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2
Hawken Energy, support only / New HE 2100 up and running
« on: December 12, 2012, 11:24:39 AM »
Its now been 3 weeks since I got my HE 2100 up and running and I cannot be happier. I have an 8x8x8 wood shed I built next to it and I still have it about 1/3 full of wood. My wife is now running around in the type of clothes I like to see her in. 
I was on here last year quite a bit doing research and settled on the HE2100 (non gasser) and had it delivered in April. Took my time hooking it up and working out a few quirks with the existing heat unit. At the time I was researching there were several complaints about Haweken but I couldn't be happier with my dealer and unit.
I was on here last year quite a bit doing research and settled on the HE2100 (non gasser) and had it delivered in April. Took my time hooking it up and working out a few quirks with the existing heat unit. At the time I was researching there were several complaints about Haweken but I couldn't be happier with my dealer and unit.
3
Fire Wood / Not selling any wood
« on: December 11, 2012, 07:15:18 PM »
I'm in southern Indiana. I've been selling firewood for three seasons now. The last two seasons I have sold 23 and 27 cords. This year I started heating my house with an OWB so I cut 50 cords (most split for sell) and I haven't sold but 2 loads so far. Is anyone seeing the slow down like I am? I'm wondering if the economy is bad enough to cut my firewood sales down that much. I've checked prices locally and am in the average range and offer a variety of hardwoods to choose from. My customers over the last two years have raved about the quality of wood I sell compared to others locally. Whats the deal?
4
Equipment / Small Limb Saw Suggestions
« on: December 11, 2012, 11:20:55 AM »
I have always used large saws for firewood and have used both Stihls and Husqvarna's. I work for a tree service as a side job and use mid-range to larger saws daily. However, I've never really used small limb saws as we tend to use pole saws for that type of work. I am in the market for a small lightweight but dependable Stihl saw for clearing small saplings and small dead fall off my farm. I have a Stihl 461 for my big firewood and felling jobs. Can you suggest a saw for me? My dealer recomended the 170 but I've read bad reviews on them being cheaply made as well as the whole line of smaller Stihl saws. I just spent a grand on my 461 so I'm on a budget as well. What do you guys suggest?
5
General Discussion / Smoking wood-Hickory/Cherry
« on: April 25, 2012, 08:03:17 PM »
I didn't know where to start my thread but if you know anything about smoke wood prices (hickory/cherry) check out my thread in the firewood section. I'm curious to know how much it goes for-and how much to charge. Thanks and I apologize for "double posting"
6
Fire Wood / Hickory/Cherry Smoking Wood Price?
« on: April 25, 2012, 07:51:07 PM »
I sell firewood as a side job but just came across some hickory and being the off heating season was thinking about selling it to people who use it to smoke their meat during the summer. I am used to selling wood by the cord but most people don't need that much to smoke with. So...how much should I charge for smaller amounts of hickory or cherry? I've searched on the net and seen a dollar per pound but that seems high. All of the stores (lowes, home depot) have it measured in cubic inches but they estimate 25 lbs for $13. I guess I'm asking for suggestions based on the info I've given but really would like to know from those on here that have bought hickory in small amounts for smoking purposes. Thanks in advance.
7
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Did your own install? How long did it take?
« on: April 24, 2012, 06:56:51 PM »
My stove is coming tomorrow and I was wondering how long it would take on average to install one by myself. The trench and pex line are done already. I'm looking at the outdoor hook up, water heater hook up, running the indoor lines, and putting the heat exchanger in along with a separate heater in the garage. How long did it take you guys?
8
Fire Wood / New 2nd job = free wood and money
« on: April 23, 2012, 10:27:56 AM »
I just picked up a 2nd job working for a local tree service. They want the wood gone so i take it and use it to heat my house plus get paid to work for them. Nice perk of the job. I love the work and get wood and money for doing what I enjoy. Can't beat it.
9
Equipment / Harbor Freight Sharpener
« on: March 12, 2012, 06:15:09 AM »
Okay, I just bought a chain sharpener from Harbor freight. It set up was easy and it simple to use. My first attempt at sharpening a chain with a grind stone came up a bust. I don't know if I didn't take enough off or what but it didn't cut well at all. It felt sharp...?? Can you guys help me out on the details? How long do you "grind" to get it sharp? Do you just run the wheel across the tooth for a split second then move on or leave it down for a bit and let it grind? I'm going to use the same chain and practice on it so I don't mess up multiple chains. I guess I'm going to keep taking a bit more off each time until I get it right. My angle and everything is right so that isn't an issue. What do you guys think?
10
Fire Wood / What would you do?
« on: March 05, 2012, 08:04:47 AM »
I own 8.5 acres of woods and have a lot of down trees. I also sell firewood, but only good hardwoods (ash, oak, cherry). This year in a warm year I sold 21 truck loads so far. I have about that many split and ready for next year and plan on cutting/splitting more before the summer.
My question is this. I will have a new conventional OWB for next heating season and I am trying to decide whether to clean up my woods and burn whatever is down (hardwood or not) OR use some of my good hardwood that I am also selling. Obviously the hardwoods I sell will be more efficient but if I burn it, I will lose money in sales. The down trees won't take away from my sales but will probably take away from my efficiency. I do however like the idea of cleaning up my woods and making it look nicer all the while being able to burn the down trees. What would you guys do in my situation?
My question is this. I will have a new conventional OWB for next heating season and I am trying to decide whether to clean up my woods and burn whatever is down (hardwood or not) OR use some of my good hardwood that I am also selling. Obviously the hardwoods I sell will be more efficient but if I burn it, I will lose money in sales. The down trees won't take away from my sales but will probably take away from my efficiency. I do however like the idea of cleaning up my woods and making it look nicer all the while being able to burn the down trees. What would you guys do in my situation?
11
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / best time to install
« on: March 02, 2012, 06:37:24 AM »
Finally! I am purchasing a OWB. What time of year is best to install? I want to make sure its up and running correctly before next fall. Giving ground conditions, weather, time to install, time to work bugs out: when is the best time to install? Thanks,
12
Hawken Energy, support only / Any Hawken Dealers Here?
« on: February 13, 2012, 10:29:37 AM »
If you are a Hawken dealer, please pm me. Thanks, Chris
13
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Anyone switch from gasser to non gasser?
« on: February 09, 2012, 06:54:00 PM »
You know, I didnt like anyone on hearth.com. They seemed arrogant like some of you mentioned. They all blamed "us" OWB guys for all the EPA regs coming down blah blah blah. BUT one guy did ask an interesting question: How many people switched from a gasser to a non gasser? I don't know of anyone. His argument was that plenty of people have gone from non gassers to gassers but how many have actually switched from gassers to non gassers. His point being that gassers were better than non gassers.
So, how many of you have divorced the gasser world for the non gasser world?
So, how many of you have divorced the gasser world for the non gasser world?
14
General Discussion / Water Softener ?
« on: February 09, 2012, 06:40:44 PM »
We are looking to put in a water softener. We are trying to decide what to do with the drain from it. One guy says we can run it through our septic. Another guy (and our family) say no way-it will corode our septic system. The other idea is to run it out our down spout drain. One guy says that will kill all the vegetation and trees. Another guy says it won't hurt the plants/trees. One guy says run it into our pond-it won't hurt the fish. I can't imagine it would corrode our septic system and kill our trees but won't hur the fish. Do any of you have experience with water softeners that can share advice?
15
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / True Gassers?
« on: February 08, 2012, 10:05:08 AM »
When this site was down I went looking around on hearth.com. They are WAY ANTI OWB! They claim none of the companies on this site sell gassers. I gave them the Hawken GX10 as an example of a gasser and they say that it isn't a gasser. They are talking about companies like Biomass, Tarm, Garn, EKO, Orlan etc. What is the difference in those units vs. what we are calling gassers on here? Is it simply the indoor vs. outdoor that is making the difference between "their" gassers and "our" gassers?
They claim all of the arguments for OWB's and against gassers are false and that there is no more maintenance and the wood doesn't matter and the efficiency on theirs are WAY better than OWB's yet on here I hear people say they OWB's are not that less efficient and the gassers need more maintenance, and are more finicky on the wood they will burn. Who is right? Help me understand both sides.
Thanks,
Chris
They claim all of the arguments for OWB's and against gassers are false and that there is no more maintenance and the wood doesn't matter and the efficiency on theirs are WAY better than OWB's yet on here I hear people say they OWB's are not that less efficient and the gassers need more maintenance, and are more finicky on the wood they will burn. Who is right? Help me understand both sides.
Thanks,
Chris