Sounds goo. Also, add more wood. One layer of splits is not a big load.
Ya that was a bad photo, I generally load the firebox as full as I can.
Just loaded it up and took 5min notes.
Stove is cold, with embers left to restart a fire
SST - around 180
FST - around 150
Loaded up the stove, left door open several inches(any less and it’s like a blow torch effect) got some flames going and closed the door
Waited 5min
SST - around 225
FST - 270 just below the 90, 200 just after it
Decent fire going
Waited 5min
SST - around 350
FST - 420 just below the 90, 325 just after it
Nice fire going, put air control in the middle. Fire noticeably died down after turning the air down.
Waited 5min
Flame is very low, one small spot of secondary burn in the top of the front left corner of the stove.
SST - around 400
FST - 280 just below the 90, 233 just above it
Don’t feel comfortable turning the stove down any more. At this point I want to turn the air back up and get it ripping again but will wait.
Waited 5min
Flame is a little more active, and some additional secondary burn.
SST - around 400-420
FST - 270 just below the 90, 225 just above
Made no air adjustments
Waited 5min
Flame and secondary burn are still about the same as before.
SST - around 420-440
FST - 304/244
Made no air adjustments
Waited 5min
Flame is about the same, more secondary burn
SST - around 475-500
FST - 371/290
Made no air adjustments
Waited 5min
More flame and more secondary burn
SST - around 550
FST - 545/405
Closed air all the way
Waited 7min
Fire has died down, decent amount of secondary burn
SST - around 600
FST - 430/330
Waited 30min
Solid secondary burn going
SST - around 625
FST - 430/320
Turned the blower on high and headed to bed!
Seems like the high flue temps at start up are due to operator error, inexperience and being impatient!
@begreen do you think those FST are still too high with the air all the way shutdown? This was all with the damper full open, I can play with closing it some in the future if you think I should.