Jan Steen – The Fire Within

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photo of Jan SteenI was born on March 21, 1939, in what is now Banda, Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia, the place of the major earthquake and Tsunami in 2004. In Dutch Colonial days, from the early 1500′s until 1949, when Indonesia became a Republic, it was called Kotaradja [City (of the) King]. All was well, until the day before my third Birthday, in 1942, when we were interned by the Japanese. Those that made it through the war spent some 4 and a half years in a variety of make-shift camps, most of which were in the jungle. Any attempts to escape would have led to being devoured by a Tiger:(>

As early as 4, survival was to ‘steal’ a hot coal from the open tent kitchen and bake, or cook in a can, my sweet potato over a self-created dug-in-the sand small pit. In early ’46, the Americans came to Singapore to save those who were still alive. After dressing us warmly for the broken, yet more civilized world, a Red Cross ship landed us in the cold Netherlands’ winter. Surviving those early years has surely stamped me with an everlasting appreciation for simplicity.

In 1956, upon finishing public schools in Amsterdam and The Hague, my urge for the North-American wild-west’s open spaces saw me emigrate to live with my Uncle and Aunt in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Fascinated with ‘Why people do what they do to each other,’ I was learning about acting and plays in high school drama class. Seeing films settled my aim to become a Feature Film Director, since I had plans to share some stories with the world. So I worked summers in the Athabasca Uranium mines to earn money to go to theatre school in England. Then, with a High School diploma and monies earned, in the fall of 1959, I crossed the Atlantic once again, to audition and be miraculously accepted at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.

For those old enough :) , I briefly dated Julie Christie who was a year ahead of me at Central. Whereas I was the sole son of a young Officer in the Dutch-Indonesian army, Julie was the only child of a former British Officer in India. We had quite a bit in common. In fact, the film ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’ with Alec Guinness, is pretty well my father’s story. Interestingly, unrelated, 6 of us theatre students were hired in 1961 to spend 2 months with Alec Guinness and Dirk Bogarde on a frigate off the Mediterranean coast, shooting the film HMS Defiant.

Upon completing my three years, I returned to Canada and settled in Toronto to pursue my intended career. Remembering why I am writing this, I ought to ‘Reverse the Process’ and get on with the ‘Birth of my Sunrise’, before you, the reader might start getting the ‘Birth of the Blues’. Thus, I will be briefer now. Although I had a successful decade with both my own theatre company, culminating with an Off-Broadway Musical, as well as my film company, doing mostly documentary films (one winning the Columbus, Ohio ‘Chris’ award), I just could not play the politics and participate in the posturing necessary to that business. So, before I had a chance to direct a Feature film, in 1971 I did a 180, and with my young family bought and moved to a farm.

I did not know it at the time, but our farm’s 1925 Registered 5 foot tall HY POWER – ‘EMPIRE,’ heavy duty, circular Cast Iron Furnace, clearly influenced my later design of what, after the ‘Chinook’, became the ‘Sunrise.’ With its domed top, sitting on 3 x 80 pound one foot high stacked ribbed rings, positioned on top of a large cast firebox, it sat solid on the unfinished basement’s sandy soil. Except for the front doors and vents, the whole works was completely enclosed by a sheet metal plenum, its high-end circular air ducts, like some long armed spider, sending hot air to the ground floor vents. This serious contraption was to me impressive enough, I disassembled it, and save for the plenum, trucked all the pieces with me to Hornby Island after we sold the farm in 1976. Even after all these years, I still intend to resurrect it someday in my greenhouse.

Wood Stove Planning-What To Do With Wood Ashes?

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With the rising price for disposal of wood ashes into landfills, many wood stove owners wonder what to do with the ashes produced by their wood burner.  Did you plan on what to do with your wood ashes? Indiscriminately throwing away this residue should be your very last preference, if at all, when you read about the smart ways to make use of this ‘almost-magical’ powder. Ever came across a skunked pet? Wood stove ashes can be used to neutralize the foul odor of your pet! Once you understand what the ash residue is, your possibilities are endless.

Wood ash is the greyish-white powdered residue that is left behind after the burning of wood. Normally 1 percent of the dry wood mass results in wood ash – this does not take into account the mass of water and gases in the wood. A single cord of well-cured wood yields roughly 50 pounds of ashes. [1]

Wood stove ashes are of many types. Why do you need to know these differences? To make use of the wood ashes effectively, knowledge about the composition of this byproduct is very helpful. The differences in composition depend on the type of wood used in your wood burner. Wood ashes produced by the burning of hardwood such as maple and oak contain more potash and calcium than that produced by the burning of softwoods. [2]

What all types of burned-wood ash have in common are their constituent molecules. Generally, the amount of calcium carbonate in ash ranges from 25 percent to 45 percent; other components include oxides of potassium, magnesium, some phosphorus and traces of certain metals. [3]

The high amount of calcium carbonate is responsible for one manner by which the wood ashes are useful in your garden. The soil in regions of frequent heavy rainfall may become very acidic with a pH rising beyond 6.5, rendering your soil unfavorable for most plants to thrive. Use your wood stove ashes to neutralize the pH acidity! The calcium carbonate composition of superior hardwood ashes is two third times as effective as lime for this purpose.[4

Other Ways In Which Wood Stove Ashes Improve Your Gardening Experience:

  1. Deterring garden pests: Fluffy, whitish-grey ashes are an excellent pest repellant and the best part is they are earth friendly! Spreading a ring of wood stove ashes around each of your plants will keep off snails and slugs. Make the width of the ring about 4 to 5 cm and the height, 1 to 2 cm.
  2. Suppressing growth of pond algae: Adding just one (1) tablespoon of powdered wood ash per 1000 gallons of water will provide adequate potassium to allow your aquatic plants to flourish. They will then naturally compete with algae to control its growth.
  3. Enriching your compost pile: Supplementing your compost pile with wood stove ashes is very beneficial because of the nutritional content. Sprinkle a very light amount on each layer, as you build up your pile of organic goodness.  Be wary of adding too much though, as wood ash is very alkaline in nature.
  4. As a fertilizer and for pumping up your vegetables: Burned-wood ashes do lack nitrogen, that’s true. However, they contain phosphates and potash; the other two key components of a regular fertilizer. They also contain other minerals such as iron, boron, copper, manganese and zinc that are important for plant nutrition. Hence, ashes from a wood burner are a great alternative to a commercial fertilizer, when used correctly with a separate source of nitrogen for the plants.

Wood ashes work wonders for vegetables such as tomatoes, corn, cucumber and asparagus, pumping them up two, three even four times the usual size.  This is due to the high calcium content, which is responsible for the increased cell division and growth.  Put one-fourth of a cup (two ounces) of powdered ashes directly into the hole you make for planting a calcium-loving vegetable.

Other Interesting Uses of Wood Burner Ashes:

The uses of wood stove ashes are not limited to your garden, yard and landscaping. There are numerous other valuable uses. They include:

  1. Melting ice: Ashes help in melting ice quickly, without harming the concrete or soil below. With the sun blazing, ice darkened by ashes will absorb more heat and hence melt faster. Without the sun, the ashes still help in melting the ice because of their alkaline nature. Additionally, ash particles add traction as well! Similar to how sand does, ashes sprinkled on your icy driveway would make it less slippery. [5]
  2. Controlling bird mites: Using cold ashes, you can make a dust bath for your birds and place it where they can easily reach it. Dust bathing helps control lice and other parasites.
  3. Neutralizing foul odor: Burned-wood ash works great as an odor neutralizer, in compost heaps, in chicken coops and in any other place you can think of! Dusting your skunked pet with a handful of ash neutralizes that particularly penetrating smell. Also, packaging ash in a t-shirt like material, then placing it into your stored shoes will keep off the characteristic unpleasant odor.
  4. Making soap: Soaking the ashes you collect from your wood burner, in soft water, produces lye. The best choice of ashes for this purpose is white ash formed as a result of burning well-seasoned hardwood. Boiling lye in combination with animal fat produces soap.
  5. We understand this use is certainly not for every wood burning stove user!  However, there are numerous small businesses (a/k/a cottage industries) which do specialize in soap making.  Make a quick phone call and do some networking to trade your ashes for some of their home-made soap.
  6. Hiding stains and cleaning glass doors: Stains like those of wet paint on concrete can be scrubbed away and partially concealed by direct application of ash. A moistened sponge dipped in ashes with some scrubbing will clean the tar and soot from your wood stove’s glass door.  [6]
  7. ‘Buffing up’ your silver: By mixing ash with water, you’ll get a paste that is a perfect, very mild, metal polisher.

The uses ashes produced in your wood burner don’t end here. What has been described only gives a general idea about the diverse ways by which this versatile powder can be utilized. With a little creativity on your part, you can think of several other ways to benefit from the ashes churned out by your wood stove each winter.

Precautions When Dealing with Wood Ashes

Store the ashes you collect from your wood stove in a fireproof container made of metal.  Ensure the lid is tightly shut so that any glowing embers die out.  Use them only when they are cold – usually after 2 full days (48 hours).

Make certain that the ashes you use are purely a product of combusted wood. Don’t throw cigarette butts, plastics or even painted wood in your wood stove!  These objects contain chemicals that may harm rather than help.  For example, the element boron present in cardboard can potentially impede plant growth when in excess. [7]

Never leave ash in concentrated piles or lumps in your garden. This causes a build-up of salts, resulting in wilting of leaves and may actually reduce plant growth.

Do NOT mix wood ashes directly with a nitrogen fertilizer.  If you do, the fertilizer will lose its nitrogen in the form of ammonia gas because of the high pH value of the ashes. After applying the wood ashes in your garden, allow at least one month to pass before you use a nitrogen fertilizer in the same area.

Surprised?

A long list of interesting uses and we have not even addressed ashes from pellet burning stoves, pellets mixed with corn, and bits of charcoal (ever heard of terra preta?).  This list is lengthy to illustrate some of the imaginative uses of wood ash.  By understanding wood ash composition we can experiment with using the benefits of this unknown resource produced by wood burning stoves!

References:

Ref [1] http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1581470,00.html

Ref [2] http://www.humeseeds.com/ashes.htm

Ref [3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_ash

Ref [4] http://www.gardensalive.com/article.asp?ai=749

Ref [5] http://www.permaculture.co.uk/readers-solutions/least-10-uses-wood-ash

Ref [6] http://www.permaculture.co.uk/readers-solutions/least-10-uses-wood-ash

Ref [7] http://www.emmitsburg.net/gardens/articles/frederick/2004/ashes.htm

Pros and Cons of Using Wood Burning Stoves – Look Before You Leap!

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Withwood burning stoves the rising cost of electricity, Americans are trying to find ways to save on fuel not just for their cars but also for their homes. Today, many American homeowners are turning to appliances that use wood or wood pellets.  Wood burning stoves and fireplace inserts are getting to be popular options that can help people save on their fuel costs.

Wood is easily available and a renewable source of energy which is why many people are shifting to this fuel source. Pellets made from waste materials such as sawdust, wood shavings, and biomass sources like wheat hulls may be used if you want a more eco-friendly fuel.  These pellets come in different grades and sizes and are often used with wood burning fire inserts.

Advantages of Using Wood Burning Stoves

1.  Cheap source of energy

Wood burning stoves are highly recommended by those who are now using them and lowering their power bills.  A ton of pelletized wood costs about $190, according to the US Department of Energy.  However, it is not enough to know the costs of wood pellets, you would also have to know the fuel’s heating value, which is measured in BTU.  Based on the Energy Information Administration, it costs $9.09 for every 1 million BTU produced by solid wood.  Other fuels cost higher to produce this much heat; propane costs an average of $24.66, natural gas at $12.61 and oil at $18.53.

With innovations in technology, improvement in materials and processes, the newer versions of these stoves run more efficiently and a lot cheaper than conventional heating systems.  Smoke emissions have been reduced and some models have even achieved EPA certification that guarantees their safety. Tax credits are also given to users of EPA approved heating appliances.

2.  Sustainable resource

Since wood is a renewable resource, it does not put the environment at risk the way fossil fuels such as oil and gas do.  These fuels will eventually run out, making them more expensive commodities than wood. Today, wood pellets which come from recycled wastes are even more economical wood substitutes.  Using solid wood and pelletized wood can sustain the world’s heating requirements, as long as we plant tree to replace the ones we cut.

3.  Design Element


Freestanding stoves using wood are designed to become centerpieces in a room. They come in various styles and finishes, from cast-iron classic design to the more contemporary ceramic made or stainless steel units that could match the decor of your home. Wood burning stoves could be the focal point of your living room, bedroom or kitchen. They could also be placed in the patio, which could keep your guests warm and cozy on a cold evening.

4.  Flexible and convenient

Many wood burners are integrated with an automatic wood pellet fuel hopper and a timing device, which makes loading of pellets more convenient.  Freestanding wood burners could be moved from one place to another without additional installation costs.  Some stoves even allow heating of water, making it possible to make warm cocoa while huddled in front of the warm fire on a cold night.

Drawbacks from Using Wood Burning Stoves

Installing stoves that use wood for fuel may not be the perfect option for some.  Some parts of the country have very strict regulations on smoke, pollution or even on cutting trees which make it impossible for people living in these areas to use wood burning stoves.

1.  Limited heating

There are certain drawbacks that you would have to consider before you install a wood burning stove. Unlike conventional gas and oil powered heating appliances that can provide centralized heating to the whole house, wood burning stoves only provide heating to the rooms where they are placed (radiant heating effect).

When you use wood for your stove or fireplace in one room, the thermostat in other rooms may sense the heat and self-adjust to a lower temperature. Thus, you may have to constantly check the temperature in other rooms and adjust the thermostat.

2.  Heavy maintenance

Another drawback is that wood burning stoves require more cleaning, loading and lighting.  This could be quite a challenge for some people who would rather flick a switch to get their heaters started.  These stoves generally require more work, from the loading of solid wood to the lighting and stoking.  Pellet burning appliances could be run by electricity or batteries and require less attention other than checking the hopper and filling it.  There are pellet stove today with hoppers holding 2 to 3 days of pellets.

Solid wood burning could produce creosote, a tar-like material that is highly flammable and could clog the chimney and vents.  Both wood burners and pellet burning appliances have to be regularly cleaned of ashes.  Basic maintenance for both includes cleaning the chimney, flue ways and vent connectors.  An annual chimney inspection should also be done by a contractor who is certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America.

Ashes produced from the fuel may fall under maintenance or may be considered a “resource”, at least for gardeners and landscapers needing to incorporate a modifier into acidic ground.

3.  Storage

Using wood as fuel means you need to find a reliable source near your home. Otherwise, you may have to allocate some area inside your property for storage.  Storing wood for traditional fireplaces also consume much space, while a heating appliance that uses pelletized wood does not.

Stocked wood could be home to termites, spiders and rats.  If not properly stored they get wet; start molding and bring in mildew into your living area.  Carbon monoxide poisoning is a possibility, which means you need to install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.  Regular testing of these alarms is required to make sure they are in good working condition.

4.  Smoke Emissions

Older stoves that use wood for fuel used to be unpopular because of the smoke they emit, which could cause health risks. However, the newer versions have been EPA certified and smoke emissions have been reduced.  Pellet emissions are almost insignificant.

Go For It

Although there are several drawbacks in using wood burning stoves, the savings from using these stoves could more than compensate.  Freestanding wood burners or even fireplace inserts that use wood pellets are great alternatives to the conventional heating appliances that could get more expensive as fossil fuels become scarcer.   Wood burners will continue to be popular as the world population finds ways to replace conventional fuels with renewable and affordable sources of energy.

Important Facts About A Wood Burning Stove Warranty

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A wood burning stove is suitable for you if you want to make your homes warm while reducing carbon consumption. Latest technologies have made it possible for manufacturers to come up with models that is easy to use. Their energy consumption is also less when compared to majority models of centralized heating systems that use propane or natural gas coal or oil.

This makes a wood burning stove very important facility in your home. Considering the conditions and terms given by a manufacturer is very important when purchasing a wood burning stove. Make sure that you consider the wood burning stove warranty. Different manufacturers will give usual and regular warranties on their products.

Usual and regular warranties

Virtually all manufacturers will tell you that their products do not have any flaw. They will tell you that they have used the best material in manufacturing the product. Every manufacturer or marketer will also tell you that they have used latest technologies in manufacturing their products. A manufacturer will also give you assurance of the quality of the stove claiming that it has been made by the best experts.

However, majority of the wood stove manufacturers will give buyers a warranty ranging from two to even five years. The warranty starts from the date when you purchase the stove. During this duration of the warranty, you will have defective parts of the wood stove replaced for free. You can also have the entire stove replaced. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the warranty on door seal, shutter panel and handle is shorter than that of other parts.

For instance, Napoleon offers a limited lifetime warranty on these parts. With this manufacturer’s wood stove, a buyer can either send a defective part or present it to the manufacturer. The part will be replaced after inspection. The manufacturer will have to ascertain that the part indeed has a flaw when the stove was bought.

With majority of the manufacturers, customers will always have the new product or replaced part covered by the warranty during the remaining period of the initial warranty. Nevertheless, some manufacturers will have limitation on their wood burning stove warranty.

Manufacturer’s warranty limitations

Some manufacturers will impose limitations and exclusions about the warranty a customer gets when purchasing their stove. These may include the following;

The manufacturer bars you from transferring a warranty or guarantee you get when purchasing the wood burning stove to another customer. This implies that if you sell the stove to a neighbor or your friend, the warranty or guarantee cannot be transferred to them.

Some manufacturers do not give warranty on glass doors, door seals and fire bricks. This implies that in case these parts get damaged, the buyer has to buy replacement on their own.

There are also manufacturers who demand that you present the original receipt if you want to invoke the product warranty. This implies that if you lose the original receipt, there will be no way for you to force the manufacturer to replace the stove or its defective part.

The warranty also considers the cause of the damage. For instance, if the damage resulted from misuse of the stove, the manufacturer may not replace the stove or the damaged part. This is because many manufacturers will provide a manual that is inclusive of usage guidelines. The buyer is expected to follow these guidelines.

Many manufacturer’s warranties do not extend to products that a customer modifies after buying the stove. There are buyers who may add some parts on the stove after purchasing it. Many manufacturers discourage this and it may even make the warranty void.

Warranty, States and dealers

There are states where there are laws that require modification on some manufacturers’ warranties. Therefore a manufacturer should always specify the part of the warranty that are applicable only in some states. A wood burning stove warranty should apply from the time of purchasing it.

Although it is only a dealer who has the right to modify a warranty, a dealer can extend it. Many dealers will do this to attract customers.

Installation

Installation of a wood burning stove is simple. All you need is the guidelines which the manufacturer will provide. However, it is important to note that not all manufacturers will give a warranty covering all damages even those that occur during installation.

A wood burning stove can last long if installed and used well. However, purchasing a product that has a warranty is important. This is because it can save you money of buying a new one or damaged and defective parts.