Staging Area

[Typ0]

I notice myself always staging up some wood for my next load ... and this morning had a though to build a box the exact specs of my firebox to stage properly and make better loading decisions. Anyone ever done this?

 

[Woody Stover]

I have several loads on the floor near the stove, different types of wood, so I can pick my loads.

 

[marajade]

i like this idea... both the idea of the box and the pre-sorted loads. i'm only on my 2nd break in fire and already i find myself looking at what i've got in the living room and planning ahead.

 

[Fsappo]

Never done it. Would be neat though. You wont have to sort thru pieces to make sure the firebox is full. Presort based on FB size and door opening is kind of nerdy and neat

 

[Typ0]

I'm going to do it! Build a little staging area with my cold firebox replica...then just fill that area with the next load every time!

I'll build the box by the wood pile in the house .... move the wood into there than peel it off onto the hearth to reverse the way the logs are ordered...then back into the stove. I love being organized!

I love it ....

 

[bsruther]

I have a bin on wheels that will hold at least 2 days worth of wood. Rolls right in front of the stove for loading.

 

[Jags]

I carry wood to the stove in a tote. The tote holds the same amount of fuel as my firebox can fit. If it fits in the tote - it fits in the stove.

 

[Renjilj]

I carry wood to the stove in a tote. The tote holds the same amount of fuel as my firebox can fit. If it fits in the tote - it fits in the stove.

+1 on the tote. Works well for both size of log and size of load

 

[Nick Mystic]

I applaud your enthusiasm and proactive planning, but I don't think your idea is needed nor do I think it's likely to work that well. Here is why: Each piece of firewood is fairly unique in its shape. When you load a stove it's a bit like putting a jigsaw puzzle together. You might succeed in getting a nice compact assemblage of firewood in your staging box with all the pieces arranged upside down so that the pieces on top will load first and go in the bottom of your stove. However, each piece will need to be oriented exactly 180 degrees from its position in the box to replicate the arrangement inside the stove. That in itself is likely to be a challenge. Second, you will rarely have an empty stove to load unless you clean it out before each reload, which would be a waste of time and inhibit good burning since a stove burns better with hot coals and ash on the bottom. I've noticed that even a small 2" coal can cause a problem keeping a piece of wood from sitting the way you want it to inside the stove. Third, to get this precise arrangement in your staging box you will have to bring in some extra firewood so you can pick and choose from various size pieces to make this good fitting arrangement you're after. That will be one big mess if you are doing it in your house since firewood often has loose debris and bark that start falling off as you jostle it around. If you prep this staging box outside it's likely going to be rather heavy to transport into the house.

Most folks here at the forum will tell you it's really not rocket science to load a stove and after a short time of burning you get a pretty good feel of what pieces of wood will fit where in your stove to make a nice load. I wouldn't spend the time and energy on your project. I hope you don't take this response as a mean-spirited put down - rather just some feedback from an experienced wood-burner.

Thanks for the good proofreading Jags!

 

[Jags]

I hope you DON'T take this response as a mean-spirited put down - rather just some feedback from an experienced wood-burner.

Hmmm...guessing that a word was left out... (it was an important one.)

 

[Oldman47]

If I built something like that I would leave the front wide open. That way you could even see if your load had enough air flow paths.

 

[mstoelton]

Spend your time and money on a good set of hearth gloves. They are indispensable.

Get a plastic tote that approximates your fire box and don't over think the loading of it. Most reloads will be less than a full load due to the coal load in the bottom of the stove.

 

[Typ0]

I applaud your enthusiasm and proactive planning, but I don't think your idea is needed nor do I think it's likely to work that well. Here is why: Each piece of firewood is fairly unique in its shape. When you load a stove it's a bit like putting a jigsaw puzzle together. You might succeed in getting a nice compact assemblage of firewood in your staging box with all the pieces arranged upside down so that the pieces on top will load first and go in the bottom of your stove. However, each piece will need to be oriented exactly 180 degrees from its position in the box to replicate the arrangement inside the stove. That in itself is likely to be a challenge. Second, you will rarely have an empty stove to load unless you clean it out before each reload, which would be a waste of time and inhibit good burning since a stove burns better with hot coals and ash on the bottom. I've noticed that even a small 2" coal can cause a problem keeping a piece of wood from sitting the way you want it to inside the stove. Third, to get this precise arrangement in your staging box you will have to bring in some extra firewood so you can pick and choose from various size pieces to make this good fitting arrangement you're after. That will be one big mess if you are doing it in your house since firewood often has loose debris and bark that start falling off as you jostle it around. If you prep this staging box outside it's likely going to be rather heavy to transport into the house.

Most folks here at the forum will tell you it's really not rocket science to load a stove and after a short time of burning you get a pretty good feel of what pieces of wood will fit where in your stove to make a nice load. I wouldn't spend the time and energy on your project. I hope you don't take this response as a mean-spirited put down - rather just some feedback from an experienced wood-burner.

Thanks for the good proofreading Jags!

LOL thank for the response but I think you are over thinking it a bit because of the comment about made about reversing the pieces to get them to the hearth. That just means the ones at the bottom of the staging area will be the ones to first go in the stove--hence they will be starting in the right position.

The coal layer is a very good point...but solved by only stacking the staging box with proper head room to accommodate the coal bed you have in the stove.

Really all this thing is a mini wood rack the width, height and depth of the firebox. There isn't any more wood requirements or any other variables....just a place to stage the wood before it goes into the stove. The problem I was trying to solve when I came up with this idea is that piece of wood that just doesn't fit into the load I end up pulling out after it's already been somewhat in the stove. I don't want that dangerous process to be a part of what I am doing ... all I need to do is miss some something and I have a burning piece of wood in my living room.

 

[MJFlores]

I keep a metal wood rack next to the hearth..when full it's enough for two days. Before a storm we always fill the rack up...and it helps with a final drying if the woods were to get some wind driven rain or snow on it which happens. Lately, it's a good chore for my son to keep it filled when he gets home. I stack wood as a mix so I always have sassafras and birch on the rack for the am start up, and some thick oak to pout in before bedtime. It's my staging area and comes in handy having different species of wood to pick from depending on time of day, etc.

 

[firefighterjake]

I pick and select the wood I bring in from the woodshed to the porch and then to the woodbox . . . so I've kinda selected the wood type and size already based on my needs (heating needs, if my wife is going to load the stove, if I'm looking for a particularly long burn, etc.)

I've never worried too much about filling up every cubic inch of space in the firebox . . . just have put the largest split or round in first and then started going all Jenga on the rest with the goal of loading up the stove, but not so much that I damage the stove's glass, baffle, etc. OR have to start pulling out a flaming split after discovering it didn't fit. I would rather have a little bit shorter burn time than have to run through the house with a flaming piece of wood . . . but that's just me.