We've had the normal shoulder season weather so far around here and I've been burning half loads often to keep the chill out. Tonight it's finally going to get a little colder down to 20 so I went for more of a full load. Whoops!
Im burning 3 year old maple tonight and was quickly reminded about my excessive draft. Powered right through the quick air shut downs up to 800 STT for 15 min while fully shut down before settling in at 700 for the night. It always runs hot, 650-700 is pretty comfortable but 800 for any length of time is always nerve wracking (840 is considered an over fire). I measure right at the hot spot with IR but still. I don't like it getting that close.
Since I'm using an insert a key damper isn't an option I just run smaller loads when using quick off gassing woods like maple or cherry. Its less of an issue with oak/ash so mixing also helps. It's a bit annoying reloading more often but it's safer and works. Even if it goes out being gone all day for work it's fast to rescue a few coals with kindling or fire back up from scratch with dry wood.
I'm not complaining, it's definitely a first world problem having really good wood and plenty of draft. It's just the opposite end of the usual wet wood/snuffed out fire problem so I find it interesting. Wife and dog are plenty warm tonight. 😉
Im burning 3 year old maple tonight and was quickly reminded about my excessive draft. Powered right through the quick air shut downs up to 800 STT for 15 min while fully shut down before settling in at 700 for the night. It always runs hot, 650-700 is pretty comfortable but 800 for any length of time is always nerve wracking (840 is considered an over fire). I measure right at the hot spot with IR but still. I don't like it getting that close.
Since I'm using an insert a key damper isn't an option I just run smaller loads when using quick off gassing woods like maple or cherry. Its less of an issue with oak/ash so mixing also helps. It's a bit annoying reloading more often but it's safer and works. Even if it goes out being gone all day for work it's fast to rescue a few coals with kindling or fire back up from scratch with dry wood.
I'm not complaining, it's definitely a first world problem having really good wood and plenty of draft. It's just the opposite end of the usual wet wood/snuffed out fire problem so I find it interesting. Wife and dog are plenty warm tonight. 😉