We have two Vermont Castings Stoves. Very well made. You can find used ones reasonable on CL or Facebook marketplace. Our main stove is the Dutchwest with the catalytic combustor.
Sourcing the wood can be an issue if in fact you do not live in or next to the woods.
Sourcing good hard woods is essential and that is also part of the work involved. I have had luck here in Ingo getting good wood from people I know and trust but they are all an hour or more away. Loading well north of a ric in my truck on Wed. and rolling home with her tail down a bit more than usual and then unloading/stacking in a dry place. That was a full day for us. That was load #2 and it will take 2 more loads to meet our needs for the winter especially since I built the spouse a fire pit.
When sis had her property we drug out/cut split and stacked our wood. 2 good saws and a spliter. And she was an hour away. Brother thats work I don't care who you are. She sold and moved to Florida so we have to source it now. The winter after she moved we found a place that had rics stacked and ready. Used them for 3 years. 3rd year the wood was green and a pain in the butt to use. Had to find another source and let that cure. Now we have a handle on it. Sold the older saw and rarely if ever use the newer one and it will be for sale soon. So if you need one hit me up.
I love people that think we heat for free. Nothing could be farther from the truth. But nothing is more comfy than a warm stove on a cold winters night.
And we cook on ours. Spouse does some really great meals off of it when its cold out and we have it stoked up.
I love people that think we heat for free. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
A friend of mine is fond of saying: He who heats with wood is twice warmed. Once when you burn it, and once when you cut it.
After growing up heating with wood I really thought I wanted to do the same until I really ran the math on the whole deal, plus my time, energy, and health. It's just not worth it for me. If prepping is the goal, a 500 gallon propane tank was enough to heat my house for an entire winter and most years was cheaper than what wood would have cost me. A second tank would have made more sense.
Of course, Stars rightly diagnosing my fireplace as ready to burn the house down also played a large role in that decision. The man was so honest he told me that he'd probably just demolish it and patch the roof if he was in my position. Gotta appreciate a guy that knows the right thing to sell you is nothing.
so yeah....free stove cost me a grand basically. And we did all the work.
These draw fresh air from outside for combustion so no internal air used for the firebox, making the unit more efficient.
Im planning on a stove downstairs eventually. One of the cool newer features, at least on pellet stoves, are some now have a (outside) fresh air intake for the firebox. So unlike a standard stove, its not drawing air out of the house to feed the fire/send smoke up the chimney (and bringing in cold air that has to be heated)
These draw fresh air from outside for combustion so no internal air used for the firebox, making the unit more efficient.
Im planning on a stove downstairs eventually. One of the cool newer features, at least on pellet stoves, are some now have a (outside) fresh air intake for the firebox. So unlike a standard stove, its not drawing air out of the house to feed the fire/send smoke up the chimney (and bringing in cold air that has to be heated)
These draw fresh air from outside for combustion so no internal air used for the firebox, making the unit more efficient.
Yep. You are both right. Stoves dont take as much air once rolling as a fireplace, but I'll take every last drop of efficiency I can take. I can seal up the intake pipe easily. Yes, doors and windows will still leak air, but I dont need to ENCOURAGE it by creating a vacuum.
Adding an extra hour and maybe $50 in parts to the install is no big deal in the long run and should pay for itself.
I agree.
Been looking for a wood cookstove with this feature and I'm yet to find one.
Some of these modern, well built homes are so airtight with the housewrap, windows and doors, that keeping a fire lit can be an issue when closed up.
A lack of oxygen to keep a woodfire going, while sleeping, could potentially be the last health issue you deal with.