Keep the home fires burning

Dear Ranchsitter #7 (also known as Ranchsitter #2, #4 and Danni),

Thank you, thank you, a million times thank you for coming back to icy cold New Mexico so I can go visit my mom in 80-degree Florida.
It sure doesn't seem fair.

Since: a) this will be your first winter ranch adventure and b) I don't want you to freeze to death and c) I'll be gone by the time you arrive today and d) you've never used my woodstove and e) I didn't have time to write a blog post and write you a woodstove tutorial, everybody who reads this blog will now learn how to use my woodstove.

I will leave a large supply of wood in the Ranger, but there's plenty more where that came from. Just ask Ethel. 

One day I'll figure out how to fix that pesky pipe so it doesn't fall out of the thing. If it slides out, no big deal. 

The stove will work without it and not cause any danger. Just slide it back in place the next time the fire dies out. 

Here’s how I build my fires: Place two smallish logs on the bottom. 

Add three small pieces crosswise on top of them. Add bigger pieces for a third layer.

The starter things are on the shelf. Sometimes they’re hard to light so you might have to light them with a match. 

There’s a stash of starter things in the cabinet on the left.

Light the starter thing and place it at the bottom. Close the door and you’re done for awhile.

After 30 minutes or so, pull out the air vent and add wood as necessary. If you’re cold, push the air vent in so the fire burns hotter.
The thermostat outside the guest room will usually be in the high 70s at bedtime.
Add as much wood as you can before you turn in and pull the air vent all the way out.

In the morning, push the air vent all the way in and stir the coals – you can usually add a few small pieces and the fire will get going again, then add more as the day goes along. If the sun is out, the house will stay around 65 without the fire going, so I let it die out after the morning chill is gone. But you can keep it going as much as you want. The tricky part is finding a good time to clean out the ashes/coals.

There’s no way to clean out the stove without ash dust flying all over the place. So be it. 

There’s a steel pail on the back porch for the hot ashes/coals.

Smooch will be happy to help you.

 Put the full pail back out on the porch with the lid on it. The next day, dump it into the big trash can.

 If all of this seems like too much work, turn on the furnace instead.

***

I'll be away through Monday but I'll try to post an update now and then.

Otherwise, see you next week!