This is my first post here and I wanted to thank you guys for all the great information that is available here. I have learned so much, and I will be sure to stay close to learn more.
Basic story: I own a 4100sq ft oil-heated, open floor plan colonial in SE CT. We have a nice big fireplace and based on the research I did here I came to the conclusion that it made no sense to burn wood in it until there was an insert. Based on all the excellent reviews on this site, I decided to go with an Enviro 1700. My wife selected the Boston for its styling. We opted to not have it enameled to hasten delivery. Here is a picture for those that may not be familiar with it:
Here is my fireplace, as it sits today. The insert comes on Saturday (we cannot wait).
I thought about trying to install it myself, then I thought about climbing to my roof and dropping it down the chimney, and vertigo set in:
Here is my first cord of self cut, split and stacked wood. I am not sure if I can burn it this year, so I will defer to next year. I think the light colored wood making up the majority of the stack is Birch, based on tips from this site (grey smooth bark, smells like wintergreen). The tree has been dead for the two years we have owned the house and is pretty dry. The darker wood is Oak from some large limbs we lost during Hurricane Irene last year. I bucked it up then, I split it last month. I just need to cover the top with some tarp/poly.
I ordered 4 cords of "seasoned" hardwood earlier today ($180 per cord which they will stack at my house). I called 5-6 people before I took these guys because of info I learned here. A couple of people were not able to identify the species, some said that they don't actually measure the cords on site, that they just "load up the truck with about a cord," and a couple of others told me that the "seasoned" hardwood was mostly oak that was cut down in spring. When I threatened to refuse delivery based on my moisture meter they were very uncomfortable. The last guy, said he was unconcerned and I was more than welcome to test it and he guaranteed it would be less than 22% and he was reasonably certain it would be below 20%! Since he is willing to drive the wood to my house and let me test it, I am pretty sure he is legit (but I will still test the wood).
I already have my eyes on a couple of good scrounges and have the green light to cut in my friends backyard. I have a few trees in my own yard that need to come down too. Thanks to you guys I know to cut em down this winter, whereas I would have waited until Summer.
We are very excited indeed.
Basic story: I own a 4100sq ft oil-heated, open floor plan colonial in SE CT. We have a nice big fireplace and based on the research I did here I came to the conclusion that it made no sense to burn wood in it until there was an insert. Based on all the excellent reviews on this site, I decided to go with an Enviro 1700. My wife selected the Boston for its styling. We opted to not have it enameled to hasten delivery. Here is a picture for those that may not be familiar with it:
Here is my fireplace, as it sits today. The insert comes on Saturday (we cannot wait).
I thought about trying to install it myself, then I thought about climbing to my roof and dropping it down the chimney, and vertigo set in:
Here is my first cord of self cut, split and stacked wood. I am not sure if I can burn it this year, so I will defer to next year. I think the light colored wood making up the majority of the stack is Birch, based on tips from this site (grey smooth bark, smells like wintergreen). The tree has been dead for the two years we have owned the house and is pretty dry. The darker wood is Oak from some large limbs we lost during Hurricane Irene last year. I bucked it up then, I split it last month. I just need to cover the top with some tarp/poly.
I ordered 4 cords of "seasoned" hardwood earlier today ($180 per cord which they will stack at my house). I called 5-6 people before I took these guys because of info I learned here. A couple of people were not able to identify the species, some said that they don't actually measure the cords on site, that they just "load up the truck with about a cord," and a couple of others told me that the "seasoned" hardwood was mostly oak that was cut down in spring. When I threatened to refuse delivery based on my moisture meter they were very uncomfortable. The last guy, said he was unconcerned and I was more than welcome to test it and he guaranteed it would be less than 22% and he was reasonably certain it would be below 20%! Since he is willing to drive the wood to my house and let me test it, I am pretty sure he is legit (but I will still test the wood).
I already have my eyes on a couple of good scrounges and have the green light to cut in my friends backyard. I have a few trees in my own yard that need to come down too. Thanks to you guys I know to cut em down this winter, whereas I would have waited until Summer.
We are very excited indeed.
