First Fire Of The Year

Hounds51 · Post by **Hounds51** » Mon. Oct. 25, 2021 2:11 pm

On Thursday October 21st, we made our first coal fire for this coming season. It has been cool and especially damp here in south central Pa. So we thought instead of turning the oil furnace on and having those hot/cool swings, we decided to chance starting early this year. Coal is still cheaper than oil, and gives off a constant heat.Well today's temp is going up to 73, and as now it's 71. We got our windows and doors open, as for the rest of the week they are calling for more rain and cooler temps, so suffering for one day won't hurt us.
I was wondering if anyone else has started their fire for the year?

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Mon. Oct. 25, 2021 4:18 pm

You betcha--a week ago!!

Post by **Rob R.** » Mon. Oct. 25, 2021 4:20 pm

I fired up on 10/16. I could have waited another week but I wanted to beat Fred.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Mon. Oct. 25, 2021 4:28 pm

By God, ya went & done it Rob!! LOL

Post by **Lightning** » Mon. Oct. 25, 2021 5:08 pm

I had the Axe lit for the last few days of September thru the first week of October. Then we had a warm couple weeks so I let it go out. Lit her back up a week or so ago and we'll need her lit from now till May at this point I'm thinkin. Forecast is lookin pretty cool as far as I can see. It's probably safe to put the air conditioner away now

nepacoal · Post by **nepacoal** » Mon. Oct. 25, 2021 5:15 pm

Never shut ours down.... Except for two hours in September for a quick cleaning. Didn't turn the thermostat up until we were hitting lower 40's, on October 17th or so...

pantosketcham · Post by **pantosketcham** » Mon. Oct. 25, 2021 5:27 pm

Lit the first fire today in the shop.

Hounds51 · Post by **Hounds51** » Tue. Oct. 26, 2021 8:19 am

Got really hot last night. The house was like a sweat box. I forgot that I, by habit closed the front door for the night, so went and opened it, then went back to bed. Got up about 6 am, and it got a little cooler about 58 degrees So I closed some windows. Looks like it will be 60 in the days and 40's at night for the next 2 weeks, then finally it gets down to the upper 30's at night. That's the south central Pa. weather. I got her idled down, but it feels good with all this rain we are getting it keeps the house dry.

Homesteader · Post by **Homesteader** » Tue. Oct. 26, 2021 10:50 am

Was burning wood in the evenings in my Harmon II during some cold days to take the chill off but finally decided to switch to coal two nights ago so I'm now in it for the long haul. 45 outside with a lot of rain this morning and 76 in the house with the stove just idling. I'm glad that I'm done screwing around with wood for the year plus it's nice to see the dancing blue ladies performing in my living room again.

Formulabruce · Post by **Formulabruce** » Wed. Oct. 27, 2021 2:34 am

I got going a couple weeks ago, but with shoulder weather, I let mine go out at least 5 times. And so I used some match light to get it going again. Coal is the Only thing that can really out power the severe cold. Proved every year, but last winter was a bit warmer than most up here in NH.

BlackBetty06 · Post by **BlackBetty06** » Sun. Oct. 31, 2021 5:28 pm

Made first wood fire in the Jotul last weekend. Will be holding off on coal for awhile yet. There will be many more heat waves in southern pa before the cold(relatively speaking) sets in. New coal bin is built and filled though so I’ll be ready

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sun. Oct. 31, 2021 7:05 pm

Lucky you B--temps projected to be in the 20's all next week--(nights)

fig · Post by **fig** » Sun. Oct. 31, 2021 11:26 pm

I started yesterday. Was trying to wait until November but the house has been bouncing between 55 and 58 for a few weeks now and I caved. 75 degrees finally got my 60lb dog off my lap.

Spacecadet · Post by **Spacecadet** » Mon. Nov. 01, 2021 11:27 pm

I’m still gonna wait it out. Have the wood pellet stove which can be turned on and off rather easily for the very beginning of the shoulder months. I anticipate lighting up the Hitzer the weekend before or possibly the weekend of thanksgiving. So far the nights have gotten down below 40 yet so wait it out, I will. I not even going to bother trying to burn wood in the ole Hitzer. I had made some baffles that work awesome, but I don’t want the work. Lol. Tending the coal stove twice a day has spoiled me lol.

Formulabruce · Post by **Formulabruce** » Tue. Nov. 02, 2021 2:59 am

Been in the low to mid 30's here a few nights, but well into 50's during the day. This 1862 house just cant hold
heat like a modern one. Have started a few fires, and let em go out too.
Match light is my friend. 5 min and coal is burning..

First Fire Of The Year

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