New to catalytic insert fire places, and this forum. Had my CI2600 installed last week by a fireplace store. After they were done, I noticed lots of wind noise. I checking this forum, discovered that I should be looking for the EPA hole. I called the store, and the technician came out to make some adjustments, and help me find the EPA hole. Never found it. But he did find the restrictor plate. He removed this plate, and now the wind noise is gone. Then I found out what the restrictor plate is for. Now I will have to put it back, but will try to adjust it so that the wind does not whisle in my fireplace.
After a few small fires, I cranked it up a notch, and prepared for a long slow burn, and then left. Came back a few hours later to find my wife stirring a pot of soup in the kitchen, dressed only in underwear. I guess the fireplace is working. YES!!
Have picked up a lot of info from the forum, and my burns are working fairly well. About 8 - 10 hours of heat, without the restrictor plate. No kindling needed. Just add logs on top of the coals, wait for the temp to hit 550, and close both adjustments. Temp quickly goes to about 1200 f and stays there. Furnace fan is on, and I'm heating 1800 sq ft on two levels. Yes, wood consumption is a bit on the high side right now, but I'm hoping the restrictor plate will fix that.
Had an issue with the glass turning black, so I opened up the lower air inlet to about half, while still keeping the damper closed. Temp went to about 1350, but had lots of air wash in the unit, and in about 10 minutes, the glass had cleared to about 90%.