Hearthstone Heritage (8024) too hot

[Upland207]

I'm new to this forum, but have been a wood burner since 1980 - my Upland 207, served me very well for many years
Then in fall 2022 the idea of less smoke and being be more efficient was attractive, 1/3 less wood (I'm 84) led me to our Heritage (8024)
Good looking stove with very similar dimensions, flue and chimney very close to the Upland 207 -- a good fit It's been love and hate with this thing - if I was not retired I could never devote the time this thing consumes I've got a bunch of nits but my main problem is with a full overnite or even daytime moderate load - I can't get the thing under control I start with a bed of coals, load it up, char the wood, close the bypass. 2 step shutdown By now the cat temp probe is or is almost in the too hot zone, the cast iron at the flue collar is 600+, and the center stone is 500 The 2ndary flames are very active, the temps are still rising and a total air control shutdown does not have much affect 8023 Manual (for some reason removed from the 8024 Manual) Sustained top, center stone temperature should not exceed 600°F Could read as high as 500°F on High Burn 8024 Manual Does mention excessive draft and the need for damper(s) to prevent over-fire

Had the same problem my first 2 seasons but not quite as intense - may have had wood with higher moisture but below 20 %

This year moisture is 10 to13 % (many samples split, 2 diff meters)

Had some lite chimney smoke at the end of last (2nd) year, cats were dirty, vinegar and pipe cleaners, no smoke so far this year

Chimney is 6" single for 6 ft, then transition to 8" double for 16.5 ft -- manual says the 8" is ok -- a straight run up

(never had a smoky down draft with either stove)

Have several stove top gauges from different mfgrs, also an IR gun (+/- 2%, 10 F at 500 F)

Have purchased and used a 2nd Cat temp probe - both seem the same

Have done the dollar bill tests on both doors

I have learned I can control the runaway by covering the external air opening with fiberglass insulation This seems a bit excessive for a solution -- have they set the EPA shutdown air control so high that it's almost useless or is it not correct on my stove ----- Rather burn down a house than have a fire smoulder I've ordered a stove pipe damper but a better solution would be to cut the primary air ??? So that's my tale of woe -- has anyone had similar runaways with the Heritage 8024 HELP --- Any and all comments, suggestions will be appreciated I apologize for the formatting ----- or remove the air assembly from the bottom and look around

 

[Megunticook]

I'm not familiar with that particular stove but am having a somewhat similar issue with my Vermont Castings Encore and it seems to be a common theme around here. My understanding is that EPA regs. basically prohibit a stove manufacturer from selling stoves you can truly shut down here in the U.S., so the stoves are engineered to always have a minimum amount of intake air. I just learned this season that mine has a pair of 1/4" holes tucked discreetly in the bottom.

I'm searching for some reliable workarounds myself. Bigger chunks seem to burn cooler than a bunch of smaller stuff, at least if it's seasoned hardwood. I never fully load the firebox these days, maybe half full at most (am burning well-seasoned hardwood).

Assume you carefully checked all your gaskets? Including the damper?

You have a tall chimney? Just wondering if you have excessive draft going on.

Key damper comes to mind, but I consider that a "last resort" option.

Hopefully a Heritage 8024 owner drops in to offer some more specific advice about your stove.

Like you I think controlling primary intake air would be a valuable solution. I have an outside air duct, assume you do too, so it's just a matter of engineering something easy and reliable.

 

[begreen]

A stove pipe damper should make a notable difference.

 

[Todd]

500 stove top is not all that hot. Has it gone over 600? I would experiment with turning down the stove a little sooner. Also watch your pipe temps while in the bypass mode. They will react faster than the stove top and cat temps giving you another guide when to start shutting things down.

 

[Highbeam]

but it looks nice!

500 is a safe and normal temperature for a modern noncat during the early stages of the burn. This stove has a catalyst but it is perhaps more for emissions than it is for offering better stove control.

Good luck regaining some control. The draft of your chimney, if it is any stronger than specified, can be a cause.

 

[Pinesmoke]

I agree with begreen a damper will help. I put one in when I first installed the stove and have had to use it several times to calm the girl down. The 3 times that come to mind were all after a hot load with a HOT ember bed. The cats grabbed ahold with the fresh load and went off like a bottle rocket.

The only thing that caught my attention with your post was a 2 step close down on the air after chatting the wood. Unless I am really pushing hard I keep the air 3/4 closed after the load and lower if I'm just mid cruising. When the cats start to climbing i might crack in a little mote air. Charring with lots of air is gonna give the cats LOTS to burn. Coupled with what sounds like solid draft it could be a handful to calm down.