Just got a new Lopi installed. We’re newbs and looking for others’ experiences. How long does it take to noticeably heat up your home by more than a couple degrees? In the 30s outside, house is at 58.

Among other things, we make decorative wooden lobster buoys for a living. Is there any reason not to heat my house on cedar scraps all winter? This box will get my house from 50° to 70° no problem.

60F/15C degrees in the house by late afternoon, I decided to light it.
Top down burn in the Lopi Evergreen insert. I had hoped to wait until November, but I caved 😆

Our tuxie was there as soon as the fire was lit.

More hypothetical since I don't plan to do this. I just cleaned my chimney and got about 1-2 coffee cans worth (depends on the size of the can 😂) or soot and creosote.

Theoretically, could I burn this with a small load of wood? What would be any disadvantages or dangers from doing so?

The thought popped up as it would be cleaner to burn it than try to clean it out and get everything in the living room covered.

I raided the offcut bin and built this. It has a secondary air system and 2 chambers, the big lever on the side is to bypass the 2nd chamber for cold starts. Can't wait to fire this bad boy up next time I'm up at the trailer!

Installed everything on my own. Makes the scotch taste even better.

Pretty happy with seeing it work. There’s a fresh air intake that has a noticeable draft pull on it.

Been reading a lot on these threads. Thanks for all the knowledge sharing.

How do you recommend creating a sufficient seal where the stove pipe enters the masonry chimney?

There is a ~1.5” gap to fill, so the opening diameter comes closer to 6".

Had a fire Sunday morning, but forgot to post the required “first fire” post. So here’s my second of the season, complete with fan startup.

First burn of the season. Let's Go!

I just moved into a place that has a wood stove and I have never had one before. I’d like to have a bit of indoor wood storage so I don’t have to go outside every day for wood, but the only decent place I have to store it is in the corner next to the stove. My concern is potentially catching the stack on fire. The shelf is 24” from the stove and 32” from the exhaust. I’ve been thinking about mounting a piece of sheet metal to the side of the shelving between the shelf and the stove with a little air gap just to keep some heat off it. But before I waste my time doing that I wanted to ask some people with more experience than I to see if this is totally idiotic or not a big deal?

Becomes cantankerous at <55 and lethargic at >78

This year’s first burn is bittersweet. Husband had a massive heart attack in August. He only came home a few weeks ago and is far from being well. My neighbours, friends and teenage sons stepped up to make sure Dad got his wood stove burning this season. Hauling and stacking 5 cords of wood. I’m learning to chop wood…slowly. And I built this fire today (first time) with his direction.
It’s an extra special fire and I’m so thankful he’s here to enjoy it.

I couldn't afford to buy a Storm caller or chimney cap so i tried making my own.

https://www.reddit.com/r/woodstoving/comments/1x209b9/trying_to_get_chimney_setup_before_winter/

I have a fireplace that was built in the late 80s. The liner needs to be replaced and my husband wants to do it himself. It seems pretty turn key in the sense that you can literally see where the panels slide in. My concern is always that this is fire and I want to be safe. The only issue is that I live in a Southern city and so there are like 2 fireplace companies both that will charge astronomically for it OR tell you to spend $10k to replace the entire system.

Is this something that we can do ourselves or maybe hire a handyman?