Black Beauty's First Fire!

Tonight I lit my wood stove for the first time! The chimney height seems to be good, creating a sufficient draft to keep the stove in the "burn zone" (300-600°)...toasty warm inside with 20° temps outside :)

A couple safety items for peace of mind:
1. Buy a wood stove thermometer. I bought a Rutland stove thermometer at Menard's for $7.50.
2. Install a carbon-monoxide detector. I bought a First Alert  Battery Powered Carbon Monoxide Alarm at Lowe's for $18.00

When a wood stove is first fired up, it will stink because of the stove and pipe paint. Fire it slowly and then build a fire and maintain as hot as you can in the "burn zone" to help expedite the paint burning/curing. Make sure that no pets or children are in the home. Be sure to leave a couple windows open to vent the noxious fumes. I went outside and busied myself with shoveling, which helped to pass the time :) I'll fire it a few more times before sleeping in the cottage, particularly with my cat, Kokatat.

Overall, I'm so very excited with this wood stove. I've nicknamed her "Black Beauty"...so hereafter, you'll know who I'm referring to :) Black Beauty is more than simply a stove; she's the heart of my cottage and her heat will keep me warm throughout many cold nights. It's amazing to me how heat transforms a house into a home...almost like transforming into a living being with personality and character. My cottage truly has a heart and soul!