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1

Fire Wood / First load of pine two cords.

« on: January 24, 2020, 11:37:50 PM »

Man this stuff burns hot, the load consists of big logs, makes it easy to fill the boiler.  Burn time is slightly lower but for the price I'm amazed how well it burns. Beats the hell out of green hardwood this time of year which most delivery guys have.  My backyard is full of pine for the fraction of the costs.  I'm converted.

2

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / We have had so much rain here I can't get a wood delivery and I'm almost out

« on: November 12, 2019, 09:41:12 PM »

Here in Michigan we have had so much rain, my clay soil is saturated with moisture.  I have not been able to get a wood delivery for weeks due to the dump trailers sinking and getting stuck.  I think tomorrow is my chance, we are getting down to the single digits tonight, but I have a 4 inch layer of snow insulating the wet and rather warm soil.  I'm so frustrated,  I think my only chance is to shovel the back yard grass to allow it to freeze.  I can only imagine what the farmers are feeling around here with crops sitting in the field.

3

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / I need a good Ash Rake

« on: November 09, 2019, 10:47:01 PM »

Does anyone have suggestions on a good ash rake?  I buy cheap garden rakes and I'm lucky to get a month use before they break, normally when trying to pull some larger pieces from the back to the front.

4

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / The novelty of filling the boiler wears off for me mid Feburary

« on: January 23, 2019, 09:57:18 PM »

This may be my issue only, I'm not a big winter fan, but about mid Feburary I hit a wall.  Becomes more of a chore to fill and clean the boiler.  The thought of filling for another 2 months is a struggle mentally.

5

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Burning lots of wood already this year!

« on: December 18, 2018, 09:21:14 PM »

I'm set to burn 6 cords already by this weekend! Anyone have me beat?  Running a conventional Ridgewood, not a bad unit but dear God does it love to burn wood. 3,000 SQFT farm house. 

6

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Question on pump speed

« on: October 26, 2018, 10:08:19 PM »

From reading this forum over a few years, I have always read a faster pump speed means more heat delivered to the home through the exchanger.  I believe I have a small taco pump, it has three setting.  I normally run it on second setting.  Just for fun I turned it down to the first setting and the the air from the ducts seem much warmer.  Maybe it's in my head.  I would like to hear more comments on pump speed and heat delivery through the water to air exchanger.

7

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Modification to cool home with exhanger?

« on: June 30, 2018, 09:51:32 PM »

Has anyone tried modifying the water to air exchanger in their plenum to cool.  Running 60 degree well water through the exchanger would probably work, you would need a discharge area for the water.  Also, when the house calls for cooling it would need a mechanism to turn the water on.

8

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Vegetable oil might save your night

« on: January 02, 2018, 11:32:05 PM »

I believe I posted this in the past.  I don't have access to motor oil and would rather not use it to help boost a fire.  Burning vegetable oil is clean and burns very hot.  My recently wood delivery was suppose to by dry wood, but it seems it's all underseasoned oak.  In most conditions my conventional boiler can handle a little green wood but with the cold temperatures and constant demand for heat from the house.  I'm left with coating logs with the cheapest cooking oil I can find.  With a good coating and a few cup fills of oil tossed on the fire I'm amazed how quickly the steam rolls out of the wood.  Keep the door open for a bit... and you a have roaring flames ... fu÷_÷ you winter new boss in town

9

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / High wind and my farm house goes to sh#$%

« on: December 05, 2017, 11:37:56 PM »

Large winds before cold front makes me want to quit and move south.  My drafty farm house has no chance against high winds. Furnace blower never shuts off, I can fill the boiler full and be out of wood in 4 hours.  It's like survival mode to make it.  Sorry i had to vent...

10

RidgeWood Stoves, defunct, support only / Ridgewood owners how is your stove doing?

« on: November 15, 2017, 10:00:52 PM »

Just wanted to post to see how everyone's stove is holding up?  How many are still running, or swapped it out.  Things seem ok here, burns a ton of wood.  I found the key to long burns is load the wood heavily to the back, much as you can get.  Took me a season or two to realize this.  The baffle under the chimney doesnt reflect enough heat down, and the wood to the front doesnt last long.  I think most of the heat goes straight up.  I have had many issues in the past, would like to keep a open discussion at least on dealing with what we got.  As the old saying goes do the best with what you got.

11

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Found this at menards

« on: October 29, 2017, 11:21:21 PM »

I found this at menards yesterday.  Strap on thermometer for pex.  Could be helpful in many ways to determine heat loss.  I bought one seems broken going to exchange.  I will keep everyone updated.
https://www.menards.com/main/heating-cooling/hydronic-radiant-heat/system-components/nibco-reg-strap-on-thermometer/p-1444449302037-c-8523.htm?tid=2254376676626534946&ipos=1

12

RidgeWood Stoves, defunct, support only / How do I modify my ridgewood to close damper at 140

« on: October 23, 2017, 09:14:09 PM »

Is it possible to modify my ridgewood to close damper at 140 to save heat?

13

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / I'm ready that time of year

« on: March 22, 2017, 11:06:53 PM »

This time of year I'm ready to be done with filling the boiler, as the season changes it seems to be more of a chore.  I usually have to burn into late April mainly for heat at night.  Like most northern burners we start mid October and burn well into the end of April, 6 months of loading the hog.  In my case burning 14 full cords is no easy task and ready for vacation.  1 1/2 cord in the yard I make sure it will last.. turn down the home temperature.. and the biggest bitch.. learning how to load for the warmer temps, I'm used to craming it full.  During the re adjustment period I seem to loose fire more often.  Bring on summer

14

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Protocol when come home after a long day water 98 degrees?

« on: January 09, 2017, 10:10:30 PM »

I work long days owning a business.  If the weather is windy or very cold it's quite common to come home to the boiler at 100 degrees or below.  Very frustrating.  First thing I do is open the boiler door, rake the coals or what's left to the front and throw a few small pieces on the coals.  I then go inside and turn the blower off and kick on a space heater or two to keep the house temp up a bit.  I then watch from my bedroom window for the smoke to stop, at this point I know the few pieces I put in are on fire.  From here it's a matter of a hour or two slowly adding wood.  14 hour days are killing me plus boiler attention.  Can't afford propane to heat this old drafty house.  Is there a better way to get the fire started more quickly

Thanks

15

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Hard to believe November 1st shut down boiler for a bit

« on: November 01, 2016, 09:22:31 PM »

Located in West Michigan the fall weather has been above normal ranges.  Figured I would shut the boiler down for awhile, forecast looks pretty good for the next 7 days.  Crazy