fire_man said:Dennis:
Last year towards the end of the burning season I had trouble preventing the stovetop from exceeding 700F with beech. Even adding air to get a flame going did not always work, the stove liked to peg past 700 once the cat was engaged. This year is completely different. We have gotten to 600 or so maybe twice, but 550 is usually peak. I have spalted Beech, Oak and Maple, all seasoned 2.5 years. I am simply not getting the >600 stovetop temps others report, not sure why. Same flue, new Cat, adjusted bypass for tightness and have nearly 3 year old wood that sounds dry as a bone when dropped.
I am now trying Todd's idea to really heat up the stove before bypassing. I have got to guess it's something with the wood. I have absolutely awful land for drying my wood, shaded, poor wind exposure, very damp climate. Two Summers ago did not even count towards seasoning, I think that Summer re-hydrated the wood!.
I have the same problem this year. Last two years stove would get over 600 but not over 650. This year with 3 year old oak I am am getting crappy burns with temps 450 to 500 max. Had a long talk with Woodstock and they think my wood is to dry. I thought no way not in Va. They suggested mixing some newer wood in with the 3 year old wood and I am getting better burns, but I do not get a fast heating stove like the others. It took 1.5 hours today to get the stove from 180 to 250.