Enough stove for the job?

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Thanks. I'll inquire about the type of wood and age. Then split some and measure. Sounds like the first year burning is tough...I will likely get some bio-brick to mix in to get through the first year. Seems like that's the best first-year-remedy?

Yes, you will see many complaints here of too little heat from new burners in the next couple months. BioBricks will help if the wood is not ideal. Try to get the driest wood you can. Ask around to see if anyone is selling kiln dried wood in your area. It will cost a premium, but is worth it for the first year. Also, you can hasten the drying of your wood stack by bringing it indoors for a couple weeks, especially if it's in a heated space and has a fan blowing through it. And when you stack it outdoors, try to orient the wide face of the stacks a right angles to the prevailing wind so that the wind blows through the stacks. Cover the stacks on the tops only.
 
Congrats on the insert, I was going to suggest a freestanding stove for that nice hearth but the clydsdale will be nice as well. We seriously considered it but ended up with the Oslo. look forward to the installed pics
 
Yes, you will see many complaints here of too little heat from new burners in the next couple months. BioBricks will help if the wood is not ideal. Try to get the driest wood you can. Ask around to see if anyone is selling kiln dried wood in your area. It will cost a premium, but is worth it for the first year. Also, you can hasten the drying of your wood stack by bringing it indoors for a couple weeks, especially if it's in a heated space and has a fan blowing through it. And when you stack it outdoors, try to orient the wide face of the stacks a right angles to the prevailing wind so that the wind blows through the stacks. Cover the stacks on the tops only.

We ended up taking home a ton of Bio Bricks today for $285, to help with the surely under seasoned wood we'll get. We're going to buy four cords, and hope to burn two this season and have two ready for next. Not sure exactly how much we'll actually use.

The kiln dried around here is $275 for a half cord. That hurts! But, if the bio/under seasoned combo doesn't pan out we'll try the klln to buy some more seasoning time.

What do you think of this ad, decent wood? http://worcester.craigslist.org/for/3328984678.html

Congrats on the insert, I was going to suggest a freestanding stove for that nice hearth but the clydsdale will be nice as well. We seriously considered it but ended up with the Oslo. look forward to the installed pics

Thanks! We're pumped...looking forward to a warm family room this season.
 
Looks fairly good and should provide decent heat this season.

Good to hear. I just called him, he's actually got two cords and is willing to deliver to me (30 miles away) for $300/cord. Might be able to get him down a bit, but that's a bit of a haul and it seems to be the best wood I'll find for this year. I asked him to split a couple and give me a moisture reading before we finalize things. Said he has a moisture meter, which is a step in the right direction. Getting someone's personal stash seems like it'll be the way to go on year one if possible....and I think that's what this is.
 
Sounds like a lucky find. If you can afford it, go ahead and buy next year's wood now as well. If not, get it as soon as you can. Most of us are a season or two ahead to assure the best heat from the wood. And some are 5-10 seasons ahead. (They just like cutting and splitting wood.)
 
Yowsa, yeah, 5+ seasons ahead sounds like an addiction. A good heathy addiction, but an addiction just the same! He measured fresh splits between 18-25%. Doubt I can do any better than that. He's dropping off tomorrow!
 
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