Saturday, October 29, 2016

Wood Stove Update and Tips


Ok. I had great intentions to answer many of the wood stove related questions I've been asked a long time before now. But here you go! I'm experimenting with putting most of the content in video form. As I look at the stats of what you all view, it seems many people prefer videos to written words and photographs. I prefer the later, but I seem to be in the minority. And recording a video is hours faster for me than writing out the same info. So let me know what you all think!




And if you, like me, prefer photos, don't worry. There will still be lots of those since that is what I prefer.! 


In this shot you can more clearly see where that metal plate I showed you in the videos sits in the bottom of the stove between the firebricks.


And the now burning fire obscures this a bit, but you can sort of see how the edges of the metal plate we added do not go quite the whole way to the edges inside, allowing air to flow out from under it and feed the base of the fire.


The fire braid that we stuffed in the space around the door that had been created for it.


This shot just let you see what the chimney looks like on the exterior of the house.


Above, just a nice glowing hot fire. And below, you can see how if you look up to the top inside of the stove, the flames curls up around and into the baffles that help thoroughly burn (more of) everything in the smoke before it heads up the chimney.




Here's what my pipes did look like the first time I pulled them apart. That is a lot of creosote plugging them up!



Using this little torch, we burned out all that buildup.


Once lighted, there was plenty of buildup in there to burn for a little while. 



After it burned out, here's how much drier and flaky all that build up became. At that point, I was able to brush it out with a chimney brush.



In case you forgot why I have a wood stove? Here's two shots of my house last winter. This time of year is rapidly approaching again!








29 comments:

  1. I like your written words and photos! Love. Hugs

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    1. I also enjoy the written word and photos! Wonderful job!

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    2. Since I am pretty much deaf written words and photos work for me. I do enjoy videos with CC. Thanks for
      your wonderful site.

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  2. Great video! You are very concise and thorough in your explanation of your wood stove. I enjoy your blog very much.
    Take care.

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    1. It's always nice to hear things like that. Thank you!

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  3. Excellent picture & video

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  4. If you wrap that exterior pipe with household insulation and a larger diameter pipe your temperatures will be much higher, then make sure your wood is not higher than 20% moisture content (moisture meters are inexpensive) you are likely to see a drop in creosote accumulation as it will vacate the pipe before as much condensation can occur.

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  5. Were you at the THJ campfire this year in Colorado Springs?? If so I met you, my name is Roger and I invented the Kimberly Stove, Katydid Stove and coming soon the Krikit Stove

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    1. Yes I was, and I certainly know who you are! If I start to get buildup again I will keep the insulation idea in mind. Right now, just burning it hot seems to work. I don't have a moisture meter, but all my wood is dry standing beetle kill and it's dry. Dry enough to light logs the size of my leg out in my fire pit with just one flick of a lighter, no kindling. I don't think I have a moisture problem, but I have never measured it.

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  6. Another great post... thanks
    This piece is a well balanced mix of video teaching, pix and text to highlight the key points of the vid. I am one of your followers that enjoys video, and I have learned a few video and photography tricks from Jason and Niki Wynne who are living their dream. "http://www.gonewiththewynns.com/best-travel-camera-video-photography"

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  7. may sound crazy ,, but .. burn a aluminium can every 3 days and the pipes will clean easy ,, instead of black and sticky it will be brown and dry ,, fall right out for you ..

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    1. Interesting! I might have to give this a try.

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  8. You're right Kathleen, sounds crazy, hope I remember to try it.

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  9. Regarding the wood stove, have you seen the cooments posted about this wood stove? Any regrets?
    http://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/mighty-mini-12-12-inch-tiny-woodburner.84445/page-2

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    1. I had seen this before I bought the stove actually. I think the stove works pretty well overall. I did also like the Squirrel and Hobbit stoves, but not having bought or used either one, I can't say how they would compare. Maybe they would have less or different issues.

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  10. Ariel, you can use ashes from your stove mixed with diesel or kerosene if you ever run out of saw dust. You may want to consider a couple of things. You can get a magnetic gage to put on your stove pipe.
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ASJE1ZC/ref=asc_df_B01ASJE1ZC5298758/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B01ASJE1ZC&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198098764798&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3574778584614943265&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018747&hvtargid=pla-377556398601
    Also you may want to consider a barometric damper. Although I have a bigger stove than you, it helps keeps the fire a bit more steady. Both of these helped me damper my stove with out the creosote issues.

    Great blog. I enjoy. Keep up the good work,

    Pat

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  11. I really would like a Morso wood stove for heat, but when I proposed the idea to builders, I was told they couldn't install one, being RVIA builders. Was this installed post RVIA purchase and it doesnt effect insurance on the THOW? Also, are te summers hot and does fan/windows provide enough air conditioning to be comfortable in a THOW?

    Happy New Year.

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    1. Yes I did install this myself about a year after moving into my house. Not sure how it would affect insurance as I dropped that as soon as the loan was paid off. Our summers are very cool, near or below freezing most summer nights so just open windows does the trick quite well here.

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  12. I just ordered a Cubic mini and ran across your blog and youtube videos regarding your stove set-up. I can find various comments online that the pellet stove pipe isn't okay for a solid wood stove as it is only rated to 570 degrees. I initially wanted (and still do) to use pellet stove pipe just cuz it's easy to source, double-wall, and cheaper than the specialty stove places online want to charge. Have you seen any issues with your pellet stove pipe for woods stove use? I saw the creosote comments but it seems you resolved that and it wasnt the pellet stove pipe's fault. I'd love to hear you say you've been running the pellet stove pipe for a couple years, problem free-if that's the case. It would really simplify my install to know the pellet stove pipe is good to go. Thanks in advance.

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    1. Sorry I missed this question! I can't make any guarantees for anyone else, but I have been happily using my setup with no issues for 5 years now if that's helpful. Best wishes with what ever you choose.

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  13. Hi there! Love your channel! I am shopping for a small wood stove and am wondering what the specs are on your stove? Size/measurements, how long burn time, how much was it, clearances? I am looking at the comparable stoves you mentioned and a few more and am wanting to compare to your experiences. Sorry if this info is in the videos or somewhere on the blog, so far I haven't come across them! I would like to find a stove that I can keep my 8x24' house warm enough that I don't need to get up in the night to stoke or build it in NE winters. Thanks and be well! B

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    1. Thanks! I think you can find all of those details in the videos on Grey Stove's channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX3eQNxjrghcBP0064KtIgA Though to the best of my knowledge, they are no longer manufactured. My personal experience with burning all softwoods (the only thing that grows in my area) is that once you have it hot and keep feeding it, it'll burn for 6ish hours from the last filling. But the house is so well insulated that I never get up to feed it, even when it's -30 F or colder. Everything stays warm enough and I just relight it in the morning when I do wake up. Hopefully that's somewhat helpful!

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    2. Thanks Ariel! Your channel and blog are so helpful. We have found a stove to go with (from Tiny Wood Stove in Idaho) and are now facing the great debate: to cut a hole in our wall or roof! Any advice from your experiences? We don't see as much snow as you do, but we do see snow and cold here in Maine! Any comments or resources you've found are much appreciated! We have asphalt shingled roof and wood walls. So it's tempting to go through the wall as you did, but cheaper and more efficient to go through the roof. Thanks so much and glad to see your update and hear that all is well for you on the new land and during these crazy times! best

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    3. Through the roof will always be best for a good draft. But, there is always the option to get a leaking roof. So I don't regret going through my wall instead. Best wishes with whatever you choose!

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  14. Best to go up through ceiling. You get radiant heat from wood stove and the uninsulated pipe going to ceiling. You lose a LOT of heat to the exterior pipe. It kills the draft that you want and cools the pipe forming all that ugly black creasote!
    Make sure your chimney goes ABOVE the highest roofline! Otherwise the air pressure in house will blow smoke back into house.
    Those tips above and burning dry hard-woods should all but eliminate that creasote buildup. If you burn pine, the sap will create creasote.

    Those pics of creasote above are a home-fire begging to happen! I mention this not to embarrass you or make you feel bad, but for your own safety! You can buy a flare for less than $20 to kill a chimney fire, just throw it in and it should extinguish the fire. Best to avoid one altogether! You don't want one and it may very well cost you your life!!!
    I hope you have a carbon monoxide alarm and smoke detector with fresh batteries. Check them prior to winter! If you cant find hardwoods, you might consider a propane stove for heating. I have a Mr. Buddy running off a 20lb tank and you'd be surprised just how cozy these small furnaces can be. I live in NH. You can get two tanks and a switchover so when one runs out you don't wake up with cold feet! I'm sure your bedding keeps you pretty warm too. Good choice!
    I didn't see if you had anything under the trailer, but you can insulate with pink foam to maintain your heat envelope.
    Congrats on your beautiful Tiny home and for making some awesome choices that will serve you well. You will be VERY glad to be self-sufficient - especially in today's crazy world. Who would have called a pandemic, right!
    Everyone from NYC and Boston are fleeing north. Every one I was fleeing from! ��
    Anyway, all my best for a great winter!!!

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    1. Thanks for your concern for me. Through the roof will always be best for a good draft. But, there is always the option to get a leaking roof. So I don't regret going through my wall instead. It's been working fine for me for years now. Yes I've got both a carbon monoxide alarm and smoke detector. It is a common misconception that pine sap makes creosote, but actually it's caused by a cooler fire. And since softwoods are the only thing that grow in my part of the work, that is what I will always be burning. Even though they don't burn as hot as hardwoods which are preferable if you live where they grow for sure. So I clean my chimney regularly, and it works just fine. The bottom of my house is super well insulated with spray foam and then since I skirt the house with snow in the winter, its turns into something close to R50. We stay very cozy. :)

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  15. Thanks for sharing such amazing updates.If you want to know more detail about Stove Baffles then visit our site.

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