Pity

I feel very sorry for the next people to live at Farview Farm if they have not used a wood stove.  It's not like flipping a switch or turning a dial, and it's not like a fireplace.  It takes planning and time.  For starters, there are two doors.  The one in front has a glass insert; that's to watch the fire and to reach in to get the creosote out of the cold chimney after a sweep.  It's too small to insert wood.  That's for the second door on the side, easy peasy, given the logs are the right length and chunks are not too big, and to shovel out the ashes.  There are two vents on the side, both of which must be opened before starting a fire.  The bottom one stays open, but the top one gets closed when the blaze is going, don't forget or there's the possibility of a chimney fire...not good!  If Stove is cranky and slow to light, there's a little door in front for a tray for ashes that fall through the grate that will darn near guarantee to get him started.  Don't leave that one open, either.  There is a little knob on the side to adjust the blaze.  I got it set after some trial and error and have never needed to turn it again.

I find that a few pieces of kindling on the bottom, then maybe a piece or two of pine if I have any, topped with three oak logs is the recipe for success.  An all-pine fire will build up creosote faster than you can say Jack Robinson.  Then comes the waiting.  Don't leave the room.  There is a magnetic temperature gauge on the chimney that must be watched.  It needs to get up to 300-degrees (takes awhile), but never go over 600.  Six hundred is the danger level and calls for an immediate shutdown.  Three hundred, great, then shut the top vent and you're good to go about the business of the day or are set for the evening...or until you need to add more wood.  If more wood is needed, be sure to open the top side vent again before opening the door, then shut it when the deed is done.  Very important.

Yes, I pity the newcomers to wood-stove heat.  It's a process.  When I finish on the computer this morning, I will spend a little time heating the living room again.  It's another cold day.  (Yes, sometimes I dream of thermostats.)

Stay safe.  Be well.