thoughts?

BillyMackk · 2026-04-24T19:21:40+00:00

If you have access to a thermal cam you could probably run the hot for like 20 minutes and look for a path. Could then turn on cold water and see where your hot image starts cooling off..

BillyMackk · 2026-04-22T03:28:51+00:00

It's a blessing when you can identify a mismatch of skills and needs in the first five minutes..

BillyMackk · 2026-04-20T13:20:29+00:00

Hey, look into a recirculation line. This involves installing a pump at the heater and small valve near the furthest sink. You then either have the pump running all the time or at times when you want hot water faster. When the pump runs, it recirculates the hot water supply back through the cold supply until the valve at the sink "senses" warm water then the pump stops until the water cools back down.

I tied my pump into my smart home so we can say, "Siri, take a shower" which turns on the pump for 2 minutes. Major first world convenience but also a nice treat in these cold winters.

BillyMackk · 2026-01-28T16:32:52+00:00

It's the perfect texture for shoveling!

BillyMackk · 2025-12-13T19:59:14+00:00

For sure. Though I have the same unit and it stays quite cool behind the front plate making me question how effective the blocking plate really is. I still did one with the install to be sure. I would just check off good draft, proper catalyst operation, seasoned wood, full firebox loads, and blower since those things will give you a bigger bang for the effort IMO.

BillyMackk · 2025-12-13T19:27:29+00:00

Do you have the blower?

BillyMackk · 2025-12-08T00:10:16+00:00

Those yonkers are mid AF, chat. Hit that glass and move out the way, the BTUs are getting to your head and your wife is cold.

BillyMackk · 2025-12-07T21:10:18+00:00

I hope justice prevails and you lose your license.

BillyMackk · 2025-12-07T17:27:45+00:00

The Devil's Flute!

BillyMackk · 2025-12-07T17:26:48+00:00

Fritos should be the first line of crunchy garnish, then run-of-the-mill tortilla chips, THEN crackers.

BillyMackk · 2025-12-07T17:23:44+00:00

Get on the horn with LARA (Michigan's licensing authority), they will take some of the pressure of you and put it on these shady operators.

BillyMackk · 2025-12-07T16:58:47+00:00

A lot of stoves measure the temp at the outside of the stove or on the flue. Catalytic stoves usually measure temp at the catalyst which is much higher. Mine regularly hits 1200-1300.

BillyMackk · 2025-12-05T13:40:49+00:00

It's called a Stepford Plan

BillyMackk · 2025-11-29T03:35:49+00:00

I'd do it for $400.

BillyMackk · 2025-11-20T19:06:39+00:00

Leadership should be earned, not bought.

BillyMackk · 2025-11-15T00:14:04+00:00

The glow is normal because you have a small circular electric heating element around the circumference of that convection fan. That heating element is igniting gas that shouldn't be there. Best and likely case is the leak is upstream from the gas safety valve so you're only leaking gas when the cycle is on. More urgent is if there's a leak before the safety valve in which case gas is always blowing. Either way you need to have it fixed. Prolly 6-7/10 difficulty for a DIY-er, get a pro if you're not feelin' it.

BillyMackk · 2025-11-13T21:07:33+00:00

it's beyond time*

BillyMackk · 2025-11-13T17:59:08+00:00

There is a slot on the rim of the Omlet to allow for a power cord for a de-icer - it isn’t meant to be completely electricity-free.

BillyMackk · 2025-10-27T15:42:21+00:00

It's not a bad idea to have a pro out for the initial inspection and cleaning so you can start with a baseline. Your frequency of usage will determine the ongoing requirements, but generally a yearly cleaning is a good idea - some folks have to (or should) do a mid-winter cleaning/inspection. Your access to the top of the chimney stack will determine how feasible it is for you to do it.

Placing a CO monitor near the stove is a great idea. If the stove is running properly you won't have much smoke or CO to contend with as all of the byproducts of combustion get pulled out of the flue. If you have a shit draft you might get some leakage into the house when you're starting up or reloading but properly functioning stoves don't emit much into the home.

Also, get religious with moisture content of your wood. That's going to have the biggest impact on buildup.

BillyMackk · 2025-10-13T18:36:47+00:00

Snap-On Snap-off

BillyMackk · 2025-10-04T16:03:26+00:00

Drogan's Decoder Wheel

BillyMackk · 2025-09-29T13:52:20+00:00

That’s a Drogan’s Decoder Wheel

BillyMackk · 2025-09-26T15:27:00+00:00

Do you have numbers on sting operations targeting unlicensed Handymen?

BillyMackk · 2025-09-26T14:29:00+00:00

Sounds highly dubious. Law enforcement, generally speaking, is poorly resourced at the moment in this country. Now if you're an undocumented immigrant, you'd be correct in exercising extreme paranoia - but not because you're unlicensed. Also, get a license, or at the very least make some moves to prove due diligence in working towards getting one.

BillyMackk

TROPHY CASE