The gangs all here. Cool idea Jack but I've given up on trying to enlighten my friends on the subject. They tell me that my wood is going to rot before it gets burned.
Ya I had to revert to "HIDING" some of my wood out back cause I am sick of the dummies telling me it's gonna rot before I use it and I only got 7 1/2 cord...
No worries Dave, you'll never get me to talk about political issues. It's just not something I'm interested in discussing, and that's a big part of why I like this board. About as political I'll ever get is to let you know that there's probably no way I'll ever bring this thing to market legitimately as the stumbling blocks and hurdles in front of me due to regulation are far more than I, as a solo entrepreneur, will ever be able to overcome. Believe me, I ain't quitting my day job! I haven't posted my stove room or any of my personal heating details due to the same issues. I would freeze or have to move if I weren't resourceful enough to be able to provide for my own necessities in this way. My oil burner is 30+ years old, and if I posted the wood stove that was in the living room when I moved in, complete with the "magic heat reclaimer", you guys could have a pool to see who can guess how many chimney fires I've had. I want cleaner burners for everybody because folks are more comfortable, safer, and less enslaved to the system when they use efficient wood heat, regardless of the format or design they choose. That doesn't mean I want someone to tell us what we can and cannot use for heat. Far, far from it. And that's all I'll say about that! Thanks a lot for the kind words guys. I appreciate it.
First, the smiley's have been working all along for me. I use Firefox. The ideas for the radio sound good. Jack, if you would like, I can send you a copy of an article I am working on. It is not complete (Time. The enemy!) but you can read what I have so far if you like. The moderators have part of it and I've promised to keep working on it as time allows. For others, it is coming, soon. Some ideas for the radio: 1. The contest and the Washington DC thing next month. 2. OWB and the God awful smoke they create along with this dumb idea about burning green wood. 3. Difference between new epa stoves and older stoves. For example in my case, we cut our wood needs by over 50% and keep our home much warmer now after installing the newer stove. In six years we've cleaned our chimney exactly one time and it does not yet need cleaning. Longer burn times, etc. 4. Talk about people burning junk in their stoves. It should not be done. Especially things like PT wood, OSB, anything painted, etc. 5. The 3 year plan for firewood. 6. Correct way to dry wood and the length of time it will take for various species of trees. 7. Wood does not dry until cut to firewood length and then split and stacked....preferably in a windy spot. 8. Pine is fine and why pine gets a bad rap. It was not the pine that created chimney fires, it was the creosote. 9. Ways of starting fires; top down, traditional ways, super cedars, kindling, etc. 10. The importance of draft in the stove and that each stove can be somewhat different. For sure one will not get good results from running the stove with the draft fully open nor will they with the draft fully closed. 11. Cleaning the chimney. Naturally, the dry wood will give better results in the chimney. The wetter the wood, the more often the chimney has to be cleaned. New burners need to check the chimney monthly. Sorry, but I could go on and on about this but I'll stop now.
Thanks NWW, You have obviously done your home work! Did you ever study thermal dynamics? I worked in the mechanical engineering lab for the Coast Guard academy and worked on some really cool projects! I worked closely with one professer who has his Ph.d in it. We converted a saab turbo charger to a jet engine, "the cadets" acually did! but we were there to assist...... anyway, one of our projects we looked closely was the rocket mass heater and how to give it more "juice",,, Hmmmm..... we'll get back to that one, Stay with your project and a word from the wise, they get hot!
Thanks Dave, hot is an understatement! I'm studying all that stuff now, that's for sure. But no, I don't have any higher education, and frankly barely made it out of HS. I just am fascinated by burning and heating and have been absorbing everything I can on the subject for a few years now, and experimenting constantly.
Jack, a spot on NPR sounds outstanding and I hope it does happen. Per your request for what content it could have, everything Dennis posted (and others) plus to elaborate about how much work, time, dedication and involvement is required to wood home heating. Maybe mention how many would-be burners buy stoves thinking it is easy and quick, only to abandon the whole enterprise after trying it. There IS knowledge and perserverence required to make this work, but the rewards far outweigh the few inconviences that you learn to make a part of routine. Exercise, self-reliance, freedom from oil, a return to nature, savings, using carbon neutral fuel (new trees grow to replace used trees), bone-warming heat, three years' future home heat, warmth during power failures, devices to cook on and cold feet warmers during bone-chilling cold snaps are just a few advantages that could be mentioned. I would hope the program makes plain that this endeavor is not quick and easy and not for the people expecting immediate gratification. But for those right kind of people who are willing to learn and work, the rewards are immense.
That article sounds great, can you send it to me? And just so you guy know, I don't plan to go on the radio-- but every day at the end of the program the ask for ideas so I am hoping it will get covered.
I wonder if they will be more interested in the why ...and not the how of wood burning. Having listened to Iowa PR, I could see them interviewing someone about why they burn wood in this day of natural gas and electricity. Things like self reliance, cost savings, etc.
The Challenge is an important topic because this would be a great way to introduce masonry designs to Americans. Most people are totally unaware of what has been going on overseas. Even the rockets are now pulling their construction from the traditional Russian stove designs. The channels, the bells, adding ovens, vertical construction, etc...that has been going on overseas for ages. A program like that could be a great way to really educate people about design and science. I stress SCIENCE. I get so tired of the sales pitch fluff. That is another tangent... Another part...the art. Some of the masons are true artists. Their work is gorgeous. Ok. I'll stop now.
