Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

Outdoor Furnaces - Manufacturers WITH EPA-Certified Models => Portage & Main => Topic started by: Gooseman on October 12, 2015, 07:20:29 PM

Title: First post new owner of BL2840
Post by: Gooseman on October 12, 2015, 07:20:29 PM

I have been lurking on here and reading lots. I made the decision to purchase the portage and main after reading reviews for the last year. Finally got the stove set on the cement pad last week and I am in the process of gathering the final parts to get it up and running. I have been heating my house for the past 5 yrs with a Heiss heater. I guess I was lucky with it after reading all the negative stories I have read. I can't say nothing bad about mine except after building my new shop I know it would be too small to heat the house and the shop.
Anyways I have found lots of great info on this site and I am always learning new things. Hopefully as time goes I will be able to add from my experience.

Title: Re: First post new owner of BL2840
Post by: Gooseman on January 28, 2016, 06:52:49 PM

Well 3 months into burning with the new stove and so far no hiccups  :thumbup: big learning curve compared to my heiss heater. I have read many horror stories about the Heiss heaters but honestly I loved mine but too small to heat house and new shop and with it being 6 yrs old and made of concrete I figured moving it would cause problems so I went shopping for new and bought a p&m.
Biggest thing is loading it twice a day. The heiss I could get 24 hrs no problem. I am getting 12 plus hrs no problem with the new one but don't think I would have heat left after 24. I am burning nothin but ash trees and very little split usually only throw in splitt pcs if I leave it a little long and not many coals left other than that all rounds at 18" long.
Did a few mods on my stove so far. I added a low temp shut off with a timer for the blower. I also moved the bracket back an inch on the front door for the open limiter. I was finding it wouldn't allow the inside stove door to open enough and I was always rubbing my coat sleeve on the doors inside and getting it covered in soot. Also mad a rod that is hooked to be able to make sure the slots are clear between the bottom stones. Also bought a 6" chimney brush and put it on a 6' pipe to allow me to brush out the top exchanger area, only made this a few weeks ago and used it twice and seems real handy.
Anyways a few more months and should be able to shut it down for the summer.

Title: Re: First post new owner of BL2840
Post by: slimjim on January 29, 2016, 02:15:07 AM

Welcome aboard !

Title: Re: First post new owner of BL2840
Post by: tinfoilhat2020 on January 29, 2016, 04:35:21 AM

looks very nice!!!!!!!!!

Title: Re: First post new owner of BL2840
Post by: Strawbale Builder on January 29, 2016, 06:08:50 AM

Will give you many years of good service.