Cutting the wood to fill the stove is a great tip. Another easy one for first thing in the morning is a simple Presto log.
The pellet feeder I got was very easy to install, they give you a template to cut the hole and it hangs off the back of the stove. I used a drill and a jigsaw, took me about 15 minutes to modify my stove. It comes with a cover plate to put back over the hole if you don't have the feeder with you. You can burn pellets or close the chute on the feeder and burn wood in the main stove. At one point I had the pellet feeder going along with the wood last year. They also have an attachment that lets you burn diesel, kerosene or used motor oil. I went with the pellets because they were easier for me to pack to where I hunt. You can also buy the stove and the pellet feeder or oil drip as a package already fabbed up if you are not mechanically inclined or don't already have a stove that can be modified.