Thursday, November 13, 2014

more free energy

Thoughts of free refrigeration and the vacancy inside the hut with the fridge on the porch for the winter got me to thinking about the heating season.  The idea of a wood stove really never caught my attention due to the fact that there aren't any trees on my property.  I happened to notice recently that my scrap wood and pallet pile has grown over the years.  The past two winters I have kept track of my propane usage for my Mr. Heater Big Buddy.  In 2012-13 I used 8 tanks @ $18/tank...2013-14 I used 6 tanks.  I thought about building a wood stove but did some digging online and found a reasonable altenative to a DIY model.  For less than what I usually pay for propane for one heating season I ordered this little stove to try out.  I reckon I have enough fuel on hand to last at least 3 winters and there are plenty of free pallets at McCoy's.  I just hope that keeping a wood fire burning won't loose its' charm.  35,43,31,0,W
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17 comments:

Mike Silvius said...

John: With your welding skills you can made a wood stove out of a propane bottle like the one I did here.
http://isserfiq.blogspot.com/2012/10/cobbling-together-new-wood-stove.html
Next two newer posts after that one show more details.

November 13, 2014 at 5:31 PM
WhyR said...

If you're going to burn wood inside, be sure that the stove is sitting on a non-combustible pan- those coals can jump around sometimes. You will need to maintain clearances too- radiant heat will dry out nearby combustible surfaces, and they may flash into flame when you least expect it. A good steel ash bucket is vital; coals can still be live days later if buried in ashes. I'm sure you can read up on this yourself, just don't take it lightly.

November 13, 2014 at 5:41 PM
John Wells said...

Believe me...I learned the rules the hard way! http://www.berkshiresweek.com/112404/default.asp?id=article01

November 13, 2014 at 5:51 PM
Larry G said...

interesting BFL (before Field Lab) history - thanks for sharing.

November 13, 2014 at 6:27 PM
Steve said...

Did you ever look at the mini wood stoves they use on small sailboats? My thought is that would be the perfect size for your abode. Sounds like it's too late, though.

November 13, 2014 at 7:55 PM
John Wells said...

Marine stoves are incredibly expensive.

November 13, 2014 at 8:00 PM
Dani said...

Hope the fire helps.

Don't forget to leave a window a little ajar - an open fire will suck up the oxygen in your cabin.

November 13, 2014 at 11:18 PM
Larry G said...

So the greenhouse is not heated and probably has only plants that can sustain cold weather?

November 14, 2014 at 5:41 AM
Ron Dame said...

John the solution to your problem is a outside rocket stove. Only have to burn it a few hours a day if you have a heat mass.

November 14, 2014 at 6:05 AM
Larry G said...

I would do that also. Keep the stove and the mess outside and pipe in the heat. Build a little shed around it if necessary.

wood stoves are messy critters..

November 14, 2014 at 6:18 AM
Margery Billd said...

Myself, I would not have a wood stove although I have used them briefly. I had propane once and it was o.k. in MI but then I did not know the dangers. Anything can be dangerous if not properly maintained. A neighbor in MI was severely injured in a gas furnace explosion. Then there are electrical fires in mobile homes. Right now I have an all electric home and it is o.k. But an older home like mine burned down in a blaze a few years ago (heard it was electrical overload with our new contraptions). This is an old woman, scary uplifting post today. :-) Have to be alert. Have a good day.

November 14, 2014 at 9:35 AM
David Holloway said...

Sul Ross has their homecoming bonfire staged. I would wonder if there are pallets left anywhere in the area...

November 14, 2014 at 11:04 AM
Bob from Athens said...

"Free energy" ?? Does that mean that someone is paying for your gas and the wear and tear on your truck ?????

November 14, 2014 at 11:27 PM
John Wells said...

Perhaps I should start selling Field Lab Carbon Credits to pay for my gas.

November 15, 2014 at 6:57 AM
Rev.jimmyleebob said...

Ah ! very tempting, but I'll pass....

November 15, 2014 at 9:30 AM
leilani said...

Wow! What a wonderful story about saving the stunning Greek Revival in Spencertown. That's not far from Tanglewood & The Mount & all that, right? Just gorgeous.

So is the house still in the family I hope? And what happened to the table? Is it at the Field Lab? Enquiring minds want to know.

(I ask this knowing I'll never get an answer. But what the hey.)

November 16, 2014 at 7:29 PM
John Wells said...

Spencertown is pretty close to Tanglewood. Luckily, I sold the house to a local family that had their eye on it for many years instead of to some rich NYC weekenders (citiots) - I was the last Niles to own the house. I gave the table to a Niles cousin.

November 17, 2014 at 8:19 AM

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