New Homeowner, New To Burning, New to Forum.

[DevilDogWWII]

Hello everyone,
Me and my wife just purchased our first home; I decided to take advantage of the low V.A loan rates while I still can. Anyhow we purchased a 1970's rancher with about 1472Sq.ft; it comes equipped with a beautiful half-moon brick fireplace as pictured below. The previous owner had a wood fire insert at one time, but was removed due to its age. Me and my wife would love to purchase a new insert and use wood fire as our main source of heat for our household. I found your forum and are slowly but surely learning a lot from you guys, and hope to continue to learn a lot more. I just wanted to say hi and give you some background on my situation.




(broken image removed)

 

[Jags]

Welcome aboard, DevilDog. In sniffing around the forum, you might want to hit up the search function for Zero Clearance (ZC). That will get your feet wet for a bit of options and insightful reading. We like data and pictures. Fill us in on the current setup. Liner, total height, interior/exterior chase (looks like yours is interior, but not 100% sure). And at this point in time - if you are looking to burn this upcoming winter, get your fuel supply in order ASAP.

Stick around. Lots of good folks that are gonna jump in and make your head spin like the wheel on that game show. Tons of options and ideas will be tossed out for consideration.

 

[My Oslo heats my home]

Congrats on your new home purchase, also welcome to the forums. I don't know enough about the inserts, I'm sure many will give you some great suggestions here.
One thing I have noticed in your photo is the window to the left, the slider. I wonder if the windows are dated to the homes age from the 70's? If so it may be a future consideration for replacement. The sliders have a nasty reputation for leaks when they age.
And on the wood burning front, have you started your search for dried wood yet, even before you have an insert and plan to burn you should start looking for fuel.

 

[DevilDogWWII]

Thanks for the info, we should close the house by next week and get the dimensions on the setup. As far as fuel goes I got my mother in-laws 9 acre plot on lock down and will commence splitting the second we get the house.

 

[DevilDogWWII]

The house's windows are the original hardware (Double storm window's circa 1980's) we will replace them in January or so. But for now I will figure out the best course of action I can take until that time.

 

[DevilDogWWII]

My next battle is going to be what company and model of insert to go with. Once I get the measurements then I can hone in on that topic soon. As for the time being I’m going to live on this site for the next several years lol.

 

[PapaDave]

Welcome to the Hearth DevilDog.
Don't wait to get the wood, unless there's a chance you won't get the house.
You have enough time if you can get it c/s/s now (yesterday would have been better). Wet or, at least, not dry enough wood is probably the #1 problem reported here.
If you have enough room, get wood for 2013, and then get wood for 2014 as well. Do it ASAP. Knowing what I now know, I would have gotten 3 years worth of wood c/s/s the first year we got here. Didn't work out that way, but I started working on doing that the 2nd year, and that was a major pain.
Seriously. You can thank us later.
Oh yeah, hang around. Once these guys get detailed info on the setup, the suggestions will start flying around fast and furious.

 

[DevilDogWWII]

Yea I plan on getting to the wood this weekend after the move; I have a nice covered lean-to that should hold a few years’ worth just nicely.

 

[Jags]

My opinion - and its gonna cost you some work..Sun and wind. Sun and wind. You are gonna want everything in your favor.

Elevated off the ground, stacked in single rows in your sunniest and windiest place.

 

[DevilDogWWII]

Yea that's what I heard, Once I get a feel for the property we should be in good shape.

 

[jeff_t]

Is the house stick built, or manufactured? Could make a difference on insert options.

 

[bag of hammers]

I got my mother in-laws 9 acre plot on lock down and will commence splitting the second we get the house

Welcome DevilDog - I can't offer up much in the way of insert advice (now if you're looking for some constant wining about the crappy weather then I'm your guy) -- but will add my vote for the firewood gathering process being a priority in any new wood burning adventure.

I'm gonna guess, from your signature and the passion in your posts, that you would have no problem swinging an axe and taming a few splits out on that woodlot. Me and the dog(s) can spend hours out on the woodpile, it's a labor of love. FWIW you'll be amazed how much peace you can find once you get into the routine. Best of luck to you and your family in your new home.

 

[DevilDogWWII]

Thank you all for your encouraging words!! The house was stick built in 1972 by a local know builder at that time, and his thing was the half-moon brick fireplace from what I was told by the inspector. I'm looking forward to swinging an axe or maul with my dogs all day, cant wait!!

 

[Delta-T]

I can't wait to see how you train your dogs to swing an axe and a maul...

Welcome to the forum.

 

[DevilDogWWII]

Time, patience and beer!! that's all you need..

 

[bogydave]

Welcome
Congratulations on the home !

Like said; Start getting your wood ASAP.
Dead standing & fast drying types first
CSS (Cut split & stacked) so you can burn this coming burn season & not have much creosote issues

Most of all,
Have fun

 

[blujacket]

Semper Fi, welcome to Hearth