[juanbenae]

moved up to the gold country from the bay area last spring purchasing a place in twain harte above sonora a couple months back. at about 4000' and was dumped on in the storm that is blowing through to the tune of 2 feet of snow over the last few days. it's cold this week with snow, yet will be mid 40's with rain next week meaning it can be either for the next few months, but mostly cold.

the place came with a killer shop that is equipped with a wood stove and enough wood to heat it from time to time. my wonder is am i doing more harm than good by heating it for a few days while ill be working on a project or the like, then it possibly going bone cold for a week more or less? I will not be battling freezing weather to work in the shop, but the temp swings could be extreme from say bone cold mid 20's to 50-60* if im doing stuff. I will keep the stove fired for a few days if ive got stuff to do in there.


i keep the 911 in there along with a couple motorcycles that sit all winter, in addition to a quad i manage snow with that will love starting warmed. I guess im mostly concerned about the car. the building is insulated in the roof trusses and formed pony walls off the cinder block retainer along the back n sides. ive winterized and hopefully have put measures in place to deter mice invasion into the car.

the CMU walls where the stove resides is another concern. stands to reason the woodstove will heat the cinder blocks in it's general vicinity where as 5-6 feet beyond will not be as warmed causing in my estimation differing expansion rates. might I expect there is an opportunity for cracking at the joints or blocks themselves from this localized heating? the stove is approx. 12" from said wall. the block wall is 8' tall and retaining to a point of 6' along the back. may be enough mass to not allow the heat to effect the wall much?

id love to here your thoughts on both of my concerns.