Enjoying a Wood stove ?

[rmaynard 15,758]

Forty-seven years ago when we built our house, we had a fireplace built with a Heat-o-later. Built-in fans kept the hot air moving. Because we were on a wooded lot we had an unlimited supply of oak for fuel. It was okay, but with the advent of many models of wood stoves, we were encouraged to try one. It was great. It produced so much more heat I actually ran a dedicated cold air return from just above the stove to the furnace. Fuel oil cost went down, and the heat was amazing. A little bit of work was involved, but it was worth it. Then my wife's asthma started to get worse. We determined that her problem was exacerbated by oak dust and ash. Then we had a chimney fire that shut down the use of the wood stove until the chimney was repaired and lined with stainless steel liner. Wife's asthma got better. Next winter, we were back to the stove and again the asthma problems returned. So, we ditched the wood stove and installed a propane insert in the old fireplace. Wow, what a difference. No cutting and splitting wood, no ash, no dust, and it's thermostatically controlled. My wife's asthma was considerable improved. 

 

The bottom line is that I loved the wood stove. Under other circumstances, I wood have another one. 

[WHX?? 49,599]

On 1/28/2025 at 8:35 PM, c-series don said:

regasketed it a few times over the years

Actually should be done every year the way you run it Don. Most stoves that have a sight glass are gasketed to the door so inspect those as well. The glass is usually clamped on by thin clips or rails and machine screws and they can warp with the heat. If she won't hold a fire all nite gaskets or the damper not shutting down right.

Warped doors can happen too.  

 

Plunge  ... what on earth are those wood fixtures above the hearth for??? Looks like fishin rod holders ... 

Edited 16 hours ago by WHX??

[Wayne0 653]

On 1/28/2025 at 9:35 PM, c-series don said:

This is our second Vermont Castings stove. The first one we bought new when we built our house, had for around twenty years and sold it after I regasketed it a few times over the years but finally I couldn’t get it air tight enough to bank down and run all night. We really liked that stove and bought the same one new about eight years ago. It runs 24 hours a day in the winter. One of the things that’s nice about it is that you don’t have to shut it down to clean out the ashes. Simply swing out the door underneath the stove and the ash pan comes out. Then slide this cover over it, it locks in and then you lift it out, very easy. One winter years ago we ran it from the beginning of December until April without it ever going out. 
 Up until two years ago I always cut, split and stacked my own wood, usually burning 3-4 cords a year. I’ve had a steady supply of free long lengths of wood delivered for free from various people. Unfortunately I’ve had some pretty bad back problems lately and performing those tasks would likely render me unable to do anything for a few days but lay in bed. So reluctantly I bought wood and had it delivered and stacked. Yes at that point I could have just bought fuel oil and not had to do anything but turn up the thermostat. But running the stove is something my wife and I love. There’s really nothing like wood stove heat, whether it’s a cold winter night or just coffee in the morning near the stove. But probably the best is coming home at the end of the day after working outside in the cold and sitting next to the stove, usually I’m asleep in 10-15 minutes!! 
 @JCM Thanks for starting this thread, I enjoy seeing other people’s stoves and surroundings! 

I love their stoves. Dad had a Defiant in the camp, I had one in my first house. Older brother has a Vigilant, I currently have the Resolute and Intrepid. We're a Vermont Castings family!