Newbie offering thanks

[NortheastAl]

Thank you to all who are on this forum. I've been lurking for a little over a month, trying to sway myself from pellet stove to a wood burner. Well, I have arrived. After 16 years of having a pellet stove I got into the joy and benefit of wood burning. My Endeavor was installed almost two weeks ago and the most important thing I've learned from all of you is that it is all about the wood. My first cord was the usual "seasoned" wood, which it turned out was not so seasoned. The second cord was kiln dried, which burns like it was meant to. I have another cord coming from another dealer, which is properly seasoned, and priced to indicate such. I managed to scrounge almost another cord of wood in the past month from stuff that fell during Sandy and some that I kept on the property from limb cuttings I did a couple years ago. I guess I saved that wood intending to be a wood burner all along.

So far, with all that I've learned here, I've managed to get the basics down and can keep a burn going overnight with coals in the morning to restart. This morning, after a reload, I shut down the primary completely as the thermometer on the stove top approached 600°. Almost had my first overfire.

Thanks for having me.


Al

 

[pen]

600 isn't anything to worry about. In general, I keep things under 750 and consider that a good "redline" so to speak.

Congrats on the install and on being able to find some seasoned fuel. It's not easy in some cases! Not sure what your prices are for that seasoned and/or kiln dried wood, but if you can find somewhere selling bio bricks or similar it may be worth doing some price comparison as that may help you to mix some of those in.

Also, as you've seen, do what you can to secure next year's wood this year! You can save by buying wood in advance that needs to be seasoned and doing the seasoning yourself.

As you may know, most hardwoods take at least 1 full year cut, split and stacked, others like oak take at least 2 years in may cases. In general, I'm finding that 2 years seasoned is about the best for everything. That first year of getting ahead is the hardest, but once you get ahead, it's just a matter of replacing what you burn year to year.

pen

 

[NortheastAl]

Thanks Pen, I was concerned it was getting away from me but at least I nkw know I have that cushion to 750°.

I've started on next year's wood and found quite a bit of oak, that I was happy to get, and am willing to wait the 2 years to season it. Buying 3 cord this year is still not as bad as my oil bill would have been, anyway. Nothing like beating them at their own game.

I am also going to look into buying logs or green rounds in the off season to get the future years wood in place.


Al

 

[pen]

Sounds like a plan.

If you can keep the house heated at 550 or 650 all the better. But if it gets up to 750 on occasion it isn't going to hurt anything.

pen

 

[Kevin Dolan]

Thank you to all who are on this forum. I've been lurking for a little over a month, trying to sway myself from pellet stove to a wood burner. Well, I have arrived. After 16 years of having a pellet stove I got into the joy and benefit of wood burning. My Endeavor was installed almost two weeks ago and the most important thing I've learned from all of you is that it is all about the wood. My first cord was the usual "seasoned" wood, which it turned out was not so seasoned. The second cord was kiln dried, which burns like it was meant to. I have another cord coming from another dealer, which is properly seasoned, and priced to indicate such. I managed to scrounge almost another cord of wood in the past month from stuff that fell during Sandy and some that I kept on the property from limb cuttings I did a couple years ago. I guess I saved that wood intending to be a wood burner all along.

So far, with all that I've learned here, I've managed to get the basics down and can keep a burn going overnight with coals in the morning to restart. This morning, after a reload, I shut down the primary completely as the thermometer on the stove top approached 600°. Almost had my first overfire.

Thanks for having me.


Al

Is that a pic of your stove in your avatar thingy?
I don't know much about the lopi endeavour but if it is yours it looks good. You are so right about the quality of wood, being dry is so important. The only good thing about burning unseasoned wood is that you know what it feels like and looks like. It is like trying to run a gas tractor with water in the fuel, it stalls, sputters and generally farts all the time.
Enjoy your stove,
Kevin

 

[Beer Belly]

There's a few guys here from your area......maybe point out some hot spots to find free wood to help you get ahead.

 

[NortheastAl]

Is that a pic of your stove in your avatar thingy?
I don't know much about the lopi endeavour but if it is yours it looks good. You are so right about the quality of wood, being dry is so important. The only good thing about burning unseasoned wood is that you know what it feels like and looks like. It is like trying to run a gas tractor with water in the fuel, it stalls, sputters and generally farts all the time.
Enjoy your stove,
Kevin

Yeah, that's my stove. In case you are wondering, there's an eco fan on the top right and a lattice steamer on the left top.

I was just out moving some kiln dried wood from the pile to the rack on the deck. Did a little snow shoveling, and now I'm beat.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Thanks Pen, I was concerned it was getting away from me but at least I nkw know I have that cushion to 750°.

I've started on next year's wood and found quite a bit of oak, that I was happy to get, and am willing to wait the 2 years to season it. Buying 3 cord this year is still not as bad as my oil bill would have been, anyway. Nothing like beating them at their own game.

I am also going to look into buying logs or green rounds in the off season to get the future years wood in place.


Al

Welcome to the forum Al.


Just a hint here. Give that oak 3 years and it will be worth the wait. Speaking of 3 years, that should be your goal; to get 3 years ahead on your wood supply.

 

[NortheastAl]

There's a few guys here from your area......maybe point out some hot spots to find free wood to help you get ahead.

After Sandy there was plenty. It is a good idea to share the wealth.

 

[NortheastAl]

Welcome to the forum Al.


Just a hint here. Give that oak 3 years and it will be worth the wait. Speaking of 3 years, that should be your goal; to get 3 years ahead on your wood supply.

I was trying to get one to two years ahead. Three is going to be a major challenge. However, I do enjoy a challenge.

 

[NortheastAl]

Welcome to the forum Al.


Just a hint here. Give that oak 3 years and it will be worth the wait. Speaking of 3 years, that should be your goal; to get 3 years ahead on your wood supply.

Thanks for the welcome, btw.

 

[corey21]

Welcome. Congrats on the new install..

 

[fossil]

The Endeavor is a great stove...nice choice. I burn a Liberty, which has a larger firebox, but it's not as deep as the Endeavor, so I don't often burn N-S, consequently I doubt I ever get much more of a load of wood into it as you can with the deeper box on the Endeavor. My Cousin & my Nephew (both here in Bend) have Endeavors, and I'm quite impressed with the stove. Welcome! Rick

 

[NortheastAl]

Welcome. Congrats on the new install..

Thanks, Corey

 

[NortheastAl]

The Endeavor is a great stove...nice choice. I burn a Liberty, which has a larger firebox, but it's not as deep as the Endeavor, so I don't often burn N-S, consequently I doubt I ever get much more of a load of wood into it as you can with the deeper box on the Endeavor. My Cousin & my Nephew (both here in Bend) have Endeavors, and I'm quite impressed with the stove. Welcome! Rick

Thanks, Rick. I debated the choice of stoves for a long time, and I hope I did right. So far it has been great. Time will tell. I've done N-S cigar burn, E-W, and I'm having a hard time figuring out which is better. More time behind the damper will give me the experience to understand the what and whys of the stove. Right now it's sitting at 500°and I'm on the couch sucking up the BTUs.

 

[lopiliberty]

I have had a liberty for 3 years and it is a heating machine. Lopi makes a quality product. I'm heating a 2400 sqft house and it keeps it between 80 and 90 degrees. I was considering taking out the liberty and installing an endeavor or blaze king but I think I will keep the liberty for the burn times and the extra heat on cold nights.

 

[save$]

I was trying to get one to two years ahead. Three is going to be a major challenge. However, I do enjoy a challenge.

You'll get there. Lots of determination in you. What it takes to be a successful wood burner. Please stay with the forum and share your experiences. Pics are also welcomed!

 

[Sprinter]

Sounds like a plan.

If you can keep the house heated at 550 or 650 all the better. But if it gets up to 750 on occasion it isn't going to hurt anything.

pen

+I. I get pretty nervous when my stove hits 700 because when it does, it's usually still going up and I don't know for sure if I can stop the rise quickly. I aim for about 600 -- 650 cruise and that's where the stove seems happiest (stable) and I'm comfortable with leaving it alone. That said, there will be occasions that it overshoots for whatever reason. It pays to watch it very carefully until it stabilizes where you want it. Sometimes your load may be dryer than usual or smaller splits or whatever and the fire can get away from you pretty quick if you're not watching. Use a timer during this period as it's easy to get distracted.

If you are using a magnetic stovetop thermometer, remember there is a lag time in their response. You may want to consider an IR thermometer for a more accurate reading during the heating - up phase.

There is a learning curve to every stove. You'll get to know yours.