So my old Papa Bear is having new sides welded on it. Haven't used this stove in several years so now that I'm pretty sure it's coming back this winter I want to make it as efficient as possible. So here's what I plan to do, and any feedback or suggestions would be welcome. Also please remember that when I used this stove before I had never burned wood before and was young and stupid.
1. I'm installing a baffle similar to the one Coaly suggested on a thread recently. Steel plate 5/16" thick installed at about a 45 degree angle. For the Papa Bear I believe that would be about 17 X 8 for an approximate 2 inch opening above the baffle. Coaly can you confirm that I have read everything correctly? The stove didn't have a baffle before, so I'm also wondering how much more efficient it will be. Hoping to use less wood!
2. Gotten a stove thermometer and will put it on the stove pipe. Plan on monitoring temperature closely - didn't have a stove thermometer before.
3. Plan on leaving the door dampers closed more. I used to leave them almost all the way open but from what I've read on here they can be closed down much more.
4. Installing new firebrick - the old is cracked and has portions missing. Coaly thanks for the diagram posted earlier - the timing was excellent!
5. Wood is much more seasoned than when in previous years - most of it has been split and stacked for 2-3 years.
Last question: do I need to install a damper in the stove pipe as well? If so when should I close it?
Thanks in advance!
1. I'm installing a baffle similar to the one Coaly suggested on a thread recently. Steel plate 5/16" thick installed at about a 45 degree angle. For the Papa Bear I believe that would be about 17 X 8 for an approximate 2 inch opening above the baffle. Coaly can you confirm that I have read everything correctly? The stove didn't have a baffle before, so I'm also wondering how much more efficient it will be. Hoping to use less wood!
2. Gotten a stove thermometer and will put it on the stove pipe. Plan on monitoring temperature closely - didn't have a stove thermometer before.
3. Plan on leaving the door dampers closed more. I used to leave them almost all the way open but from what I've read on here they can be closed down much more.
4. Installing new firebrick - the old is cracked and has portions missing. Coaly thanks for the diagram posted earlier - the timing was excellent!
5. Wood is much more seasoned than when in previous years - most of it has been split and stacked for 2-3 years.
Last question: do I need to install a damper in the stove pipe as well? If so when should I close it?
Thanks in advance!