First Fire, and a big Thank You to Hearth.com

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Solarguy3500

Feeling the Heat
Dec 3, 2020
361
Western MA
It's been a long time coming but I finally had my first fire in my Osburn 3500 insert today!

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About 3 years ago, I bought the stove and had planned to install it right away and start using it, so I started researching online and found this forum. I'm so glad I did because the knowledge I have gained from reading through countless threads on here prepared me to have a safe, successful stove installation and first fire.

The main reason it took 3 years to get the stove installed and ready to use was because I discovered that my chimney needed a new crown and the top several courses of brick redone and I had a hard time finding a mason to do the work as most of them were booked out several years.

In the meantime, I learned all about the importance of dry wood. As luck would have it, some opportunities to get wood in log form presented themselves, so I got wood and processed enough of it to get me started for whenever the chimney work could get done and the stove installed. The silver lining in having to wait a few years to install the stove was that I was able to get ahead on wood, and I now have enough ready at under 20% MC for my first burning season and beyond, and I'm working on my wood for the next several years.

I wanted to say a big thank you to Hearth.com and all the moderators and members who share their knowledge so graciously with others. It is such a helpful community of enthusiasts that are willing to help others have a safe and enjoyable experience with their stoves, fireplaces, furnaces, etc.
 
Nice. You really mastered the skill of delayed gratification. Enjoy your first fire. The temps will take a little drop tomorrow evening so enjoy that too
 
Looks great. Congrats and happy burning! The 3 year wait was a blessing in disguise since now you have seasoned wood ready to go
 
Nice fire! Congrats on getting her done and done right.
 
Great looking set-up! I totally agree with you about this forum and the folks and the knowledge available here….. so many who share so willingly! I fought with a piece of junk for 14 yrs before finding this forum and learning that it didn’t have to be that way. Bought a new one and learned how to use it properly HERE! Enjoy the fruit of your labor.