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

Primer on wood burning

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by Backwoods Savage, Nov 17, 2020.

  1. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    46,980
    Likes Received:
    295,952
    Location:
    Central MI
    I am doing a short update on the primer and am open to suggestions for the update.

    All suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you.
     
  2. Dakota Hoarder

    Dakota Hoarder

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2017
    Messages:
    1,537
    Likes Received:
    8,970
    Location:
    Sioux Falls, SD
    Not sure you can make perfection better! I learned a ton from it when I joined about 5 years ago! Still review it occasionally!
     
  3. Sinngetreu

    Sinngetreu

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2014
    Messages:
    1,235
    Likes Received:
    3,944
    Location:
    North Central Iowa
    I'm going to need to review it again, but the one thing that I usually have a question about is getting a good night burn without making a smoldering creosote factory.
     
  4. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    46,980
    Likes Received:
    295,952
    Location:
    Central MI
    One thing we do is to shove the coals to the front of the stove. Then in that pocket in back we like to put a large square or rectangled piece so it is right against the back wall. Sometimes we'll use a good sized round for that. If the coals aren't very deep, we'll put a small split, one that lights fast and burns hot (soft or red maple fits the bill nicely and even pine will work). Then we fill the stove with good sized pieces, including some rounds if need be. Get the stove lit off but not into a roaring fire, turn the draft down and wait about 5 minutes. Check the fire and draft, make any final adjustment with the draft and go to bed.

    Hope this helps. It works well for us and even my wife can do it if I'm not able. Sometimes she needs a little coaching on what wood to use though.
     
  5. Sinngetreu

    Sinngetreu

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2014
    Messages:
    1,235
    Likes Received:
    3,944
    Location:
    North Central Iowa
    "Even my wife can do it"....what exactly are you trying to say? :rofl: :lol:

    That's good to know. I have tried a few times, but I think two things are happening. 1) I let it get too far going 2) I have a stove with terrible draft control. Usually what would happen is I would over fire it followed by a brief panic. When I get my new stove I will have to give it a shot again. That stove should be a lot better for doing that sort of thing.
     
  6. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    46,980
    Likes Received:
    295,952
    Location:
    Central MI
    Well...