The first stove lighting of the year..

[PaulOinMA]

70s Monday here. Want to get a coat of wax on my car before winter.

Hopefully my back will let me. Protruding L4/L5 disc on descending L5 nerve and L4 nerve root. Haven't had a night's sleep in 4 weeks.

Drugs let me get a few hours sleep. Got some things done in the middle of the night on the computer that I have been putting off. 😀

 

[Jmorg]

Crazy here. 57º and really gusty. Tomorrow will be 15º colder, and by Tuesday, below freezing at night.

Enjoy that cold weather…looks like I won’t be lighting up the Dauntless until maybe next Sunday. 60s-upper 70s in Richmond for the next week

 

[Seanbear]

It got down to 28 one night so far, and a few 30s.....A few frosts too. I like the warmth late in the year, makes leaf viewing more enjoyable.

 

[mojoliveshere]

Had the first fire in my new (to me) PE Pacific Insert this morning. It was 5c when I woke and without the heat pump on, it was time. The stove worked wonderfully, good draft (17ft chimney) and excellent heat transfer to the split levels leading from the living room, even with only a small fire of dry softwood. I'm confident that the fire will heat the space well once it gets going for longer.

Being the first fire after install I was a bit uptight when noticing some smoke and smell after turning on the blower. Despite being 25 years old, the stove looks like new, aside from some scratches (made by yours truly) during transport and storage, so I thought maybe it was the preliminary paint sealing. Then I remembered that I left the sticker on the adaptor for the inspector to review and didn't take it off before lighting :\ Luckily it only lasted about 20 minutes.

other thoughts while i'm here:

- I was keen to try the top-down method after reading about it on this site. so much better than the classic bottom-up teepees of previous years. no poking, adjusting, tending whatsoever.

- the install was challenging at times but I kept reminding myself that I was saving 3+k and the frustration passed. reciprocating saw > angle grinder. advice for others - don't insulate in and around the smoke shelf until the stove is attached and in place. I learned the hard way when I had to remove the liner to ovalize a section to attach the adaptor.

That's about it. Thanks to all who offered feedback and advice to earlier questions, and to everyone who shares their experiences. It definitely helped make this DIY project a success. Now to find more wood!

M

 

[Seanbear]

Looks like a nice stove , can I ask a dumb question? How do you like the fan? I was thinking about getting.....does it work good, or just a little?

 

[mojoliveshere]

Looks like a nice stove , can I ask a dumb question? How do you like the fan? I was thinking about getting.....does it work good, or just a little?

Ya know, I've never actually experimented with heat distribution when using only the eco fan, so I can't really say either way. I have always had a blower and used both in tandem. I've seen some debate on the site regarding their efficacy in moving air. I think they would be better than nothing if you have a freestanding stove.

If i'm being honest I just like how it looks spinning around on top. And my son loves to report on when it's started, so that's fun too : )

 

[stoveliker]

My view (I have one) is that it's a toy. It doesn't do much for me.

However, my elderly neighbor in a tiny cottage is raving about it. Claims it makes such a difference. But his home is about the size of my living room.

 

[Corey]

I have one, too. I don't know that it moves enough air to blow a candle out... especially not on an my (or any) insert where you have a firebox and a 'pretty box' on the outside. I knew this going in. Just wanted a conversation piece / neat twirly thing to sit on the stove.

Maybe on a wood stove where the firebox is literally the top of the stove, it might put out a tiny bit of air. But most likely any difference with / without the fan is just that you burn the stove hotter to see the fan twirl around.

 

[Seanbear]

Thank You all for the info....I probably wont get one, cause I have a lot of fans I could put one close by the stove. It is a good idea tho, the thermal spinning or whatever.....they are pretty cool! To the Father....kids are awesome...all it takes is something like a fan, and they are having fun! I have a tea pot on top of my stove, with wax cubes in it.It makes the house smell good, and humitity.

 

[weee123]

Hit almost 80 today here in NJ. Looks like itll be 70s until late next week. Didn’t fire up the stove today but did fire up the harley😎

 

[Seanbear]

Nice Harley man!! Today would be great day for a ride. I have a friend with a Harley, with Ape Hangers, foot pegs( skulls), custom gas tank, you get the idea. It was nice in PA too. No one even has their plow on the truck yet.

 

[weee123]

Thanks! Got to get the riding in when you can this time of year. At this point I just want to be able to light the stove! Hopefully it gets brutally cold this year to help knockback the tick population

 

[Seanbear]

I agree with the cold part....kills ticks and fleas. Im actually looking forward to shoveling, cleaning off the car, letting the water drip, anyone in a cold spot will know about it. Good excuse to not go anywhere too!

 

[VintageGal]

first fire of the season. dry-as-a-bone pine. Y'all told me to start shutting the damper down earlier and I did and it's working out good.

 

[Seanbear]

Gotta love the first fire! Ive had about 20 already, just cause it was chilly, and I have the wood. Yours looks Homey.....I dont like that word, lo,....but its Homey looking.

 

[Sealcove]

I am in Maine, but with a tight well insulated house and good passive solar, I rarely have a fire before Thanksgiving. Serious burning wont start until a December unless we get both cold and overcast conditions for multiple days.

Stove is ready to go, but it was 71 here today.

 

[weee123]

Perfect conditions for deer today with the big temp drop but no dice. Made for a great reason to light the stove up though!

 

[rudysmallfry]

The freak 70 degree November days are gone in New England and I'm finally lit!

 

[bigealta]

Ok i did have 3 (last month) so far, but they don't really count.
Looks like either tomorrow or Sunday will be the kick off to the Official Season Opener.

 

[PaulOinMA]

Think I will hold off until Monday.

 

[Woodsplitter67]

Perfect conditions for deer today with the big temp drop but no dice. Made for a great reason to light the stove up though!

View attachment 302326

where you at in nj

 

[weee123]

where you at in nj

Williamstown

 

[Woodsplitter67]

Williamstown

ok.. were close.. im in woolwich.. good to see you on here neighbor.. are you purchasing wood or are u splitting your own, how long have you been burning

 

[weee123]

ok.. were close.. im in woolwich.. good to see you on here neighbor.. are you purchasing wood or are u splitting your own, how long have you been burning

good to see someone close by. I process all my own firewood from trees I fell myself. This is my second year of burning in my house, third year living there. First year had no seasoned wood and hadn’t installed the stove yet

 

[Woodsplitter67]

cool.. im assuming your burning alot of oak