burning on high setting. why is it "bad"

[nikeseer]

the question for me of running on high on -15 to -20 below nights isn't one of the stove being undersized. it's a choice of do i run it on high with the feed gate all the way closed or open the feed gate a little and run on medium.
there has only been one night so far this winter where the question has even come into play.
i like the quality of the burn with the gate closed. the mwp blend pellets are short and i just get a nice active flame and the pot stays not too full.

of course i do have two tons of softies as well that i haven't had the chance to break out yet.
if we ever get real winter that may just be my solution.

but yeah. medium would be fine on the coldest nights with the blend. i'd just have to open the gate some.

I'm the same. I just want to be comfortable with medium. On high for me almost closed if not all the way is good but it's not warming my room.. just the air as all say. I Want everything to be cozy and give off heat during its off times. Cycling is good for the EcoChoice... I'm finding for my larger house that i may have to run on high at night with the cold temps with the feed closed. With those settings my flame is 8 plus inches most of the time. Medium it is about 6 inch above the pot at peak with the feed a 1/3 open. High with the feed closed with MWP runs for only an hr maybe little more than off for 30-45 min then back on. To me not enough to really warm the house and contents. I like slow and steady but WITH cycling.

 

[imacman]

Well it definitely doesn't have an issue running on high. I just think it cycles more than I like and doesn't warm anything but the air .......... My husband doesn't want to buy another ton even though it is soooo much cheaper than oil heat. ...........we try to keep it at a steady temp.......

I don't know much about that stove......no such thing as Hi-Lo on them?

As for buying more pellets, bottom line is cost.....your either going to have to buy the cheaper pellets, or go for the much more expensive oil. I think I know what I'd do.

 

[jtakeman]

the question for me of running on high on -15 to -20 below nights isn't one of the stove being undersized. it's a choice of do i run it on high with the feed gate all the way closed or open the feed gate a little and run on medium.
there has only been one night so far this winter where the question has even come into play.
i like the quality of the burn with the gate closed. the mwp blend pellets are short and i just get a nice active flame and the pot stays not too full.

of course i do have two tons of softies as well that i haven't had the chance to break out yet.
if we ever get real winter that may just be my solution.

but yeah. medium would be fine on the coldest nights with the blend. i'd just have to open the gate some.

Interesting, What your doing is not going to over fire the stove. MIght be over working the blowers running them on their highest setting would be the only worry I'd have and its not in anyway a big worry. Because you aren't crankin the stoves heat which would over heat the blowers, All it seems is your using the max CFM the convection blower will give you to help circulate the warm air. I don't really think its all that big of a deal. What the blowers don't like is getting hot. So if you aren't working them to the point they are cooking themselfs? I'd say run with it.

Keep the blower motors free of dust bunnies(kills the airflow that cools them), Also keep them properly lubed and you should be fine.

 

[jtakeman]

I don't know much about that stove......no such thing as Hi-Lo on them?

As for buying more pellets, bottom line is cost.....your either going to have to buy the cheaper pellets, or go for the much more expensive oil. I think I know what I'd do.

No hi/lo mode on the Quads or Eco stoves(bummer really-It would round em out nicely). Probably the only reason why dex is thinking about upgrading his stove.

 

[DexterDay]

I don't know much about that stove......no such thing as Hi-Lo on them?

As for buying more pellets, bottom line is cost.....your either going to have to buy the cheaper pellets, or go for the much more expensive oil. I think I know what I'd do.

Its built just like a Quad mac. No High/Low on them. Thats the only thing I dislike about my Quad. Heat output is AMAZING, just wish it wasn't On/Off only.

I agree 100% about the pellets. Cost is cost. Your gonna have to buy more oil or buy more pellets?

As for the Heatilators, they use Quad components, the airflow through the Heatilators pot is reduced, and they dont have the same heat exchange system as a Quad. Its similar to the CPM in heat exchange regards.

Using the same type of pot and blowers, the burn should be the same. But there flames are not as active and are a skinnier, taller flame (Quad says 4"-6" for High--- Heatilator says 4"-8" for High).

Has anyone here posted a video on the Heatilator flame? This may help several different individuals right now? There are a number of people struggling with the stove and its performance. Most issues are likely not because of the stove.

A short 2 minute video for a low flame, then another for medium flame, and finally High setting..

I have a couple for my Classic Bay, one on the CPM, and my Fahrenheit. Videos help others to better understand? IMO

 

[Jaymaine34]

Ok so after reading all of this my plan will be to run at lower tempo with more feed . Warm the house slower to create longer run times and longer down times . Reverse fan .
I do need to check my thermostat and see what the plus or minus is and figure out if I can change it .
I may need some more tweaking soon just got a call from my pellet guy 4 tons of vermonts will be here tommorow !

 

[nikeseer]

I don't know much about that stove......no such thing as Hi-Lo on them?

As for buying more pellets, bottom line is cost.....your either going to have to buy the cheaper pellets, or go for the much more expensive oil. I think I know what I'd do.

Well sorry to say but he doesn't have a choice. LOL. I'd be buying more pellets. Cheaper and better for the earth and much warmer house. I just love burning on medium. It warms EVERYTHING and it is steady. Also less pellets than cycling more often because of the start ups. Also quieter. LOL.

 

[DexterDay]

No hi/lo mode on the Quads or Eco stoves(bummer really-It would round em out nicely). Probably the only reason why dex is thinking about upgrading his stove.

Already upgraded once .

Just wasn't enough

Gonna do it right this time. Me and Eric are gonna wheel and deal!!

 

[jtakeman]

Already upgraded once .

Just wasn't enough

Gonna do it right this time. Me and Eric are gonna wheel and deal!!

P43?

 

[nikeseer]

Its built just like a Quad mac. No High/Low on them. Thats the only thing I dislike about my Quad. Heat output is AMAZING, just wish it wasn't On/Off only.

I agree 100% about the pellets. Cost is cost. Your gonna have to buy more oil or buy more pellets?

As for the Heatilators, they use Quad components, the airflow through the Heatilators pot is reduced, and they dont have the same heat exchange system as a Quad. Its similar to the CPM in heat exchange regards.

Using the same type of pot and blowers, the burn should be the same. But there flames are not as active and are a skinnier, taller flame (Quad says 4"-6" for High--- Heatilator says 4"-8" for High).

Has anyone here posted a video on the Heatilator flame? This may help several different individuals right now? There are a number of people struggling with the stove and its performance. Most issues are likely not because of the stove.

A short 2 minute video for a low flame, then another for medium flame, and finally High setting..

I have a couple for my Classic Bay, one on the CPM, and my Fahrenheit. Videos help others to better understand? IMO

I'll agree.. Totally a user thing and preference. Just finding out what works best for our house, setup, and fuel consumption. First year is always the trial and error. I LOVE it! And when I mentioned about hubby not wanting to buy more pellets, that is totally not an issue. Just my hubby mentioning and venting. LOL. and not just myself loving it... My hubby also LOVES it! He really does. I'm the one who is obsessed!. LOL The video idea would be great! I'd love to see where medium should be. I've actually made a little mark in the ash where 8 inches would be.

 

[nikeseer]

Already upgraded once .

Just wasn't enough

Gonna do it right this time. Me and Eric are gonna wheel and deal!!

When the time comes that it's time to upgrade I'll be talking to you all first! But the CAB50 will have to do for awhile! What would you upgrade to and what one in particular are you not happy with?

 

[DexterDay]

When the time comes that it's time to upgrade I'll be talking to you all first! But the CAB50 will have to do for awhile! What would you upgrade to and what one in particular are you not happy with?

Im completely happy with my Quad. No regrets. Heats like the Sun. Has one of the easiest exhaust paths to clean and an Awesome Heat exchange system. I just want High/Low.

The Fahrenheit is staying. And if it didnt do so well, I would use it 100% of the time. But unless its below 25°-30° outside, it quickly overheats this joint. So I need a Freestanding upstairs for the Warmer months (Shoulders).

I am afraid of buying another unit, only to burn more pellets and get less heat? The Harmans have a Great heat exchanger and I wouldn't worry so much about one of there models.

All stoves can burn pellets. Thats input BTU, getting the heat out, some are MUCH BETTER than others!!

The units I am considering are the P-43 and M-55 Steel. Income tax is right around the corner and I tried this last year and it didn't Pan out as planned. Gonna move the stove forward one room also (To Living room, from Dining room) so its in the room connected to the hallway for bedrooms.

Lots of good units out there for when you do upgrade. I have a problem with never being Happy with what I have. Always something better.

At this point in my Life, I am done "Settling" for something. If its not what I want, I am not gonna get it.. I either wait or go elsewhere.

 

[sinnian]

If you used better pellets you wouldn't need to run it on high

 

[nikeseer]

Im completely happy with my Quad. No regrets. Heats like the Sun. Has one of the easiest exhaust paths to clean and an Awesome Heat exchange system. I just want High/Low.

The Fahrenheit is staying. And if it didnt do so well, I would use it 100% of the time. But unless its below 25°-30° outside, it quickly overheats this joint. So I need a Freestanding upstairs for the Warmer months (Shoulders).

I am afraid of buying another unit, only to burn more pellets and get less heat? The Harmans have a Great heat exchanger and I wouldn't worry so much about one of there models.

All stoves can burn pellets. Thats input BTU, getting the heat out, some are MUCH BETTER than others!!

The units I am considering are the P-43 and M-55 Steel. Income tax is right around the corner and I tried this last year and it didn't Pan out as planned. Gonna move the stove forward one room also (To Living room, from Dining room) so its in the room connected to the hallway for bedrooms.

Lots of good units out there for when you do upgrade. I have a problem with never being Happy with what I have. Always something better.

At this point in my Life, I am done "Settling" for something. If its not what I want, I am not gonna get it.. I either wait or go elsewhere.

For us not settling any more was GETTING the pellet stove. My father loves his quad cb 1200i. He loves where a tshirt in winter. As he has put it he is tired of working his whole life and having to pay the price of oil. So he switched. And has been very happy. Who makes the M55 or the P43? We originally were considering an insert. The quadrafire Santa Fe, but money issues. Needed to update a non functioning bathroom. That being taken care of we then needed a new roof so we had to take money out for that so we took just enough to get this stove after a friend told me I have a perfect spot for a freestanding stove. After research and this being our first stove, I went for huge hopper and simplicity AND price. It's a learning curve but enjoying it very much!

 

[nikeseer]

If you used better pellets you wouldn't need to run it on high

And how many bags of your mwp softwoods do you go through per day?

 

[Dinger]

Im completely happy with my Quad. No regrets. Heats like the Sun. Has one of the easiest exhaust paths to clean and an Awesome Heat exchange system. I just want High/Low.

Couldn't agree more, especially the hi/lo. I've been running on high for about three week straight, and if the poor little thing does catch up and hit thermostat temp, 73 usually, and starts to shut down, it's coming back on before the convection fan even shuts off.

That said, we're starting to warm a little. Coldest temps in 50 years. -16 Monday morning, -22 windchill. The little SantaFe did great, but it gave everything it had to do it.

 

[St_Earl]

hasn't been cold enough yet, sinnian. as i mentioned, breaking out the softies will likely keep me from having open up the feed gate.
just can't bring myself to do it until it actually gets cold.
as of now, except for one night, medium with the gate closed down and the mwp blend is doing fine.
just would rather not have to mess about with the gate when the temps change.
i like the stove room to stay quite warm overnight for how the heat distributes to the back bedroom.

most likely if it gets to that point, the softies will come out.
very curious to see how they perform.

but i also wanted the low down on this question of burning on high. good info in the replies.
: )

* couldn't wait any longer. coldest night in the forecast for a while tonight.
trying out the softies. pretty cold high temps the next two days as well. so i'll clean the stove in the morning and see about the ash burning these.

 

[Jaymaine34]

Sinnian,
As soo as I figure out where your hiding 7 tons I'll be over to get a few ! I tried to order some yesterday but you were correct all out till next year . The mcfeeters aren't bad but not great . Looking forward to those vermonts !

 

[tjnamtiw]

You just have to ask yourself if you want to buy a stove from a manufacturer that builds in a heat setting that, by their own admission, will self destruct the stove if you run it at that setting!

 

[St_Earl]

You just have to ask yourself if you want to buy a stove from a manufacturer that builds in a heat setting that, by their own admission, will self destruct the stove if you run it at that setting!

a certain saturday night live skit comes to mind.

lol the submarine depth gauge.

 

[tjnamtiw]

a certain saturday night live skit comes to mind.

lol the submarine depth gauge.

Having spent many hours on a submarine in 'less than ideal situations', I can relate

 

[sinnian]

And how many bags of your mwp softwoods do you go through per day?

Between 1-2, depending on how cold it is, and how much DHW we use (boiler, not a stove).

 

[sinnian]

hasn't been cold enough yet, sinnian. as i mentioned, breaking out the softies will likely keep me from having open up the feed gate.
just can't bring myself to do it until it actually gets cold.

Just teasing with you ~ glad the blend is working out for you

 

[sinnian]

Sinnian,
As soo as I figure out where your hiding 7 tons I'll be over to get a few ! I tried to order some yesterday but you were correct all out till next year . The mcfeeters aren't bad but not great . Looking forward to those vermonts !

Joe I'll trade you some bags of the MWP soft for some McFeeters if you want. I wouldn't mind trying those.

 

[ChandlerR]

Hmmm...I didn't know Quads didn't have high/low. I thought they all did. I agree with Jay and Dexter, high/low rounds out a stove. I have found that I set mine on run setting three and high/low and it just does it's thing. Right now, it's 22 out and the stove goes from low to high and back again every ten minutes or so. The room is a toasty 70...right at the thermostat setpoint.
I just checked my manual and it says nothing about running it on high. I've done it a few times just to see how high my discharge temp gets.