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

Anyone go with smaller pieces for overnight?

Discussion in 'Non-EPA Woodstoves and Fireplaces' started by Jotuller, Feb 29, 2020.

  1. Jotuller

    Jotuller

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    I grew up in a house, and have seen the term used around here, where you stuff in a couple big "overnighters" to keep the stove going all night long. On the coldest of nights with our F400 trying to heat 1500 square feet I would stuff a few big pieces in around 10pm then when the baby woke up around 3am to keep things in the low-mid 60s (we are used to being poor college students so mid 60s is shorts and a t-shirt attire in our house).

    In recent weeks I have been taking those big pieces and splitting them into 3 or 4 small pieces, maybe 2-3" and can usually get a third piece split up as well. So now I'm packing the stove with 9-12 smaller 18" pieces. I have noticed there is no point in filling the stove in the early hours and if I go to bed at 67* the house will still be 62-63* in the morning with plenty of coals to get things going with no effort. It's a few more swings with the x27 but no waking up and I'm actually burning less wood. I think with a firebox <2' it might be the way to go.
     
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  2. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    My experience is that modern stoves make more heat with smaller pieces...don't do as well with big chunks.
     
  3. Jotuller

    Jotuller

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    What do define as modern? This is an old double door so...2004?
     
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  4. BHoller

    BHoller

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    That is a modern stove. Most people consider stoves with secondary combustion systems modern stoved
     
  5. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    General rule of thumb would be 1988 or newer.
     
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  6. bushpilot

    bushpilot

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    I don't find that pieces larger than "one-hander," burn well overall, even for overnight.
     
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  7. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

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    With a cat stove, you can fill it with kindling, doesn't matter...but the bigins' seen to burn up less
     
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  8. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    You mean that the big wood burns slower, right?
     
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  9. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

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    Yes. The cat extends the coaling stage.
     
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  10. Horkn

    Horkn

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    When I want to fill the stove for as long and hot of a burn as possible, I'll use smaller pieces on top to fill in as much space as I can. But I use big pieces on the bottom, as high as I can go before hitting the tubes.
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2020