Ambiance Flair 34

[Warfox]

I recently had the Flair34 wood stove insert installed, and color me impressed. The paint off-gassing during the first fire was truly next-level headache-inducing even with windows wide open, but I hear that’s par for the course, and it’s all done and over now.

I knew from the online brochure that the dimensions of this stove would be generous, but it’s much more appreciable in person. Huge 3 cu. ft firebox that I can just absolutely stuff with firewood.

The Flair 34 is non-catalytic, but in the end that’s just fine with me I suppose. I also looked at Blaze King, Hearthstone, Regency, etc., but when it came down to it, I would have had to make modifications to my existing mantle that wifey wasn’t keen about, and the flair was also significantly cheaper.

I was beginning to have some doubts during the break-in burn, as it kept losing flame and smoking out, but something must have loosened up after the first hour and the automatic air control got its act together.

Even though it is non-catalytic, this baby burned LOW and LONG. I will report back with data after my first truly long/overnight burn, but after the initial run-up and reload, I’d say it ran for an easy 5-6 hours loaded half-way full and on the lowest setting burning properly seasoned Cherry. The air-wash system keeps the glass approx 90% clear when burning hot, but as you can see in the photo’s, it did smog up after the fire burn down.

This forum has been an indispensable resource, and I cant thank you guys enough for the help and information provided - such as to request with install an insulated liner, as well as a block-off plate, neither of which I believe the installer would have done otherwise.

A Special thanks to bholler, stoveliker, EbS-P, and Highbeam, who replied to my thread(s).

Thanks again!

Will update as the season progresses.

Ambiance Flair 34

 

[Nick H]

I just had a Supreme Lumis 32 installed (same stove as this, but with a cast iron lining). When you say that it ran for 5-6 hours, do you mean 5-6 hours of active flame, or a few hours of flames followed by coaling? I'm struggling to get flames to last more than 2 hours in mine, even on the lowest setting (and this is with kiln dried hard wood). It does coal for a few afters after that, though.

Just want to know if this is normal or if I need to contact my installer. Thanks!

 

[begreen]

There should be some flame present for 3-4 hrs with that size firebox but there are many things that can affect this. The moisture content of the wood, draft strength (related to outside temp), wood species, method of loading, and the amount of air supplied the fire, will all affect the length of the burn.

What species of wood is being burned? Has the wood's moisture content been properly tested? Poorly seasoned wood will coal more. What length and thickness are the wood splits? How much in a load and how tightly packed is it? How quickly is the air being turned down?

 

[Nick H]

Thanks for the insight, I've never used a wood stove prior to this so I'm definitely still learning the ins and outs. Not sure on the species, I haven't bothered ordering a cord delivery since the heating season is ending, so I just bought a few bundles from the hardware store. They were labelled as kiln dried hard wood. Tested moisture at around 5%. Last night I reloaded the box around 2/3rds full with medium sized logs (maybe 4 of them), not very densely packed. I let the automatic air control get the new logs lit and then bring it down to the lowest air setting. It burned real hot, and was down to coaling in just under 2 hours.

Maybe that's par for the course with this stove? I could try stuffing more wood next time and see if I get a longer burn.

 

[begreen]

That sounds normal. There was not enough wood to burn much longer. Our stove is a bit smaller and this is how much I pack in for the long burn. This is softwood, but it will provide flames for at least 4 hrs.

 

[Nick H]

Oh wow, got it! Sounds like I definitely need to try stuffing it with some more wood. Thanks for the help

 

[begreen]

Oh wow, got it! Sounds like I definitely need to try stuffing it with some more wood. Thanks for the help

Be sure to pack larger loads tighter. When there are large gaps between the logs (like Lincoln Log style loading), the wood may catch and burn up too quickly. Also, once the fire has started burning, close the air down as aggressively as possible, without completely choking off the flames.