I am relativley new to wood burning and I have a 3 month old avalon pendleton insert with blower. I am still learning how this baby acts but I have noticed that contrary to what you would think, once I get a good fire going and damp it down, the stove temp actually goes up. This is not neccesarily a bad thing. because I never could get it as hot as I wanted it. but is this normal? I always thought closed damper = cooler fire. now its not closed all the way. I close it about half way and the stove temp jumps up 75-100 degrees. from about 425-500. am I crazy? I am sure it is doing this. the blower fan speed is not changed and I have played with this alot to make sure I am not imagining it. damper open 425 degrees. damper half closed 500 degrees? help!