Welcome to the club reelfaster! You will like this site. I'm a fairly new member too and everyone on here is great!
Welcome to the club ReelFaster take you time and explore the site, there is more here than meets the eye. Check out the resources tab, for instance.
Welcome to the family, ReelFaster. Nothing puts off ambiance better than an open fireplace but they certainly aren't the best for heating. If you decide to do an insert or freestanding stove in that hearth, you'll be AMAZED at how much heat you can save. And your wood will last 4 times as long as it does in an open fireplace. You're in GREAT company here, so keep us posted and do lots of research to find what works best for you. We're all here if you have any questions, we'll be glad to do our best to help you out!
Great to have you on board...as you see there are one or two or a few hundred friendly people here! Enjoy!
Reelfaster As a suggestion, if you decide to go the insert route, ask for members' opinions of various models. I have a regency 3100 and love it. It heats my two story home very nicely but I'm sure there are other models that will meet your needs just as well.
Welcome to the club Reelfaster. I highly suggest getting an insert as I am of the opinion fireplaces are for looks, not heat. The only chimney fire I have ever had was in a fireplace actually. Welcome and enjoy!
Everyone I cannot thank you all enough for the warm welcome, it's been simply outstanding, thank you all so much! Was discussing the insert with the wife LN, we both agreed we need to make sure this is the home we want to be in. We love the home size, close to family, it's an extended lot that backs to a huge wooded lot. We have deer out back, it's very nice. However we are 4th house in from a very very busy two roads with lots of traffic & our street is more of a through street to our development. I can go into a ton more details about the whole process but thinking this isn't the spot for my new home woes', lol. Glad to hear some folks were in my FP situation before converting. My brother in law who's very talented master plumber/carpenter just put a wood burning stove in at his place. Offered to help put one in for me when I was ready. He helped me fix up this current house a little as well. I will be checking his out very shortly! Right now were gonna continue to enjoy the FP and am gonna keep trying to stack the wood. Here's a few pic's of puny wood pile (lol) and my fireplace.
Don't worry about your puny wood pile and FP. Most of us started off with puny wood piles, some even piled on the ground, and not so efficient wood burners. You have taken the first step towards heating with wood and everyone here will go with you on your journey of becoming a real wood hoarder.:stacke:
Thanks Erik! I tried to get it off the ground, probably should move the pile behind that front pile out in the open more for better circulation. I check craigslist often, as many folks have curb alerts on trees they had removed. I had tree co. post two weeks ago as they dropped about 30 white and red oaks, all free come and help yourself. I took as many rounds as I could fit that wood went fast.....!
Welcome to the forum ReelFaster It sounds as if you definitely will be a wood burner very soon. You have what it takes; that is, liking the work that is involved in putting up the firewood. And because you are fairly new at this, please allow me to invite you to the "Resources" part of this forum. I'd also like to point you directly to this: Primer on Woodburning by Backwoods Savage As for heat from the fireplace, no, you don't get a lot and most times lose more than you gain as the fireplace can suck a lot of air from the house. This is why so many will install an insert or even a free standing stove and yes, you can install a stove in the fireplace opening but there are some technicalities involved. Good inserts and free standing stoves can be costly but for most it does not take long to pay for the investment. Getting back to the heat, I've always loved a really warm home in winter and perhaps more than most because of a physical problem. Therefore, we keep our home around 80 degrees all winter. That is too warm for most but most people also find as they age they appreciate it warmer. We kid around and say we use the wife for a thermostat; if she has too many pieces of clothing on, it is time to add a log! On the putting up of firewood, you will no doubt very soon be introduced to the 3 year plan and yes, it works great! As for the work, I've been doing this pretty much all my life and still enjoy it. The work is good for the body and the satisfaction of providing for your family is terrific. I hope you continue and good luck with the new home and any future home you may purchase or build.
That sounds like a good place except for the traffic. Also sounds great you have someone to assist when you install a stove or insert. One caution I would advise and that is what your pictures show. When you stack wood, yes, it is important to stack it a bit off the ground as you are doing but also important to cover it. However, top cover only. When you cover the sides and ends you are working against what you want to accomplish; that is, the covering will not allow the moisture to evaporate. So top cover only.
