New Guy Saying Hi

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Chimney Smoke

Minister of Fire
Nov 24, 2013
679
Maine
I figured it was time to join and post. I found the site earlier this summer when researching reviews for different wood stoves. I grew up with wood heat only, the first stove I remember was a big brown beast sheathed in sheet metal. My parents upgraded to some version of VC cat stove in the early 90's. My only stove the past 3 or 4 years is an old VC Reliant I bought used and put in the hunting camp. My wife and I bought our first house this past August. No woodstove in the house but the first thing I did after moving in was buy 3 cord seasoned wood and stacked it upon arrival. We ended up buying the Lopi 1750 and debated about doing some minor construction work to install in the family room to an existing double flue chimney. The basement had a hookup ready to go so we ended up trying the basement for the first year. Stove does a good job heating the first floor of our 1600 SF cape but the furnace kicks on occasionally to heat the upstairs. Lots of good info on here.
 
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Welcome to h.c

says-hi-smiley-emoticon.gif
 
Welcome to the forums. Lots of information on this site. It makes me wonder if almost every wood burning topic has already been posted!!

Where in Maine do you live?

Andrew
 
Welcome to the forums, glad you decided to become a member. Rick
 
Welcome to the forum Chimney Smoke.

Not too surprised with the basement install. Most folks find it difficult to get that heat upstairs where it is needed.

Best thing I can say is to forget the old burning ways. New stoves want dry wood and buying wood you'll find is not good dry wood even if they say it is. For sure give the wood a year to dry after being split and stacked outdoors in the wind. If oak, give it 3 years.
 
the first thing I did after moving in was buy 3 cord seasoned wood and stacked it upon arrival.
You did it in the right order. You're ahead of a lot of new stove owners right there. What kind of wood did you buy in August? When you buy "seasoned" wood, it more than likely isn't really adequate, unless you've tested it. Since the wood is the key to successful burning, I'd suggest you get a moisture meter (under $20) and test the wood so that you know for sure what you have. You're going for 20% moisture content ideally, up to 25%. Above that, you would want to supplement.

After that, try to get at least two years ahead in your supply and preferably three. That way you can be confident of a good, dry supply. Like Backwoods Savage said, these stoves aren't the same beast as the old ones. They operate differently and really need that dry wood.

I'm guessing you may be moving that stove upstairs next year, but hopefully this will work well for you. BTW, the Lopi 1750 was a good choice.
 
Welcome to the forums. Lots of information on this site. It makes me wonder if almost every wood burning topic has already been posted!!
Where in Maine do you live?

I'm in the southern part of the state near Portland.

You did it in the right order. You're ahead of a lot of new stove owners right there. What kind of wood did you buy in August? When you buy "seasoned" wood, it more than likely isn't really adequate, unless you've tested it. Since the wood is the key to successful burning, I'd suggest you get a moisture meter (under $20) and test the wood so that you know for sure what you have. You're going for 20% moisture content ideally, up to 25%. Above that, you would want to supplement.

After that, try to get at least two years ahead in your supply and preferably three. That way you can be confident of a good, dry supply. Like Backwoods Savage said, these stoves aren't the same beast as the old ones. They operate differently and really need that dry wood.

I'm guessing you may be moving that stove upstairs next year, but hopefully this will work well for you. BTW, the Lopi 1750 was a good choice.

My wood supply is pretty decent. Mostly maple with some birch mixed in. For commercial "seasoned" wood it's pretty decent. Measures right around 20%. I've got a couple cord of oak split and stacked for the future and a few cord of pine stacked ready for next year.
 
Welcome to the forum.
 
Sounds like you're doing it well. Let us know how it goes for you.
 
Sounds like you're on the right track !

Welcome to the forums !
 
welcome, smoke.... happy heatings.
 
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