Anyone interested in a 20 lbs of fuel long burn challenge?

Just checking to see if anyone here would like to do some long burn experiments with their stoves for fun and also to be able to compare fuel choice in the process. This is about getting the most out of your stove and the fuel you have to burn. As there are way too many variables to keep stable, the only one that will be used is the amount of fuel (wood/cwf). Here is what I propose for the challenge guidelines:

1. 20 pounds of fuel - single or mixed species (or cwf e.g. bio bricks, etc.)
2. cold start preferred, but hey it is just for fun so if not, just post starting stove top temp
3. end of burn is determined when stove top falls below 200 degrees
4. post results that include stove make & model, fuel type, start temp, duration, and any other information you think might be of interest (split size, N/S load, outside temp, char time, air/t-stat setting etc.)

Thoughts?

If there is enough interest, I will create a new thread for challenge results and guidelines.

 

I used to try tracking stove temps, time of day, fuel, but every time I did, life got involved.
I've found notes from 6-7 years ago................
Might try again since there'll be a thread.

 

I'm In !! I don't know when It will be cold enough to do but it sounds like fun. I was considering using a Data Logger from work while going thru the Learning curve of a new stove anyway.. that way I'll know what was happening while I wasn't right there with it.. Other than the break in fires that I did outside ive only burned about 5 splits in this stove...

 

Same here; great weather for cutting and drying firewood, but a bit warm for burning. My guess is about 3rd week of October here where I am.

I was thinking some might want to try it once or twice. Don't want it to be work. Thought the 20 pound limit would give the small stoves a chance to compare with the large stoves.

This will likely be more fun for those of us with new stoves as we learn how to use them. I will create a new thread for the challenge in a few weeks. Perhaps when the burning kicks in and some results are posted, a few more might decide to give it a go.

 

Has this got a new thread or shall we just start posting here? Never actually weighed what I put in my IS, interested to see what 20 lbs of ash or maple looks like.

 

20 lbs of ash. 20in long. Never tried a fire in my IS with only 3 pieces of wood.

 

I thought it would be cold enough by now, but it has just been too warm here. I was going to open a new thread as soon as it got cold enough to burn regularly. Pretty sure this is more interesting for those of us with stoves that are new to us. Its all just for fun and don't want it to turn into a competition between brands ... seen enough of those slug fests on various forums.

 

I think it would be just plain fun. Another place to post some t-couple graphs. I think it would be a challenge to run so few of pieces in the large fire box. But I'm willing to give it a go.

 

If it ever gets cold here Ill give it go sounds like fun. Im assuming that all 20lbs of fuel need to be put in at the same time right?

 

Had not thought of splitting up the load. Up to you. I have a fire tonight, 42F going down to 32F - mostly just for fun. My house gets good solar gain and will be 72 by noon tomorrow even if I let the fire go out.

 

Yeah I'm not sure 20 pounds would be enough fuel. Some of us have oak and locust. That stuff is heavy.

 

A lot of bigger stoves will eat most of the 20lbs just to get up to temperature. I think the test would be best if put on a bed of coals starting out at 200 degrees. Just my thoughts...

 

I just picked 20 as I thought it would fit all stoves and the tests would be a bit shorter. I'm up for any number that seems reasonable for most. For some reason I think my Fireview has a 35 pound capacity, but can't find where I read that.

Yes, this is a good idea; I think this most reasonable and least disruptive to normal burning.

 

Getting ready to fire my IS up with the 20lb load. Will post my graph somtime tomorrow afternoon.

 

Still 60s and 70s this week I'll probably fire it up next weekend. I'll measure out approximately 20lbs of wood and experiment with it.

 

The more BTUs it has, the heavier/ denser the wood is. I moved a few splits of shagbark hickory today. Heavy stuff, even though it was nice and dry. I bet a 4x4x 18" split was 10 lbs.

Once I get my insert in place, I will try a few sample burns like this, using 20lbs of fuel. New stove in a house that has only ever had a fireplace. I've used an epa efficient stove in the cottage for nearly 20 years, but that's a different beast.

 

Been while since I posted graph data so, here it is. At 9:19 it hit 200* and lasted till 11:22 when it fell below 200*. A little over 2 hours in three pieces of ash. See post # 7 for a pic of what I used. Good Bad? I Don't know.

 

Nice graph. Few questions:

1. When did you engage the combustor?
2. What kind of air setting were you using?
3. What is the approximate cost of your instrumentation?