First good cold snap and...

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It was 13 degrees at 10 this morning, 8 at 11:30, 6 at 12:15, 5 at 4:00, 2 at 4:30, don't know what it is now and don't intend to find out. Am not going back out tonight if I can help it.

Lit a fire yesterday evening, not very big...less than 1/2 firebox, burned overnight with air completely closed. Opened the air early this morning to burn down the (plentiful) coals, because I wanted to get the stove cool enough to tighten the screw holding the smoke screen (screen had come loose and was hanging down quite low). Coals finely burned down to embers at about 2 this afternoon. Worked on the stove for a bit (tighten screw, empty ashes, etc.), walked the dog. House temp got down to 60 degrees...not bad with the amount I was in and out carrying firewood, walking the dog, running errands, etc., and last smallish fire lit yesterday evening. Loaded the stove a bit more than half way, got it roaring, engaged the cat and closed the air down completely. It's been burning for less than 1 1/2 hours now, stove top temp is about 425, house is 64. I'm happy with a 4 degree temperature rise in that time, with temperatures frigid to begin with and plummeting, and a brisk Northern breeze off the lake. After being outside a lot today, I am relly comfortable in here. Should get up to 70 on this load of wood. Be interesting to see how cold it is at sunrise when I walk Artan.
 
Mother Nature is here.
BITTERLY COLD NIGHT EXPECTED ACROSS THE NORTH COUNTRY...
TEMPERATURES WILL FALL RAPIDLY THIS EVENING AND OVERNIGHT WITH WIDESPREAD LOW TEMPERATURES AND APPARENT TEMPERATURE VALUES REACHING AS LOW AS -20 TO -30 DEGREES BY MORNING ACROSS EASTERN AND CENTRAL VERMONT AS WELL AS THE NORTHERN ADIRONDACKS AND NORTHERN SAINT LAWRENCE VALLEY IN NEW YORK. WHILE WINDS WILL REMAIN LIGHT... TEMPERATURES THIS LOW CAN BE DANGEROUS TO ANYONE VENTURING OUTSIDE. PLEASE TAKE CAUTION AND DRESS APPROPRIATELY FOR THE COLD WEATHER.
 
Mother Nature is here.
BITTERLY COLD NIGHT EXPECTED ACROSS THE NORTH COUNTRY...
TEMPERATURES WILL FALL RAPIDLY THIS EVENING AND OVERNIGHT WITH WIDESPREAD LOW TEMPERATURES AND APPARENT TEMPERATURE VALUES REACHING AS LOW AS -20 TO -30 DEGREES BY MORNING ACROSS EASTERN AND CENTRAL VERMONT AS WELL AS THE NORTHERN ADIRONDACKS AND NORTHERN SAINT LAWRENCE VALLEY IN NEW YORK. WHILE WINDS WILL REMAIN LIGHT... TEMPERATURES THIS LOW CAN BE DANGEROUS TO ANYONE VENTURING OUTSIDE. PLEASE TAKE CAUTION AND DRESS APPROPRIATELY FOR THE COLD WEATHER.

That's cold zap, I would think it's time to break out the good hardwood! Seasoned and split to perfection of course. :D
 
The Yankee Pellet stove is loaded, it's running on manual so it feeds all night long.

The Lopi Liberty is burning down some beech ::P should be toasty in here in the morning, both are located in the basement.
 
That's cold zap, I would think it's time to break out the good hardwood! Seasoned and split to perfection of course. :D
Loaded with Beech, 3 racks each which are 4 ' x 4 '.
 
7 degrees and falling here. I just went out to plug the tractor in so I can feed, and there is a light wind blowing, too.

The PH got a semi-full load of small splits at 5pm-ish before I was home, peaked at 550 degrees at 6pm, and sitting at 500 degrees with a bed of coals up higher than the bottom of the glass. A few days ago I had the kitchen ceiling at 95 degrees, but that isn't likely to happen with this cold. I was up at 3am reloading this morning because the oil had kicked on and I hate hearing it run.
 
... and I am missing out on it!

Left town for a week and I'm watching the temps fall to single digits at night and not crossing freezing during the day. Left the oil on set to 50 to keep pipes etc from freezing, but I sure would rather be seeing how well the PH performs in these temps - finally a chance to let it stretch it's legs a bit. Humph. Timing is everything I suppose.

I expect that when we return the house will be cold (50) and I'll get to see how much heat I can pump out burning hot though! Unfortunately it will be evening and time to get kids in bed so will have to use the central heat to bring temps up to sleeping temps quickly so I can't use it as a pure stove test.

I wonder how many days it will take before we get the house (walls, furniture, etc) all back up to temp.

At least I'll have the weekend to tend the stove - I don't expect to be doing a 12 hr cycle likely much shorter to pump lots of heat out. In the FV I was able to run a 4hr cycle when pushing - I wonder how long a cycle the PH has when burning at close to max burn... Anyone tried?
What's all the panic about?A measly 10*loaded the King up at 5pm yesterday,15 hours later house still 73*and I never came within 15 feet of the beast,at the 15 hour mark I threw in 3 oak splits on a raked forward coal bed and l left for the day at 5pm house still 73*,it's now 7:30pm house still 73*load him up with BL will shut her down for the night I'll check him at noon tomorrow guarantee the house will be in 70"s it's going down to 0 to 10 above tonight.Nothing to panic about the Kings got ya covered.
 
What's all the panic about?A measly 10*loaded the King up at 5pm yesterday,15 hours later house still 73*and I never came within 15 feet of the beast,at the 15 hour mark I threw in 3 oak splits on a raked forward coal bed and l left for the day at 5pm house still 73*,it's now 7:30pm house still 73*load him up with BL will shut her down for the night I'll check him at noon tomorrow guarantee the house will be in 70"s it's going down to 0 to 10 above tonight.Nothing to panic about the Kings got ya covered.

Sounds like you have a nice, efficient house. Only so many BTUs in a stick, regardless of how it gets burned, and this old house is still too leaky.
 
What's all the panic about?A measly 10*loaded the King up at 5pm yesterday,15 hours later house still 73*and I never came within 15 feet of the beast,at the 15 hour mark I threw in 3 oak splits on a raked forward coal bed and l left for the day at 5pm house still 73*,it's now 7:30pm house still 73*load him up with BL will shut her down for the night I'll check him at noon tomorrow guarantee the house will be in 70"s it's going down to 0 to 10 above tonight.Nothing to panic about the Kings got ya covered.

I didn't hear anyone in a panic. Also, you just put more wood in a 4cft stove after 15 hours. I'd say you're using some heat over there!

I'm glad I have the inland sea to keep me warm. We almost never get below zero here. Keep warm everyone!
 
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