Came down this morning to outdoor/indoor temps of 35/51. By no means as cold as it’s going to get, duh, it’s only mid-October. But cold enough, alas, that it’s time to begin suffering my morning dose of tension.
It’s not the stove’s fault. This stove went in December 2012 and has never given me a moment’s problem. The stovepipe doesn’t pack up with soot and creosote like it did with the old stove. I’m not burning as much juniper, which also helps.
But that chimney fire almost three years ago put the finish on my lovely new phobia, and now I can’t enjoy indoor fire. If I could afford the propane I’d hook up the perfectly good heater I own but never use. But I can’t, and wood’s free, so here I am. Suck it up, tough guy.
Phobias are funny that way. My Mom prefers the wood heat ever since a propane tanke exploded, almost killed her and burned the cabin down. She doesn’t even like propane BBQmgrills because of it.
Matt: your mom has a valid point. A local managed to, er, mismanage his propane grill and took out the top floor of a three story apartment complex.
Joel: I hear ya. We had a chimney fire once. Or twice. Exhilaratin’. I’m impatiently awaiting the Acme Little Giant Home Fusion Reactor. Clean, safe radioactivity just to get some warmth. What could possibly go wrong?
How about a good quality decent size kerosene heater with a battery operated igniter? I have one for emergencies. Kerosene can be stored without deteriorating like gasoline does and with a good heater and good kerosene there’s very little smell. The heater doesn’t have to be vented as long as there’s a decent air leak somewhere. And/or a solar air heater hung on the side of the cabin.. Lots of options. After your chimney fire you do have fire extinguishers, something to smother your stove fire, a canvas water hose hooked up to a water supply other than your personal water supply, metal or tile roofing, Hardiplank cement board siding, right??? I had friends who were in a large propane tank explosion caused by a faulty pressure relief valve. They were in various hospitals for many years. Propane creeps me out.
Kerosene makes a great alternate light source, but for heating it’s got problems. Locally it sells for $12/gal and in the one kero heater I tried one gallon only lasts a couple of hours. I used to buy kero less expensively at the local airport (jet fuel A) but for some reason they decided that was henceforth against the rules. I know a guy who works at a different airport and said he’d get me all I wanted – but he lives miles away, wouldn’t be willing to do it constantly enough to use it for heat and anyway it’s still far more expensive than propane. So no.
As for propane tanks exploding: Honestly before this morning I never heard of it happening outside the movies. Now you guys gave me two examples, which I really really appreciate. 🙁
Got a buddy who’s a firefighter; he says you normally have to work really hard to have a propane tank explosion. In the aggregate, they’re quite safe. If you’re there when an anomaly occurs however, you won’t be thinking about statistics.
Joel, my kerosene heater has a 2 gallon tank which at high heat lasts for about 12 hours. High heat is 70 plus degrees in a 1000 sq ft space. I keep my temp around 55-60 but my house is superinsulated and almost draft free. Haven’t checked this year but kerosene in smaller quantities than a 100 gal barrel is usually about $4 – $6 a gallon. It’s much cheaper in bulk but the kerosene isn’t as clean burning without additives. I was thinking you could buy in bulk, a barrel on a stand with a tap and a hose, just like in the old days, at about $1 a gallon and put the additives in yourself. $12 a gallon is stunning when gasoline is $3-4 a gallon. But you’d still have the cost of a new, efficient heater and the kerosene vs free wood.
How do you keep your stovepipe clean – especially in winter and in cold winds you aren’t getting up on that roof??? to clean the pipe.