Topics › Engineering, Transport & Making

Best Home, DIY & practical skills videos, as recommended on Hacker News

50 videos about home, diy & practical skills that Hacker News commenters keep recommending, mentioned between 2012 and 2026. Mostly explainer, demo, documentary. Channels that come up most: Technology Connections, Kirsten Dirksen, Primitive Technology, Matt Risinger. Sorted by how consistently HN recommended them over the years.

The most recommended is Detergent packs are kinda wishy-washy (Dishwashers Explained): HN repeatedly recommends it as the definitive, mind-changing explanation of dishwasher use, even though it runs over 30 minutes.

• explainerDetergent packs are kinda wishy-washy (Dishwashers Explained)Technology Connections · 15 HN recommenders · 2021–2025
• demoBuilding a realistic artificial sun (for dark winter days)DIY Perks · 9 HN recommenders · 2020–2025
• explainerI messed up. You're using too much detergent.Technology Connections · 10 HN recommenders · 2021–2025
• explainerYour dishwasher is better than you think (tips, tricks, and how they work)Technology Connections · 6 HN recommenders · 2024–2026
• demoBest fan placement to move air through the houseMatthias random stuff · 4 HN recommenders · 2021–2025
• tutorialMaking Infrared Cooling Paint From Grocery Store Items (w/Novel CaCO₃ Microsphere Synthesis)NightHawkInLight · 5 HN recommenders · 2023–2026
• talkWhy Air Quality MattersDavid Heinemeier Hansson · 3 HN recommenders · 2018–2024
• demoPrimitive Technology: Tiled Roof HutPrimitive Technology · 3 HN recommenders · 2015–2018
• tutorialBuild a Do-It-Yourself Air Purifier for About $40Michigan Medicine · 5 HN recommenders · 2012–2022
• explainerHumidifiers: Simpler is better?Technology Connections · 5 HN recommenders · 2021–2026
• documentarySurviving in the Siberian Wilderness for 70 Years (Full Length)VICE · 4 HN recommenders · 2014–2023
• tutorialHow to tie your shoes | Terry MooreTED · 4 HN recommenders · 2015–2026
• demoMosquito trap DIY 8,000 mosquito kill reduce ZIKA DENGUE MALARIA MaxxAir Fan CO2GREENPOWERSCIENCE · 4 HN recommenders · 2018–2025
• explainerPerhaps the weakest link in the US electrical systemTechnology Connections · 4 HN recommenders · 2021–2025
• documentaryNebraska retiree uses earths's heat to grow oranges in snowKirsten Dirksen · 4 HN recommenders · 2019–2026
• explainerThe US electrical system is not 120VTechnology Connections · 4 HN recommenders · 2021–2026
• tutorialHow To Sharpen A Knife In About 5 Minutes With ONE Stone | EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FAST! 2023OUTDOORS55 · 3 HN recommenders · 2025–2026
• talkHow to use one paper towel | Joe Smith | TEDxConcordiaUPortlandTEDx Talks · 3 HN recommenders · 2016–2025
• tutorialTurning Smashed TVs into Realistic Artificial DaylightDIY Perks · 3 HN recommenders · 2019–2025
• demoLED Experiments: Making Holiday Lights Less GarishTechnology Connections · 3 HN recommenders · 2021–2024
• documentaryHow We Bought Our Abandoned House in Japan | Process, Costs, Risks, Finance, How to Find OneTokyo Llama · 3 HN recommenders · 2020–2024
• demoPrimitive Technology: Cord drill and Pump drillPrimitive Technology · 3 HN recommenders · 2016–2018
• tutorialEC's Big AnnouncementEssential Craftsman · 4 HN recommenders · 2018–2022
• documentaryNew Earthships capture more energy, water & food at lower costKirsten Dirksen · 3 HN recommenders · 2020–2026
• explainerBed Bugs- What You've Been Told is Totally FalseMark Rober · 3 HN recommenders · 2023–2025
• documentaryThe Secret Life of Machines - Vacuum Cleaners 1/2Buddy Runyan · 3 HN recommenders · 2017–2020
• talkGSMT - Dan Holohan, Author: "The Lost Art of Steam Heating"The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen · 3 HN recommenders · 2018–2021
• tutorial(405) Choosing a High Security LockBill Johnson · 3 HN recommenders · 2016–2017
• documentaryExtreme transformer home in Hong Kong: Gary Chang's 24 rooms in 1Kirsten Dirksen · 2 HN recommenders · 2019–2024
• documentaryEarth-cooled, shipping container underground CA home for 30KKirsten Dirksen · 2 HN recommenders · 2018–2021
• documentaryThis Swiss Builder uses NO INSULATION...Matt Risinger · 2 HN recommenders · 2019–2020
• demoCody's Algae PanelCody'sLab · 2 HN recommenders · 2022–2023
• explainerWhy Britain Uses Separate Hot and Cold TapsTom Scott · 2 HN recommenders · 2015–2025
• documentaryOldest US mall blends old/modern with 225-sq-ft micro-loftsKirsten Dirksen · 2 HN recommenders · 2017–2022
• demoCopper vs Pex vs SharkBite - Freeze TestingMatt Risinger · 2 HN recommenders · 2018–2022
• documentaryUnderground dome house of the family who led geese to fly homeKirsten Dirksen · 2 HN recommenders · 2023–2026
• demoPrimitive Technology: Forge BlowerPrimitive Technology · 2 HN recommenders · 2016–2018
• demoNew vs Old Room Fire Final ULjarhead96 · 2 HN recommenders · 2017–2021
• tutorialHow to Make a DIY Air Filter | Ask This Old HouseThis Old House · 2 HN recommenders · 2021–2022
• explainerHow to design an actually good toaster with lessons from the 1940'sTechnology Connections · 2 HN recommenders · 2022–2024
• tutorialTable Saw Safety: My Accident and How to Avoid Your OwnMrFixItDIY · 2 HN recommenders · 2018–2020
• explainerWhat is a rocket mass heater?paul wheaton · 2 HN recommenders · 2018–2022
• explainerThe Car-Replacement Bicycle (the bakfiets)Not Just Bikes · 3 HN recommenders · 2022–2026
• explainerAwnings: a simple cooling tech we apparently forgot aboutTechnology Connections · 2 HN recommenders · 2024–2025
• demoPrimitive Technology: Stone Axe (celt)Primitive Technology · 1 HN recommender · 2019–2023
• explainerA simple water heater is more clever than it seemsTechnology Connections · 1 HN recommender · 2023–2025
• demoFire test: wooden house vs. ordinary housePaulius Milčius · 1 HN recommender · 2019–2021
• tutorialPassive House - Fresh Air System Install & Costs (Zehnder)Matt Risinger · 1 HN recommender · 2020–2022
• documentaryHow to Make a $1500 Sandwich in Only 6 MonthsHow To Make Everything · 1 HN recommender · 2016–2021
• documentaryLego-style apartment transforms into infinite spacesKirsten Dirksen · 1 HN recommender · 2012–2018