 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice
- A splash of Cruzan 151 overproofed rum before lighting
In New England B&M, originally out of Portland, Maine, (which has since closed) offers traditional brown bread in a can in most grocery stores, as well as a version with raisins added. (Other B&M facilities still produce their products, since 1962.) Their product description is at https://bmbeans.com/product/brown-bread-plain/, a product also available for ordering online. A traditional recipe for the bread was included in “What’s Cooking Down in Maine”, by William C. Roux in 1964. In this description, you can see the recipe dates back to at least the early 1900s
“Grandmother Willan always had brown bread to go with her Saturday night baked beans. It was steamed in the oven for the last 4 hours that the beans were baking. She used quart-sized lard pails. Later there were 3-pound shortening cans.”
- 4 cups white corn meal
- 1 teaspoon baking powder, dissolved in sour milk
- 2 cups flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup molasses
- 4 cups sour milk *
Sift the meal, flour, and salt together. Add the baking powder, molasses and sour milk and mix well. Steam in a well-greased covered can for 4 hours. Grandmother used an iron kettle half full of water in the oven and put the can in it. It can be done on the top of the stove, if you prefer.
* NOTE: To make 1 cup sour milk for baking, use 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice and enough milk to equal 1 cup. Stir and let stand for 5 minutes before using. This will give the right amount of acidity for the recipe.
In his 1964 book “What’s Cooking Down In Maine”, William C. Roux relayed a recipe for Maine Baked Beans from an earlier cookbook. A traditional bean pot as mentioned in this recipe can be found at: https://www.amazon.com/International-7621-Traditional-4-5-Quart-Ceramic/dp/B0026FDD10/
Kenneth Roberts’ Bean-Pot Beans
Actually, these were his Grandmother’s beans and were very much like my Grandmother’s. I guess all Grandmothers from that era made unforgettable baked beans. Mr. Roberts’ recipe appeared in his book “Trending Into Maine” together with a number of others. Mr. Roberts wrote:
Makes 6 to 8 servings. My Grandmother’s beans were made like this:
- 4 cups small white beans
- 1 pound piece of salt pork
- 1 large peeled onion
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- 1 heaping teaspoon dry mustard
- Four cupfuls of small white beans were picked over to eliminate the worm-holed specimens and the small stones that so mysteriously intrude among all beans, then covered with water and left to soak overnight.
- Early the next morning, usually around five o’clock, they were put in a saucepan, covered with cold water and heated until a white scum appeared on the water. They were then taken off the stove, the water taken out, and the bean-pot produced.
- In the bottom of the bean-pot was produced a one pound piece of salt pork, slashed through the rind at half-inch intervals, together with a large peeled onion, then the beans were poured into the pot on top of the pork and onion, On the beans were put a heaping teaspoon of mustard, half a cup of molasses, and a teaspoon of pepper; the bean-pot was filled with boiling water, and the pot put in a slow oven.
- At the end of two hours, a tablespoon of salt was dissolved in a cup of boiling water and added to the beans. Every hour or so thereafter the cover was removed, and enough boiling water poured in to replace that which had boiled away.
- An hour before suppertime, the cover was taken off for good, the salt pork pulled to the top, and no more water added. Thus the pork, in the last hour, was crisped and browned, and the top layer of beans crusted and scorched.
- When the beans were served, the pork was saved and the scorched beans skimmed off and thrown away. The two great tricks of bean-making seemed to be the frequent adding of water up to the final hour of baking, so that no part of the beans had an opportunity to become dry, and the removal of the cover during the last hour.