How to be happy when burning wood in your stove (a flowchart)

[Dobish]

Since there are so many different ways to burn in a stove, and every stove is variable, I have decided that I was going to make a quick reference guide for when visitors come, or when other people besides my wife and I are loading up the stove.

Any feedback is appreciated, but the end goal is to be at the smiley face

This is also on the assumption that you are burning things that com-bust decently (good wood).

First you need to start out with the basics figure out if you are cold enough to have a fire, or if there is nothing to worry about:

Once you have gotten the stove aflame, you will want to probably be a little bit more specific about what you are doing and what you are measuring. I did not put the part about arguing if the stove should be hotter or you should take your pants off.

 

[Woody Stover]

I've not read the entire chart yet but it looks good. Easy to follow and informative for anyone. Good job!

 

[excessads]

I like your flowcharts! One step missing at the tail end of both flowcharts though.......open a can of frosty cold beer once it gets too hot.

 

[Dobish]

I like your flowcharts! One step missing at the tail end of both flowcharts though.......open a can of frosty cold beer once it gets too hot.

mine is normally at the beginning of the process....

 

[Dobish]

here is the PDF version

 

[iceman2424]

You forgot to add something to the effect of, "kick your shoes off, crack ice cold Two Hearted (or, your drink of choice), take sip (repeat), and alternate between watching the Red Wings (or, your team of choice) and the yellow dancing flames whilst basking in the finest source of warmth known to man."

Outside of that egregious omission...well done!

 

[vinny11950]

Flowcharts, evidence of a structured mind. Well done, Dobish.

 

[ewang]

I actually really really like this!

You wouldn't happen to have one for a non-cat stove, eh?

 

[Dobish]

I actually really really like this!

You wouldn't happen to have one for a non-cat stove, eh?

doesn't that just go something like, put wood in --> burn wood --> put more wood in?

 

[begreen]

Yes, minimal flowchart needed for non-cat. Light-off to air closed was 15 minutes this morning. The rest was spent enjoying a cuppa joe before a warm fire and a nice light show.

 

[yooper08]

I actually really really like this!

You wouldn't happen to have one for a non-cat stove, eh?

Ha, my wife has started to ask about how to use the stove for when I'm out of town so I've been working on something similar. Last year she didn't want to touch it, partially because it was new, partially because the basement wasn't a nice area to hang out in. Now that we've redone the basement a bit, she wants to be down there and is interested in learning.

I don't have smiley faces or pictures, but this was what I've put together so far. I started out with a regular flow chart but couldn't organize it very well, so I decided to go the swim lane route which, IMO, worked out really nice. Even got some safety issues in there and some tips. When documenting processes, I always try to get it down to the point where someone new should be able to do it.

Input welcome!

Edits to doc: changed coal bed question wording, tips/tricks (10/31)

 

[Dobish]

Ha, my wife has started to ask about how to use the stove for when I'm out of town so I've been working on something similar. Last year she didn't want to touch it, partially because it was new, partially because the basement wasn't a nice area to hang out in. Now that we've redone the basement a bit, she wants to be down there and is interested in learning.

I don't have smiley faces or pictures, but this was what I've put together so far. I started out with a regular flow chart but couldn't organize it very well, so I decided to go the swim lane route which, IMO, worked out really nice. Even got some safety issues in there and some tips. When documenting processes, I always try to get it down to the point where someone new should be able to do it.

Input welcome!

Edits to doc: changed coal bed question wording, tips/tricks (10/31)

i like it, but as I was told many a time, you are missing the "open beer and enjoy" box.

 

[yooper08]

You forgot to add something to the effect of, "kick your shoes off, crack ice cold Two Hearted (or, your drink of choice), take sip (repeat), and alternate between watching the Red Wings (or, your team of choice) and the yellow dancing flames whilst basking in the finest source of warmth known to man."

Outside of that egregious omission...well done!

The Red Wings will make you drink lots of Two Hearted as well.

 

[yooper08]

Here's a question I had in creating mine. I currently have chimney fires in the red box from the question of whether the stove is above 700F. In a chimney fire situation, does it really matter what temp the stove is at? Don't have the experience (thankfully) to know.

 

[yooper08]

i like it, but as I was told many a time, you are missing the "open beer and enjoy" box.

True, but that would include more diamonds for do you drink and if so are you at home/working/etc. to be able to responsibly enjoy preferred alcoholic beverage. That's just a whole other level I don't want to get into.

 

[Dobish]

Here's a question I had in creating mine. I currently have chimney fires in the red box from the question of whether the stove is above 700F. In a chimney fire situation, does it really matter what temp the stove is at? Don't have the experience (thankfully) to know.

you could have a chimney fire if the stove is less than that

 

[RandyBoBandy]

You forgot to add something to the effect of, "kick your shoes off, crack ice cold Two Hearted (or, your drink of choice), take sip (repeat), and alternate between watching the Red Wings (or, your team of choice) and the yellow dancing flames whilst basking in the finest source of warmth known to man."

Outside of that egregious omission...well done!

Two Hearted has to be the best IPA on earth.

 

[iceman2424]

Two Hearted has to be the best IPA on earth.

No question, broseph. I've found that it somehow tastes even better when paired with FIRE.

 

[yooper08]

Two Hearted is my go to (I’ll typically brew this at home), but if I can get my hands on some Short’s Huma Lupa, its a beautiful thing.

 

[ewang]

Ha, my wife has started to ask about how to use the stove for when I'm out of town so I've been working on something similar. Last year she didn't want to touch it, partially because it was new, partially because the basement wasn't a nice area to hang out in. Now that we've redone the basement a bit, she wants to be down there and is interested in learning.

I don't have smiley faces or pictures, but this was what I've put together so far. I started out with a regular flow chart but couldn't organize it very well, so I decided to go the swim lane route which, IMO, worked out really nice. Even got some safety issues in there and some tips. When documenting processes, I always try to get it down to the point where someone new should be able to do it.

Input welcome!

Edits to doc: changed coal bed question wording, tips/tricks (10/31)

I love it!

Thanks!