New Century Heating cw2500, see this thread if you are unfamiliar. Also to see pictures of my setup (I'm not the OP in this thread):
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/67504/
Only been burning for a week in our new 2cuft firebox fireplace insert. We have a large masonry fireplace with an exterior chimney, 23' of insulated flex king pro. I have gotten the temp up to 450 degrees probably once or twice, but shortly after it will cool. I have a tough enough time maintaining 350deg. Our coal bed gets very large cause we continue to burn, trying to get up to temp, but still can't. Without the air wide open, the fire tends to smolder. Even when it's hot, lots of coals, and throw on a big one and lower the air, it only seems like we see secondaries for a few minutes. Also, I looked up the flue today, after one week, and found a thin film of very powdery creosote. Probably not the best sign...
I got a fair amount of wood, but I guess it isn't as dry as I thought. The walnut tree was cut into 18" long rounds two years ago and it laid on the ground till we split and stacked it this Thanksgiving. No, I don't have a moisture meter yet. The logs appeared dry but I it must be the dark color of the walnut giving that illusion. I need to go to home depot and pick up a meter but don't feel like fighting the new snow.
Is there anything else that can be causing this before I blame the wood? Too much draft?
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/67504/
Only been burning for a week in our new 2cuft firebox fireplace insert. We have a large masonry fireplace with an exterior chimney, 23' of insulated flex king pro. I have gotten the temp up to 450 degrees probably once or twice, but shortly after it will cool. I have a tough enough time maintaining 350deg. Our coal bed gets very large cause we continue to burn, trying to get up to temp, but still can't. Without the air wide open, the fire tends to smolder. Even when it's hot, lots of coals, and throw on a big one and lower the air, it only seems like we see secondaries for a few minutes. Also, I looked up the flue today, after one week, and found a thin film of very powdery creosote. Probably not the best sign...
I got a fair amount of wood, but I guess it isn't as dry as I thought. The walnut tree was cut into 18" long rounds two years ago and it laid on the ground till we split and stacked it this Thanksgiving. No, I don't have a moisture meter yet. The logs appeared dry but I it must be the dark color of the walnut giving that illusion. I need to go to home depot and pick up a meter but don't feel like fighting the new snow.
Is there anything else that can be causing this before I blame the wood? Too much draft?