Online:
Visits:
Stories:
Profile image
By 5 Acres and A Dream
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views

Now:
Last Hour:
Last 24 Hours:
Total:

How To Get Heat From a Soapstone Woodstove

Saturday, February 14, 2015 22:05
% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.

(Before It's News)

B4INREMOTE-aHR0cDovLzIuYnAuYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29tL19FTzhrZGpIRFdUSS9Tcy1uTmJycmJPSS9BQUFBQUFBQUVJby9helVpbjljTWtMby9zNDAwL3dvb2RzdG92ZTEuanBn
Our woodstove. Installation details
and close-ups - click here.

I know that seems a very odd title for a blog post. After all, woodstove + wood + fire = heat, right? You'd think so, but interestingly enough, we get quite a few blog visits through various search engines with the search terms – “soapstone”, “not putting out heat”, or “no heat”. If this describes you, then perhaps I can help.

We have a Woodstock Fireview Soapstone woodstove, complete with a catalytic combustor. My tips will apply specifically to it, but hopefully will be useful for similar stoves of different make and model.

This stove is rated to heat up to 1600 square feet, but because of the soapstone, it is slow to do so. The appeal of soapstone is its ability to retain heat. Even after the fire has long gone out, the stove will be pleasingly warm to touch. The problem is that soapstone, unlike cast iron, takes awhile to heat up. This is one reason why it's slow to heat the house.

B4INREMOTE-aHR0cDovLzEuYnAuYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29tLy1oZEJsM1lkUmZoWS9WTjlrcUw3bXg0SS9BQUFBQUFBQVNnby80V2RCMzFyUmpWOC9zMTYwMC9jYXRzaW5mcm9udG9mZmlyZS5KUEc=

What we've learned, is that the soapstone plus catalytic combustor requires a different technique than a cast iron woodstove. With our past cast iron stoves, we would get a good fire going and then damp it down to regulate the burn. Doing so with this stove means it takes a very long time to produce enough heat to warm the house.

The key is to start the fire and keep the damper all the way open until the stovetop thermometer registers in the catalytic burn range.

B4INREMOTE-aHR0cDovLzQuYnAuYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29tLy1XM3phSzVJUWhsRS9WTjlrTHBTWWVWSS9BQUFBQUFBQVNnZy95Y29lbDc0RlpmRS9zMTYwMC93b29kc3RvdmVfdGhlcm1vbWV0ZXIuSlBH

As soon as the temperature hits that mark, engage the combustor and damp down the stove. The result is that the gases start to burn and glorious heat quickly begins to radiate out. Depending on how cold the house is, it still takes time to make the farthest rooms more comfortable. Fans help, of course.

B4INREMOTE-aHR0cDovLzMuYnAuYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29tLy13dm9HV0p5OVVpSS9Uend5VUJzbWxvSS9BQUFBQUFBQUlrQS8yNU9KR3ZpODQzVS9zMTYwMC9ob3dfdG9fa2VlcF95b3VyX3R1bW15X3dhcm0uSlBH

Once the house gets warmed up it doesn't to take a roaring fire to keep it comfortable. The energy efficiency of the house is a factor here, and we've been enjoying better heat retention as we upgrade our windows and add insulation.

I should also mention that the configuration of the house is a consideration for any woodstove. We have about 1500 square feet of living space, with the soapstone stove in the living room in front of the house. Because of the arrangement of walls and doors, the hardest room to heat is the kitchen at the back of the house. However, for that we have our wood cookstove. Between the two, we are very comfortable indeed.



Source: http://www.5acresandadream.com/2015/02/how-to-get-heat-from-soapstone-woodstove.html

Report abuse

Comments

Your Comments
Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

Top Stories
Recent Stories

Register

Newsletter

Email this story
Email this story

If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.