Ya I'm using some oil to keep the cellar pipes from freezing.I haven't finished my new pipe install and can't use the stove in the cellar.The first floor stove will warm things up that the furnace won't come on making the cellar cold.So I'm doing small fires on the first floor and running the furnace for the cellar.Mild weather is coming in next week.Then I'll finish the chimney before the next arctic freeze.Then I'll be good to go.
I'm curious
- Thread starter Rich L
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Prof
Minister of Fire
We heat exclusively and cook almost exclusively with wood--not because we have to, but because we want to. I have a stove in the basement and a masonry heater on the 1st floor. Granted, I have to fire them both when temps are below zero 
to keep the place above 70 in most rooms, but I am also aware that we would probably make it if we'd put an extra blanket (or cat) on the bed and let the house dip into the 60's or even 50's. Now if I really had to worry about heating with wood efficiently, I would have designed a house with lower ceilings and smaller rooms, but thanks to modern insulation, we are in pretty good shape anyway. If the power went down for an extended period, things would be more complicated, but we have a stream running through the property that has potable water, so we wouldn't dry up and we'd still be able to flush as needed 
. At any rare we would abide.
to keep the place above 70 in most rooms, but I am also aware that we would probably make it if we'd put an extra blanket (or cat) on the bed and let the house dip into the 60's or even 50's. Now if I really had to worry about heating with wood efficiently, I would have designed a house with lower ceilings and smaller rooms, but thanks to modern insulation, we are in pretty good shape anyway. If the power went down for an extended period, things would be more complicated, but we have a stream running through the property that has potable water, so we wouldn't dry up and we'd still be able to flush as needed . At any rare we would abide.Ya my situation is similar to yours.One stove on the first floor and the other in the basement.I run both when the temps are in the single digits and below zero.When both are going I don't worry about the power going out.We can heat water on the stoves and also cook in them and on them.We heat exclusively and cook almost exclusively with wood--not because we have to, but because we want to. I have a stove in the basement and a masonry heater on the 1st floor. Granted, I have to fire them both when temps are below zero
Ashford 30. House seams to heat pretty easy but definitely ran it a little harder last few days. No where close to max output though.
The manual for that model is handwritten on parchment.
In Latin. By monks.
Sawset
Minister of Fire
They do things a little different in Osseo. Probably lambskin parchment made locally.
Did you have the masonry heater built? Next house I plan on having one.We heat exclusively and cook almost exclusively with wood--not because we have to, but because we want to. I have a stove in the basement and a masonry heater on the 1st floor. Granted, I have to fire them both when temps are below zero
We actually hit 85 the first day of the cold snap...lol..first time I ever had to let the house cool down in cold weather! We are older and she is cold natured and I am on a blood thinner that lets me chill easily..so we keep the house warm...This time last year was a entirely different story...I struggled to keep it in the low to mid 70s during that brutal cold snap...I decided to strip the outside of this leaky house down to the studs...we caulked and sealed and reframed a few things and added Foamular board over the existing studs and wall insulation and taped all joints along with house wrap and new windows and doors and flashing...this has paid off very well for us...the house is much tighter and warmer now.
That's some testament for that stove.I'm glad you pick a winner.Stay safe and warm.
Knots
Minister of Fire
As long as I'm home, I heat the entire basement and upstairs with wood. When the power goes out, nothing changes.
Sometimes, when I'm lazy after work, I use the propane to bring the upstairs to temp before bed. Then it's back to the wood.
Lots of insulation helps...
Sometimes, when I'm lazy after work, I use the propane to bring the upstairs to temp before bed. Then it's back to the wood.
Lots of insulation helps...
Well I appreciate everyone for sharing their stories.I've learned a few things about how valuable certain stoves can be in crucial situations and the clever way folks cope when things become extreme.Thanks to everyone here.
I turned up the thermostat for the oil boiler yesterday . . . normally the woodstove does pretty well with the lower temps, but with a very brisk wind parts of the house were just a tad bit cold for my taste. I've never subscribed to the all-or-nothing philosophy of running a woodstove and am more than happy to burn some dinosaurs when I am sick, lazy or when the situation calls for a little more heat . . . besides I like to run some heat through the pipes and in the crawl space as cheap insurance vs. having to deal with a frozen and busted pipe.
Prof
Minister of Fire
Yes--I worked with Alex Chernov (stovemaster.com) for plans and had a local mason do the work.
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