I want to change my greenhouse heat from propane to wood.What I need is suggestions on wood heaters that will burn through the night. Ann uses a potbelly type in her ceramic shop but that thing doesn't burn but two or three hours at best.I need one that will go eight. Airtight?Inexpensive?Is it legal to use those two words in the same sentence. Cost of propane is WAY up as most of you know.We have had the coldest winter,so far,I can remember.Combination of the two makes me wonder if dead plants wouldn't be just as nice.

-- JT Sessions (gone2seed@hotmail.com), December 22, 2000

Answers

I am wondering the same thing JT. We have found that airtight and inexpensive don't fit into the same sentence. My solution this year will be to bring everything in and under growlights in the house. Lowes' has the whole thing, ballast and bulbs for about 20 bucks a piece. Will crowd us but hey-sunshine in the house. diane and michigan

-- Diane Green (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), December 22, 2000.

We've had a small Jotul that we've used for the last 15 yrs and it heats well and holds overnight.Look for one used.

I also start my transplants inside under fluorescent lights on 20' of wide window shelves that I put in for that reason.They don't get moved out to the greenhouse til after the worst of the winter,to cut down on heating costs.And we use big containers of water under the shelves,for storing solar gain and dispensing overnight,so that cuts down on heating needs.Does this help?

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), December 22, 2000.

If you came across a used Woodsman, get it. They are not made anymore but we have used ours over 20 years, replaced fire brick a couple time and it is wonderful. There are still some around. Ours was the largest made but they came in a smaller size. I think most air tights will go all night. Good luck...nothing beats wood heat! DW

-- DW (djwallace@ctos.com), December 22, 2000.

I had a small Fisher woodstove in the early eighties, and it would hold fire all night with a chunk of Madrona (seriously long-burning wood). I frequently see wood stoves for cheap in the newspaper. I bet if you know your brands, you could pick up a good one very inexpensively with a little patience. Good luck!

-- Laura Jensen (lrjensen@nwlink.com), December 23, 2000.

Where are you, JT? There are lots of used stoves to be had here. Whatever you end up with, consider two things: How long a fire lasts depends largely on what you're burning and how you arrange it. Here in the east, white oak will probably outlast anything. One stick will outlast two. Also you need something to absorb and hold that heat and release it slowly. A big mass of stone or water, etc.

-- Sam in W.Va. (turnip55a@yahoo.com), December 24, 2000.

You can buy a oil drum kit for $50-$100 make your own, they make what they call an airtight. Northern Tool has them, Lehman's do also I think, Centeral Tractor (Farm & Family). By the way our propane is about $2.25 per gallon.

-- Hendo (redgate@echoweg.netm), December 24, 2000.

Thanks to all of you for the answers.I will be watching the paper for used stoves and will also look into the oil drom type.

Sam...I am in northwest Florida.Heat has not been a big problem in the past but with the weather pattern changing and fuel prices going through the roof it's time to get prepared.I live next to a jillion acre forest so wood will not be a problem.Here you can cut as much hardwood as you want,but don't touch the pines.

-- JT Sessions (Gone2seed@hotmail.com), December 24, 2000.

A 8 HOUR FIRE IS KINDA RARE UNLESS U PACKED IT FULL AND IT WAS A HARD WOOD. YOU MAY HAVE 2 GET UP AND STROKE IT UP AGAIN. BUT YOU WILL HAVE SOME HOT EMBERS AFTER 8 HOURS BUT THE HEAT PRODUCTION WILL BE DIMINISHED.

-- JESSE RIECK (FJESSE@AOL.COM), December 26, 2000.

Check out your local auctions Fisher iis a good brand things are cheaper at regular auctions. Black barrels fill with water will help hold the heat. For your climate a good used stove will hold it above frezing for 8 hours if you load it up with good hardwood and damper it down for the night.

-- Harold bryant (cbryant@apex.net), December 28, 2000.