Year 1 Wood Burner: What I've Learned (so far)

[HappyCamperMan]

Well....I'm a few months into my first year as a wood burner. I thought I would share a few things that I've learned. There will be many, many more but here's a start: (oh...in no particular order except #1)

1. The root of most combustion issues is the wood. Specifically, wood that is not seasoned (<20% MC).
2. It's hard to get heat if you don't load the stove. I wasn't taking advantage of every nook & cranny.
3. It's best to start the fire with a good strong kindling burn with logs on the kindling. Why waste the fire?
4. North South loading only works with the right size cuts!
5. Blower on high only when the fire box is very hot. Otherwise, about mid-fan.
6. Ceiling fan on reverse when downstairs enjoying the fire and fan off when going to bed upstairs.
7. If I load at or near 11 p.m., I can make it until about 7 a.m. the next morning.
8. It's best to keep some wood indoors for a day or so (near the stove) until burning.
9. The correct MC reading is on a fresh split at room temperature.
10. Windex and a razor are my best tools for cleaning the glass. I've gotten better at cleaner burns, though.
11. My temp. gun gives me the best idea of what's going on if pointed just above door handle (on an insert).
12. I need to focus on different size splits from now on (some big, some small, some short, some long).
13. Cedar shingles (split vertically) are my best kindling (with a single sheet of crumbled newspaper).
14. Humidity matters (much tougher to get the blower on when raining or humid). Blower on at 200 degrees.
15. 1" or so of ash in the box seems to work best after a clean-out (versus a complete empty).
16. Keep an emergency stash of wood in the garage or basement for inclement weather.
17. A stove glove that goes nearly to the elbow is a necessity.
18. It's a good idea to have a game plan for stacking your wood (to ensure first in - first out for max drying).
19. It's best for the marriage to keep a dust pan and broom somewhere around the wood stove.
20. Finally...the best fires I've had, so far, are when I have a 12-year old single malt Scotch on hand!

 

[begreen]

That's a good list and a lot of progress. Time to proudly add your stove to your signature line.

Also, add that it's time to get next more wood stacked and seasoning.

 

[Founders1]

Well....I'm a few months into my first year as a wood burner. I thought I would share a few things that I've learned. There will be many, many more but here's a start: (oh...in no particular order except #1)
Hello, we use a blend of vinegar and water
1. The root of most combustion issues is the wood. Specifically, wood that is not seasoned (<20% MC).
2. It's hard to get heat if you don't load the stove. I wasn't taking advantage of every nook & cranny.
3. It's best to start the fire with a good strong kindling burn with logs on the kindling. Why waste the fire?
4. North South loading only works with the right size cuts!
5. Blower on high only when the fire box is very hot. Otherwise, about mid-fan.
6. Ceiling fan on reverse when downstairs enjoying the fire and fan off when going to bed upstairs.
7. If I load at or near 11 p.m., I can make it until about 7 a.m. the next morning.
8. It's best to keep some wood indoors for a day or so (near the stove) until burning.
9. The correct MC reading is on a fresh split at room temperature.
10. Windex and a razor are my best tools for cleaning the glass. I've gotten better at cleaner burns, though.
11. My temp. gun gives me the best idea of what's going on if pointed just above door handle (on an insert).
12. I need to focus on different size splits from now on (some big, some small, some short, some long).
13. Cedar shingles (split vertically) are my best kindling (with a single sheet of crumbled newspaper).
14. Humidity matters (much tougher to get the blower on when raining or humid). Blower on at 200 degrees.
15. 1" or so of ash in the box seems to work best after a clean-out (versus a complete empty).
16. Keep an emergency stash of wood in the garage or basement for inclement weather.
17. A stove glove that goes nearly to the elbow is a necessity.
18. It's a good idea to have a game plan for stacking your wood (to ensure first in - first out for max drying).
19. It's best for the marriage to keep a dust pan and broom somewhere around the wood stove.
20. Finally...the best fires I've had, so far, are when I have a 12-year old single malt Scotch on hand!

Hello we clean most things in our house with a mixture of vinegar and water. When I used it on the glass in my hearthstone Phoenix it worked a great deal better than any product I've ever purchased. Thus it seemed to just wipe right off with very minimal scrubbing. Also you said to leave one inch of ash in the bottom of the stove when cleaning it out. What benefit did you find that that had on your overall Fire experience?

 

[Woody Stover]

Well....I'm a few months into my first year as a wood burner. I thought I would share a few things that I've learned. There will be many, many more but here's a start: (oh...in no particular order except #1)
1. The root of most combustion issues is the wood. Specifically, wood that is not seasoned (<20% MC).
3. It's best to start the fire with a good strong kindling burn with logs on the kindling. Why waste the fire?
8. It's best to keep some wood indoors for a day or so (near the stove) until burning.
12. I need to focus on different size splits from now on (some big, some small, some short, some long).
19. It's best for the marriage to keep a dust pan and broom somewhere around the wood stove.

These are big.
Have you tried a top-down start yet? Fuel on the bottom, kindling on top. Burns up less of your fuel getting the stove up to temp. Harder to do if you're burning 24/7 and are loading with a lot of coals in the stove.

a mixture of vinegar and water. When I used it on the glass in my hearthstone Phoenix it worked a great deal better than any product I've ever purchased. Thus it seemed to just wipe right off with very minimal scrubbing.

Word. I don't like scraping my glass with a blade.

 

[Dobish]

i will add a few things here....

- ash and cold water on a cold stove works wonders for cleaning glass.
- when my wife bought me a canvas bag for my birthday, I was mistaken that she was going to fill it for me
- a good splitting axe is better than a bad splitting axe
- a bad splitting axe is better than nothing
- i definitely need more wood
- if you open up the door with the cat engaged you will get a lot of smoke
- my basement warms up significantly with a fire.
- i have discovered what pieces of wood are not worth trying to split.
- most of the first pieces of wood in my stack led to the above knowledge
- i have better splitting technique than my brother
- the neighbors puppy is not helpful with stacking wood
- my 3 year old loves to help and i love it
- my 3 year old loves to help and i hate it.
- books by the fire is great
- i cannot believe that we made it through last winter without hypothermia last year....

 

[woodhog73]

All good stuff. I've found using a wet paper towel covered in cold ash works great for cleaning the glass.

 

[xman23]

Your a quick learner. I think that list took me a few years.

I load my Oslo through the side door, while standing. The first year I had burned my arms all the time with those short gloves. It took some looking before I found long welders gloves.

I use Fire View glass cleaner when we need a sparkling clean glass. But most of the time we burn clean it with a hot fire.

 

[ObuseMe]

This is really useful, thanks.

 

[AmbDrvr253]

And i thought i was the only one.........

Very good information here tho. Why learn from experience when u can just ask a question here........LOL Woulda saved me alot of heartaches and frustration in first year of heating with wood........

 

[jetsam]

All wood is worth splitting. You will develop an eye and a feel for how to do it without needing 1000 whacks or a splitter or a chainsaw. (If you have a knotty elm, the "feel" is "go outside and feel if it's -20°F, and if it's any warmer, do it some other time" )

That said, I've been splitting wood off and on since I was shorter than the maul, and I am still learning!

 

[Poindexter]

I find real twisty rounds are better split with a chainsaw so they don't become twisty hard to stack splits.

 

[HappyCamperMan]

Hello we clean most things in our house with a mixture of vinegar and water. When I used it on the glass in my hearthstone Phoenix it worked a great deal better than any product I've ever purchased. Thus it seemed to just wipe right off with very minimal scrubbing. Also you said to leave one inch of ash in the bottom of the stove when cleaning it out. What benefit did you find that that had on your overall Fire experience?

I'm getting a lot of negative feedback about using a razor blade on my glass. I do need to find a substitute, if possible. That sounds like a good one! As to your question about ash...like most people on this forum, I received some great advice to leave about 1" of ash for insulating purposes. I do notice a difference. My insert seems to hold the heat better. I was cleaning every speck of ash out, at first. Then I went to not removing any ash (but it really does limit the amount of wood you can put in the box). So, I took the 1" advice, and it has worked out great. As for disposal, I have been putting them in a metal can and placing on cement. After a week or so (actually, when I need the can space, again), I spread the ashes on my flower beds.

 

[HappyCamperMan]

These are big.
Have you tried a top-down start yet? Fuel on the bottom, kindling on top. Burns up less of your fuel getting the stove up to temp. Harder to do if you're burning 24/7 and are loading with a lot of coals in the stove.
Word. I don't like scraping my glass with a blade.

Thanks. I have not tried a top-down burn, yet. I have read quite a bit on this forum about it. Perhaps, it's time for a try!

 

[HappyCamperMan]

That's a good list and a lot of progress. Time to proudly add your stove to your signature line.

Also, add that it's time to get next more wood stacked and seasoning.

Thanks. Love to, but I don't know how to add my stove to my signature line.

 

[jotul8e2]

My wood (oak, hickory) is way too full of bugs to bring indoors to store. I have a covered portable wood box kept just outside the door.
I need only a damp paper towel or rag to clean the glass. Some designs are better at burning off creosote than others, though.
In addition to different size splits, a few rounds are very helpful for holding a fire over night.
Ordinary wrist length cheap work gloves work well for me for stove duties.
They physics of top-down fire starts is beyond me, but it works.

 

[Woody Stover]

don't know how to add my stove to my signature line.

When you are logged in, hover over your username at the top of the page, and a menu will drop down with 'signature' as one of the links.

 

[Woody Stover]

I have not tried a top-down burn, yet. I have read quite a bit on this forum about it. Perhaps, it's time for a try!

Besides getting the top of the stove hotter sooner, another benefit is that with the flames on top, the smoke from the wood below that is catching is burned by the flames above, giving you the cleanest start you can get with almost no smoke out the stack.

 

[Chas0218]

My wood (oak, hickory) is way too full of bugs to bring indoors to store. I have a covered portable wood box kept just outside the door.
I need only a damp paper towel or rag to clean the glass. Some designs are better at burning off creosote than others, though.
In addition to different size splits, a few rounds are very helpful for holding a fire over night.
Ordinary wrist length cheap work gloves work well for me for stove duties.
They physics of top-down fire starts is beyond me, but it works.

Maybe a little weird but I have an old dishwasher I stripped everything out of that I use to keep dried wood in so it is out of the elements. Looks a little funny but seems to work great and keeps the critters from wanting to make a home in or next to my cottage.

 

[HappyCamperMan]

When you are logged in, hover over your username at the top of the page, and a menu will drop down with 'signature' as one of the links.

Got it (I think!). Thank you.

 

[Simmo6108]

+1 on the quote from Dobish:

- the neighbors puppy is not helpful with stacking wood
- my 3 year old loves to help and i love it
- my 3 year old loves to help and i hate it.

My 2 year old is fascinated by the chopping and stacking of wood. Makes it twice as long a job as I need to keep him at a safe distance, but it is a nice afternoon.

My two boxer dogs are a nightmare as they keep running off with small logs!

 

[Babaganoosh]

+1 on the quote from Dobish:

- the neighbors puppy is not helpful with stacking wood
- my 3 year old loves to help and i love it
- my 3 year old loves to help and i hate it.

My 2 year old is fascinated by the chopping and stacking of wood. Makes it twice as long a job as I need to keep him at a safe distance, but it is a nice afternoon.

My two boxer dogs are a nightmare as they keep running off with small logs!

I have a boxer as well and she loves nothing more than to pull splits out while working, run away with it, distribute it in the yard, and then come back for another. She hovers around the splitter in case any fall. I have to keep an eye on her when I'm splitting the bigger stuff. Don't want her to get squashed.

 

[toddnic]

#17 is definitely a necessity

 

[jotul8e2]

Just thought of a new one this season:

One does not always have on an old work shirt when it comes time to reload. Whether it is pj's first thing of a morning or a dress shirt when I get home of an evening I do not want to pick up an armload of firewood. I now keep an old sweatshirt handy (not next to the stove, but handy) for those times when I am wearing clothing I do not want to get dirty, burnt, etc. I can just step out the door for a quick brush off and it is quick on and off. I am getting one of those canvas carriers, but I think I will still want the sweatshirt some times.

 

[Dobish]

Just thought of a new one this season:

One does not always have on an old work shirt when it comes time to reload. Whether it is pj's first thing of a morning or a dress shirt when I get home of an evening I do not want to pick up an armload of firewood. I now keep an old sweatshirt handy (not next to the stove, but handy) for those times when I am wearing clothing I do not want to get dirty, burnt, etc. I can just step out the door for a quick brush off and it is quick on and off. I am getting one of those canvas carriers, but I think I will still want the sweatshirt some times.

I got the canvas carrier, and I keep an old jacket on a hook by the door. I will put the jacket on, but then think that since it is right outside, i don't need shoes

Also, remembering to wear the long gloves that are sitting next to the fire place is important.... they don't work if you don't use them!

 

[adrpga498]

Well....I'm a few months into my first year as a wood burner. I thought I would share a few things that I've learned. There will be many, many more but here's a start: (oh...in no particular order except #1)

1. The root of most combustion issues is the wood. Specifically, wood that is not seasoned (<20% MC).
2. It's hard to get heat if you don't load the stove. I wasn't taking advantage of every nook & cranny.
3. It's best to start the fire with a good strong kindling burn with logs on the kindling. Why waste the fire?
4. North South loading only works with the right size cuts!
5. Blower on high only when the fire box is very hot. Otherwise, about mid-fan.
6. Ceiling fan on reverse when downstairs enjoying the fire and fan off when going to bed upstairs.
7. If I load at or near 11 p.m., I can make it until about 7 a.m. the next morning.
8. It's best to keep some wood indoors for a day or so (near the stove) until burning.
9. The correct MC reading is on a fresh split at room temperature.
10. Windex and a razor are my best tools for cleaning the glass. I've gotten better at cleaner burns, though.
11. My temp. gun gives me the best idea of what's going on if pointed just above door handle (on an insert).
12. I need to focus on different size splits from now on (some big, some small, some short, some long).
13. Cedar shingles (split vertically) are my best kindling (with a single sheet of crumbled newspaper).
14. Humidity matters (much tougher to get the blower on when raining or humid). Blower on at 200 degrees.
15. 1" or so of ash in the box seems to work best after a clean-out (versus a complete empty).
16. Keep an emergency stash of wood in the garage or basement for inclement weather.
17. A stove glove that goes nearly to the elbow is a necessity.
18. It's a good idea to have a game plan for stacking your wood (to ensure first in - first out for max drying).
19. It's best for the marriage to keep a dust pan and broom somewhere around the wood stove.
20. Finally...the best fires I've had, so far, are when I have a 12-year old single malt Scotch on hand!

I concur with number 20 on your list.