Hello y’all.

[Blueskies]

Just joined. I’ve lived on small acreages for several years. I’ve raised chickens, sheep and the occasional bottle calf. I moved last year and have to start a lot of projects over. I’d like advice on wood stoves.

 

[Hinotori]

Code here says air intake vent from under the house. Modern houses are too tight to let enough air in. We didn't have to install that only because of how old our house is (123 years) as it's grandfathered and definitely not tight. I live in western Washington and my parents live in eastern Oregon. When they installed their wood stove in 1981 they were required to put an air vent in the wall next to the stove. Their current code is from under house too.

Don't forget you'll need someplace to keep your seasoned wood so it stays dry. That shouldn't be against the house as dry wood attracts wood chewers like carpenter ants and termites. It also makes for a fire danger in wildfire danger areas.

My parents were told they need to enclose the front of their wood shed at their cabin to reduce the chance of wildfire spark catching. Also no wood against cabin under covered porch.

They keep a wood pile at the back corner of their lot in town. There's been one there since they installed the wood stove. Found distance from fences it needed to be and marked it out.

I keep my wood a distance from the house, but I can hold 3 to 4 days worth inside.

We do have an electric fan for the wood stove, but I also have a small thermal fan sitting on top. Small house so the electric fan isn't really needed. If we loose power and are cooking on our wood stove, it gets too hot inside and I must open windows. Our stove is designed to allow some cooking.

We had 5 days without power once. I was melting snow for flushing (ancient gravity septic) and for showers with a camp shower. We ate fine, but soup and stew was easiest.

 

[Blueskies]

Hubbs has surprised me with a whole house generator. Install beginning next week. It’s not only for us but his parents may move in. Both are in their 90’s with health issues.

 

[murphysranch]

Soooo many times we've talked about a whole house generator. I'm jealous and happy for you!!!!!

edited to add: I would need several hundred thousand bucks if my Mother moved in with us. She's 93, barely eats cus doesn't want to get fat, and is freezing all the time. (gee - wonder why??) I can't imagine my electric and propane bill costs here cus she keeps her apt at the old folks home at 78!!!!!

 

[Hinotori]

Welcome!


I have a catalytic wood stove. Very little soot build up in the chimney and very efficient on burning.

We've been very happy with it over the last decade. Mostly burn fir and cedar as that's what's available here.

 

[tortoise]

Welcome!

I have propane furnace and indoor wood furnace. The wood furnace has no thermostatic control. Put more wood in to heat up the house!

The thing I don't like about the wood furnace is getting too hot overnight but waking up cold in the morning. When I work away from home, I'm cold at home - wake up to chilly house and low fire. Build it up, come home to chilly house and low fire. Wake up in the middle of the night roasting.

 

[CLSranch]

Welcome,

I’d like advice on wood stoves.

Each is different. You have to learn each one along with the insulation of your house, as to how to regulate it. My house is %90-%95 wood. A propane wall unit in the bathroom helps with the really cold days or when the fire gets low, AND when you get out of the shower.
I've gone through a couple of wood stoves in this house along with a couple in the old place. Each one needs a little different attention. Once you get used to it, any stove can be easy to use.

What specific advice are you looking for?

 

[Hinotori]

That is a nice investment. Much better than the extention cords to a generator that I run

 

[baymule]

That is so nice! My power is off right now, got Tac lights and Propane heater . Made boiled in a pot coffee on propane stove. After the storm last night, it’s going to be a beautiful day!

You will love the generator! Power goes off, life goes on. Everything we do needs electricity so I’m glad y’all are getting the generator!

 

[Blueskies]

My in laws are a maybe. But they have the option. There is so much denial I expect Cleopatra to float by on her barge