Saturday, November 03, 2007

We have ignition!



We went out today and found a source of wood pellets. Tractor Supply Company sells them for $199 a ton and Lowes has them for $241 a ton. We don't anticipate needing more than one ton this winter since we just have to keep the place warm enough to stop the water pipes from freezing and make it comfortable for me to work on cold days. Then we have to figure out a reliable way to get them to the house. So we bought a couple of 40 lb. bags so we could finally test the pellet stove insert. We also have a source for corn but have to find something to store it in so the mice don't get to it. I sure wish the neighbor across the alley would stop feeding the stray cats. I guess we could always feed it to the sacrificial Easter kitties!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Gary,

I really enjoy your site and the house pix.

My name is Matt. I’m a South Park resident. Three years ago, I purchased a shot gun house. A fellow salesman and “friend.” talked me into buying the run down home to spite the fact he had no interest in the house. He’s just an impulsive soul.

At the time of purchase, I really did not know a dry wall screw form a finishing nail. I had planned to pay people to do all the work. Unfortunately, people are not cheap and my pockets were not deep. I quickly learned to be Bob Villa Lite.

Three years later, I’m sitting in my living room. Its so rewarding to enjoy the fruits of my labor. The interior of my house is done. The little shot gun house that was always the poor man’s home has never seen better days. I love my little house.

If possible, please let me know how the multi-fuel stove works out for you. I always wanted one but I read in Consumers Report that they does not offer a savings over natural gas. Also, do they produce dust inside of the house?

Thanks and Regards,
Matt
Nugent_matthew@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Okay- so you've probably re-stocked your beer by now. When are you going to pour the concrete into the mold? I can't wait to see the final project!

Gary said...

Matt, so far no dust but the place was dusty already so we can't tell the difference! All ash seems to be contained behind the door or in the ash pan. We are noticing that to get the temperature up to 65 degrees from 52 degrees the thing burns alot of fuel, but so does a gas furnace. To get it up to 55 degrees and hold burns a whole lot less so the trick seems to be to establish a comfortable level and keep it within a few degrees of that.
Trissa, if Nick can take 6 weeks to get you kitchen counters done then you can wait a couple more weeks to see my sink. I might actually pour this thing over the weekend but it will sit in the mold for a week.

Anonymous said...

Good Morning;

I am researching fireplace inserts and was seriously giving thought to a wood pellet stove. Could you provide me with your real life expertise on the pros and cons of a pellet stove during the winter in the midwest.

Gary said...

Anich22,
Only negatives are some wood pellet dust when we fill the hopper every day and the fact that we have to haul 40# bags of pellets up and down the stairs. Otherwise the thing is great and easy to maintain.