As a first year burner, I want to update you all and see how other first year burners are doing. I've burned just about 2 cords of an Ash, Silver Maple & Birch mix. I'm making my way to my 3rd cord, all Ash. The insert has worked wonders this winter, barely allowing the heat pump to kick on. My electric usage has fallen off a cliff and I'm loving it. As you know, I love to number things.
1. Ash burns way hotter than Silver Maple.
2. Birch burns pretty hot and fast.
3. Too much kindling or too many smaller splits at the stop of the stove create excess coaling that doesn't allow the wood at bottom of stove to burn completely.
4. Burn times with the Declaration (4-6 hrs) aren't what the manufacturer states (12 hrs).
5. Certain family members avoid the stove room (too much heat!).
6. Loading first row N/S allows my stove to burn cleaner. E/W will block doghouse air and create charred wood in rear of box.
7. Ceiling and floors fans work great in distributing heat.
8. Sweeping your own flue is the way to go.
9. Spotlights are a great way to check that your stack and that you are burning clean.
10. The IR gun is probably the most used stove tool that I have.
11. I'll probably burn close to 3 cords this heating season.
12. My biggest challenge is loading the box (oddly shaped, really wise and short) for the most efficient, clean burn.
13. Heating with wood is a lot work, especially when you have short burn times like that. I'm okay with that, I love sticking it to the electric company.
1. Ash burns way hotter than Silver Maple.
2. Birch burns pretty hot and fast.
3. Too much kindling or too many smaller splits at the stop of the stove create excess coaling that doesn't allow the wood at bottom of stove to burn completely.
4. Burn times with the Declaration (4-6 hrs) aren't what the manufacturer states (12 hrs).
5. Certain family members avoid the stove room (too much heat!).
6. Loading first row N/S allows my stove to burn cleaner. E/W will block doghouse air and create charred wood in rear of box.
7. Ceiling and floors fans work great in distributing heat.
8. Sweeping your own flue is the way to go.
9. Spotlights are a great way to check that your stack and that you are burning clean.
10. The IR gun is probably the most used stove tool that I have.
11. I'll probably burn close to 3 cords this heating season.
12. My biggest challenge is loading the box (oddly shaped, really wise and short) for the most efficient, clean burn.
13. Heating with wood is a lot work, especially when you have short burn times like that. I'm okay with that, I love sticking it to the electric company.