1st year anniversary

[Slow1]

Well, it is hard to believe but it was exactly one year ago today that the inspector came and signed off on my first wood stove. Of course that means that about 10 minutes later I was lighting (rather attempting to light) my first fire in it. I recall that one didn't go too well - was glad nobody else was home at the time to laugh at all the smoke in the house. Took a while to get the fire burning good and hot that first time...

My notes say that it was a cold day - high of 34 low 19. Well, cold compared to today when I'm not even running the stove (predicted high of 58). I managed to burn through 17 splits and 4 bio-bricks even though it was noon by time I started and had to go back to work once that first fire was actually cooking...

Man, how things have changed in the last year! My idea of 'seasoned' wood, how I light fires, the stove I have, I have a truck, saw, about 8 cords stacked and another 3+ in logs and rounds waiting to be processed... almost nothing is the same. How quickly a simple "gee how about we get a stove to combat the $5/gal oil prices" turns into an obsession that, even though oil is now 1/2 that, I wouldn't give up unless I became physically incapable of doing it.

I have to thank folks here for helping out so much in the last year - so much that I've learned and the sense of community to share this obsession with.

Well, off to year2!

 

[Got Wood]

Wow, I could have written close to the exact post. Its been almost exactly a year for me too. Feelings are very similar.

 

[Fsappo]

Have a happy year 2!

 

[fredarm]

Wow, I could have written close to the exact post. Its been almost exactly a year for me too. Feelings are very similar.

Yup, me too (well, except for the truck and 8 cords).

 

[Slow1]

Funny too on that 8 cords... I recall getting the 3 last year. When it was delivered I thought it was a LOT of wood. I even hired a couple teens to help get it stacked. I don't think I would ever have imagined at that time I would ever consider having this much wood stacked around the house. And to think I split about half of that (perhaps more?) myself and cut a good bit of it too.

I wonder how many 1 year anniversary folks are on here. Seems that given how busy the stove shops were a year ago there ought to be a lot of us around. I do wonder how many have hung up the matchboxes though and gone back to their original fuels once the prices went down (they likely wouldn't be here on the forums of course).

 

[par0thead151]

Well, it is hard to believe but it was exactly one year ago today that the inspector came and signed off on my first wood stove. Of course that means that about 10 minutes later I was lighting (rather attempting to light) my first fire in it. I recall that one didn't go too well - was glad nobody else was home at the time to laugh at all the smoke in the house. Took a while to get the fire burning good and hot that first time...

My notes say that it was a cold day - high of 34 low 19. Well, cold compared to today when I'm not even running the stove (predicted high of 58). I managed to burn through 17 splits and 4 bio-bricks even though it was noon by time I started and had to go back to work once that first fire was actually cooking...

Man, how things have changed in the last year! My idea of 'seasoned' wood, how I light fires, the stove I have, I have a truck, saw, about 8 cords stacked and another 3+ in logs and rounds waiting to be processed... almost nothing is the same. How quickly a simple "gee how about we get a stove to combat the $5/gal oil prices" turns into an obsession that, even though oil is now 1/2 that, I wouldn't give up unless I became physically incapable of doing it.

I have to thank folks here for helping out so much in the last year - so much that I've learned and the sense of community to share this obsession with.

Well, off to year2!

did you do the install yourself. is that why a inspector was required?

 

[PapaDave]

Well, it is hard to believe but it was exactly one year ago today that the inspector came and signed off on my first wood stove. Of course that means that about 10 minutes later I was lighting (rather attempting to light) my first fire in it. I recall that one didn't go too well - was glad nobody else was home at the time to laugh at all the smoke in the house. Took a while to get the fire burning good and hot that first time...

My notes say that it was a cold day - high of 34 low 19. Well, cold compared to today when I'm not even running the stove (predicted high of 58). I managed to burn through 17 splits and 4 bio-bricks even though it was noon by time I started and had to go back to work once that first fire was actually cooking...

Man, how things have changed in the last year! My idea of 'seasoned' wood, how I light fires, the stove I have, I have a truck, saw, about 8 cords stacked and another 3+ in logs and rounds waiting to be processed... almost nothing is the same. How quickly a simple "gee how about we get a stove to combat the $5/gal oil prices" turns into an obsession that, even though oil is now 1/2 that, I wouldn't give up unless I became physically incapable of doing it.

I have to thank folks here for helping out so much in the last year - so much that I've learned and the sense of community to share this obsession with.

Well, off to year2!

You've obviously mistyped the word "lifestyle". :lol: It's all about perspective.
Pretty close, but you'll not win any spelling bees like that.
No need to thank me, I'm here to help.
This is our 4th year with this obse..... I mean lifestyle, and much has changed since we started. I've discovered the blower really helps to move the heat, and keeps the stove from going into thermonuclear meltdown.
Still cuttin', splittin', stackin', and learnin'.

Dave

 

[Slow1]

did you do the install yourself. is that why a inspector was required?

I had a pro install...

We live in the peoples republic of Mass - pay for a permit, have someone inspect before you can burn. Just part of the process.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Slow, I hope it just keeps getting better and better for you. Maybe next year your goal should be to pass me on the amount of wood you have stacked? Hey, a fellow has to have something to shoot for.

 

[Slow1]

No space or time for that - I'll stop once I know what 2 1/2 years supply is and have that set up. I'm limited on space and want to enjoy being with the kids as they grow up. Thanks for the idea though....

 

[Got Wood]

Backwoods - I'm shooting for ya LOL.... Whatcha up to now? I'm sitting on 14 cord c/s/s now and just warming up

 

[jlow]

My one year is coming up in January and I can only reiterate how helpful this forum has been in preparing me for this coming season. My thanks to all who have helped with their expertise and humor. I learn something new everytime I get a chance to get on here. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

 

[Valhalla]

Congrats and enjoy your wood burning experience.

Regardless of the brand or type, it the total journey that counts,
yes to those "pellet pigs" too!

Burn safely, wisely, with great pleasure and warmth.

 

[branchburner]

We got a stove when I was a kid, so I started over 35 years ago with cutting, splitting, stacking, hauling and burning. I always enjoyed it but never considered it a passion. But just over one year ago I got my first EPA stove and so began the obsession. It actually began last summer with the research and education, which started in earnest when I discovered this site. I have to give hearth.com and all its forum members the full credit (blame?!) for my current obsession with (addiction to?!) wood, fire, stoves, and this website itself. So it is the end of my new "year one" as well. To everyone here I say thanks (though I'm afraid my wife doesn't share my gratitude). And for whatever year you happen to be celebrating, happy anniversary!

 

[Pagey]

I grew up wood heat, so in a way it's not really my "anniversary". However, this month does happen to be the one year anniversary of having our Endeavor installed, which means it is technically our anniversary as far as burning in our own home.

I've taken the time since last year to get far more wood cut/split/stacked than we ever had last year, so we're in far better shape as far as that is concerned. This year has been devoted to become more comfortable with and more adept at controlling the stove. The kids are hooked, of course. The slightest chill, even if only imagined, results in someone begging for daddy to light the stove.

 

[Slow1]

The slightest chill, even if only imagined, results in someone begging for daddy to light the stove.

You just jogged my memory of the first month or so after we got the stove... I'd get home from work and my son (now 4, was 3 at the time of course) would run up to me and say "Daddy, fix the stove!" which was his way of saying to re-light it and get it going. Wish I had that one on video as I'm sure he'll deny it some day.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Backwoods - I'm shooting for ya LOL.... Whatcha up to now? I'm sitting on 14 cord c/s/s now and just warming up

Hey, keep on shooting and I hope you can pass me! At the start of the season we had 24 cords. One good trailer load left the yard today going to someone else's place. I'll probably start cutting right after Thanksgiving. Not sure how much I'll cut this year. It was 9 cords last year.

Good luck. Hope you can pass me by Spring.

 

[Got Wood]

Backwoods - I'm shooting for ya LOL.... Whatcha up to now? I'm sitting on 14 cord c/s/s now and just warming up

Hey, keep on shooting and I hope you can pass me! At the start of the season we had 24 cords. One good trailer load left the yard today going to someone else's place. I'll probably start cutting right after Thanksgiving. Not sure how much I'll cut this year. It was 9 cords last year.

Good luck. Hope you can pass me by Spring.

You Da man!

 

[firefighterjake]

+1 . . . You learn a lot in one year.

 

[kevinwburke]

About to start my year 1 with an Oslo being delivered Tuesday. Burned before but with a small stove for supplemental heat. New house now with lots of wood to cut and stack. I wonder how many people here would burn even if the cost savings was not an issue, but after reading so many posts.....it is an obsess.... I mean lifestyle choice.

 

[Slow1]

I wonder how many people here would burn even if the cost savings was not an issue, but after reading so many posts.....it is an obsess.... I mean lifestyle choice.

I think a lot of folks get started with the idea that it is a cost savings. For some it really is and for others that is good rationalization. However, if one considers the work involved you generally aren't paying yourself a very high wage if you factor in your time and still consider it to be significant cost savings. Naturally there are exceptions as some folks have really high fuel costs or readily available wood and lots of free time on their hands.

I think I will save a little bit of money over the long term.. not sure how long that term is going to have to be though, heh. Seriously though my family just likes the heat from the stove better and that makes it not directly comparable to our alternative forced air system. The lifestyle has been good for me and my family as well. The obsession that keeps me on the forums 2x a day or more and has me eying every wood pile I see and driving around the neighborhood with the windows down trying to figure out where that chainsaw sound is coming from is perhaps a bit excessive and hopefully will go down with time.

 

[Fi-Q]

Gre up with fire stove.....
But I should start my year 1 (On my own) in 5 days to 3 weeks (Depending on when the company will send me home.... ).
Even if cost of oil would be cheaper than woood, i would still burn a few load per winter, just for the fun of it...

 

[DBoon]

+1 - truck and -5 cords of wood (unless I count all the wood that I cut, split and stacked for my father-in-law)