In the past 2 years, we've had wood delivered as we were new to the area. This year, I finally got the jist of the stove and keeping it going for weeks on end. We finished up the last of last years wood-which kept the whole house nice and comfortable. This past fall, my neighbor had a splitter to use for a week. My husband split about a cord of wood that was cut into large pieces from when we had the septic redone 2 years prior. Its been stacked under an overhang next to the garage. He thinks its been "seasoned" enough for burning, figuring it has sat there for about 2 years but not split. Since I am home most of the time and a great fire starter (no offense to him, but he forgets to even open the flue before starting a fire), I can feel the difference in how this wood burns and heats. It doesn't get as warm in here and I have to constantly "play" with the fire to keep it going. I just cleaned out the stove from the last burn, since it was so frustrating to keep it going, I let it go out. It seems pretty crusty in there. I can barely get it off the walls and windows. We usually have white smoke coming out of chimney when I've filled it and closed the air intake in the back a bit, especially if going out for a while. With this wood, if I open the air intake, it starts to fire up and black smoke comes out of the chimney.
I really need "expert" opinions on this, wood isn't ready to burn, as my reason to order some wood- if we can get it. I am terrified of a chimney fire now. We had the chimney cleaned at the beginning of season and the guy, who is a fireman also, said the liner was in really good shape. Our stove is probably going to need to be replaced in the next year or so. Its a '70's Vermont Castings Parlor Stove. I really love this stove and even more now that I know how to truly use it.
Help!
Thanks everyone!
Jams
I really need "expert" opinions on this, wood isn't ready to burn, as my reason to order some wood- if we can get it. I am terrified of a chimney fire now. We had the chimney cleaned at the beginning of season and the guy, who is a fireman also, said the liner was in really good shape. Our stove is probably going to need to be replaced in the next year or so. Its a '70's Vermont Castings Parlor Stove. I really love this stove and even more now that I know how to truly use it.
Help!
Thanks everyone!
Jams