Ideal Steel #0852...

I wanted to share a few pictures and words from the story of my woodstove project in the hopes they will prove to be of use to others because the things I have learned from this forum have been immensely beneficial to me.

THANK YOU to everyone who has taken time to share their knowledge and encouragement. My project would not have been possible without your posts. Thank you!


Part I: From -> To

We made the decision to diversify our heat source following our first winter in our new (to us) cabin last year. Tennessee winters are not particularly cold compared to many on this forum but when your heat source is dependent on propane they sure can get expensive. We relied heavily on our Woodstock Franklin Fireview LP stove and she did a fantastic job heating.


FYI: this stove is available, message me if you are interested

The problem had a lot to do with being tied to a bad propane contract. Meanwhile our neighbors had put in a woodstove and were just as warm (perhaps warmer) heating a larger space for far less than we spent. The decision was made to make preparations to transition to a woodstove (and ditch the bad propane contract).

What follows is the tale of that transition…

 

Part II: Woodstoves require wood

File this under the no duh section but you guys helped me scope out the right amount. While I wished I could say we knew we would switch in the Spring the reality is we didn’t lock in the decision until this Summer. I procured my first season’s wood from a woodcutting neighbor. We hope this will provide a nice foundation for a three-year wood plan. Still much to learn but I know where to go!

 

Part III: Selecting a stove

The Woodstock stoves were always the heavy (and I mean heavy) favorite to be our choice of woodstove. We love the Franklin Fireview and the soapstone. The Woodstock brand is not common (okay, unheard of) in Southern Tennessee and given our latitude we could have certainly skimped since this woodstove would not be called on to be a workhorse. However, I am a big fan of quality and I really like what the Woodstock Soapstone folks are doing and how they do it. We chose the ideal steel over the progress hybrid because of cost and we gradually warmed to the customization options. Probably the most contemporary thing we’ll have in our cabin but we like it and that’s all that matters. Oh, deer, I guess I’ll tease the artwork we selected but won’t show it until we’ve finished the install.

 

Part IV: We’re here now

Lots of hard planning and effort has already been expended to procure stovepipe, line up an installer (harder than anticipated down south), remove the LP stove, build a hearth, and receive the stove (and get it from the truck to the inside of the house). This forum along with Mike from Woodstock Soapstone helped me every step of the way. We’re probably two weeks away from first fire and still have a great deal left to do but we’re here now…THANK YOU!

 

Truman, what a great thread! you story telling skills are as well with the pics. Nice family you got there!

 

Thanks! They are my pride and joy!

 

Truman, thanks for taking us on the journey, even though you aren't quite at your destination.
Looking great so far, and really looking forward to more pics when the stove is up on that family made hearth.
Nice job.

 

I believe he's replacing this....


With this............

 

You've got it papadave!

 

Hey, sometimes I know what's goin' on.
Yay me!

 

Thanks for sharing , great pics man

 

What a great story!! Can't wait for the first fire pics

 

You're a natural story teller Truman. That Ideal Steel will make you enjoy winter a lot more than you otherwise would! Great color scheme too by the way.

Yeah, I'm not objective on this one.

 

Great story and pictures Truman! I think you will like the Ideal Steel stove. Nice looking family too!

Love the square log cabins and the chinking.

Looks like Durarock with a cool tight fitting stone on the hearth. Very nice...

 

Nice pics! You're gonna love your new stove...

 

I really think we will. Followed your installation story pretty closely. We liked your hearth.

What color paint is your stove? Ours is charcoal/copper but I think yours must be a slightly different color (or the picture lighting is different).

 

Thanks, man! Love your avatar btw!

It's metallic brown/copper. I really like the copper, it's a great contrast color.

 

Grout.... Set the stove on the hearth this weekend and hopefully have the chimney and stovepipe installed next week. Onward and upward!