New Woodburner. Going for 48 hours. Observations and Questions.

[ecfinn]

I've had the new insert burning for 48+ hours straight now. Just thought I'd post a few observations and questions for the group.

1. I need gloves. Haven't burnt my hand on the metal surfaces yet, but when the stove is at 500 degrees, putting a new split in almost gives me surface burns.

2. I need to start filling the log holder inside the night before so that I don't have to go out in the cold first thing in the morning.

3. My bypass damper is great but its starts to stick when the stove is up over 400 degrees according to the Rutland 701 sitting on the top surface.

4. I need an ash can. Haven't emptied the ashes in in 48 hours since I started it up Saturday morning. I'm at about 1.5" thick in places.

5. I need a bigger fan to put on the floor in my hallway to move the air around. I've got a little floor-standing 10" diameter fan that does great at pulling the cold air into the stove room. This heats up the hallway pretty well, but I need to get some other fans to put in the bedrooms to pull the cold air out of them better. Can anyone recommend a good box fan thats quiet when run on low speed? The little fan is a bit too loud.

6. I bought a little corner fan to put in the upper corner of the doorways. It doesn't seem to do a whole lot. I think that pushing the cold air out of the rooms works much better than trying to pull the hot air into them. Also this fan is very noisy.

7. Tried the sample of Super Cedar firestarters I was sent last week. For their size they work very well. I've got some inherited firestarters that are larger brick like things and they are harder to light than the super cedars and probably about twice the weight of them. Will put a case of Super Cedars on my Christmas list.

8. Not sure yet on the temp when secondary combustion starts on my Revere. I tend not to damper it down until I'm up over 350. Lower than that seemed to create a lot of smoke out the chimney.

9. Loaded up stove at 9:30. Put one additional split in at 1:30 when kids got up. Blower still on when I got up at 6am. Temp at about 125. Relit fire from lots of coals. Wife very happy.

10. Seems to take my chimney a while to get hot enough to where there's no visible smoke coming out of it. I'm sure this is just the learning curve.

11. With the insert on the first floor of my raised ranch my basement is getting colder. You can tell because the floors of the first floor are cold. Is there a way I can put in a relay and install a second thermostat in the basement? I only have a single zone system. I'd like to throw a switch and determine which thermostat is running the furnace. That way I can close off the upstairs vents and keep the basement at about 60 and not have to worry about freezing pipes, cold floors. etc.

12. I need an indoor/outdoor thermometer with multiple sensors so I can start monitoring things a little better.

I guess that's enough for now. I'm sure there will be more coming with the cold we're getting this week.

Later,

Eric Finn (Starting to get the hang of this woodburning for heat thing...)

 

[martel]

Congrats on first 48 hours!!

 

[BrotherBart]

Welcome to wood heating. It just keeps getting better.

 

[wg_bent]

I've had the new insert burning for 48+ hours straight now. Just thought I'd post a few observations and questions for the group.

1. I need gloves. Haven't burnt my hand on the metal surfaces yet, but when the stove is at 500 degrees, putting a new split in almost gives me surface burns.

Yup

2. I need to start filling the log holder inside the night before so that I don't have to go out in the cold first thing in the morning.

Yup

3. My bypass damper is great but its starts to stick when the stove is up over 400 degrees according to the Rutland 701 sitting on the top surface.

4. I need an ash can. Haven't emptied the ashes in in 48 hours since I started it up Saturday morning. I'm at about 1.5" thick in places.

that's all? Nice.

5. I need a bigger fan to put on the floor in my hallway to move the air around. I've got a little floor-standing 10" diameter fan that does great at pulling the cold air into the stove room. This heats up the hallway pretty well, but I need to get some other fans to put in the bedrooms to pull the cold air out of them better. Can anyone recommend a good box fan thats quiet when run on low speed? The little fan is a bit too loud.

Try getting some small hepa filter's (Honeywell) that you can lay on the ground to push cold air out of the rooms at floor level. Work good, collect any excess dust from the stove, quiet, and move enough air to do the job.

6. I bought a little corner fan to put in the upper corner of the doorways. It doesn't seem to do a whole lot. I think that pushing the cold air out of the rooms works much better than trying to pull the hot air into them. Also this fan is very noisy.

Yup

7. Tried the sample of Super Cedar firestarters I was sent last week. For their size they work very well. I've got some inherited firestarters that are larger brick like things and they are harder to light than the super cedars and probably about twice the weight of them. Will put a case of Super Cedars on my Christmas list.

soo many things can be used to light a stove...the super cedar's seem to get good press here.

8. Not sure yet on the temp when secondary combustion starts on my Revere. I tend not to damper it down until I'm up over 350. Lower than that seemed to create a lot of smoke out the chimney.

no comment... I don't have a Revere.

9. Loaded up stove at 9:30. Put one additional split in at 1:30 when kids got up. Blower still on when I got up at 6am. Temp at about 125. Relit fire from lots of coals. Wife very happy.

MMmmmmmmm excellent.

10. Seems to take my chimney a while to get hot enough to where there's no visible smoke coming out of it. I'm sure this is just the learning curve.

Small splits to get things going fast.

11. With the insert on the first floor of my raised ranch my basement is getting colder. You can tell because the floors of the first floor are cold. Is there a way I can put in a relay and install a second thermostat in the basement? I only have a single zone system. I'd like to throw a switch and determine which thermostat is running the furnace. That way I can close off the upstairs vents and keep the basement at about 60 and not have to worry about freezing pipes, cold floors. etc.

Sounds possible.

12. I need an indoor/outdoor thermometer with multiple sensors so I can start monitoring things a little better.

The true sign of just getting started...Hey Spike how many thermometers you have?
Lots of folks here have one in every room, a couple outside...It's an obsession...but you'll get used to it. I have 5 in the house. 2 outside.


I guess that's enough for now. I'm sure there will be more coming with the cold we're getting this week.

Later,

Eric Finn (Starting to get the hang of this woodburning for heat thing...)

 

[babalu87]

Look up Welding supplies and buy the best gloves they carry.
Ask for the ones the guys who burn with acetylene use.

Aubuchon carries the small galvanized trash barrels, lids sold separately

I try to store as much wood as the wife will let me inside

 

[Jags]

As BroB said- It will just keep getting better. One point the was already mentioned that I would like to stress a little stronger. For the start up fire (and restarts in the a.m.) use smaller splits that are well seasoned. This will give you a faster startup which will reduce the amount and time that you will be a smoker.

Congrats on the 48 hours. I am at about 180 hours as I type. This mornings temp was a cool 8* above zero.

 

[axleman]

I've had the new insert burning for 48+ hours straight now. Just thought I'd post a few observations and questions for the group.

1. I need gloves. Haven't burnt my hand on the metal surfaces yet, but when the stove is at 500 degrees, putting a new split in almost gives me surface burns.

Wow, you are going through all the same stuff I just did! =) Welders gloves work nicely for me and the wife will actually put a few pieces in every now and then with them.

2. I need to start filling the log holder inside the night before so that I don't have to go out in the cold first thing in the morning.

Yup, that does suck. I keep 2-3 days worth in the garage which is right next to the den where the insert is. No big deal running out there in PJs to get wood.

3. My bypass damper is great but its starts to stick when the stove is up over 400 degrees according to the Rutland 701 sitting on the top surface.

4. I need an ash can. Haven't emptied the ashes in in 48 hours since I started it up Saturday morning. I'm at about 1.5" thick in places.

I got a small galvanized garbage can from Lowe's. It actually looks pretty nice sitting next to the insert.

5. I need a bigger fan to put on the floor in my hallway to move the air around. I've got a little floor-standing 10" diameter fan that does great at pulling the cold air into the stove room. This heats up the hallway pretty well, but I need to get some other fans to put in the bedrooms to pull the cold air out of them better. Can anyone recommend a good box fan thats quiet when run on low speed? The little fan is a bit too loud.

6. I bought a little corner fan to put in the upper corner of the doorways. It doesn't seem to do a whole lot. I think that pushing the cold air out of the rooms works much better than trying to pull the hot air into them. Also this fan is very noisy.

While my best result came from no fans at all, I did get better distribution trying to pull out cold air rather than move in warm air.

7. Tried the sample of Super Cedar firestarters I was sent last week. For their size they work very well. I've got some inherited firestarters that are larger brick like things and they are harder to light than the super cedars and probably about twice the weight of them. Will put a case of Super Cedars on my Christmas list.

I use those brick type starters because they are readily available and work pretty well. They are hard to light with a bic, but I have one of those mini-butane torches that lights them very quickly. Haven't tried the SpuerCedars yet.

8. Not sure yet on the temp when secondary combustion starts on my Revere. I tend not to damper it down until I'm up over 350. Lower than that seemed to create a lot of smoke out the chimney.

9. Loaded up stove at 9:30. Put one additional split in at 1:30 when kids got up. Blower still on when I got up at 6am. Temp at about 125. Relit fire from lots of coals. Wife very happy.

10. Seems to take my chimney a while to get hot enough to where there's no visible smoke coming out of it. I'm sure this is just the learning curve.

Mine can take an hour or more from dead or near dead cold until secondary combustion starts and the smoke clears. After the initial warm up, reloads burn very cleanly and efficiently as long as I don't let it drop below about 300 between reloads.

11. With the insert on the first floor of my raised ranch my basement is getting colder. You can tell because the floors of the first floor are cold. Is there a way I can put in a relay and install a second thermostat in the basement? I only have a single zone system. I'd like to throw a switch and determine which thermostat is running the furnace. That way I can close off the upstairs vents and keep the basement at about 60 and not have to worry about freezing pipes, cold floors. etc.

12. I need an indoor/outdoor thermometer with multiple sensors so I can start monitoring things a little better.

I'm glad I'm not the only technogeek that has to know the temp of every room in the house. I'm sure my wife thinks I'm a nut.

I guess that's enough for now. I'm sure there will be more coming with the cold we're getting this week.

Later,

Eric Finn (Starting to get the hang of this woodburning for heat thing...)

 

[CountryGal]

Our Country Stoves dealer gave us gloves with our purchase. They are rough-out leather, long, and the inside glove is lined in the hand/palm area with what feels like soft fleece. I don't know the brand but they are great!

Our ash bucket was purchased online and it looks like a small trash can. It came with a shovel and what I like is that I hold the lid upside down and under the shovel when I'm cleaning out the ash. It really helps keep it from the normal ash spills while I'm putting it in the ash can. Now if I can just get my husband trained to use it that way!

 

[BrotherBart]

Now if I can just get my husband trained to use it that way!

Just like an unruly horse, grab a handful of ear to get his attention.

 

[Roospike]

WarrenThe true sign of just getting started...Hey Spike how many thermometers you have?
Lots of folks here have one in every room, a couple outside...It’s an obsession...but you’ll get used to it. I have 5 in the house. 2 outside.

7 total
5 in the house
1 under the house and 1 out side.

When you can see what the weather is doing and how fast the outside temp is changing it gives you a head start with adjustments on your stove.

I have used cheep welding gloves ($7.) and better made welding gloves ($16.-$20.) and they both protect your hands about the same in short durations except the cheap welding gloves tend to shrink around the fingers with high heat and the better brands do not.

I buy the Tillman 750 welding gloves for welding and also have a pair for the house.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Tillman-750-LG-...hZ017QQcategoryZ67045QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

 

[tradergordo]

These $3 welding gloves work great:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=488

 

[Roospike]

These $3 welding gloves work great:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=488

Shows $10. when i pull up the link.


EDIT: 3 pr at $10. ........my bad

 

[philaphire]

congrats on the new stove getting its hours - cold weather all week!

 

[Henz]

YES, THAT IS A GOOD POINT TO MENTION. I AM FORTUNATE, I HAVE 5 CORD OF WOOD ON MY BACK ENCLOSED SCREEN PORCH THAT I CAN ACCESS OFF OF MY KITCHEN..ITS NICE TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS ALL OF YOUR WOOD WHILE WEARING YOUR SLIPPERS..ANYWAYS, I ALWAYS KEEP MY WOOD RING FULL NEXT TO THE STOVE. WHEN IT GETS TO ABOUT HALF, I USUALLY GET ANOTHER CRADLE OR TWO TO FILL HER UP.