VC Reslute going back in... finally

[bmwloco]

We upgraded houses. Oh, not necessarily my idea, but hey, you gotta keep the bride happy.

The old abode had the VC Resolute front and center in the great room - it was an asset to the house and made it very comfortable even on the coldest days in Western North Carolina.

So, I took the Resolute with me when I left - told the "Two Men & a Truck" crew to forget about this one - I would take it.

Happily I have good friends and an old Dodge D100 pickup.

The old insert unit going out... 23 minutes on Craigslist and I had someone on the line that read the post "...my husband and son are coming over with their truck..." as I said in the post - you need two studly sorts and a truck. They hauled this out:


And today, by myself, I got the old Resolute close to installed...


Slowly but surely... didn't want to damage the floors. Otherwise SWMBO would be on the warpath

And in!



Got a buddy coming over later to help fine tune the install. With luck, I'll be cranking up a Envi log and Envi8 tonight!

 

[bmwloco]

Success. Elroy approves mightily. Still have to put the other Dragon on the left.

 

[My Oslo heats my home]

looks good! I'm sure everyones happy now that mother nature enters her cold season. Any ideas for coverage on the floor in front of the stove?

 

[bmwloco]

Envi logs (2 Envi Original, 2 Envi 8). Running at a steady 650-700F The Resolute is a happy camper.

 

[bmwloco]

looks good! I'm sure everyones happy now that mother nature enters her cold season. Any ideas for coverage on the floor in front of the stove?

Yes! I have a river rock from the mountains of NC that is flat, runs the length of the front, and is about 3 inches thick. It does a fine job.

 

[bmwloco]

Into my second week running Envi 8 and Envi blocks in my Vermont Castings Resolute.

Gotta say, it's no muss, no fuss. One hour after lighting I'm running 500-600F and it stays there for 6 to 8 hours. Lately,
I have been reloading regularly and maintain a good hot box. I like that - it keeps the house more comfortable in the damp
cold rain/sleet/snow on the way.

Happily all the Envi blocks are inside too. When I look at no cutting, no splitting, no truck use... wow.

 

[My Oslo heats my home]

good to hear the news. Just out of curiosity, how $ on the blocks compared to split seasoned wood?

 

[bmwloco]

I can probably give you a better breakdown on expenses in another week or two.

But for now, I can confidently say this:

I did not have to cut it, split wood, worry about building a shed or haul it.

Additionally, no chainsaw. No wear and tear on my '71 Dodge Pickup.

Ashes? I have been burning Envi logs for hundred of hours give or take. I don't have to take anything out.

I light it with 1/4 of a Super Cedar and a sheet or two of old newspaper. 1 hour after lighting the old VC meter reads 500F. This sets both
Stirling engines spinning.

And that is the present state. I am in shorts and it's in the teens outside. Elroy the wonder pup is passed out blissfully in front of it.

I will buy more.

 

[fbelec]

hi bmwloco
how many of those blocks do you put in the stove for the overnight burn or that 6 to 8 hour burn? and how much is a ton or pallet of those blocks?

thanks
frank

 

[bmwloco]

3 Envi's blocks give me 9 hours at 500+. I have been using them now since November and I'm sold on 'em.

No mess, no fuss. No chainsaw use and expense. No need for the splitter.

And in the stove, seems to really love it. Ashes? I clean out once a month. The burn is amazingly complete. Starting can be challenging, but a Super Cedars get 'em up and burning. I really love the consistency of them too. No popping, no ash flying out, no excitement, just a hot stove with two happy Stirling Engine Fans on top. One comes in at 300F, the other at 450-500F. It really spreads the heat well.

I paid $360 for for basically 1.5 cords, or the back of a full size pickup packed up to the rail.

No question, I will be buying them again.

 

[legrandice]

I have never tried any Envi bocks other other similar product. Need to pick some up one of these days.

 

[bmwloco]

For longer than I care to remember, I cut trees down (only dead hardwood) then cut to length, hauled home, split, stacked, then hauled in the house.

No more.

My Envi log and Envi 8 stash is enough to last me through the winter. Come spring, I'll call them and have another 1.5 cords delivered.

I do have some good, aged oak here. I hauled it over when we moved. Since burning Envi logs, it is like "why bother".

Ashes? I clean out every month or so, not every day with wood. Burns are consistent like an anvil. Super Cedars, a little NY Times newspaper, a match. One hour in, 300F. One hour 40 minutes, 500+. And it stays that way for 8-9 hours. If I toss another log in, it just extends the burn and provides the same.

Nothing like burning wood. But the bottom line is I want a hot stove, I want efficient burn times, and I want to know what to expect. The Envi logs meet all those expectations.

Hey, I'm on the other side of 50. I have been downing, cutting, hauling, splitting, stacking etc since I was a kid. This is evolution, not revolution.

 

[doglady]

I have been burning Envi (Barefoot)Blocks in both of my wood stoves for the past 4 years. One stove is a Hearthstone and the other is a Regency. I buy 6-8 tons a year. The most recent price I paid in the spring was $283 a ton. I really like them except for the packaging which is a nuisance. Too much plastic wrap. I used to burn wood but when that started becoming really expensive I switched to these. First, I tried the Hearthwise and they were great. Minimal packaging and they did burn a little longer than the Envi, but the price is about $80 more a ton so I switched to Envi. I have been burning for over 40 years and at 72 I can't any longer stack wood, etc so the blocks solved that problem. Heat is even and clean and even with stoves going 24/7 during the winter months, I only have to get rid of the ashes, very fine ash, every few weeks. I store the blocks in my garage and every few weeks I load them into my truck, back up to my front door, and unload them. Easy!

 

[bmwloco]

Just ordered another load; should be here mid week. One pallet 3 packs, 1/2 pallet 6 pacs. $360 delivered; but I stack 'em where I want 'em. I have enough in stock now to get me through January. Methinks this is going to be a big winter though. El Nino and and all.

Fun fun.

 

[TonyP]

Success. Elroy approves mightily. Still have to put the other Dragon on the left.
View attachment 117497

How did you attach the warming rack? Drill it in? If so, where exactly?

Thanks.