Loving my new Ashford 30 through shoulder season.

[Poindexter]

My daytime highs have been running mid +30s dF for a few days now, I think it got down to an honest +20dF for an overnight low yesterday.

About every twelve hours I stir whats left in the firebox around, put some fresh splits on top, heat it up, engage the cat, run it on full hot for thirty minutes or so and then back it down to 1/ low on thermostat and let her cruise.

Empty I can fit 12-15 of my splits in the box. Tonight after work I added three splits. Three, it was all that would fit. Last time I filled it was this morning before I left for work. Maintaining the +80dF to +85dF my wife likes no problem.

I am kinda looking forward to -20dF next month just to see how little wood I need then. Coming from a EPA cert non cat I am going to burn "a lot" less wood this winter.

 

[Shane Collins]

Cold up there! My Ashford arrives next Friday. I can't wait for it to get here. It's not cold enough for it but it'll still be nice to have it ready. Last year I used so much wood it'll be nice to use less and have the house warmer. Though my wife likes it warm I refuse to let it get that hot! 70-75 is max haha. Glad you're enjoying your Ashford.

 

[begreen]

At 80-85F I would be out of the house and living in my shop.

 

[Poindexter]

Attached is a pic of the cat probe at the point I have settled on for engaging the combustor. There are some small white cross hatches on the outer white ring of the cat probe. As pictured one of them is under the red needle. I find if I engage the combustor here I am far enough into the active zone for the combustor to light off quick when its engaged and the cat probe indicated temperature starts rising pretty quick. I have tried engaging both a little higher and a little lower, this seems to be a pretty good spot for me, my gear, my wood and ambient temps around maybe +35dF average. Plus its easy to remember.

I have also tried loading splits both side to side and front to back. I find if I load splits in side to side then invariably the one on the top of the pile at the front will roll off the pile and be leaning against the door glass for hours and hours. Makes quite a mess when opening the door. I'll try to get some other pics over the weekend.

Winter weather travel advisory here, 2-6" of snow in the forecast tonight.

Above +80dF indoors my wife doesn't talk about moving to California and I can get ready for my next big game hunt or fishing trip. Above +85dF I can't take enough clothes off to stay in the house.

 

[Poindexter]

I had a thermo-electrcic eco-fan on my last stove, couldn't bring myself to part with it. I have it on my Ashford directly above the combustor. When the combustor is hot enough the ecofan will spin, but nothing like it did on my old single wall stove.

 

[Simonkenton]

It is unusual for a person to be comfortable at 80 degrees plus. I used to be like that, the girlfriend was always complaining that the house was too warm.
As it turned out I had a bad thyroid problem, hypothyroid. You ought to get your wife checked for it.

 

[Tenn Dave]

At 80 to 85 degrees indoors I would have the AC on. However, to each his own.

 

[Highbeam]

Must be quite a shock to step out of an 85 degree house into a -20 degree front yard.

 

[HotCoals]

Dry heat is diff!

 

[webby3650]

Dry heat is diff!

I agree, not too far off for my house! 80 with the stove is not too uncommon around here! I would die with a gas furnace though. It's just different, maybe because wood is the only heat I have now?