Unexpected results

• The increased size and mass of having two large stoves has really helped with the heat retention in this old place. I really didn't expect this much of a difference. The overnight burn from last night kept the house 70+ degrees until about 4pm this afternoon with outside temps in the upper 40s today. This has never happened before.
• It is 40 degrees out right now and the Defiant is keeping the entire downstairs at 70+ degrees. I'm in the furthest spot from the stove down stairs and the wall temps are 69 degrees. The upstairs is 65.
• I haven't put a full load in the 30 and I haven't used the Encore yet. Looks like the Encore will only be used for really cold temps.
• If the Defiant can keep the entire house warm during the shoulder season, my wood usage should drop. It will probably drop even more next year when I do not have the urge to play with the Defiant and the 30 since they are so new to me.

I had hoped that the Encore would only be used when the temps really drop, which is holding true. What I didn't expect was the ability to heat the entire house with one stove during the shoulder season with very little effort.

begreen said:

Sorry to hear that things are not working out. I know you like to be in your skivvies with a room temp of 80.

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Well, it WAS quite warm in the room with the Defiant! Skivvies was still an option.

jeff_t said:

What are you doing with all your spare time?

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Knitting and cat juggling.

On a high burn, the Defiant gave me a 9 hour burn last night with a pretty full load. I didn't mean to do a high burn, but I engaged the cat too late and locked in at a higher temp. Once the temps are high I have a hard time figuring out a way to get a low burn with the cat engaged.

BrowningBAR said:

On a high burn, the Defiant gave me a 9 hour burn last night with a pretty full load. I didn't mean to do a high burn, but I engaged the cat too late and locked in at a higher temp. Once the temps are high I have a hard time figuring out a way to get a low burn with the cat engaged.

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To add to this, I reloaded the defiant this morning after nine hours on a high burn and the morning temp was at 400 degrees. So, it could have probably given me a 11-13 hour burn if I would have reloaded at the normal 200-300 degree temp.

bad69bird said:

I too added a new second stove this year and results have been a little to great, It is putting a serious hurting on my woodpile though and im starting to think this might be my third year in a row with subpar wood as a result

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Well, the first year you always burn through more wood with a new stove.

Jeanfirebug said:

I just came in - looking for clarity. BrowingBAR, did you add a stove in the basement/lower level?

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Nope. As disturbing as it may sound, I have all three stoves on the same level. I don't even have a basement (which sucks for completely different reasons).

It supplies enough heat lower and lessen the upper/main stove use? I've been thinking about doing this kinda set up, but don't know if it's worth the investment.

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Basement installs are hit or miss, it seems. Some have great success with them. Others do not. I've never had a basement, so I have little value to offer on this topic.

ALSO, big, big thanks to who ever said 'clean glass with water and ash; you don't need those bottles of cleaner'. SOOOO right you were - works like a charm. THANKS!!

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It's amazing, isn't it. When I first tried it I thought there was no way it was going to work, but it does. And it works really well.

DexterDay said:

I dont have 3 wood stoves in the house.... But its all about options and figuring out what works best in that situation.

I LOVE Options

Sounds like the New 30 and the New location of the Defiant is working out well. The savings in wood alone will quickly pay for the 30 And having more time (not tending several stoves) is always a plus.

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I am still amazed that one stove is heating the entire house. It's just weird. Right now I have the Defiant sitting at 475 in the hopes that I can get a long medium burn out of it. Should give me 10 hours on a full load (which it doesn't have right now. Sticking with 60% loads)

And selling the Heritage paid for the 30 and the Sooteater and the new wood rack.

The new wood rack is awesome. For shoulder season, a full rack is giving me enough wood for 5-7 days. Between the new setup, the whole house heating with one stove, and the new rack, it feels like I'm cheating.

And the defiant crept up on me by one hundred degrees. Stupid VC cat system! Eh, it'll still give me a good burn time.

I wish I knew how to control the burn better on the VC systems.

Correct. VC stands for Vermont Castings.

rideau said:

It'll be great if the Defiant alone continues to heat your home as the weather gets colder. Good luck!

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It won't be. This much I know. I can tell by the temps in the furthest portion of the house (where I am currently typing from). In this mild weather, currently 40, the temps are about 70 degrees with the single stove. Once we get to more winter-like conditions this drafty old Deathstar will require more firepower.

Which I am completely okay with. I am just super happy that I have gotten to the point where I can actually burn differently during milder weather than I do during cold temps. Never had that before.