Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: mustang483 on January 09, 2011, 05:15:18 PM

Title: 1st Burn
Post by: mustang483 on January 09, 2011, 05:15:18 PM

After several years sitting on the fence about an OWB, and another year+ researching the various units available, I finally lit my Empyre Pro 200/Aspen 175 today for the first time.

Quite a liberating feeling when the forced air furnace in the house came on without the need for the propane burner.  Filled the OWB almost full around 11:30 AM and after 7 hours still have lots of wood remaining in the firebox.

Thanks to those of you on this board, especially main owb and willieG, who provided tips and instruction on how to get this unit installed and running.

Title: Re: 1st Burn
Post by: Dirtslinger on January 09, 2011, 05:22:30 PM

 :thumbup:

Title: Re: 1st Burn
Post by: Bull on January 09, 2011, 05:25:33 PM

It is a great feeling to have the house at 73 when the outdoor temp is 0 and the electric heat is not on

Title: Re: 1st Burn
Post by: willieG on January 09, 2011, 05:27:06 PM

kind of funny how a little wood fire can make a guy feel so warm and fuzzy, ain't it.

happy heating

Title: Re: 1st Burn
Post by: Dirtslinger on January 09, 2011, 05:29:43 PM

My propane tank has been at 40% for three years now and its great I am going to run it out this spring so I can get a smaller tank.
I went from spending $2900 a year to $600 if I have to buy wood but I have been getting tons of free stuff.

Title: Re: 1st Burn
Post by: Bull on January 09, 2011, 05:46:33 PM

LOL @ WillieG, yes it is

Title: Re: 1st Burn
Post by: mustang483 on January 09, 2011, 05:56:54 PM

My propane tank was just filled last week as I was finishing the plumbing work.  Can't wait for them to return in Spring and realize that the tank is still almost full.  The only propane I should need between now and then will be for my gas range which isn't using much at all.

I anticipating having to buy some wood down the road but even with this I'm still going to save big $.

Will let everyone know how things go.

Title: Re: 1st Burn
Post by: willieG on January 09, 2011, 06:17:16 PM

your learning to run that OWB has just begun listen close and it will tell you what it needs and when

Title: Re: 1st Burn
Post by: 1grnlwn on January 15, 2011, 07:39:00 AM

I still remember my first month of operation.  Wake up at 3 AM house is cold, air handler running.  Go outside in 0 degree temp with 20 mph wind only to find stove full of wood and no fire.  Probably took me and son 1.5 hours to get it rolling again.  I have learned a lot since then.

Title: Re: 1st Burn
Post by: scissorbill on January 15, 2011, 08:34:25 AM

Igrnlwn...Sounds like you have a Heatmaster. Had this happen 66 times last year and finally the piece of crap caught on fire itself. Have a woodmaster now burning the exact same wood and the fire has not gone out since Oct 3. I learned alot too and that is that Steeltech is a lousy company and their Heatmaster stoves are absolute junk.

Title: Re: 1st Burn
Post by: 1grnlwn on January 15, 2011, 10:06:29 AM

Negatory scissorbill.  I have a Taylor.  Just my inexperience in fire management.  No issues now!