Rec's on instructing someone to run the insert?

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MeLikeUmFire

MeLikeUmFire

Member
Sep 17, 2009
126
Lapeer, Michigan
My wife is home full time with our 2 year old. We just installed a early 90's Regency R14 (single air control without damper) with full liner into a Masonary chimney. I have been running the stove during my vacation time around Christmas. Wife was asking yesterday how she could keep the stove going while i am @ work. This am i got it re-loaded and going. She should be set until bout 11am. Any suggestions on how to make the instructions(for reloading the stove from hot coals) non-complicated. She is a little leary bout the stove and not wanting to burn down the house, but would like to do what she can to help us save $. I did get the kitchen timer out so upon loading and opening the air 100% she can set the timer to come back and cut the air back. How long is average for waiting to cut air back? Thx
 
Loading fresh splits on to a glowing bed of coals ~10 min. You may actually want to TIME your setup, cuz each one is gonna be a little different based on draft, split size, blah,blah,blah.

Edit: Time it a couple of times and get an average. That may be your "best" answer.
 
Try showing her how you do it on a weekend. After the first time you show her, then get a 3 x 5 card and write the steps on it numbering as you write them.

Then make sure she loads the stove by herself....with you standing there, at least 3 times. After that, you should be good to go for years to come.

The number one thing which gives my wife problems is smoothing the coals (a tendency to leave a hump in the middle or on the ends) and not placing the wood properly. That is, she has a problem keeping the bottom of the wood in contact with the coals. It does tick her off many times she will fiddle with it and I just let her go, then finally I'll go over and using the poker, adjust the wood and it takes right off. She is getting better though.

So watch for one thing that your wife may have a problem with and work with her on that one thing after the initial learning process.

Good luck.
 
Do you have a thermometer?

I use a simple system based primarily on "rake everything forward, lay pieces like so, open the air for 10 minutes or until you see an inferno", then thereafter "if the temp is below 11 o'clock open the air, if it is higher than 11 o'clock close the air".
 
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