Job Discussion Forums

Lucy Snow · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 218 Location: US

This is our first winter in Poland, and we've discovered how high heating costs can be.

Our flat does have a ceremic fireplace (I think they're also called Russian stoves) and we have a supply of well-seasoned firewood. Here's the problem: our landlord (who's also my boss) has been promising for weeks to show us how to light the damn thing. Now she's out of the country for Xmas, we're in the middle of a spell of cold weather, and we'd like to use the fireplace.

We've tried lighting it with newspapers and special kindling, but all we're getting is a lot of smoke.

Any advice from old Poland hands?

biffinbridge · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 701 Location: Frank's Wild Years

Is this a special needs forum?What do they teach you in school in North America?How to light fires?Is there any vegetarian food?I only like fish ,is that a problem?Is it safe for 'western' women?...oh boy... stay at home!!!

stabnkill · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 62 Location: the land of dreams

BiffinBridge,
You sound like a real jerk. Maybe you should deal with your own problems.

biffinbridge · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 701 Location: Frank's Wild Years

It's been said...but generally only by those whose needs are quite 'special'.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Biffinbridge is right

Are you so isolated from neighbours, colleagues and acquaintances that you cannot ask someone locally to show you ?

You have to post here to ask ?

Sheech !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

biffinbridge · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 701 Location: Frank's Wild Years

Well ,it's been a long time coming but hey...Scot,you know where I'm coming from.Have you ever been to the States and asked someone if it was possible to buy tvs?No.....I didn't think so either.Send me a pm,I'll be in Riyadh soon.That goes for you too Johnslat.By the way John,did you meet Mel 'first on, last off' Gibson at Na Drang?See you soon?

khmerhit · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2003 8:40 pm Post subject:

OK Lucy, here you go: the reason it created smoke and no flames is that you neglected to heat the flu (sp?). If you hold some burning newsprint inside the chimney-- stick it right up-- that will warm the air and create an updraught (sp?) which will draw the smoke out. After you do that, light your pile of kindling--or dry twigs and crumpled paper--which you have already prepared inside the stove. The draft will make the flames grow smartish. Add incrasingly larger pieces of wood. Stand back and admire.

Never mind that curmudgeonly lot!

all best from a northern country
khmerhit

shenyanggerry · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 619 Location: Canada

If khmerhit's directions fail (they shouldn't), check if the chimney is obstructed. Some are equipped with a damper which must be opened to let the smoke out. It may be closed so heat won't escape when the fire isn't lit.

Hope your stove works, there's being in a warm house and then there's being in a warm home heated with a wood stove - infinitely superior!

Gerhard E. Jene · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 43 Location: London

As the two messages before this one. Make sure the chimney is not blocked. Second the damper is open. Third start using small diameter kindling to get the fire going before putting on larger pieces of wood. As for the twits that don't know any better they should learn how to be more respectful.
They probably led a spoiled life and never had to rough it out in the bush in the middle of winter or suffered in a power black out in the middle of winter like those in eastern Ontario back in 1999.
Maybe either condition might smarten them up or kill them off due to their stupidity. At least you have the courage to ask and learn. Keep it up and good luck and let us know how it goes.

Gerhard

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

My point was that they would be better to get information from their neighbours - the locals. Some people seem to regard this place as the only source of information about EVERYTHING !

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Scot, where is the best place to buy a camel in KSA?

johnslat · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 1:46 pm Post subject: Hump T Dump T

Dear dmb,
Depends on where you are in the Kingdom. But in Riyadh, try the camel souk, down past Batha. My recommendation:

Crazy Kamal's Used Camels: "Kamal'll get you over the hump".

Regards,
John

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Dear John,
we seemed to have strayed. Let's move onto warmer climes

Alex Shulgin · Joined: 20 Jul 2003 Posts: 553

khmerhit · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 5:51 pm Post subject:

Ah. Good point.