I’ve Perfected My Wood Burning Stove I’ll Show You How

Thirty-five years of burning wood, and I've learned a lot. I'll show you some of my methods of doing so. It may just help you out.

[@johne189]

Thanks for the tour! Well thought out process. The outside door and a chute to a wheeled bin are great.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@brianjohnson3782]

Thanks James, my family has burned wood for years. About 12 years ago my brother built his own outdoor wood burner inside a water tank that’s inside a small concrete block building that provides hot water radiant heat for the cabin. It’s larger so it only has to be serviced morning and evening before bed. It’s outdoors so it’s clean for the cabin. Another bonus is in the cold northern Wisconsin winter you can enter the building and get inside by the water tank if you want the sauna effect. I had a bad cold during deer hunting season. I went in there for 30 minutes and came out wringing wet. Really helps clear the sinuses. 😅

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

I have two friends that have the outdoor system. I will have one someday it is a goal for me. I apricate you sharing. Thank you for watching my channel. James

[@mariellemartin5910]

The most important thing you have achieved. You know how to run your system and have worked out the bugs over time. Very informative. Thank you for your service.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@johnjaco5544]

I have been heating my house with firewood for 45 years , I never recommend using lighter fluid to start my fire. I started my fires with crinkled up newspaper For years and years and years. I changed my ways I put my kindle in the stove and then I hit it for a minute with my propane soldering torch Works great. Good video thanks a lot appreciate the time you put into this

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

I agree with the lighter fluid the only reason I use it is because I am slightly impatient. I have used newspaper in the past. For me I start burning around Christmas and the fire never goes out until spring. Unless I somehow forget to feed it. I use wood to offset the cost of propane. I likewise like the idea that I'll have heat should of a power outage. Thank you for watching.

[@Horustheoriginalgod]

This is an impressive setup and great video to explain. Thank you for sharing it with us James

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

You are welcome.

[@robertmacnaughton178]

As a 2012 entry-level HVAC employee at a somewhat mechanically-inclined 59 years old your lessons are well learned !! I am looking for an opportunity to put a wood burner in my 768 sq. ft. urban residence but the opportunity has yet to develop. Thanks alot for an excellent example !!

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

You are welcome.

[@artelagro]

Well done. Lots of sensible information in there.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@evelynmahoney3569]

I love the wood chute and the bin on wheels! I keep working toward a better system to bring the wood in as well as a decent way to store some near the stove. Seeing what you have accomplished tells me i am on the right track! The central heat distribution is also VERY interesting. This is the first time I've ever seen a system connected to a wood stove in the same way as a furnace. You're going to love the fire-starters, and they're plenty affordable too. After i tried them, I took some to my ex, telling him, "The days of wadding up newspaper are long overwith." He was a little skeptical, but a couple of months later he called asking where to buy them. THIS IS A GREAT VIDEO. Thank u for sharing your knowledge & knowhow!

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you for the great comments. Thank you for watching.

[@JRS2248]

Thank You James; it was very informative and I'm going to make some improvements to my system. God Bless.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@ricksanchez7459]

Very nice setup! Most homes now cannot be heated with a single indoor stove. The home we grew up in was no problem, 600sqft and the mama bear could run you out. You really have to think it through on a larger home, how to distribute the heat if the lights go out.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@RobertViani]

Nice set up. I’ve often thought of having a door next to our stove to an exterior bin. I don’t know how many thousands of pounds of cordwood I’ve walked through the house over the years.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Cleaning up the mess got old for me so I added the door.

[@TinyGoHomes]

Great video and thank you for your service 🫡🇨🇦 I’m building a small auto feed wood burning stove. Bin working on it for a few months now. So many factors too think about. I’m hoping to have it test ready this spring. It will heat my trailer, provide hot water on demand, cooktop, oven, in floor heating. I got a bunch of work too do and videos like this help my project come together. God bless brother. 🙏

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

My plan is to have an outside hot water system they are a large investment. My auto repair shop is heated with the used motor oil we generate. Best wishes and God bless you.

[@arthurjurkowitsch9785]

Well thought out process. Thank you for the great info. Keep up the great work.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thanks for watching!

[@peggykush6972]

First of all.... Thank you for serving! You have a great set up. Great job!

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@johnlogan5152]

Very nice system you have there ! A lot of thought and experience creating your home heating system. Thank you for sharing this !

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

You are welcome.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

You are welcome.

[@why-be-normal7014]

First off thank u for your service , great video all good info and love the wood storage system looking for the same idea to have enough split wood for about 2 years myself

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@tnatsmyvid]

I liked that, Jim. Thank you for sharing.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@ghb6900]

Thank you for your service! Great video!

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@thedennis4412]

The only thing it's missing is an air inlet from the outside and your efficiency will go way up. Cool stuff my man!

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@thedennis4412]

@Freki Bodgaedir Yes it increases the efficiency because it's not pulling air out of the room. If you pull air from the room it makes the room negatively pressurized and air to replace it is pulled in literally at the seems. If you make an air inlet from the outside it should have a valve with an external handle that allows you to control the amount of air that flows in. An inline chimneythrottle flue works perfect. In this way you can control the rate of the burn and not have your ears pop or door get sucked closed. Not to mention you'll use much less wood if you learn to control the inlet, which is very easy. Good luck gentlemen.

[@robobiss444]

@Freki Bodgaedir it draws air directly into the stove from outside. Without an outside air intake, you draw in warm air from your home into the woodstove to fuel the combustion. The warm air you burn and send up the chimney creates negative pressure in your house and sucks cold air in from outside.

[@alexnelson6196]

My in-laws have an open fireplace. The only thing warm about it is the radiant heat immediately in front of it. The rest of the house is ice cold from the outside air being sucked through the windows and doors. I don’t understand why the combusting air isn’t always brought in from outside. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@johnbutler5208]

What size pipe would you suggest maybe 2 one inch pipes with ball valves on each. Sounds like a good idea

[@clintcowles7563]

Thank you and nice work. Northern Michigan here. 👋

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@johndeereman2009]

That is a neat setup you have for your wood furnace.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@chriskeating5926]

Great knowledge transfer! Thank you

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

You are welcome.

[@lacking2010]

Enjoyed your lesson. I burned wood many years ago, but just added a woodstove to our current house - with a new wood stove - not the the catalytic type. The instructions say not to use an accelerant. I included an electric fire starter with the stove. It works great. I have a bag on Morgan's fire starter as backup just in case the power is out and can't used the electric starter.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

I really enjoy Mike Morgan's videos. I am a bit of a cowboy when it comes to some of the things I do. I will us caution. Thank you for watching.

[@ericsumnicht7829]

Thanks James. You've done a nice job thinking all this through. Merry Christmas and many blessings to you and your family 🙏. Some inspiring solutions to wood furnace issues.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@dts1449]

Nice 👍 video James, I happen to have the same stove for about the same number of years. I use mine for heat in my garage/family room. (2 story) the past few years I had been using a couple of kerosene heaters and not as much wood. Kerosene more than doubled in price so this year it's more wood. I enjoyed your video, thanks for sharing.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

They are a great stove. Someday I may have to rebuild it.

[@bobstrader8766]

You have some great ideas: The Filters on the air ducts , The Vent hood above the furnace door is another great idea. You have helped to solve a lot of the ash & dust that goes along with using a wood stove for heat. You have a wood chute that connects to the outside--GOOD---that give you enough air for combustion. For those that don,t have that , may I suggest a air pipe coming in from the outside for combustion air.. Bob

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

I am going to research that concept and if I like what I learn I'll do it.

[@tomran247]

Impressive set-up!

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@rickzap7957]

You have a very nice system set up Mr.Carpenter.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you kindly

[@Bravo-vu9gl]

Thanks for all of the information!

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

You are welcome.

[@leemoore6802]

really enjoyed video and gave me some ideas on how to heat my old house more efficiently

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Glad I could help

[@scottmiles7373]

Very nice set up,stay warm

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thanks 👍

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@anthonyguenther6008]

Nice setup.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@PCIAutoService]

Great set up!! wanted to share an idea that works great for me to start the fire. I use 2 solo cups full of wood pellets with a squirt of gel and log cabin stack full pieces of firewood and walk away. saves time and doesnt cost much at all for pellets .I go through like 3 bags a year at 7 bucks a bag.:)

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

That's a great idea. I see your title is PCI AutoService I own an automotive shop.

[@PCIAutoService]

@@jamescarpentercountryliving I love my work but feel your pain.😀😂

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@dennisTHEmenac3]

Back Country Genius!

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@juliehenderson1672]

Thank you! Excellent video. Well-done!

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Glad you liked it!

[@johnfitbyfaithnet]

Nice job!

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thanks!

[@rodfreess6019]

I like the wood handling setup, well thought out. How do you dry the wood? or is there ventilation in the truck box? I'd think it would turn to a moldy buggy mess with a truck full of green wood closed up. Also, may I suggest you build an open front ash pan, you'll never shovel ash again, just take the whole pan outside, dump it, put it back in the next time you open it up, the open front functions as a shovel if there's ash already in the stove.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

I dry the wood outdoors and then put in the box truck to keep it dry.

[@robertpitt8418]

Idea : Would it do you any favours by making the above dust extractor fan automatically start and stop each time you open and close the main stove door, and also keeping the manual switch intact. Thank you for creating and sharing your work.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@joefran619]

Very nice set up

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@newlifeinchrist313]

Thank you! God bless you!

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@chriss2283]

Do explain for people new to wood burning, the importance of managing creosote and how to do it. Especially on smaller wood stoves. Best to get a nice bed of coals going so you don't have to feed much wood to keep it going. Probably very difficult to get that going in a system that large though. Was curious if ducted wood burning systems were a thing for a little while.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Wet wood and pine wood will cause creosote as well as burning too low. I've had it happen. I usually only put a small amount of wood in at a time and burn hot.

[@chriss2283]

@@jamescarpentercountryliving Yea true. I almost couldn't see where your floo was. I'm referring to how to care for that and have better burn efficiency. My chimney was kinda of a hassle, not as bad as the last year though. was way more complex a problem. I have been burning wood on and off, since I was 5. At least in fire places and Wood stoves. Something as complicated a set up as yours. How do you go about taking care of it efficiently to avoid a Cro fire?

[@chasmarischen4459]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

You are welcome.

[@offgridwanabe]

All good ideas the only thing I did additional was ad an outside air source for the wood furnace.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@sherriberkley188]

Nice idea, stove is very nice.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thanks 👍

[@MrSprintcat]

Thanks for the video Jim. hopefully nobody slides down that wood Chute and steals the stuff out of your house. I'm sure you're prepared for that seeing what you've done so far. If you clean the inside of the stove where all that build up of creosote is you will get better transfer of heat. Have you ever tried to heat up a rusty nut with a torch .? Once you clean the rust off it heats up a lot faster. I had the same set up with air conditioning 2.5 tons. And I had a blower on the stove that would kick on when the temporary the stove would get to low,so less creasote. Thank you again for the video.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

I can lock the door from the inside. Thank you for watching.

[@safffff1000]

Nice set up, whats the sq ft of the house and how many cords do you burn? Good idea for storage in the trailer, I imagine it bakes the wood dryer in the summer sun.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

1,600 sq. ft. It depends on the weather, if it's freezing, about two cords. I have a furnace that I used until mid-December then I added the wood burner.

[@rockcrusher4636]

Very nice, thank you for sharing. New subscriber. Cheers.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you for subscribing.

[@pizzaguy3645]

I was thinking from the beginning that things were moving kinda slow. Then you started scooping the ash out of the stove. At that point, time started going in reverse. I agree that being gentle with the ash keeps things cleaner though. Can you still use this system without electricity?

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Even without the blowers the stove can heat the entire house it's not as evenly heated. I have two 5000 watt generators.

[@freedomcanada8397]

My old boss used and old truck bed slide out, attached it to the floor beside the wood boiler and made a little hatch for outside. Just open the hatch slide out the bin, load it up with fire wood, push it back inside. Done

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Great idea and he recycled at the same time.

[@claesmansson9070]

A lot have happened in 35 years,nowadays the smoke after the burning chamber is added secundary air, so the smoke gasses are burning too before going outside, then you dont have to throw so much wood through that small door.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thanks for the info.

[@Jameshutchings]

Very nice.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you

[@fidelsseecoomar3279]

Awesome system, can it be installed in a BASEMENT.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Yes it can. Thank you for watching.

[@Utah_Mike]

Excellent

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@RS-sl5ko]

How does the blower for the wood heater work if the power grid goes down?

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

I have two 5000 watt generators.

[@VicsYard]

Awesome!

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@michaelklein3112]

Nice Video!!

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thanks!

[@Chris-qf9qm]

If you loose electric how do you power your fans for the furnace?

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Generator

[@johnbutler5208]

I'm looking for some advice. I was going to clean my chimney and all I could was a shiny glaze no flakey or build up of soot. Is the shinny glaze the stuff that catches on fire or the soot. Thanks to anyone that can help. John

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Most chimney fires are from creosote or blockage that ignites, starting a chimney fire. When you look down the chimney check for build up on the inner walls. Without seeing yours it sounds like it is not real bad. Run the chimney brush from top to bottom several times. Clean the ash from the pipe if you have a 90 going into the stove. Thank you for watching.

[@diggergeensen860]

Nice 👍

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@1944chevytruck]

wow! 35 years!

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@steveaustin330]

Thank you.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

You are welcome.

[@GoodTimesHomestead]

That’s cool.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@nickdanner7314]

so what is the paper for if you are using lighter fluid?

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Just happen to have it.

[@naboolicious6283]

Thanks Santa!

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Any time!

[@a.m.phaneuf6164]

Do you put the ashes in the garden bed?

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Yes I do. I likewise put other compost like horse poo, straw, sand, wood chips, card board and grass clippings. Thanks for subscribing!

[@a.m.phaneuf6164]

Do you put the ashes in the garden

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

See my last comment.

[@carltonbirds]

Is there any other sort of wood that you can use?

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Slab wood. You can buy it pretty cheap from wood mills.

[@carltonbirds]

@@jamescarpentercountryliving does it have to be seasoned?

[@jamesdurstine8892]

That's a HOT BLAST. THEY WERE 500 NEW

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

?

[@thomaslyijnen9494]

Save the lint from the dryer…. A few wood chips from splitting process mixed with a pinch of lint➡️ great fire starters and constantly replenishing with laundry.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Funny you say that I watched my wife today cleaning the lint from the dryer and putting it in the trash. I'll get her a bucket and she can start saving it for me. Have you have seen any of my videos with the wood chips I get delivered? That is another source for fire starter. Thank you for watching my videos. James

[@sierraromeo]

Next time, install pex tubing inside the floor slab, find a Harmon wood boiler, and dispense of all the dusty ducting fan and cold drafts and noise.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

I poured the floor in 1979 I'm not sure if they had pex tubing back then.

[@nicenonya3]

need a vacuum set up to suck the ashes out into a 55 gallon drum

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Great idea.

[@rickscott1162]

Got a stove like that, mod it with another row of firebricks. Lots less ash and More heat. Feed it Twice daily/ Only source heat. Iowa and not a great source on good wood. Would not heat with l. p.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank for the info.

[@bubbajoe1611]

Everytime i go get a haircut or to the Dr. office they can smell the smoke on me ,lol.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

I know the feeling.

[@PainterD54]

If you open up the damper to our chimney before you open the door, you won't get that big puff of smoke coming out into the room, but you should know that already if you burn wood in any kind of stove.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Yes I do know that. I get smoke when I add wood most likely due to not enough draft.

[@danf2588]

Nice setup. You may want to try reversing your extraction fan and open the outside vent to bring air into the room before you open the door. It will put a positive pressure on the room which will not allow smoke to come out the furnace door when you open it.

[@hafsalinda]

Wheres your outside makeup air so the wood burner doesnt draw cold air thru the cracks into the living space? Outside air gets you 30% more heat or less wood. Depend on which end you see it from.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you for explaining the purpose of outside air. I am going to figure out a way to obtain outside air. Actually I could draw it from the attic it is well ventilated. Thank you for the advice and watching.

[@eldongarner787]

Thank you for your military service

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

You are welcome. The Army was a great learning experience for me.

[@richardvalitalo3670]

Rebar, not angleiron.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Am I bad.

[@hotmetaljr]

I get what you’re saying, basically.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Any information is good you may find something from my video that will help you. Thank you for watching.

[@richardvalitalo3670]

1st. Biggest problem is living in houses TOO BIG to be economical & easy to heat. Why not pile wood next to the chute?

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

It is a side walk leading to the entrance door.

[@Owl4909]

do u have poplar

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

I don't know my wood well enough to answer that question. I will say that I known pine and will not burn it.

[@Owl4909]

@@jamescarpentercountryliving Its considered a hardwood but actually a soft easy to work with wood. Very useful for kindling. Burns very hot very fast. 35 years here with our woodstove in NC. It's all we have for heat. I enjoy everything about firewood but it's becoming harder on my body. Split by hand for probably 25 of those years, LOL those days are definitely over. We have red and white oak, hickory in abundance. U have a great set-up for sure

[@jordankerr2838]

With 35 years experience you would think you could start a fire without lighter fluid. You had enough kindling for 3 fires

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

The lighter fluid make it easy for me to get it going quickly.

[@refinedhayseedappalachian9777]

effing god

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Thank you.

[@ConureCrash]

Did the third child record this?

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Yes, his name is Jimmy.

[@vlasceanucatalin9670]

wood for 3 days in there ?? With that wood i heat my house for 2-3 weeks ....

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

Nice

[@johncritch6812]

Maybe it doesnt take some people 35 years to learn how to burn wood.

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

I've been burning wood for 35 years I improved the process during that time.

[@douglaspohl1827]

35 years... seems you have not been very busy with innovations... its 2023 in a few weeks... checkout heat pumps... more than 50% energy savings... not to mention several hundreds of percent is labor reductions for your sunset years...

[@jamescarpentercountryliving]

I have the wood burner in case their is a disaster.

[@douglaspohl1827]

@James Carpenter Wood is a good fall back but needs to be replaced every 3-4 years