My previous, and until today, current system of getting wood to the stove was physically demanding and even somewhat hazardous. I would back the pickup to the stacks and load the desired amount of wood then drive around to the deck and load the splits into a plastic tote (9-12 splits depending on size) Ascend 4 steps, then bump the door open with the tote, using enough force to bounce it off the empty coffee can against the deep freezer, enter the doorway and kick the swinging door closed behind me. Then descend the flight of stairs to the basement where the stove is located. During the main/colder part of the burning season I use an average of 4 totes per 24 hour period. I’ve been thinking about a better and less physically taxing method for a couple years. This is what I came up with. i figured it would have to work out to at least 3 totes worth to really be gaining much efficiency, with having to go up and out to slide the splits down the chute and then back in and down to move the full dumpster to the stove. I keep losing track when counting splits per load but it’s a far better system that’s safer and a real labor savor. wish I had done it way sooner. All components were scrounged, total cost = nothing but an hour of my time. I didn’t even have to build the stand for the slide, I think it was a homemade saddle rack/stand that the wife drug home from the dump.
That is awesome! What a good way to NOT haul anything down a set of stairs. would you load directly out of the tote on wheels? Or if it didn't go with the decor, build a box on wheels that does go with the decor, and park it near the stove. So the chute will be stored in or outside? Would you fill more than 24 hours of wood in there? What if you had someone send them down the chute and you stack them next to the stove? without tinkering with the pitch, could you aim the down side of the chute closer to the stack near the stove? Cool idea! SCA
First off, that hearth looks amazing with the stonework. Secondly, I love that mantle. Did you do that yourself with a draw knife? Thirdly, that chute is the cat’s meow. I’d love to do something similar here but unfortunately all my firewood has to come upstairs from ground level to make it into my stove room. Maybe eventually I’ll have to install a dumbwaiter…
It has 2 wheels, have to go out of the room and around the corner to the stove, kinda close fitting making it out the door of the first room. Had to Cut the molded rim off the top so it would fit through the doorway and that lets the sides flex out when there is a load in it, but I will figure out something to stiffen the sides up so they don’t bulge The dumpster will stay in the unfinished bathroom when not getting used during the burning season, then spend the summer outside. Chute and stand will ride the winter outside against the foundation. Dumpster will definitely hold 24 hours worth of wood. But the one drawback so far is driving the pickup on the nicest part of the yard. So I will trying to minimize that by doing full pickup loads at a time. I have room for a whole short box pickup full by the stove. Frozen ground and some snow would help minimize lawn damage, but right now I have neither. If I pick decent days I can probably get someone to do the send em down the chute part . (Wife, maybe? Granddaughter if she is available). It is so much easier I have no problem doing it alone.
It's been almost three years since he's logged on but bogydave from Alaska had a setup like that also!
When we still had the Hot Blast in the basement, we (kids and I) carried wood down to basement...then ashes up and out. Once they (kids) were gone and on their own, I had the blacksmith/fabricator/welder in our small town bend a sheet of metal to make a chute to the lower level. It was attached full time to the floor joists and bolted to the concrete floor...could get 2 weeks of wood in the storage area by the wood furnace. Still had to carry ashes up the stairs and out. My woodshed is attached to my garage, so can bring in wood and send it down while inside the whole time. You have a great looking set up in your basement! Mine was much more utilitarian....but did the job.
Nice job. Even nicer zero out of pocket. Your old way reminds me of carrying armloads of wood into dad's basement years back down his oversized cement steps, across the cellar and into the fireplace room. Not as hazardous as yours though. I think Warner uses an old slide from a kids playset?
That's a really nice setup you have there! I'm not just talking about the chute either. Love the stonework and mantle. What kind of stove is that? Looks familiar. Brad
Stove is a hearthstone Manchester, I bought it primarily based on the looks of it, wanted it to match my gun safe that was originally going to be in the same room. Safe is in a different room, and I knew pretty much zilch about full time heating with wood when I bought the stove. It does the job…. But if I had to do it over knowing what I know now I might do something different.
Yes sir. Bogydave had a pretty sweet set up in built into the side of his house complete with an insulated cover. I looked for it but never really have much luck with this sites search function. I now see yooperdave posted bogydave’s set up
Very nice. I swapped to a chute setup last year and prefer it as well. I send it into a cart like you are and have minimal mess afterwards to sweep up.
Would the cold perhaps make that chute brittle? What you are doing has to be much better that what you describe as doing it before. Good thinking.
