In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Getting your spouse up to speed on operating the stove

Discussion in 'Modern EPA Stoves and Fireplaces' started by burndatwood, Nov 5, 2015.

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  1. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    All the above posts used together, especially no hovering like Norky mentioned is how I learn new things best....
     
    wildwest, Nov 6, 2015
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  2. fire_man

    fire_man

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    BDF

    Do you know a good "Pipe alarm temp setting" if you have a washer style probe that mounts to the pipe exiting the stove flue collar?
    I wish I ordered the exhaust probe, but got the pipe mount. I'm thinking of 500F
     
    fire_man, Nov 6, 2015
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  3. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    What a kind offer!
     
    wildwest, Nov 6, 2015
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  4. Norky

    Norky

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    Yep, don't hover, women hate that.
     
    Norky, Nov 6, 2015
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  5. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    This is how my wife came along. She's always proud of starting one from a cold stove to a reload or two by the time I get home from work on a her day off. Of course, we haven't had to do that this season yet... But I can't wait to see her smile and hear her story of accomplishment! Very rewarding to me! And her.
     
    Eric VW, Nov 6, 2015
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  6. burndatwood

    burndatwood

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    X2 on what wildwest said, offering to put together a kit is really generous of you Brian, and I'd be very interested in seeing what your setup looks like.
     
    burndatwood, Nov 6, 2015
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  7. basod

    basod

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    Are we permitted as a forum to shun other members into a timeout? doesn't sound like inclusivity that the forum has been built on:heidi:

    You have to give SO's a bit of wiggle room in the beginning regarding burning. Women(or anyone inexperienced) see the fire and think they are doing good, encourage the accomplishment but reiterate the air transfer going up the chimney. A Cat stove has it's own set of desirable burn conditions but simple is better.

    Honest question for cat stove folks: Can the stove itself catch on fire?
     
    basod, Nov 6, 2015
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  8. burndatwood

    burndatwood

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    As the OP I declare a cease fire in all follow up comments on this thread. :rootintootin:

    I reread my original posting on this thread and admit I should have been more considerate toward my wife in talking about the situation. A lot gets lost though too when you just have text without body language, tone, etc.

    This thread could have begun differently, with a request for suggestions for any tools that can be used to help wood burners, new and veteran, to avoid over firing a stove. I know my younger self totally abused our family's Vermont Castings stove when I was a teenager, partly due to lack of information but also due to negligence. :emb:
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2015
    burndatwood, Nov 6, 2015
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  9. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    Here! Here!
    Good time for a double take... There's no need for ANYONE to throw stones in a glass house, and since we've all learned one or three things the hard way... from wood heating, to participating in a forum, to not checking the fluid reservoir 1st on the wife's truck's clutch... Let's remember the #1 tenet of this great forum- family oriented, and friendly.
    Nuff said, I gotta go check my wife's clutch reservoir....
     
    Eric VW, Nov 6, 2015
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  10. BDF

    BDF

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    That is a tough question because the internal temps. rise a LOT faster than the stovepipe surface temps. Once things are steady, the rule- of- thumb that the outside of the pipe is 1/2 the internal temp. actually works pretty well but not so much during the start up, especially if really dry kindling is used.

    But to give a best guess, I would start a little lower, maybe 350F or 400F and see if you can get the stove going quickly and reliably while staying under one of those temperatues.

    A new probe is not that expensive as long as your device takes a standard type.

    Brian

     
    BDF, Nov 6, 2015
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  11. fire_man

    fire_man

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    Good to know about the fast temp rise. 350-400F pipe temp sounds safe. Some stoves get hot quickly at the flue. The Progress (which the OP's has ) is very slow to heat the flue thanks to the tortuous exhaust path - even when the cat is bypassed. My Palladian's exhaust is straight up the flue when the cat is bypassed.

    Guess this makes a good case for the flue probe.
     
    fire_man, Nov 6, 2015
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  12. BDF

    BDF

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    I have posted photos of the data recorder, the temp. probes and some graphs showing an overnight burn but I just cannot find them at the moment. Can take some quick photos tomorrow and U/load them to this thread though.

    Brian

     
    BDF, Nov 6, 2015
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  13. MightyWhitey

    MightyWhitey

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    Was it y'all's wives that suggested the wood stove in y'all's homes to save money??!!!

    If so, I'd be insistent that they learn how to SAFELY OPERATE your stove.

    If your stove is "MAN LAND", as many of you describe it, and your wife wants nothing to do with it.......................................you've got other issues.........
     
    MightyWhitey, Nov 7, 2015
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  14. lknchoppers

    lknchoppers

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    First off, learn how to pack your stove for 12 hour burns and don't let your wife tend to the stove, she will burn the house down. Second get a vasectomy so your wife can run the stove without interruption 20 years from now.
     
    lknchoppers, Nov 10, 2015
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  15. papadave

    papadave

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    :rofl: :lol::rofl: :lol::rofl: :lol:
    It's sometimes gooder to laugh at one's own foibles.
    It's sometimes funner to laugh at others foibles.:D
     
    papadave, Nov 10, 2015
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  16. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    burndatwood, this is really a good post and good questions. And indeed it is a good thing you have the Progress which is extremely difficult to overheat. However, leaving the draft open full is most definitely cause for concern.

    Many have used timers for reminders and that certainly can be a good thing but I would also suggest that the timer have a very loud alarm. Most timers do not have a loud alarm that therefore may not be what you want. Get one that is loud and that has to be shut off manually rather than automatically.

    I could not help but think back to when our sons were young but approaching the age of getting their driving licenses. One big lesson I gave them one day was when we were returning home and saw an accident had happened. I purposely stopped and made them walk with me. Someone had either tried to outrun a train or didn't see it coming but fortunately the train was a slow mover. Still, it took a van down the tracks about 80 yards and the van was sitting partially in the ditch beside the tracks. Two people were hurt and there was lots of crying and howling being done and blood to be seen. I wanted those boys to see it and remember it. We talked about that accident a lot the rest of that day and the fact they would soon be driving and what can happen and it can happen in a flash.

    In the same way, perhaps your wife could be helped if she saw the results of someone being not careful enough and then having either a chimney fire or worse, burning down the entire house. Then talk about the children! Then together as a family, discuss and make a plan on what to do in case of a fire. How will everyone get out? Should they try to take something with them? What if it is during the night rather than daytime? This causes extra concern because you may not be able to see when getting out.

    Then most important, talk about thing that you have but perhaps won't have after a fire. What about all those pictures? What about any cherished item any family member might have? They would be there never again. And now, let us talk about the stove and how to properly run it...

    I don't know if the above will help or not but hope it will. And for those who want to run the stove and not let the wife do anything with it, I have to ask, "Is it not better to have two rather than one who can control a stove?" Case in point is with my wife and I. Sadly, like most folks, we age and as we age, we become a bit more forgetful. Yes, I am guilty in that a few times I've forgotten to check the stove soon enough when lighting from a cold stove or after a reload. Thankfully, my wife has been on her toes and controlled the stove. On the other hand, she too has been guilty but we two have been one for many, many years and we still work together just fine. Yes, I think it is good that both members know how to run the stove and as those young ones grow, they too should learn.

    Sadly I did not see this thread when you posted because we were on the road heading to Woodstock so today is the first time on computer for a week. I wish we could have talked about this last weekend!
     
    Backwoods Savage, Nov 10, 2015
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  17. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    Well said Backwoods Savage :yes:
    I'm sure burndatwood will receive your advice well.... It is very sound, sage advice many of us can put into action.
    Thankful y'all made it home safely!
     
    Eric VW, Nov 10, 2015
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