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1

Portage & Main / Hows the burning season going for everyone?

« on: December 20, 2016, 05:55:10 AM »

It has been -5 at night here in Indiana and I have been getting 16 hour burn times with my BL-3444. I have been keeping my garage at 60 as well as my shop and the house is a constant 68. Love this time of year, didn't even mind going out yesterday at 12 degrees and loading it.

2

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / How full do you fill your stove?

« on: October 11, 2016, 08:31:27 AM »

Ok I have talked to several people about this and haven't gotten a definitive answer yet. When filling your stove, how full do you fill it? I have had some guys say they fill it as full as they can while others say they fill it just enough to get to the evening when they get home to refill it. What is best? I say not packed because it will burn hotter am I correct in thinking this?

3

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Companies going out of business?

« on: September 27, 2016, 06:59:48 AM »

I saw companies like Ridgewood, Timberwolf have closed their doors and I read last night that Hawken energy might be closing the doors? They weren't responding to emails or calls I guess? I hate to see all these guys closing up shop. We are going to have a bad winter and heating fuel prices are going to sky rocket & demand for stoves will come back. I spoke with a farmer the other day that told me we have a full supply of propane in the US at this time but the grain is wet and farmers are using more and more  propane to dry it. Thus meaning reserves will be depleted and prices will go up ten fold like it was 2 years ago at $7.25 a gallon in Indiana.

4

Portage & Main / Pouring new cement pad help

« on: August 26, 2016, 10:24:12 AM »

I have had my BL-3444 a year now and absolutely LOVE it, best investment I think I have ever made. After the freezing and thawing over the winter and spring I have decided to pour a cement pad. What advice could you offer me on doing it? I am worried about the PEX coming from the ground. Should I box it in and leave open dirt around it, pour cement all around it? My plan is to pout cement in a pad 16'X16' as it backs up to my pole barn. But (at this time I have no need for another one) if I ever needed or wanted to add another line and its under cement I would have to bust it up. Another thought I had is to create a tunnel of some sort maybe of wood or PVC to leave open toward the edge of the cement but would the cement collapse it? Thanks for the help in advance.

5

Portage & Main / Thanks for a successful burning season BL-3444

« on: April 19, 2016, 06:22:08 AM »

Well the temps are up to the high 40's at night so I have finally turned of my BL-3444. I have turned the power to the boiler off and have been letting it burnout. I put a small amount of wood in it Saturday night but as of Monday evening it was still around 170 degrees. Do you guys and gals have any things that you usually do at seasons end that work for you guys? I am planning on covering the stack and cleaning all the ashes out obviously. Thanks and I cant wait until the cold weather comes back.

6

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Could lose power can you help with this question PLEASE

« on: February 24, 2016, 07:37:44 AM »

ok we are starting to get some bad weather that could bring down power lines. I dont have a backup generator. I am afraid if we do lose power my boiler will overheat. Am i correct in thinking this? If so how can i prevent this?
Thanks in advance

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Portage & Main / Could lose power can you help with this question PLEASE

« on: February 24, 2016, 07:37:17 AM »

ok we are starting to get some bad weather that could bring down power lines. I dont have a backup generator. I am afraid if we do lose power my boiler will overheat. Am I correct in thinking this? If so how can I prevent this?
Thanks in advance

8

Portage & Main / HUGE shout out to Portage and Main!

« on: January 05, 2016, 06:37:24 AM »

I have had my BL 3444 fired up for three weeks now and I couldn't be happier. I have it heating my home, including basement, DHW, and a pole barn. I am also working to hook up my attached garage today. I am really excited at the amount of wood its burning or lack of wood I am burning I should say. When they say the P&M's burn less I can guarantee you that is correct. This is my 1st boiler and I had some questions. Upon calling P&M and speaking with Brian Martin those questions were quickly answered. It is totally refreshing and reassuring to know that any time I have a question I could call and get the help I need. I hope to put up pictures soon for everyone to see and get feedback from. I want to thank everyone for the responses they have given me and a special thanks to Brian Martin and everyone at P&M for everything. I cant wait for the years of burning in the future.

9

Portage & Main / 110 thermostat questions

« on: December 17, 2015, 06:54:26 AM »

ok I am as sharp as a balloon but should I have as much trouble as i am finding a 110 thermostat? I have looked at menards home depot and lowes with no luck. Anyone have suggestions where to purchase them quick? I am needing it to finish the install
thanks

10

Portage & Main / HELP please BL-3444 8" stove pipe question

« on: December 11, 2015, 05:58:55 AM »

Hello everyone I am installing my new BL-3444, thank goodness the weather is still in the 50's during the day, and was putting the pipe together last night. I have one section of pipe from P&M and went to Menards to get the remaining sections. Putting them together last night and they dont seem to match up for some reason. The section from P&M seems to be just a little bit bigger than the Menards pipe. It's like the inner sections dont match up. Am I doing something wrong? Is there a trick to it or do I need to order the remaining pipe I need from P&M? Thanks for the help in advance

11

General Discussion / Long handled rake and shovel?

« on: November 12, 2015, 07:35:35 AM »

I am looking to make or buy a long handled shovel and rake, anyone have any suggestions?

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Equipment / Home made shovel and rake?

« on: November 12, 2015, 07:34:52 AM »

I am looking to make or buy a long handled shovel and rake, anyone have any suggestions?

13

Portage & Main / Looking to buy a BL34-44, do you own one? How do you like it?

« on: June 04, 2015, 08:29:16 AM »

I am real close to buying a BL 34-44. I have narrowed my choices down to that, a Central Boiler and a Hawken Energy. How do you like your 34-44? I would be heating about 5500 to 6000 sq ft between my home with a basement garage and pole barn as well as my hot water. Thanks in advance.

14

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Round vs square fire boxes? Which is best I need some help please

« on: June 02, 2015, 05:39:03 AM »

I am looking at buying a new OWB this summer. I am considering several different stoves. I have narrowed my search to Portage and Main, Hawken Energy, Central Boiler, Crown Royal & Ridgewood stoves. I am not sure which fire box is best though. What experiences have you had with these stoves and what fire box is best. I guess I should note I am heating an 1900 sq ft main level with a basement the same size, a 900 sq ft garage, a 1200 sq ft pole barn and the hot water. Thanks in advance.