Why you (don’t) want a Wood Stove in your van

[@truhartwood3170]

I used a woodstove exclusively for many years to hest my home. Here are some tips: Smokey glass is a ruslt of your stove being burned too cold. An intense burn will burn off the soot from the window and clean out the creosote in your chimney. And the best part is it takes no work! Note that if you do have creosote building up in your chimney, a hot burn could ignite it and cause a chimney fire, which would possibly burn your RV down and at a minimum require you to replace your whole chimney. So clean it first, then do regular hot burns to keep it clean. Dry hardwood or fir will burn hot and clean. If you burn those artificial logs or softwood it burns too cold. A hot fire also burns everything to a fine ash that builds up much slower than if you have unburned coals mixed in with it. A stove with a fresh air vent from outside eliminates a few problems. One is your stove pulling hot air from inside to burn and then sending it up the chimeny, requiring cold outside air to be let into your van to replace it. Second is getting smoke in your RV from a lack of fresh air getting into it, either because you're not letting enough air in, or you're running a fan to blow air out that will suck air in from anywhere, including down your chimney. Letting the stove get air straight from outside eliminates these two issues. Some stoves have an air intake port specifically for this purpose. Finally, look at plans for rocket stoves. I don't personally have experience but sounds cool.

[@Dadsgaming76]

Amen dude.

[@tybrady4598]

Oh good, you wrote what I was thinking, now I don’t have to write it.

[@Chelleme]

Same! ​@@tybrady4598

[@lynnw7155]

I also heated my house with wood in a Vermont Castings stove for about 20 years. I never had any of the problems cited in the video (the 'toil' comes from lugging firewood and having to get up in the morning to stoke the stove so it doesn't go out). I agree with the tips above; if your glass is sooting up, I'd get the chimney checked for creosote...you are either burning soft wood and/or not burning the stove hot enough.

[@pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN]

A stove designed to have air wash over the glass helps keep the glass clean. An ideal stove has primary combustion, secondly combustion and tertiary combustion. Complete combustion gives a perfect burn with a Good stove. After initial lighting, no smoke should be seen exiting out the flue/chimney.

[@DarryllC]

When you have your kindling all ready to light take a loose wad of paper, light it, stick it near the inlet to the chimney, quickly light the kindling, and close the door. The heat from the burning wad of paper will create a draft up the chimney.

[@greenmanbotanicals1828]

Drill a hole in the floor under the stove and fit a vent, some stoves have air inlets for this. This will increase your air flow and will save you warming the flu to give draw and this will also make your stove burn hotter which will reduce black glass.

[@sandragraham4905]

Interesting , do you mean vent it directly to the stove somehow ?

[@consciousbeingoflight]

How to do this? Like what do I have to search to find this on KZbin? 😅

[@Steingassm]

That cubic mini stove has the option to be vented outside with that stainless wall mount. A must for small spaces. Not sure if theirs is. I use a propane torch to get wood stoves going.

[@Chelleme]

​@consciousbeingoflight Nate did a good explanation about venting the wood stove on his channel @narrowayhomestead

[@consciousbeingoflight]

@@Chelleme thank you 🙏🏽😊

[@hedgecraft559]

hot fire means clean glass...Maybe look into combinations of hardwood and softwood to get the temps right so you can fall back in love with your stove...lol

[@kittim991]

We are the beginners followers, but I can tell you guys, you will succeed!!! Always funny, educational and really high quality videos! We love them!

[@revdocjim2002]

Wood stoves involve a lot of work and dedication, and in truth, may not be suited to such a small space. Draw issues can be solved with a long chimney. My main stove has a 9 meter chimney! Dirty glass results from poor stove design and will also get worse if your wood isn't dray, although it looks like you are using very dry wood. Getting rid of ashes is a constant chore. I keep 2 wood stoves going in my home from November through mid-April and it takes work. But I live high in the mountains where it is really cold and wouldn't trade the wood stoves for anything. We also supplement with a couple of clean kerosene stoves. I've heard lots of pros and cons about the cube stove, but the glass issue does seem rather problematic. If you have to clean it every day, the stove just isn't built right. But it's so nice!!! :)

[@greybeard5774]

The glass door gets dirty = stove isn't built right .. agree for 100% ✌

[@sjackson99]

I have 2 suggestions. First, try using a scrapper that has a razor blade. I've been doing that for many years. Second, you can use your Maxx fan to help start a wood stove. Just set it to blow air in and that will force the smoke up the flue. It should only take a minute or 2. After that, if you want to use the fan to suck air out you'll have to open a window somewhere.

[@NicoJona]

Awesome, I will try both! But especially the max fan input we’ll try!

[@psyamok3735]

I found that using the Maxx fan to blow in -15C air is very cold. I have to put on multiple layers of clothing before I do that. All it takes is an upward draft in the flue for the smoke to flow upward. I usually use Butane Torch Kitchen Blow Lighter, or MAPP/MAP/PROPANE Gas Torch to heat up the flue, and the burn chamber before lighting the woods. If the flue is insulated and not possible to burn directly, I would just point the torch toward the flue inside the stove. 10 seconds or less is all it takes.

[@monkemindroad4358]

I also have the grizzly.. and I love it, it was there for me when my diesel heater failed.

[@NicoJona]

Same here :)

[@GushOnline]

Are you in a van? I’m wondering if the Grizzly would be too much heat for my van. Thanks for any input.😊

[@richardinacan]

Can you imagine being in the snow in the middle of nowhere off grid and a heater fails? Wood stoves are more reliable

[@CB19087]

Gotta burn it hot hot hot! 🔥 I used to live on a boat and can relate to your struggles. The sooner you accept and become one with the process, the better. I'm sure you realise it's a very intimate relationship with the very nature of existence by now. Think of all the things you have no time to worry about because you only have energy to tend to the fire ❤

[@allendconder]

This is a love story. Between a man, a women, and their wood stove.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

“It’s so nice!” It really is.

[@proxyicarcus]

I have a stove with 4 sided glass. The stove glass will stay clean if its away from the fire. If smoke/soot travels past the glass - it will get dark and require cleaning. The solution to this to have a better designed, bigger/spacious wood stove :)

[@andrewsneacker1256]

3:05 - 3:40 its like a metaphor for life. Very much enjoyed this video! Cheers from Ukraine!

[@imclearingit4149]

Seeing you use a candle to warm the chimney made me think again about something I thought of doing when I get a wood stove. That being to make tiny self consuming wood rocket stoves from a 4x4 fence post by chopping to length and drilling holes.

[@marlena8812]

I have the same fireplace. It is too hard to clean when its cold so I wait until my fire gets going and warms the glass. Warm not burning hot. Then its fairly easy to clean.

[@radudemian5792]

The sooth comes from smoke. Smoke comes from poor draft through the system. To improve the draft, kill any possibilities of the air to escape between the level of the fire and the highest level of the flue (on the roof). Have the MaxxFan bringing air in and close other ways of the air out. If the air goes out through elsewhere, at least until the stove gets hot, draft suffers and starting the fire becomes more difficult. Ideally, you should have an air inlet into the van lower or at the same level with the stove, but best at the floor level. This will maximize the differential pressure between the fire and the top of the flue, which is essential for starting the fire but also for the proper functioning of the stove. I also presume you have some sort of flap to be opened when cold and to close when hot. What we found out after quite a long time was that if we postpone the moment we close it, we loose some heat through the flue in the the beginning, but sooth deposits are smaller. Consider raising the height of the flue. I saw once a swiss converted van at a ski resort that had an extendable flue: when stationary, they would extend the flue with some 50 cm and when driving, they would lower it back. Very clever. Cleaning is easier than you think: apply sooth cleaning foam for fireplace glass ( we use the one from Lidl, so a cheap one ), but the key word here is time. Spray. Close the door (fumes of the spray are not the healthiest things to put into your lungs) . Give it 20-30 minutes, let the foam do its magic. The thicker the sooth (i.e. the lazier you were🙂), the more time you wait. Wipe with dry paper to remove gross deposits. Finish with window cleaning solution. Wear gloves for the sooth will make your hands look not so sexy. Some of the most practical and down to the earth videos in the field! Thank you. All the best!

[@MrAvidOutdoorsman]

Slow down, be grateful your alive and capable of keeping yourself warm!

[@Dadsgaming76]

Amen, it sounds like I hear a wambulance.

[@GrahamFielder]

This is a seriously well made video

[@lenpeeters4498]

As always very educational, humorous and well edited🍷

[@blueschild61]

Set the fan to suck air in to the rig before you try to light the stove. It will create an artificial draft. Also, I use a 1lb propane bottle with a blow torch tip. It usually lasts me all winter an I don't fuss with store-bought fire cubes or kindling. A significant amount of household trash can be used to heat your rig. I have a trash bin, a recycle bin and, a burn bin. Cereal boxes and used paper towels. It's the best fuel to start a fire, I think. If you burn a lot of trash, you clean a lot of ash. I think it's worth it. You can use bacon grease or pan drippings to start a fire, all natural and burns for a long time. Hotter fires usually mean cleaner glass, or you can just let it be dirty and only clean for company. Propane torch, trust me. Cheers from the Flathead Valley.

[@psyamok3735]

Lol love this video! Love and hate hahahaa. Cubic mini is one of the most popular mini stoves. But if you hate cleaning glass, there are quite a few others to choose from that have open/close air vents to allow air to go into the stove right on top of the glass. The secondary air burn also burns the creosote on the glass. Those thick hard-to-clean creosote are usually caused by burning your stove too cold. If you are a handyman and don't mind drilling a hole in the side of your stove, you can install a quarter-inch diameter pipe into your stove. A couple loop outside on the outer wall of the stove to get the air heat up, and multiple mini holes on the section of the pipe with the holes pointing toward the glass. Heated air in the pipe enters the stove and provides secondary burn via those mini holes. Voila! You just created a self-glass cleaning stove and also created a hotter, cleaner more complete combustion stove.

[@clevelandexplorer2221]

Also, great video I loved the poetry and kinda music thing

[@wtfshikyo]

Your videos are fantastic, the filmography and the scripting are on point.

[@NicoJona]

Thanks a lot! I’m happy you notice that. Putting a lot of work in it to get it so;)

[@alanhat5252]

@@NicoJona agreed but... each chunk is still shorter than I would like, I don't think that fast any more.

[@ahah1785]

i have a similar wood stove....however its clad with special heat absorbing bricks all around and would keep 100c for aboit 5h after the fire goes out. All original from 1932.

[@00BUKO]

Amazing video bro I dig the poem

[@frankthetank6558]

So my thoughts are having a small gas line hooked up to a thermopile/fan/igniter/ hooked to a thermostat that way you stove isn’t lit up hot but it could possibly maintain the temp

[@kimberlymkart]

Thank you for making ke glad I bought this Cubic Grizzly for my camper build im currently in ❤ 3:49

[@greggreg7400]

the effort that's gone in to this piece!

[@NicoJona]

Glad you notice that bro ❤️

[@leelhgfx5546]

LOL, welp.... there are a few basic lessons everyone should learn. 1. Start the fire in back, as it heats up the flume and makes your logs last longer as they crawl forward INTO the draft source 2. Wood not burning hot enough and therefore producing more soot is part of your window problem, so wood with less resin, hard wood, or less damper, instead of less oxygen. 3. Fans with at least 3 blades for air 4. A little baking soda takes the soot off easy 5. Always get a stove with a separate ash tray, and for less ash if you have a full size grate inside...... block off the back of the grate wtih a piece of metal so only the front allows ash to fall thru and is also the source of air. Not only does this burn wood more thoroughly and completely as coals that would otherwise fall thru completely burn, but also and obviously reduces ash. Also draws air THRU all the wood from front to back which also helps damp wood to dry. 6. All this is predicated on knowing how to start a fire properly, using some decent tinder and small pieces in the back before adding your big pieces so you aren't trying to relight your fire.

[@marcdufour4746]

Your problem with the ‘stained’ glass is that the pressed logs you’re using do not burn hot enough to burn off the creosote. Switch to hardwood and stoke it up. I had a grizzly in my boat and had no issues by using softwoods to get it started, then switching to maple for heat. For difficulty with backdraft, you may need to switch your chimney cap. I used the H cap from Dickinson Marine. Good luck!

[@JayandDreOffGrid]

Very well done guys! Love the humor and reality of the tiny stove life! We are on our 2nd year with a small wood stove installed in our Airstream - currently building content to make our own in depth video - and we are so happy with the new stove design we purchased. It needed a few inexpensive modifications since it is a stainless steel stove, and not cast iron. Adding firebrick to insulate the burn chamber has made a world of difference in overall performance! For many reasons, we decided against the Mini Cubic stoves. Whether it was the insanely expensive cost, the incredibly small fire box, the overall weight, or the total lack of design features that increase efficiency and prevent your glass from turning black after 10 minutes of burning - It just did not check any boxes for us. Check out Pomoly if your interested in a better design - the Dweller Max 2.0 is the model we went with.

[@slowfox_]

hahaha what a gem !! I learned a fe things and it was so beautiful to watch. With this attention to filmmaking you could make films about anything. Jona, you're a motorcyclist, you must know fortnine... This is their style. Witty, beautiful, funny and unexpectedly good.

[@NicoJona]

Woooow what a compliment! Of course we know Fortnine, Jona loves it! Your comment is really appreciated! :)

[@VanaConn]

hair dryer works for me on my vermont castings wood stove with 6" diameter pipe. Heats and blows the smoke up

[@TheThejatsman]

Also, while these tiny stoves are cute you have to feed them constantly, if you go for as big a stove as you can fit, you light it as I described, throw on a few big logs and then let it burn gently for hours without constantly opening the door and then throw in some more for an overnight burn. A larger steel log burner is the same weight as one of these mini cast iron ones

[@allborn6782]

LOVE the Vid ... Thank you for the education 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@CampervanKevin]

You guys make a nice video. I use a razor blade to clean my glass on my G-stove wood stove in my tiny house. CVK

[@fredriksjoblom5161]

I'm not tying to be mean here, but i'm not sure that it's entirely the stove's fault that you are having a hard time creating a draft. I always start fires with some birch bark or old newspapers or anything that will give off an immediate large flame. This has done the trick for me so far, but then every stove has it's own personality as well. Hope you are doing well in your beautiful van!

[@ruthsellar9089]

I love my stove and couldn't survive in the highlands without it , a fire is also your 'friend' it's makes for a warm comfortable space. I collect wood and driftwood where I go too so using your body is actually good for folk ! Too many too lazy 😅

[@jonathanaseo]

What a poetic way to describe the experience of having, using, and maintaining a wood stove in your van! HAHA. Very nice!!!

[@Thisisausername719]

Awesome video Btw how long is the box on your truck?

[@timabramov3138]

Beautiful production!

[@Steve-yo4ld]

Awesome video and very informative!✌️ Now, to get those words out of my head, "wet the paper, dip in ash, rub...."😂

[@qutip14]

Also besides heat and steel wool, just plain newspaper and water will clean the glass very easily. I’ve done it for years on my lopi

[@pumbaexplores3883]

We LOVE the video!!

[@brendanmitchell3545]

your poetry just sold me on a small woodstove for my vanagon

[@showyn99]

Hey there! I think the first problem could be air pressure and not temperature difference, might seem counter productive but try opening a window before you light the fire. As for cleaning the glass a wet news paper should easily wipe away any soot, you shouldn't need any soap or cleaner. If it doesn't its probably because of the wood you are burning.

[@dubious6718]

The problem is that they aren't burning wood, they burn compressed wood chips.

[@Nerd3927]

Cleaning the window works great with cold tea.

[@NicoJona]

Wow, that is random? Just black tea? Or what kind?

[@Nerd3927]

@@NicoJona Yes, what I used was English breakfast tea, quite strong. I drink a pot of tea and leave the bag in the left over to get cold. I did not believe my grand mother when she told me but it works great! At least for a coal stove, but that is worse then wood I think.

[@mugwah100]

Oven Cleaner for the glass. let it soak for awhile then wipe away. I thought about buying one of these I am so glad I didn't I am thinking about a pellet stove but then maybe not. Enjoyed your informative and cheery video, Got lemons make lemonade. I wonder if the cubic mini could be converted to burn pellets.

[@steveneugene339]

Great vid ,smiles .

[@RobertKajzer]

Fire is live!

[@AronLeviOfficial]

Jones, it looks like we need another meet-up to advance your survival skills mate!! 🤭 I love to see the process and love seeing you again even though from afar. Love you bro. Aron

[@janicewilliamson2534]

Very creative and entertaining video. I liked it a lot. Funny and clever.

[@Lostinthesand]

Very funny. Great 😊 informative video. I grew up in a place where our house was heated by wood stoves. Ugh, how I hate wood hauling, but I do love the feel of wood heat. I hate the mess of chopping, cleaning ash, the dust, but I love the wood heat. My Cubic Grizzly is like having a Beautiful Wife, who can not cook or clean and has cold feet in bed. The good with the bad.

[@suswalk2880]

STEEL WOOL! Steel wool will clean your glass! You don't need to use anything else, just the steel wool. My dad built stoves with tempered glass in the 70s.

[@Uhmm485]

Toilet paper, soak it, dip in ash. Scrub your window clean.

[@Zeddicus_Zorander]

@@Uhmm485this is the way. Chemical free and easy peasy once it’s wet with ash 😎

[@toxicslix]

I used newspaper instead of paper towels to clean the glass... it worked wayyyy better!!

[@BrunoPisaniAdventure]

this video is amazing.

[@NicoJona]

Thank you ☺️

[@banddirector24]

Love the humor!

[@Fr0gn3R]

I use dry newspaper to clean the stove glass. 👌

[@NicoJona]

Great tip!

[@ClarkyMalarky]

Pomoly dweller stove (it has a “air pillow” effect) between glass and fire. Also a slide out ash catcher ( no shovelling ) . Bigger glass and bigger east to west fire to have bigger logs taboot. Only thing is stone pipes are 0.37 diameter smaller, pretty easy fix with some extra fibreglass or jimmy rigging. Haven’t cleaned glass once 🎉

[@ScottMason-ss8ww]

Leave the ash on your glass for a while to do it's work. Use a plastic washing up scrubber too. Loving the poetry and your lorry too... Well cool! I live on a narrow boat in the UK... Agreed they are work but I would struggle to survive the winter without it. Wishing you a joyful journey! ❤

[@alisoncrossey6984]

I absolutely love your video! honest, informative, humerous and oh so nice 😊

[@jacksonirving4594]

I've just seen a video of a stove , fuelled by methanol ..looked good .

[@Buck1954]

Caveman TV is a fire.

[@rubenh1234]

I don't know why in America people usually connect the stove directly to the chimney. In Europe, an external pipe 0.5 to 1 meter deep is always built from the chimney connection. This creates a negative pressure and the smoke can escape properly.

[@HumanPrism]

What kind of fan was that? What is it called and where did you get it? Thanks for the video! ☺️

[@omaconstruction]

I love your build very much. I have seen the 6 minute conversion from start to finish, but, is there a longer version? I am converting my 18' Hino box truck and i would like to see the longer version of you build.

[@NicoJona]

Working on it. Any particular things you would like to know?

[@omaconstruction]

@@NicoJona 🤣 everything? I'm sure you can make an hr long vid of the build. My box truck is 17' long. I like your class back sliding door. I plan on putting my kitchen in the back too, so i can have access to the back deck. It def gives more kitchen room. You electrical is insane🤦🏾‍♂️ I'm a carpenter, but the electrical intimidates me. Have you thought of recycling your grey water? Just add another tank with 6 filters. 1st filter removes soap and second has UV.

[@alanhat5252]

@@NicoJona I would like to know the reasonings behind your choices & intricate details of implementation, I assume this would be one or more long videos.

[@OdegardOnline]

Use wet newspaper with the ash, and use the grey ash, not the black stuff. We had a woodstove when I was growing up, and it cleaned the glass just fine.

[@douglundy5755]

the glass will self-clean but only with a very hot fire. Its all about stove design and getting a tiny stove to burn hot is difficult due to the math of volume. 1/2 the size has 1/4 the volume and so on. Intake air needs pre-heated and stove box insulated plus I added a soap stone top.

[@Tjerty]

Clicked on this knowing that half of the issues in the video would already be explained in the comments lol

[@seanym67]

How long do you go between glass cleanings?? I do mine every time I light the fire and it takes like 2.5 minutes. If you do it regularly it wont get that bad even if it does run too cool but yes heat equals clean glass.

[@mordechayshenvald8633]

u r piece of art. thanks:)

[@clevelandexplorer2221]

Hi guys, I'm curious: what if you put a well fitted sheet metal in the top for smoke to take longer exiting, perhaps in theory burning it in the process and making the space warmer. I'm going off diy camp stoves I see on KZbin. It seems a fantastic level thing but I've heard smaller stoves don't last long? I'd love one! :o

[@ns9672]

Man, ik moest er bijna een traantje bij weg pinken. Wat een mooie video weer! ♥️

[@gregstonewood4841]

Superleuk gedaan! We zien elkaar terug op Betoeterd 2024? Wij komen ook met onze DAF LF deze keer...

[@TheThejatsman]

for newspapers grab a handful of those free newspapers each time you go to a supermarket

[@mablethebus]

Hi we love your DAF in fact we are upgrading our van to a 7.5 tonne. Can I ask what is the length of the box and what is the overall weight of the truck now it’s finished. Many thanks. Dean.

[@NicoJona]

Technical max weight is 16t we have it loaded up to 12t

[@alanhat5252]

You only have a little over 2 tonnes payload (depending on body) with a 7.5t DAF LF, the 10t & 12t versions are only marginally heavier unladen but the heavier ones add a lot of weight in the chassis.

[@alanhat5252]

The body looks to be around 20' (6.1 metres)

[@NicoJona]

@@alanhat5252 7.4 meter;)

[@davidbuie3316]

Thank you, I really needed to see this today. Thanks for talking me down from the ledge. My boat and I are just going to stick with our existing diesel heater / stove.

[@danielbortner9646]

soon diesel will have limited availablility and will be very expensive if u can find it!

[@jamessurette1174]

Sos pad cleans it very easily

[@diggyrat]

When the fire gets hot enough it cleans the soot off the window. No wet wood, unless you're into creosote & chimney fires!

[@NaturalNecessity]

So damn good as always guys!

[@deenaloyd8565]

lovely

[@samueljlarson]

Yeah I am thinking of getting a van and installing a diesel heater and battery bank system. No need for a wood stove. Keep the fire outside the rig!

[@omaconstruction]

Hey, the best way to clean your wood stove is to follow the sun and camp where it's warm.

[@NicoJona]

Good tip!

[@SadeNimea]

To clean the glass just take the ash and a wet paper and rub it clean. so basic, but best cleaning method :)

[@dogdazetravellergarrett1367]

😊👍

[@ripstainmcripstain905]

Nice :)

[@nensschreuder683]

Hg kachelruitjes reiniger, 1 minuut in laten trekken, hoppa, schoon vegen en hier deur op eenkiertje als je begint te stoken, en dicht als het goed fikt, wel schuifje open doen voor zuurstof! Zo doen we dat hier al jaren op het schip 😉

[@NicoJona]

Okeeee HG it is voor de volgende :)

[@mcadder]

Do you drive with the flu cap on?

[@Whitsy-cx1ph]

It's best to spray it on paper towel then wipe the glass clean. Finish off with Windex glass cleaner. If you spray it on the glass it will run down onto the gasket and turn it hard over time.

[@seanbradley8496]

Thank you

[@iristerik4258]

For cleaning the glass : better to mix ashes with water (hot if you have). Make a paste, put it on the glass and waits a few minuts. No need to insist !

[@calotanjungpriok]

To clean the glass,use tea spoon of shampoo, poke of toothpaste,mix with glass of diesel fuel or benzine and use wool fabrique to clean it.i use it on mine ans on our motor chainegear

[@Thetinyhouseguy101]

Things I never knew about these stoves, you completely talked me out of it, appreciate you saving me the time and frustration.

[@wrenchstallion4871]

Moisten not wet a newspaper or paper flyer non waxed, crumpled up dab in ashes and wipe re crumple for a new zone dip and rub. Occasionally you can use a plastic scraper to remove the hard to remove corner spots. also burning a nice hot fire can help to self clean the glass to a degree.

[@mackwhyatt6160]

This hurt my head 😂

[@AliciaHauri-x2b]

I know its eay to get discouraged but you're not failing just don't give up! Think of your wood stove as a moody woman wjo only runs hot and cold! 😆 She needs certain things to rev her up and certain things to cool her back down and a middle ground to keep her at a happy medium and is high maintainence! To get it hot enough inside the stove you have to use your kineling to start the fire then a a soft wood at first to get it going and then convert to harder wood that burns hotter and longer after. Then from there its a back and fourth once you get it warm inside your house home or space of using one or the other or every once in a while instead of one or another only or it will be either too hot or not hot enough. Your wood also has to not only be dried but seasoned as well. Seasoned wood takes a good while depending on how its stored the type of wood since some takes longer and others not as long and also the moisture content to begin with all make the difference to get the wood seasoned. You have to keep hard wood and soft wood plus kindling on deck at all times to get the job done. There are a lot of variables that make a difference but once you master it and don't mind keeping up with it and the maintenance it requires it gets a lot easier, I promise. Also as far as the ash content and buildup it's not only to help the stove warm up but also to keep from the build up from starting fires. Idk about the smaller stoves but the larger ones have bricks in them that stay hot longer then the fire actually burns so that helps but again, idk if your stove has them in there. That heat fan does help warm up your house home or area a lot faster but you still have to get it jot enough to get there wgere the rest of it comes into play. I hated a wood stove at first too and especially when i was younger but then i got older and realized theres not heat like wood stove heat and its goes right through to ghe bones plus you can throw a pot of soup or something on it as the day goes on. Also too i tend to get seasonal depression so cutting the wood and gathering it stacking n such is also hard work (not as bad for your mini stove) but it gave me something to do and exercise on the regular so but give me a sense of accomplishment and therefore helped with my winter blues all around in general and kept me outside enough to keep from locking myself inside and further into the depression. To be honest it's not for everyone. accomplishment and too knowing when my power would go out often i wouldn't be stuck without heat and electricity both at the same time. Its a lot i know but it does get better so I hope this helps and good luck.

[@davidhamner5420]

Have you tried pellets?

[@wedframes6409]

This video was pure art. Thank You for that.

[@tatjanaapelt4412]

Ihr seid klasse....wir lieben euch....

[@OrendaDesignStudio]

Nice 😊😊.