New to using a wood stove. Need some advice

[Jdtbolding]

so a few days ago our central heating went out so I’ve been using the Franklin stove that came with the house. I have no problem starting a fire and keeping it going but I can’t get it to stay lit all night. Before bed, after running it pretty hot for a few hours I stuff it with wood and close the vents. But within hours the wood is gone and nothing but ash. There’s a pretty good gap under the double doors. Do you think that’s why it won’t stay lit? BecUse it’s getting too much air?

 

[DAKSY]

Your Franklin Stove is as efficient as a fireplace -10%.
You're not gonna get an all-night burn out of it.
Feed it as often as you need to & think about replacing it when the weather cooperates...

 

[Jdtbolding]

Your Franklin Stove is as efficient as a fireplace -10%.
You're not gonna get an all-night burn out of it.
Feed it as often as you need to & think about replacing it when the weather cooperates...

Yea like I said we usually have central air. Just kept the stove as back up. What would be a good replacement? Something we will only use maybe a few times a year?

 

[DAKSY]

That is YOUR call. A NEW replacement should be capable of heating your ENTIRE home in a power outage, or at least your main living areas.
That would require a couple of steps.
1. You would need to have the existing chimney system & connector pipe cleaned & inspected by a local sweep.
The system would either be considered safe as is, or need replacement.
He should also be able to tell you if the STOVE itself & it's placement & clearance to combustibles
meets the National & Local Fire Codes.
2. You would need to visit your local hearthshop to determine what sized stove will heat your entire home, or at least the areas you want to heat, from the existing chimney/stove location.
Once you know the answers to 1 & 2, then you need to do your homework & evaluate what your family can afford. A new stove will cost a couple of grand. A new chimney system , if you need one, may cost you that much or MORE. Remodelling the existing location, if it need to be done, is another unknown cost. If everything as far as the chimney system & stove location meet code, you can possibly get by with a used unit, although the phrase Caveat Emptor comes to mind.
Hope this helps, some...

 

[Ashful]

Yea like I said we usually have central air. Just kept the stove as back up. What would be a good replacement? Something we will only use maybe a few times a year?

This is a different question than we’re used to seeing, here. Most willing to spend the sort of money a wood stove installation typically costs, are interested in running it nearly 24/7, as either primary or supplemental heat. It will be extremely difficult to justify the cost of a wood stove installation, if you’re only using it a few times per year, unless you put a high dollar value on those few instances each year. Most would do better buying a portable generator, which they can back-feed to their house, and operate their central heating that way.

As DAKSY already indicated, woodstoves generally cost $1k - $4k, and chimney liners are typically $1500 - $2500. A round number of $5k, installed, is pretty typical. Then you need to figure where you’re going to get, store, season, and use your firewood. It’s really a lifestyle decision, not something you’re going to do very successfully without serious thought and preparation.

If that’s what you’re seeking, then let’s begin! However, if not, you might be better off trying the DIY room and discussing generator options for running your central heating in event of a power outage.

 

[kevreh]

Yea like I said we usually have central air. Just kept the stove as back up. What would be a good replacement? Something we will only use maybe a few times a year?

Maybe you can invest in a decent one and use it more than a few times a year?

 

[sportbikerider78]

This is a different question than we’re used to seeing, here. Most willing to spend the sort of money a wood stove installation typically costs, are interested in running it nearly 24/7, as either primary or supplemental heat. It will be extremely difficult to justify the cost of a wood stove installation, if you’re only using it a few times per year, unless you put a high dollar value on those few instances each year. Most would do better buying a portable generator, which they can back-feed to their house, and operate their central heating that way.

As DAKSY already indicated, woodstoves generally cost $1k - $4k, and chimney liners are typically $1500 - $2500. A round number of $5k, installed, is pretty typical. Then you need to figure where you’re going to get, store, season, and use your firewood. It’s really a lifestyle decision, not something you’re going to do very successfully without serious thought and preparation.

If that’s what you’re seeking, then let’s begin! However, if not, you might be better off trying the DIY room and discussing generator options for running your central heating in event of a power outage.

He has a chimney and he could get a cheap stove...could keep it under $1500-2500 if he wanted to. My $600 NC30 does the job.

 

[Dav1966]

My investment stove $1,900 chimney liner $600 stove pipe $80 but it’s our main heat source we also have natural gas but have always burnt wood we like the heat and enjoy the view from the fire and don’t like giving our money to big companies