New Wood Burning Guy - Insert Suggestions and Ideas

[USMC80]

Ya im still messing around with mine. Definitely gonna take a year or so to get the hang of everything. It's fun though

 

[Ashful]

Cool!

I actually got some of my longest burns with poorly seasoned wood. Not great heat... but very long burns. I remember being real excited when I smouldered 26'ish hours out of one load, early in my first year. That was, until it actually got cold out.

 

[brenndatomu]

Feels good to warm up by the fire, especially after saving all that money with a DIY install, huh?! Two thumbs up, looks good!!

 

[lml999]

Is this absolutely true? I have such a setup, but with a full motion mount. Doesn't seem to be an issue.

Aside from the heat issue, the screen may be mounted too high for optimal viewing. You want the screen at approximately eye level for your primary viewing position. Sitting on a sofa, that means the screen should be 30" or so high. The OP's screen is better viewed standing up!

And mounted on a non-brick wall, it might be easier to bury/hide the cabling.

I understand the issues with esthetics and wife acceptance factor... Just saying.

 

[mass_burner]

Aside from the heat issue, the screen may be mounted too high for optimal viewing. You want the screen at approximately eye level for your primary viewing position. Sitting on a sofa, that means the screen should be 30" or so high. The OP's screen is better viewed standing up!

And mounted on a non-brick wall, it might be easier to bury/hide the cabling.

I understand the issues with esthetics and wife acceptance factor... Just saying.

We have electric in the attic and also a channel run for cables running 6 feet in the attic and then down behind a built in panel
where the floating AV shelves are. The cables emerge under the lowest shelf and run up to the various components. It also depends how far you are from the TV. Our sofa is about 10-12' away from the TV and it we don't even notice its not at eye level. It also makes it easier for people to see from other parts of the room.

 

[etiger2007]

Looks good Jeff , just curious what setting your running your blower on? I have an Osburn by SBI who also makes Century . They recommend you run your blower on medium when the stove it hot, it will pull the most heat from the stove without cooling the unit too much, some may think if you run it on high you'll get more heat but this is not true because the air being circulated around the stove doesn't have time to heat up completely . I have been doing this thus far this year and my stove stays a lot hotter longer. Good luck

 

[JeffStinson]

So guys, I’m at a stage where I need some input:

I’ve got 2 sellers that I’ve both moisture tested and the wood is truly seasoned.

1. Mixed Variety consisting primarily of oak, hickory, and some poplar. - $166 a cord delivered.
2. 100% Locust, Hand thrown trailer, from a tree company, delivered. $180 – Moisture levels steady around 17% (+/-1) and perfect hydraulic cuts. (See pictures below)

(Post re-split to test moisture)

My thoughts are: Locust burns hot, long, and the splits look great, I saw them in person. Poplar is junk, low BTU, and knowing that something like that is thrown in kind of annoys me. But the hand thrown trailer, even though it is huge, worries me about getting a full cord for $180.


Your Thoughts?

 

[JeffStinson]

Looks good Jeff , just curious what setting your running your blower on? I have an Osburn by SBI who also makes Century . They recommend you run your blower on medium when the stove it hot, it will pull the most heat from the stove without cooling the unit too much, some may think if you run it on high you'll get more heat but this is not true because the air being circulated around the stove doesn't have time to heat up completely . I have been doing this thus far this year and my stove stays a lot hotter longer. Good luck

I’m actually noticing the best heat push with the blower on low-med, after I let the stove heat up after a roaring fire for about 20 minutes, then I consider putting the blower on, but even then, it’s cooking me out of my downstairs. With some good seasoned wood, this thing is amazing. It got down to 34 degrees the other night, and it we even had the windows open after my fiancé overcooked something (Typical) and the house was a warm 78 downstairs and upstairs 70. Perfect. I can imagine being fine most of this winter with my small IR electric & some good seasoned wood, and the blower on medium. (MAX – you’re right about on High, unless you’ve been running her good for a solid 4-5 hours and keeping the wood flowing on the burns to keep her hot.)

 

[USMC80]

Wow! You have run into two good suppliers which are hard to come by. Take the locust and stack it out and make sure its a cord. That's a great price for real seasoned hardwood

 

[brenndatomu]

Man, I think I'd get a load or two of each! Locust is not always easy to come by, (at least around here) I'd get all of it you can and squirrel it away for those cold January nights. Now the other supplier, that would be my day to day wood. Oak and Hickory are great, but I like Poplar too, it works great for those small "just to take the chill off" fires that you need in the spring and fall. The Oak, Hickory, and definitely the Locust last too long, but the Poplar works well because you can burn a quick clean burning hot fire, but it doesn't last too long so it won't run ya outta the house. I'm burning mostly Poplar with a chunk of Oak thrown in the mix right now.

 

[JeffStinson]

Wow! You have run into two good suppliers which are hard to come by. Take the locust and stack it out and make sure its a cord. That's a great price for real seasoned hardwood

Man, I think I'd get a load or two of each! Locust is not always easy to come by, (at least around here) I'd get all of it you can and squirrel it away for those cold January nights. Now the other supplier, that would be my day to day wood. Oak and Hickory are great, but I like Poplar too, it works great for those small "just to take the chill off" fires that you need in the spring and fall. The Oak, Hickory, and definitely the Locust last too long, but the Poplar works well because you can burn a quick clean burning hot fire, but it doesn't last too long so it won't run ya outta the house. I'm burning mostly Poplar with a chunk of Oak thrown in the mix right now.

Yea, that’s been my main concern. Buying truly seasoned wood. I have about a half cord now, half way through its season cycle, so I plan on burning that post winter, or those cool march nights, if its truly seasoned by then (Doubtful).

A cord of locust and a cord of mixed would be ideal. Locust burns super hot, which I’m hoping to heat the entire house, with no oil on those cold winter nights, I think that’ll be key. Just the amount of “thrown” wood is what scares me.

 

[brenndatomu]

If I was buying wood, I'd come to an understanding with the supplier that once I stack this wood at home that he (she) will make up any shortage found. Most states have laws saying that wood must be sold by a specific volume, usually the cord (128 CF) or 4'x4'x8'. Selling wood by the "thrown trailer load" doesn't sound legal to me.

 

[etiger2007]

I'd be all over that locust , I got some and it's great, stinks when you burn it but who cares. Truly seasoned wood let alone locust give me his number lol

 

[Dave A.]

I forget the exact figure (you can search) on the equivalent cf for a cord of wood in a dump truck something like 180-190 cf. The point is once you get experienced with it, you can tell at a glance whether it's a full cord or not. I know the size of my guy's dump truck and I know the level it should be filled to. Of course he gives me somewhere from 1.25 -1.5 cords per cord, so I've gotten a little spoiled on that.

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

If this is a great deal, why not pay them an extra 25 a cord to stack it just to make sure you get what you pay for.... Just another thought.....

 

[Dave A.]

Apparently out in Altoona, wood prices are lower than closer to the coast (or maybe the problem's being closer to NY).

 

[Holiday]

If I was buying wood, I'd come to an understanding with the supplier that once I stack this wood at home that he (she) will make up any shortage found.

That's what I'd do. At that price get a bunch and you're set.

 

[JeffStinson]

Hey guys, got my wood yesterday.
I went with the oak, locust, and maple cord.
True full cord, delivered and seasoned for $160.
Moisture levels between 12%-17%, so i started burning it last night.

It was 21 degrees for a low last night, and the house never got below 70 degrees last night!

Here's the shot before i re-split some larger rounds and smaller non-split rounds.


Here's my seasoned woodpile post splitting/re-stacking (7ft tall, 10 wide, 2 deep full, and a small 3foot high by 4 ft pile, and a pile of seasoned/semi-seasoned kindlin)

 

[etiger2007]

K

Hey guys, got my wood yesterday.
I went with the oak, locust, and maple cord.
True full cord, delivered and seasoned for $160.
Moisture levels between 12%-17%, so i started burning it last night.

It was 21 degrees for a low last night, and the house never got below 70 degrees last night!

Here's the shot before i re-split some larger rounds and smaller non-split rounds.
View attachment 116754

Here's my seasoned woodpile post splitting/re-stacking (7ft tall, 10 wide, 2 deep full, and a small 3foot high by 4 ft pile, and a pile of seasoned/semi-seasoned kindlin)
View attachment 116755

keep buying it while you can a dealer who has seasoned wood is hard to come by!

 

[raybonz]

Hey guys, got my wood yesterday.
I went with the oak, locust, and maple cord.
True full cord, delivered and seasoned for $160.
Moisture levels between 12%-17%, so i started burning it last night.

It was 21 degrees for a low last night, and the house never got below 70 degrees last night!

Here's the shot before i re-split some larger rounds and smaller non-split rounds.
View attachment 116754

Here's my seasoned woodpile post splitting/re-stacking (7ft tall, 10 wide, 2 deep full, and a small 3foot high by 4 ft pile, and a pile of seasoned/semi-seasoned kindlin)
View attachment 116755

Looking good Jeff! Any dealer that delivers a full seasoned cord for that price is a rare gem! Be sure to be loyal as long as he continues delivering wood like that..

Ray

 

[Ashful]

Hey guys, got my wood yesterday.
I went with the oak, locust, and maple cord.
True full cord, delivered and seasoned for $160.
Moisture levels between 12%-17%, so i started burning it last night.

It was 21 degrees for a low last night, and the house never got below 70 degrees last night!

Awesome! "I love it when a plan comes together."

I'll repeat what etiger said... buy all you can now. By all accounts here, seasoned wood is hard (read, "almost impossible") to buy from a dealer! You might as well start your rotating 3-year supply now, if you can figure out what your seasonal needs might be. Most people average 3 - 4 cords per year, per stove... a daunting number for those running multiple stoves.

 

[JeffStinson]

Will do. I plan on getting a trailer of 6 month old rounds for $80 from him.

I came home today to a few coals about 11 hours later. Great burns are being discovered!

Enjoying her now with some Walking Dead!

 

[Baker_Falcon]

Good thread, great read. Good way to kill 20 minutes this evening at work. Jeff, I am from Central PA too and what a lot of folks don't realize how spoiled we really are with great sources for good wood. Nice install great work. I have a pre EPA 1980s model Baker (York, PA) insert with a TV above it as well. Did you put a heat shield or mantle between the stove and TV? I can't see from the dark picture. Looks like a nice stove and almost motivates me to upgrade to an EPA stove next year. I am very partial to Harman because it was founded in my hometown and sold by people I know but DANG are they expensive. Are you happy with your stove?

 

[dafattkidd]

Will do. I plan on getting a trailer of 6 month old rounds for $80 from him.

I came home today to a few coals about 11 hours later. Great burns are being discovered!

Enjoying her now with some Walking Dead!
View attachment 116798

Oh man, now you're speaking my language. Walking Dead on Sunday nights with beer and a blazing inferno in my Oz. Those are some of my favorite moments. Glad you're enjoying your new insert. Cheers!

 

[JeffStinson]

Good thread, great read. Good way to kill 20 minutes this evening at work. Jeff, I am from Central PA too and what a lot of folks don't realize how spoiled we really are with great sources for good wood. Nice install great work. I have a pre EPA 1980s model Baker (York, PA) insert with a TV above it as well. Did you put a heat shield or mantle between the stove and TV? I can't see from the dark picture. Looks like a nice stove and almost motivates me to upgrade to an EPA stove next year. I am very partial to Harman because it was founded in my hometown and sold by people I know but DANG are they expensive. Are you happy with your stove?

I’m very happy with my stove – granted, I plan on insulating around the stove inside the fireplace hearth, behind the front faceplate, as well as creating a new block-off plate that is better than the one we have now.
All in all, this stove cooks us out of the upstairs.. It was cold the other night and I had to turn the ceiling fan on high upstairs because it was so darn hot!

Besides that, I can get 2 smaller, and 2 good sized logs in there, get the damper down near closed, and get 8 hour burn times.

As for the heat shield, I didn’t get one. My stove sticks out further than my TV and with this stove design, it doesn’t allow the heat to travel straight up with the heat shields that are already in place. It more a less radiates straight out and to the sides!