In my opinion you are not lazy by any stretch of the word,you are not afraid of work or to get dirty,your parents raised a good kind man…..love all your videos l
Yes, as far as your last comment: As much as I am happy to see you upload, you need to slow down brotha. Less is more. I feel like RU-vidrs/social medialites get caught up in the pressure to upload regularly and consistently and end up missing out on things that really matter. Take you time Post10. Enjoy yourself and don’t succumb to the pressure.
I've watching you over the years and I know if anybody done their research on a wood stove Is you. And that's a good thing. That's what separates your channel from the rest and that's why I watch Your channel. Thank you and I Enjoy your channel
The property is absolutely beautiful, and experiencing the progress has really inspired me to get an acreage. I love the whole process of making trails, managing the forest and stocking the winter firewood throughout the year. But I only have an acre, and there aren't enough trees to sustain me long term. So I'm shopping for acreage now, and I don't care if I have to buy a couple hours out of town to find something affordable.. in fact I'm starting to crave the peace and quiet that Post seems to enjoy so much. Awesome vids, thanks for the inspiration and knowledge 👍🏻
I'm glad you're having a break. Maybe you should travel less and post more about your property. It's fascinating to see the progress you're making with your home and land. I can't wait to see more about your forest maintenance and your vegetable garden! Hope you can spend more time at home and continue to share your projects with us ❤️
This was a wealth of information for me. We are in the process of buying a nice home on a few acres in a small town (population 900+ people) in a small town in California, USA. We are tired of living in the Silicon Valley and ready for change. My wife and I both work from home. I have researched internet providers so far we are leaning towards Star Link. I know their customer service is little to none but I am handy enough to put the Star Link gear together. (Connection is VIP) What I am uncertain of is Wood Stoves and Tree trimming and everything involved. There are several species of trees on our property. It is not a dense forest. It’s more of a park-like setting. The home comes with a wood stove, but we would like to upgrade it. The home is 1866 Sqft. I am still researching the size we will need. For now the wood stove will not be our main source of heat but it is nice to have during the evening and Winter months. There are plenty of options out there; that is how I found your channel (researching wood stoves) I am grateful for the information you share. You are a good instructor. I can understand and follow along learning “something new”, for me. It is a different way of living I have longed for. I was born in a small country town in California but raised in both Bay Areas (East and South) aka the Silicon Valley in California / suburban life. You have a nice forest and it looks like your plate is full. It would help if you had some eager young helpers to help you. I wonder if there’s some kind of Forest or Fireman training school where you could find some volunteers? That would be helpful. Or barter work for firewood? It’s just an idea. You have done a great job with all your hard work but it’s a lot for just one man to do alone. I am a new subber. Thanks again man, I appreciate you. Angel from The Bay (excited about our new journey/Rural living)
My husband and I love your blaze king stove video to start! Love the way you passionately, patiently, clearly, and slowly explain important details. I would love to learn so much through your videos - trees, vermin, country living, and maintenance! In your current video, I personally think you can develop them in two parts - (i) one month update on stove, (ii) trees. Looking forward to your wonderful sharing - rest well!
1:07:08 That is the best idea for sure. All the little critters and bugs need habitats too. The best wood to burn here where I live is the birch. It has the most high warm value and easy to get, it's every where. We also use Baltic pine (Pinus sylvestris) which is different than the pines in Maine. These pines are not full of sap but resin and it burns very nicely. We also use spruce but it cracks and pops a lot but with other logs one spruce log is ok. We season the wood a little differently here. The trees are usually cut in the summer when they have full foliage, that way the trunk begins to dry at once after it's cut because the leaf draw the moisture out. With birch you have to saw the bark cut all the way the trunk from down to up to prevent it to start rot instead of drying. The long trunks are let to dry a month or two and then they are cut and piled in the forest or transferred near the wood cabin and piled up outside there, covered with tarp and left like that for months. Usually in the middle of the winter, the logs that are in the forest are collected with a snowmobile with sleigh. The logs are chopped in the winter too because a log that is totally frozen (-20C) brakes the easiest, with a good chopping axe you really can chop even a very thick log, I can assure you. But we use the electric one of that chopping device that you have. After the chopping the wood is moved inside the wood cabin to season more and usually these are burned next winter. Sometimes the chopping is left to be done in the beginning of summer and then the wood is piled outside and let to dry more before moving them inside the wood cabin to safety from rain. I hope that mossy area lives next summer, it is so beautiful. If it is not so dry summer, it can survive. But if it is going to be drought and very sunny I'm afraid the moss won't like it.
Post, please consider a couple of longer format fireplace videos for ambiance with good fireplace sound... - one with low efficiency open door burning for the classic pretty flames, and - one with a closed door and freshly cleaned glass. Citrus solvent cleaner works well for cleaning soot off glass.
The sound of fire crackling! I'm having throw back to winter time! My childhood home had huge wood-heated masonry stoves. The sounds of fire crackling and chimney drafting bring me back to the cosy nights leaning against the hot masonry!
Hey post. Here's a trick I use to ensure draft/flow goes out. I close all the doors to the room I am in if possible, then I open a window, and then start my fire. I do put exactly like you did, small wood to start but I do put 2 to 4 balls of newspaper on top and light that as soon as I started the small wood below to get the heat/ draft to flow up and out of chimminey. Once the fire is going, I close my window and open my doors to my basement again. on nights where it's -30 or -40c...it takes alot more newspaper. I light it and again make sure window is open, and i tend to keep the fireplace door an inch open to make sure the heat forces the draft up and out while the cold air from thenopen window has the positive air pressure to to force it up and out.
You can clean the glass door of the stove with the Ash from the stove, just damp some paper towel and pick up some Ash and rub it into the glass door. Works a treat 👍 You probably know this but just in case you didn't.
Very interesting and informative video. Love your log splitter. One advantage your splitter has over others. You don't need fuel or electricity to run it plus you get a good workout without a gym membership. Keep up the great work and ignore the negative comments, some people aren't happy unless they bring others down. Enjoy your well deserved break ✌️
Fir has the highest BTU content per pound. Several Different fir sub species, some are in the 13,000-13,500 BTUs per pound. Hardwoods have highest BTU content per cord (volume). This is because hardwoods are denser. If buying wood by weight you would want to buy very dry fir. If buying by cord then best to buy hardwoods, (oak, locust, hickory etc) and if buying buy volume water content isn’t a concern, it will dry out, and volume is volume. Most hardwoods are below 10,000 BTUs per pound. Pines and firs have higher BTU per pound because of the resins in the wood. As long as your stove is efficient (yours is very efficient with the catalyst) fir is best, pine is second, and hardwoods are third in BTU content per pound.
I didnt split some of my wood until end of june and its already below 20% now. And im in KY and we dont cover it until around now. Gets plenty of sun and wind through it. The rounds sit for about 6 months, as i cut my wood dec-feb
Great video. I love learning from those who have done it. Hint : Try the "top-down" method of starting a fire. RU-vid has several good vids on how to do that so I won't go into it. Why it's so great is that it's just as easy to get set up and light but the PLUS is that you light it and forget it for 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours before ever having to look at it again. No forgetting and then having to re-start with paper and kindling 'cause you "got busy" doing another chore.
Love your home if every man I would love to meet you and see your home I don't ever go anywhere I'm in Kentucky I'm not well tell me concerned and they're going to drive from your house I love your pawns to very cool you're doing a great job we love you take care and be safe 👍😁
I am LOVING this video. I hope you continue to show progress with your ideas and what you are doing. 👍👍🤗🤗🙂 Very interesting. I never thought something like this would interest me, but I am. You have so much knowledge and beautiful property. You don't mind working hard and making it a wonderful place to live. 🤗 please keep us up-to-date, at least, each year. Thank you. 👍
This was an awesome video, Post! I can't have land like you at the moment. One day, I hope I will! Until then, and even after, I am living vicariously through you! :D
Really great video, thank you. 😊 Regarding your stovetop fan, it uses a Peltier to convert the heat into electricity for the motor driving the fan. If you put the base of it on a flat part of the stovetop, rather than on the ridged part of the top, the heat transfer will be much improved and the fan will start sooner and run faster. Ecofan is a good brand and that's why it cost what it did. The wiring in the cheapo Amazon ones tend to melt eventually.
Great video. I also have a BK Ashford 25 insert. It was my understanding that cardboard was not good to use to start the fire as it may damage the cat. It also advises not to in the manual.
I really enjoyed the first video you made about this stove. Your very intelligent and diligent about safety and coving your bases. Don’t listen to the comment section’s negative words. Most people who feel the need to say something about something they probably have never have seen or done have no experience and want to nit pick. Keep doing what your doing. You have me thinking about getting one of these.
I have one of those pump log splitters and it's great, had it for about 8 years. Your right saying its a benefit because you should never split logs on a concrete floor with an axe because over time you will crack your floor with the impacts. You can go outside to do it but inside with the pump is the cats ass. I have the jotul f3 non cat and love it. The Jotul with the screen is something I'm very very happy with.
Everyone needs a break sometimes. Looks like you won’t be having a put your feet up break though, with all those downed trees😔 We will watch your old videos as re runs in the meantime. Enjoy👍
I watched a lot of videos. You did a great job especially with the lighting and camera angles! Great job! The numerous small details in my opinion were huge! I never thought of putting this in the basement. In the market for one. Will keep watching.
Yes! No problem heating with pine. My dad, like everyone else in Montana, heats with it- hardwood is hard to come by there. Just a little maintenance keeps it going. Good you have a back up furnace as well. When I start our coal forge, it gets a bit smoky- have to open the shop doors for a few until the stovepipe warms up, then I'm good to go. Love that you heat with wood! After that storm, you are set for a long time!!
I am knocking out your videos no less than 10 a day, usually more, with you keep posting so often, I will never catch up. (hope I do not catch up. BTW, enjoy your Q&A videos.
The particulate matter floating around in the air is unbelievable. It may be incredibly efficient but that particulate matter would wind up on everything. Seeing that was a real surprise.
Just going to watch your video for a short time I have a blaze king ultra And had it in my house for over 20 years or close to that. And I burn everything in it And yes i burn plastics too, but not with that catalytic on, And my cat is still going strong, i clean my chimney when ever the chimney needs it How do I know it needs cleaning open the stove slowly when using it And if it doesn't draft properly, You will have some smoke in the house Clan it with a metal brush, and only have a chimney with stainless steel. And here's a clue to help with smoke. Near the stove and near the top of the ceiling Place a fan to suck out the smoke And use it every time you open the stove And it's been many years since i did that Still my paint looks fairly normal, and not darkened as most houses with wood stoves, It also allows the house to not smell with the wood smell of smoke etc. Burn any and all woods, as it doesn't matter, Just make sure the wood is reasonably dry. Oh yes I have forgotten about that clean out As I never use it got a coal bucket and place the edge along the door opening, and shovel,
You can also use wet newspaper and ash to clean the creosote off the glass on the fireplace. Also, keep a spray bottle with water and spray down your ashes to keep dust down when cleaning.
Your property is beautiful. Watch out for all those widow maker trees. Wonder if eventually you could purchase a quad with a winch to help you pull down those hazard trees.
Get yourself a good pair of fireproof gloves for loading into the fire. My glass door I clean the inside with a moist rag and use find ash from the ash bucket. It’s crazy how good it works
Every meal seen done on a cook woodstove on YT looks amazing. Nice back up too for grid power fails. Alaska by La Nordica has a large oven and wood box, you can use a wok & has the stove pipe in middle that helps prevent creosote by higher heat. If steel costs goes back could help cost. Cannot believe installation is so expensive, might as well build a cook fireplace for dutch oven baking and spit for roasting with a particle filter system in chimney. Think you could do a smoker grill in it too, keep it safe indoors while slow cooking. ❤❄🍵
Some people are correct about the ax. A fiskars X25 or X27 would cut your splitting time by more than half after whatever learning curve you need to go through. Yes, it’s probably more dangerous but if you become proficient with that ax, a cord of straight grained oak in an hour is completely possible. Pine usually takes a little longer but not much. You could save the hydro tool for gnarly stuff. I definitely recommend you try the ax.
Maple (especially sugar maple) has an aroma so sweet. it amazing!!! With maple , you get such a smell ,everything starts to smell it !!! When I was still in my teens, there was a house on the block that burn only maple. I'd know when the person was having a nice fire inside the house☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺
throw some mushroom spores on the big downed tree clumps and they will decay/mulch in half the time and are delicious... like the vids your very thorough !
It’s good practice to leave an inch of ash in the bottom of the stove when you clean it out. The ash protects your fire brick from the hot coals of your next fire. Not a huge deal but you’ll experience deterioration/thinning of your fire brick after a few years.
With the pine stumps, the roots of the tree will continue to create pitch and pushes up into the stump and condenses creating a very dense and flammable firestarter called fatwood. I don't know if that'll happen with yours but it could and something to look for.
You burn softwood during the day when you are around to keep refilling it because it burns faster. Then hardwood at night. Once a week or so open up the vents and damper and burn softwood as hot as possible. That will clean out the stove and stove pipe. Then always clean your stove pipe/chimney in the spring. . Also, keep a pan of water on the stove to help from dry air. You should open up the house once a week to let in fresh air. The fresh air heats up better.
People complaining about the log splitter have likey never lived in the north and used wood as a main heat source. Don't listen to them, log splitter saves your back and shoulders for other tasks. We have an electric one but that manual one looks useful for power outages.
You certainly have an abundance of wood. I have one of those electric 4 ton splitter. Homelite. Some 2 ft diameter logs need to be worked around the edges, splitting off pieces before the core gives way. My inclination is to get anything at least split once to start the drying in the core. Maybe place a metal panel between the burning junk and a drying pile, accelerate the Dry.
Hint. Get some newspaper, wet it and dip it in your ash bucket. Rub it on your glass. No need scrub hard . Instant clean like new glass . You won't scratch the glass even though it sounds like it. Enjoy your stove. Aloha
you can use by Imperial Clear Flame 2 in en 1 Glass & Masonry Cleaner for the glass door it is great a thick spray that sticks to glass and does not run down wipe with paper towel and glass looks brand new clean! I have been using it on my pellet stove glass door for 10+ years works great easy clean before I used a razor blade took forever and so so clean this spray cleaner I seen a guy on yt use and I got it on Amazon works GREAT!! no more razor blade so so cleaning just spray and wipe looks brand new!!!
Ecofan is the original maker of those little fans and the cheaper ones are the knock-offs. They're just extruded aluminum, a thermoelectric cooler, and a small motor so nothing really groundbreaking or proprietary. I like the brass blade on the Ecofan I have but I also have a knockoff strapped to my flue pipe because Ecofan doesn't make that style.
I look forward to your seasonal game plan/estimates on cord wood and measurements you may have taken on how the stove impacted the rest of the home. I hate winter...but I LOVE burning and cooking on my wood stove. I am shopping for a new one as mine is 10+ years old and it was a Vogelzang hunk of poop. Need one for my workshop as well as my house. Debating on BK 40 for shop and Lopi Liberty for house.
My lopi evergreen is amazing. Only one problem with the handle getting loose, but it still latches tightly, I tested it with a piece of paper. It's overkill for our cabin but we like it extras toasty in the winter, I hate the cold.
Just asking and wondering, won't that fire you have going, spread? How are you able to keep control of it?? P. S. Glad you are taking a break. You need to do for YOU. Maybe just relax and just take od you, your home, and property. Everyone will understand and still be around. Take care of you..FIRST. your followers will be here. 🤗🤗👍👍🙂🙂 thanks for sharing so much of what you do and yourself.
A quick and cheap solution to clean the black glass door on the stove is to dip a wet paper towel in the ash and then scrub the glass. Wait and let the ash work and it will be even easier to get the glass clean.
Our trees are dying, it's so frustrating. Worms, woodpeckers, ants, Ice storms, wind storms and all, It is scarier to get out in nature than even 5 yrs ago. It's rejuvenation time in the forest !
You deserve time off if anyone does Post! There is more to life than RU-vid. Go have some fun and don't worry you are not filming it. Come back on your terms. We have plenty of videos to rewatch. Enjoy!
Great video, however you start the fire incorrectly. When building a fire outdoor you do put the small pieces on the bottom and the large pieces on the top like you are doing here, but in a wood stove you should do it the opposite way, put the larger pieces on the bottom and the small pieces on the top (top down burn), start the fire on the top and let it burn down towards the bottom. That method creates little smoke when starting or any time, and also gets the hot air going up the chimney immediately warming the chimney and pulling the little smoke out - also won't smoke up your glass. Look for some videos on top down burning fire for wood stoves.
Love your videos but just not too shuer about catalyst price…….. just replaced mine for the 2nd time on my blaze king 1st was on warranty but they refused the second one and charged me 600$ cad !!!!! But still a great stove with a big learning curve
I can see from the inside of the oven and the glass in the door that you are creating a lot of that dangerous, shiny creosote. Foremost, try lighting the oven upside down: Put the biggest logs in first and the smaller branches on top. You'll see that at the point the big logs start to burn, the oven is hot enough that the creosote does not condense any more. By using this method, the glass in the door should stay mostly clean, which also helps with radiating the heat in the room and far less of that shiny creosote should be found in the oven and the chimney.
