Wood Stove User Survey...Need Your Input

I understand what the survey is for, and while it may be imperfect, it's a lot better than no consumer input.

Yeah, that would be a terrible assumption.

The only time my stove runs on high is when it's coming up to temp.

Once it gets into catalytic range, the cat is engaged and the draft is reduced to low.

It runs there for 10-12 hours.

So I certainly would not say that I run my stove on high more than 10% of the time.

Edit.. But thanks to this and a couple other sites I utilized during my research, I purchased the stove that provided my desired burn times, and was within my price range.

$.02

 

THX Chris....always interesting to read your expert input.
Looking forward to reading the results of this survey.
Every survey has a "mission" or reason for it being created. No question meant about any hidden agenda.

 

You know what, this was a really good survey.
Many burners on this site would be essentially the ideal person to be operating a woodstove: dry wood, EPA stove, cleaning the stack appropriately... most people don't burn, and most people who do burn don't use best practices.

Man... I love this forum.

 

Great idea. Keith!

 

So we are also conducting the survey in many other avenues so that we have a balance, lest regulators have a basis to discount the data. Any solid survey data represents all potential points of view.

 

Done. Thanks for the opportunity to participate Chris! I hope our input has a positive impact. The CSS for 6 months or more option is the one I chose because dry wood is the most important factor outside of basic safety concerns and that’s a step in the right direction, but I really wish the industry as a whole would start promoting the three year plan. It would go a long way toward appeasing the detractors and rightfully so. Including a moisture meter with every new stove sold along with a little education from the dealer on its use would probably educate both camps, and in my experience they need it! Burning wood dried for only 6 months is a recipe for disappointment and possibly disaster unless it’s pine. Old wives tales can be difficult to overcome.

 

I am a big supporter of the 3-year plan. Wood I burn this year is at a minimum CSS for 4 year or more. However, It has been pointed out to me numerous times, not everyone has space to store wood. If you burn 3-4 cords a year and keep a 3 year supply, you may need 9-12 cords. I have that and I have the space to do so. There are those that are not fortunate enough to do so.

Have you heard that in the interior of Alaska, a company that provides energy is building a giant kiln to dry cord wood? Wood burners will be able to bring in their green wood and drive out with the same volume in dry wood. I'm certain there will be a fee, but given the huge difference in emissions between dry wood and wet wood, options are needed. My friend has four words to help us all. "Go Out, Look Up". If your chimney is emitting smoke, do something!!!

Thank you for taking the survey and ask your friends to do so. The data is coming in, from multiple avenues and will help.

 

Kiln dried is an excellent option if you can find it and afford it. I bought it for 2 years until I had enough of my own dry wood. Personally I think it’s a better and cheaper option than bricks, locally at least. I hear you on storage, I need 5 cord per season so it adds up and everyone doesn’t have the space.
The point is that most people don’t know the difference and aren’t getting educated when they buy a new stove. That’s a bad reflection on the dealer imho. There’s a general lack of knowledge industry wide it seems. You and WSC are the exception. Spreading disinformation is dangerous. Kinda like politics

 

There are multiple avenues for wood heater sales. Many brick and mortar hearth shops do a good job on fuel management education. Not all by any means. The box stores, forget it. Much like buying my Jonsred chainsaw. The box store guys new nothing outside of what was on the box. The saw shop guys new it all! It has to be disheartening to spend 30 minutes or more educating someone on a product to only have them leave and go buy it at a reduced price online or at a big box store.

I suspect few people want to pay for that experience afforded them by purchasing at brick and mortar businesses.

 

I don’t expect the car dealer to teach me how to drive or the frying pan store to teach me how to make an omelet. These guys are salesmen. Some really know their products but others not so much.

I think it comes down to RTFM. The manuals are really good these days.

 

What are you saying, you think we are wood hoarders or something??????

Yea, I found the questions somewhat a "marketing" type questionnaire skewed toward BK. Many of the questions were, "do you get long burn times [like a BK!], or are you using another inferior stove? hmmmmm...

 

Yeah, like:
"Red Power Button: Push this button when want power"
"Stop Button": Push this button when want stop"

(C) Copyright 2020 Made in China

.

 

In every test method our industry faces, piece size is part of the method. (Piece shape now too) Some regulators have suggested the most often piece size is xyz. Most shape is xyz. So, that data is paramount.

Regulators also want the FRM to include capturing emissions from the moment the match is lit, saying cold starts happen every day, or more often. This data is needed to clarify that HUGE assumption.

This survey has questions written specifically to address assumptions being made by certain parties.

No marketing ploy, so please don't read between the questions. And to all those helping as they always try to do on this site...thank you!

 

There are fewer and fewer people using wood stoves. If more marketing is needed and surveys, great.
The self righteous 'climate warriors' here at least, say that wood burning is "polluting" and destroying forests no matter what
the data shows or science explanations. With all the virtue signaling and cancel culture for the 'right thought' , we need more fact based info on our wood heating.
So, credit to BKVP for the effort.

 

That was one of the many questions where I felt the options for answers left me wanting....there is a big hole there (going from memory here) in what is probably the most common split size...which is somewheres in the 4" range...IIRC, the options went from 2-3" to 6-8"...with a big gap in the middle where most people likely fall.

 

So the piece size options in the survey "fit most" but more importantly are being suggested as the options in the method. Personally, I have a King model. I take a 22" diameter piece of wood and split it in half. Then 2-3 years later, it goes into my stove if it's randomly tested below 18%. I can fit 4 halves by nesting them. That will last me 20+ hours. My piece size is definitely "half round", but most half rounds are likely not 22" wide.

Thanks!

 

Did you even read your Woodstock manual? It’s not at all like whatever you wrote here.

 

I think it was a generic anti-china rant.. not a knock on WS.

$.02

BTW.. BKVP I feel I should mention that the BK King was the only other stove that I considered after my research.

 

ha! Maybe. I’m not up on my communist jokes I guess. Seriously though, the manuals from Woodstock and BK offer lots and lots of burning advice. Other brands surely do as well.

 

Thank you. Your new KE40 is being installed in my house very soon. On a serious note, we appreciate the consideration. I spoke with TM at Woodstock last week. He too will be helping to get more survey data. Great company with great ownership and employees.