After carefully considering all the input in here, with regard to the "list" of Do's and Don'ts that I had originally created for hanging on the refridgerator at home.........I have modified it, hopefully reflecting the guidance of many in here:
1. Remind yourself every day, while you are lugging wood, or cleaning ash: “I love to burn wood; I love to burn wood!”
If it becomes a “chore,” you’ve lost the essence of what it’s all about.
2. Get the fire going like you always have, and keep it going.
No fire, no heat!
3. Keep the wood dry out in the yard.
You can’t burn soaked wood!
4. If you try again to cook potatoes in a pan on top of the stove, leave them there longer this time!
If you can’t afford to wait any longer, use the microwave!
5. The stove and flue thermometers are just there to give you an idea of how things are going.
If the outside of either the stove or flue are cherry red, I’d back down on the heat if I were you!
6. Open windows and doors to cool things down.
The cat likes the snow anyway.
7. Wave politely at the oil man as he passes our house without stopping.
It’ll confuse the HECK outa him!!
8. It’s all about keeping the fire balanced.
I know it’s been a long time, but try….....
9. It’s tempting to toss trash in the fire but don’t!
I wanted that last magazine issue of "Outhouse Building" anyway!
10. Be very friendly to the folks in the Hearth.com Forum
They are a useful and helpful bunch!
-Soupy1957
1. Remind yourself every day, while you are lugging wood, or cleaning ash: “I love to burn wood; I love to burn wood!”
If it becomes a “chore,” you’ve lost the essence of what it’s all about.
2. Get the fire going like you always have, and keep it going.
No fire, no heat!
3. Keep the wood dry out in the yard.
You can’t burn soaked wood!
4. If you try again to cook potatoes in a pan on top of the stove, leave them there longer this time!
If you can’t afford to wait any longer, use the microwave!
5. The stove and flue thermometers are just there to give you an idea of how things are going.
If the outside of either the stove or flue are cherry red, I’d back down on the heat if I were you!
6. Open windows and doors to cool things down.
The cat likes the snow anyway.
7. Wave politely at the oil man as he passes our house without stopping.
It’ll confuse the HECK outa him!!
8. It’s all about keeping the fire balanced.
I know it’s been a long time, but try….....
9. It’s tempting to toss trash in the fire but don’t!
I wanted that last magazine issue of "Outhouse Building" anyway!
10. Be very friendly to the folks in the Hearth.com Forum
They are a useful and helpful bunch!
-Soupy1957