I have a grandpa bear knock-off that I've been burning in for about 3 weeks. Its been great, with upstairs temps averaging 74 and the heat pump hasn't kicked on once. The problem is that I have been burning a mixture of poor wood. I've got some maple that seasoned through the summer, but is more than likely still at about 25-30% m.c., and I've got some Oak that was a standing dead tree we cut 2 months ago. Most of the Oak is still damp, probably around 35-40% moisture content (just a guess). Last year we burned an incredibly in-efficient wood stove with wood that wasn't seasoned. Last night, I cleaned our chimney for the first time in about 14 months. I should have taken a picture of all the creosote and soot that I removed from the flue, but I was shocked and worried. Probably enough to fill up 2 ziplock sandwich bags.
So I am considering putting the wood heat on hold until I have some well seasoned wood. Possibly until next year. I have a wife and baby at home, as well as several indoor pets, and the last thing I want to risk is a chimney fire. Another option I have is to clean the flue often and get a stove thermometer, and possibly and moisture content meter and only burn wood that shows between 15-25%.
My question is mainly about the safe burning temps with "damp wood". On the Rutland Stove thermometer, it shows anything above 300* as being in the "burn zone". Does this mean these are the proper operating temps where you are getting a complete combustion and burning off the creosote?
So I am considering putting the wood heat on hold until I have some well seasoned wood. Possibly until next year. I have a wife and baby at home, as well as several indoor pets, and the last thing I want to risk is a chimney fire. Another option I have is to clean the flue often and get a stove thermometer, and possibly and moisture content meter and only burn wood that shows between 15-25%.
My question is mainly about the safe burning temps with "damp wood". On the Rutland Stove thermometer, it shows anything above 300* as being in the "burn zone". Does this mean these are the proper operating temps where you are getting a complete combustion and burning off the creosote?