My dad grew up in a house where the only source of heat was a wood cookstove in the kitchen, so he has a sentimental attachment with wood heat. He never had a stove in this country, but to make a long story short late last winter I got him a stove for his house. I supply him with the wood, I showed him how to use it and all was well. I stopped by his house today and the glass on his stove was so black I thought it was out. He had it damped all the way down to almost a smoulder. That wasn't the worst part, I start poking around the firebox and there is a giant unsplit round in there. As I split every round, down to beer can size, I was confused. "Oh that", he says, "the guy across the street cut down a nice oak tree last week and gave me some wood". Last week! I have enough wood to keep us burning forever. I tried to explain to him that the wood needs to season. That's when I saw the monster come out. He informs me that they never seasoned their wood in the old country more than a few months. Any more than that was a waste, as the wood burns too fast. Same logic behind damping down all the way. I made him promise to not use the new wood and to keep the temps up to avoid problems. He made me a half-hearted promise. My dad is 80 and more than a little stubborn but otherwise of sound mind. I'm starting to think that I've made a mistake. Sorry for the long rant, but I know you would understand me.
