Best Way to Store an Extension Cord 

The first time I tried this, my migraines ended, I got a stupendous promotion, and I found a pot of gold under my bed. I can’t wait to put away my extension cord again!

Stuff like this is what makes the internet great.

Thanks Dirt Farmer Jay. 50 years ago I worked for my grandfather's mechanical contracting company as an apprentice pipe fitter. At the end of each work day, it was my job to wind up the extension cords and put them in the gang box. I learned the method you showed in your video where you make the 1st loop at the middle of the cord. Unfortunately, about 20 years ago I forgot how to do this method, and my cords have been a mess ever since. Thanks for the refresher course, Dirt Farmer Jay. U da man!

Wow. I absolutely never thought I'd be this excited about winding a cord up.

You crocheted your extension cord!😊 I’ve done it with yarn forever but never would have thought about an extension cord. Thank you!

Having lived on a sailboat for many years I prefer to coil my extension cords like I would coil rope. You just have to feel the natural twist of wires within the cord and wrap it in equal loops hand to hand, not over your arm which throws in unnatural twists. As you feed it hand to hand your fingers easily twist out unnatural bends until you end up with a soft coil, not one that is trying to buck in all directions. This is easily hung up or stored in a box with other cords. It is a lot faster because you are coiling it at the same time as straightening it out. An attached length of string is simply tied in a bow to keep it together or, again attached, velcro cord fasteners. Each to his own. Never-the-less this was a well documented video.

I was doing this in the garage today and my wife said, “hey, I didn’t know you knew how to crochet”. So for all you guys doing this, just know you could crochet a scarf like nobodies business!

I'm 74 years old and always wanted to learn this method. Your right wrapping around your arms them throwing out when you want to use it takes 5 to 20 minutes to unravel with a hundred foot cord like I have thanks again😊

I like the way he explains himself. Very definitive and speaks with confidence. Subscribed!

Thanks Dirt Farmer Jay for showing me how to do this. My Grandfather was a carpenter and as soon as I saw your video I flashed back to see his cords bundled in his old wooden tool box. He died in '89 when I was barely out of high school and I never asked him how or why he did his cords this way. Now I know. Can't wait to get home and do my cords like this. Great video! :)

Thanks Jay, We used to use this method in rock climbing and repelling since you could throw the entire rope off a cliff and have no worries that it would unravel without any problems. I also worked in the construction trades for years and my brother and I would always "roll up" our cords this way. Since we worked for ourselves we never had to worry about a boss losing his mind because we did it differently than everyone else. It sure made unraveling cords in the morning easier and quicker. By the way, it saves you time because while everyone else is trying to get all of their cords unraveled you're already working. It just takes a little practice to become very good at it.

Thank you for your patient and clear explanation. Unlike others who have posted similar videos, I could actually follow your instructions, and duplicate your actions.

Been doing this since I was in my early 20s! I'm 63 now, and still works for me! Thanks for showing this to those who didn't know!

Like others here have mentioned, my father also taught me this trick over 50 years ago. I haven't used it lately and your video has rekindled my interest in using it again. I had forgotten about plugging the two ends together first, so now I won't waste time remembering that when I start using this method again. Thanks, Jay!

I had seen this method used back in the seventies, but never knew how or why it was done this way. Thanks so much for the education!

Thanks, I've been struggling with cords for 50 years, no more!

I always use a figure-of-eight coil to keep the kinks out, but your way is way faster! I love that a series of half hitches solves it. (The right knot is the solution to most problems :-) I saw this years ago, forgot where I saw it and wished I'd practiced it. Glad I found you again! That'll extend the life of your cord too - less "work hardening" of the copper from bending it tightly. Thanks!

Glad someone put this on RU-vid. I'm 41 now, learned this when I was 15, installing landfill liners. We only used 100' cords. Same thing when I was in commercial roofing. Thanks for teaching people.

I have been around construction, carpenters, for over 30 years and YOU of all people in the world FINALLY taught me how to do this! Thank you! My 2021 is starting off to a great start! (By the way my 1st time doing this was with a 50 ft cord that's been in a bundled mess 😬)

I agree with the fellow before me This is what makes the internet great. Thank you Farmer Jay. 72 years old retired mechanic I love these tips God bless

I am partially disabled & female with almost zero “handyman” type skills. In other words I struggle just hammering in a nail. I DID THIS! 25ft then 100ft cords! Omg’sh too simple & so much benefit! THANK YOU! Now I’m off to binge on the rest of your videos!

Learned this in 78' while working for a master carpenter in a theater. My dad was a carpenter and I learned a lot from him, but all of the tricks I learned from doing theater carpentry I've found really helpful. We mostly used it for rope, but we also used it for electric cables suspended above a work table in the center of the shop.

I learned this trick 40 years ago, but I have long since forgotten how to do it! So now I have relearned it and hopefully I will remember now. Thanks!

Jay, you saved my day…I’ve seen this done by truck drivers and rope but, they went so fast I couldn’t pick it up. Now, with your guided and slower chain wrapping, I believe I got it, if not, I have your video as a reference. I’ll follow your example and practice until I get it perfect. A BIG thank you😊

Thanks Jay for this "AWESOME" tip on storing electrical cords. I've been winding my electrical cords wrong, all along, for 45 years as demonstrated here after watching your video. I guess its NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN as they say.

I've tried explaining this method for yrs and hardly any one understands

I was taught this method while in the Army and everyone used it that I know of. But, after decades, I'd forgotten just how to get started. Thanks for the refresher, the talk through, the repeats and the explanation of the whys concerning the hows. That's proper instruction!

Called a daisy chain. Don’t know why. Carpenter here and I’ve been doing this for 50 years. Thanks for sharing.

I’ve been doing this for several years, after learning it from my old boss. Great technique! Appreciate you sharing this!

I was taught that cord wrangle back in 1982 working on a job site by an oldtimer security guard that served in the navy. Glad to see it being taught here great job

I've been doing that loop, without doubling the cord in half, for about 30 years. That is a pretty good improvement. It's the first time I've seen anyone else outside my company, where I learned it, has used that loop-knot. Well done.

Back in 1980 I was a senior in high school and worked for a live theater. The head carpenter showed me how to do this and we used it all the time. Since then I had forgotten how to wind it and I can't believe I just found it again. Thanks so much.

I am 68 years old, this is the best tip I've heard for dealing with these damn Extension chords!!!! (Never too late to learn)

At the job I recently retired from, one of the guys tried this approach to cord management. I worked as a millwright in a steel mill's crane repair department. The gentleman insisted on knitting the cords as you described. It all looked good until we went to use them during very cold winter conditions. When the cords were put to use all the loops that were used to gather them up, imparted a myriad of trip and fall hazzards. We couldn't make the cords lay flat. This would be bad enough on the ground but we worked 125' or more up on the areas cranes travel in called runways. Even with harnesses it was too dangerous.

I was a union painter here in Hawaii for about 25 yrs. and was taught this method by someone somewhere at sometime while in the trades. Also., paint sprayers can have lines that are over a 150 feet long and that line is almost never removed from the sprayer once it is attached and there is a very simple but completely unknown way (by most non pros) to wind the hose so that it also does not get tangled up when stretching it out. And believe me, untangling a spray line is a LOT more difficult than an extension cord.

My father taught me this over 40 years ago. Every cord I own looks like this today. Best ever!

Dang Jay!... I wish I knew about this method years ago! I could have saved myself a lot of aggravation through the years. You can bet I’ll be using this method from here on !

Excellent! I always wondered when I saw a cord wound that way just exactly how was it done. I had been using the over under method, but your way is much easier and faster. Thanks Jay!

TOTALLY helpful, thank you!! It took me getting SOO pissed off from my 100’ cord being in a total knot AFTER wrapping it around my arm and palm like you described first🤦🏼‍♀️, to inspire me to search for this magical way to wrap a cord. Now I can only hope to show off my skillz in front of any hard working man!

I've been chain braiding rope for years but I never thought of doing it with cord. This is amazing, I'll be doing this right away.

Someone did this to a cord at work and I had no idea how to un or re-do it. Added 15 min to the job. Now, I know, thanks for showing it.

We stored our electrical cords like this when I was first in the Fire Dept. in 77, I always thought it was pretty stupid and it was. We switched to reels about 40 years ago way better.

Thanks a million Jay! I remember my Dad rolling up the extension cords like that. I am 57 now, this technique has evaded me for years. I just simply forgot how to do it. You reminded me of the way he did it. That means a lot to me to know how to do this again. Thank you so much!

I just watched 3 videos on this. I liked yours the best.

I was taught this method as a High School kid working on a framing crew during the summers (1972, 73, 74). We always put cords away like this. We could then just toss them all in our big cord box on the truck. The next morning at the job site, they'd come out very easy, never be tangled up, and were readied for work without any untangling. Great way to roll cords.

Been lacing my cords for 40 years. Taught by an old carpenter. You're right it is far and away the best way.

This has been in my feed for years. Today’s the day.

Ty very much DirtFarmer Jay! I'm 51 years old and my cousin told me about this method 20 years ago, but I wanted to continue to do it my way, which was the "WRONG WAY!" Old dogs can learn new tricks!

I had forgotten how to store these extension cords.. thank you for the refresher! *have been using this method for years!*

When I was a kid my dad was a carpenter and I could never figure out how he would make his extension cords behave the way you just showed us... thanks Jay, that'll sure coming in handy!

We need people like you to teach the younger generation. They mostly know nothing.

Taught this years ago as a carpenter's helper. This IS the best way to wrap a cord. People laugh at me when I do this but are amazed when they do it themselves. I DARE anyone to tangle the cord when this is done correctly. It is like crochet

My dad taught me that when I was a kid. He had several 100 ft cords hung up on his truck when he built cabinets.

The way you showed the first loop w yo face thru it, helpped me learn, cheers thanks man!

Greetings from the UK I’ve never heard of this method it’s so easy! I just tried it on one of my 80 foot rubber cords it’s so much easier!.

I was about to spend $99 on a retractable extension cord in a housing. You just saved me tons. Thank you!

My dad taught me this technique for cords years ago. Once you practice it several times, you can really wind up a 100 foot cord in less than a minute by just pulling each loop through, one after another until you get to the end. The only drawback is the thicker and stiffer the cord, the more it really works out your forearms. Good exercise though. This also works really well for long wires too.

i have used this method for the last 40 years on long electric cords and for rope. it works great.

I watched this video a long time ago and finally had to chance to apply the technique. It works like a charm. Just wanted to say Thanks!

I love this. I have had multiple people show me this over the years and I always forget how to do it. I'm going to watch this then go practice when I get near my cords so I wont forget again. I spend more time untangling 100 footers then recoiling them than it takes to to the task at hand sometimes. Thanks.

Firefighters and Rescue squads store all their webbing the same way. Quickly releases the length and both working ends are in your hand. Nice video, never thought of using it for electrical cords.

For me its too much trouble to chain the cords. Id rather coil it like you would an air hose twisting as you coil each loop so you don't end up with that figure 8.

Mate !! been rolling cords for twenty five years, and I love to learn new things ( even at my age lol )Thx i'm gonna try this ..

Hi Jay, I've got to share this with ya, as soon as I saw you, I got choked up because you reminded me of a younger version of my Dad. He passed a few years ago, but taught me so very much throughout my life about everything. We worked on cars together, home improvements, sports, adventures, and so on. I was always his helper/assistant. I've really missed having that amazing knowledge in my life to call at any time when needed. As a married Mom of teenagers, I even called him at 1:00am and he answered the phone right away. My teenage son and I had run up to an am/pm to get some snacks and for some crazy reason the horn on the car started blasting and I couldn't get it to stop. I knew my Dad would know exactly how to help. I told my son lets call Papa he will know what to do. I told him the problem and he suggested doing a couple things getting in and out of the car using the key and sure enough, the car stopped within 20 seconds. So what I'm saying is, that I am so excited to have you to look to for answering my misc questions. My husband can fix pretty much anything having to do with wood and much more he's a carpenter. But now I also have you to turn to for my questions too. Thanks for putting yourself out in the world to help others. Anne Cardosa PS Here's my first question for ya. Do you have a video on how to take a chandelier that was made for hard wiring into a ceiling and change the wiring to make it a plug-in instead? I want to add a super long cord and run it, across the ceiling, down the wall, and plug it into a wall? I live in an apartment and can't hard wire any lighting but want upscale lighting. Any advice you could give me would be AMAZING. Thanks again!

I have a hundred foot 12 gauge extension that I store coiled in a big bucket that's the same color as the extension cord. Easy to carry around and always ready to use, as the two working ends I have made easily accessible and I can just pull them out and put into use. The bucket has a secure, strong handle and can be hung up out of the way. My cord is easy to find, is safe from harm or getting dirty.

My pops used to work in residential framing he's been doing this cord move for 50 years now, works great some guys don't like it

Thank you brother! I’ve been doing it wrong for years. Extremely helpful! 😊

I just wrapped a 100 footer. It took 45 minutes just to straighten it out. Now it’s hanging up nicely. Thank you brother

worked for master electrician for years, never knew this. WELL done, good technique, good NO BS video. Praise be ye!

A friend showed me this a few years ago. I may be exaggerating a little, but it was life changing.

A small tip like this can save you hours over the course of a lifetime of tangles.

Ever since I saw this video I've been knotting my cords just like this. What an improvement.

In high school and college I worked construction with my father, a master carpenter. That is the way that he taught me and that we always used. I don't know whether he had learned it growing up in the trades or in the Sea Bees (WWII).

The other way to do cord so it does not rwist is the "over/ under" method where the cord has a reverse twist every second loop. That method also makes it easy to ensure all loops are uniform in size and when the cord is thrown out like you saw at the start of the video, there is no birds next. With practice, over/ under is also very fast.

My dad taught me this trick when I was 8 years old. I'm 57 now. I call it the "Daisy Chain". Though I think it more resembles a half clove-hitch knot.

I learned this as the "electrician's coil" but without folding it in half first. You just made something that is twice as good as an electrician's coil. thanks.

I've seen this method employed by audio/electrical techs and they swear by it. However, no one video or explanation was as clear or as easy to follow as yours. This technique is incredibly powerful for keeping wires organized and undamaged. Not to mention clearly superior due to the stability of the coil and the fact that you can use just the length you need for a particular task regardless of the length of the cord, which anyone that does any work with extension cords knows is a huge pain in the ass. Just wanted to tell you how good of a video I thought this was. I liked you left in your "tongue twisters" as well, makes you more relatable to the viewer. Just a great piece of content. Thank you!

This feel like a magic show with a happy ending.

Contractors have used this method for over 20 yrs that I know of. It saves them set up and and tear down time which means more time actually doing the job. Remember contractors typically get paid a set amount per job. So they have to save time wherever and however they can. We typically called it daisy chain. Another term is Contractor's Wrap

My now departed father taught me (through watching him) how to roll a long cord like that. Over the years, I forgot the complete process. You sir, refilled in the blanks. You're hired!

One of the things construction, carpenter and electrician guys learn to do and teach their helpers. I was shown to do this maybe 35 or so years ago.

As an apprentice carpenter this what I did for 2 hours after everyone else left for the day. I've never did cords any other way. It's easy to unroll them even at 100ft cords

been doing this for years. It’s easier to reach through the hole, grab ad pull. If you do it correctly, it’s fast. And there’s a way to unfurl the whole thing in one toss.

Thank you. That Figure 8 is no guarantee. After battling mine for 30 minutes I came in and looked you up. I did it once threw it out and undid it and did it again it works perfect. Thank you so much

I was taught this over 40 years ago by a studio electrician. The braiding get real and faster with practice until it becomes second nature. Here's a trick I use, since 99% of cables are yellow or orange, when I find the middle of the cable I mark it with a black marker. Saves time from starting at the plug end and going to the middle.

Thanks for the share. I came up in the construction industry learning this method; it works great, but with one caveat. If you live in the gulf coast "sun belt" don't do this on a long cord you plan on dragging across the jobsite. After the cord bakes in your truck or gangbox a few weeks, it effectivally becomes like a phone cord spiral. Then when you drag it out it hangs up on every rebar, pipe stub and survey stake within a 30 mile radius. If you live above the 32nd parallel it's probably ok.

I think it's pretty cool, different from the old traditional method. Looks more fun and it's quite creative. I'll try it, and see how we go. I won't make a judgement on it until I've actually tried it. Great job.

This is genius! Omg...I did it wrong for the past 50 years. Now I will do it right. Thanks and greetings from Germany.

I've seen contractors do this with their cords, and I never knew how they did it. Thanks!

This is also referred to as a "daisy chain". This works very well with not just extension cords but ropes, webbing, and so on. Great vid Farmer Jay!

He just crocheted that thing! Genius man.

I worked with my older cousin framing houses during the summer. I remember him showing me how to do this but had forgotten how. Glad I ran across this, I've been an around the arm in a circle guy.

I soooo appreciate this video. Rolling up extension cords has been a pain in the behind for years. I’ve always, as you showed from the beginning, wrapped it around the base of my thumb and arm. Thank you so much for this.

I see they're a lot out of work comedians posting the jokes that put them out of work.---Very good information Jay--Thx.

I was always taught to completely unroll any extension cord as a coiled power lead gets hot and may speed up the deterioration of the insulating sheaths. A loose knotted set of loops like this would be less dangerous (potentially) than being wound in a tight coil like an extension reel but there is still some heat induction going on. In my experience there is a more obvious reason to fully uncoil a cable. You mentioned that creating your loop allows you to stuff it into your shelves and it will still come out tidy... You are right, but what about if the cable has been damaged... caught on a nail, rubbed up against a jigsaw blade while it is on the shelf etc Feeding an extension cord out fully between your thumb and forefinger allows you to feel for any breaks in the outer sheath I like your knot idea, but i'd say it is safer to recommend fully unravelling Just my opinion

I saw this from a janitor in high school, but I never learned how to do it. Awesome, thanks!!!

I learned that method of cord winding, many years ago when I was actively playing in a band. And having to set up, break down and transport sound equipment.

This way is OK but audio engineers generally coil cords with a sort of over/under to compensate for the twisting, it is quick and easy.

I learned this about four years ago. Never looked back. My 200 footer never gets tangled now!

Thank you so much. I just tried it on five cords, even my wife is impressed by how it looks now.