Happiest guy on this street...

[ADK_XJ]

Temp on the back porch just hit 29 and dropping - that means I can let 'er rip with a real "overnight load" for the first time this year. Some ash, white oak and cherry just lit off - tis a beautiful sight:

 

[NewHarmanOwner]

One of the most beautiful sight. I can never get tired of watching a good fire. Enjoy the warmth.

 

[ADK_XJ]

Engage secondary burn - I'm a dag'gum spaceship captain (that might be the bourbon talking):

 

[bag of hammers]

Nice....

 

[ADK_XJ]

And cruising altitude reached - my work here is done:

 

[ADK_XJ]

Just to bring it full circle, I think last night was low-20s at its coldest and I woke up at 6:15am to a stove with the blower still going on automatic and it was a pleasant sleeping-temp of 60 degrees in the house, stove top was still at 200 with glowing coals.

Block-off plate and roxul install were certainly a success. In two weeks I spray foam the crawl space under our living room and have high-density cellulose being blown up to R-40 in the sidewalls and attic...then we'll be really cooking.

 

[kennyp2339]

Block-off plate and roxul install were certainly a success. In two weeks I spray foam the crawl space under our living room and have high-density cellulose being blown up to R-40 in the sidewalls and attic...then we'll be really cooking.

Careful on making the house to tight unless you have an oak connected to that setup

 

[ADK_XJ]

Careful on making the house to tight unless you have an oak connected to that setup

I'm not too concerned (yet) on that point because it's a 1910 farmhouse with lots of drafting throughout (fieldstone basement, for example) but I've read conflicting reports on the need for an OAK. Seems like even on here folks are sort of split 50/50 on whether to introduce one of or not.

But, if I really got desperate, there is actually an ash-chute type thing in the back of the original fireplace the insert is installed into. I blocked it off with roxul and durock but I could easily open it back up...

 

[kennyp2339]

Sweet, I'm in the same boat, I may do the oak when I redo the basement next year

 

[sportbikerider78]

Looks great. I'm a huge fan of the Saratoga area. I have a summer camp on a small lake about 35 mins east of there.

 

[ADK_XJ]

Looks great. I'm a huge fan of the Saratoga area. I have a summer camp on a small lake about 35 mins east of there.

Oh nice. And I'm from the Syracuse area originally myself...well, Skaneateles, but I tell people out here "Syracuse" to avoid confusion.

What Lake? My in-laws live near a small lake East of here...Cossayuna? Lauderdale?

 

[sportbikerider78]

Hedges Lake. Just off RT 22. About 5 miles north of Cambridge, NY.

 

[ADK_XJ]

Hedges Lake. Just off RT 22. About 5 miles north of Cambridge, NY.

Ha, my wife's from Cambridge - small world. I know Hedges well.

That's a beautiful area.

 

[drz1050]

In two weeks I spray foam the crawl space under our living room and have high-density cellulose being blown up to R-40 in the sidewalls and attic...then we'll be really cooking.

Who's doing the cellulose for you? I'm just a few minutes South in Ballston Lake, and looking to get that done as well before this winter really sets in.

 

[ADK_XJ]

Who's doing the cellulose for you? I'm just a few minutes South in Ballston Lake, and looking to get that done as well before this winter really sets in.

I'll PM you.