Building a 30x40 garage - woodburning stove ?s

[lindy rig]

So I am getting closer to building a 30x40 garage. 18' garage door, 10' high walls and siding / shingles to match the house.

I want a woodburning stove for for asthetic reasons (always wanted one in my house) and also for occassional heat. I realize it will be a big area and may not heat up quickly. But I live on 5 wooded acres and have tons of available wood.

Any opinions or experience with what type of wood stove? And also what seems like a stupid question is it still OK to drive a truck in the garage with a fire going? (saftey standpoint) And/or storage of sleds and boats that have gas tanks? Just keep them a reasonable distance from the stove obviously.. but just making sure I am not missing something

[ozzie]

no experience but might want to check with ur insurance company first to see if they allow them and if so, what if any, surcharges you may have.

[fastkaw]

What ozzie said.

Also cars gasoline and fire do not mix...

[Cheers]

My oil fired boiler is in the garage and I had to raise it up off the floor 2 feet before it would pass inspection and I could get a suppler for fuel . When I questioned the logic they said it was because of the potential for fumes to ignite and the risk of leaks ,the fumes are heaver than air so the ignition source had to be up 2 feet from the floor

[lindy rig]

I was thinking of having like a free standing stove on a raised platform. Similar to what's up at our family cabin.

I don't plan on parking the vehicles in there often. More storage for toys and equipment.

[minneman]

I just installed a wood stove in my 30x64 shop/garage, I had my insurance guy out to give me the ok. I have a wall dividing the building in two with a insulated sliding door 10x12 to get large projects into the garage and out the overhead door. the only way he'd cover me is by having that wall dividing the area with the woodstove,(the shop) from the garage where a vehicle could be parked.

Pretty sure your situation is uninsurable

[bigpike]

I disagree. Talk to your insurance rep. If they won't insure it , talk to a few more. My dad just changed insurers and they specified that the stove have a UL inspected tag/number. His is a 2 stall garage that regularly has vehicles parked in it.

[delcecchi]

A heater with a pilot light or even an electric heater with a thermostat will ignite flammable vapor just as easily as a wood stove. Some insurance companies really don't like wood stoves anywhere. Those chimney fires are nasty.

[BLACKJACK]

My oil fired boiler is in the garage and I had to raise it up off the floor 2 feet before it would pass inspection and I could get a suppler for fuel . When I questioned the logic they said it was because of the potential for fumes to ignite and the risk of leaks ,the fumes are heaver than air so the ignition source had to be up 2 feet from the floor

I have a wood stove in my shop and also had to raise it up two feet for that same reason. I do store my tractor in there.

When I originally built my shed I had Farmers insurance, they wouldn't insure it with the wood stove, I told them to go ...... and found a different insurance company/agent for all my insurance.

Make sure you get a GOOD stove, do the stove pipe right, burn only dry wood.

[tonybmn]

I have a 30x30' garage also and put a wood burner in mine. Insulated box with fan. Works great on keeping garage warm during the winter. But I to had to change ins. co. to get it insured. Did not have to raise it off the floor but there was some distances from walls and flue types I had to adhere to. Recommend checking with ins. agents on insuring and requirements before installing.

[ozzie]

Some insurance companies will work with you and your wood stove some won't touch the exposure what so ever. the company I work for you can have a wood stove in an out building but the outbuilding cannot store flammable liquids or gasses even if they are stored in a vehicle. So basically they don't want to deal with them but if things are to there liking they will insure them.

[lindy rig]

Just got off the phone with my insurance company. We are good to go from that standpoint.

[fastkaw]

Just got off the phone with my insurance company. We are good to go from that standpoint.

Ask your insurance(company) not you insurance man.

If you have a fire, and the wood stove is suspected, will they cover your loss... Get it in wrighting.

[lindy rig]

We have Farm Bureau, dealing with the same person for years in western MN farm country. In fact, my in laws have big policies also with them because of their farm. They have always been straight shooters.

I appreciate the cause for concern, but plenty of homes and cabins have fireplaces. Also talked to my contactor buddy who heats his shop with a woodburner... and also parks his truck inside.

Any types or brands of stoves I should be looking for? What constitutes a "Good" stove?