Osburn 2200 Bay window temp problems

[firewatcher]

I purchased an Osburn 2200 Bay window Insert after doing alot of research including this site to use as my main heat source for my house. However, I cannot get my insert stove top temperature to exceed 450F. In addition, when i get up to there, it then goes down hill for the next 2 hours to around 300F to 350 F. Furthermore, for me to even get it to 450F, I have to stack the logs 2x2 parallel then perpendicular. Like a square going upwards. Once this box like stacking can longer be performed because of the build up of red hot embers, this is when the stove temp begins to dip and I can never get it back up. Of course my dealer says I am a newbie and it will take a year for me to figure it out how to use the insert properly. So what I am supposed to do freeze till then. Furthermore, I have tried to contact Osburn for the correct stove top temp which I believe should be about 650F(they have not responded). Any help for you folks would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Roospike]

First question is what kind of wood are you burning ?
Two , how dry is your wood / How long has it been seasoned for ?
Three , How long have you owned the stove and been using it ?

 

[wg_bent]

I purchased an Osburn 2200 Bay window Insert after doing alot of research including this site to use as my main heat source for my house. However, I cannot get my insert stove top temperature to exceed 450F. In addition, when i get up to there, it then goes down hill for the next 2 hours to around 300F to 350 F. Furthermore, for me to even get it to 450F, I have to stack the logs 2x2 parallel then perpendicular. Like a square going upwards. Once this box like stacking can longer be performed because of the build up of red hot embers, this is when the stove temp begins to dip and I can never get it back up. Of course my dealer says I am a newbie and it will take a year for me to figure it out how to use the insert properly. So what I am supposed to do freeze till then. Furthermore, I have tried to contact Osburn for the correct stove top temp which I believe should be about 650F(they have not responded). Any help for you folks would be greatly appreciated!!

A while back I posted something on this. Your stove top temp should be similar to mine, and the manual is in error.

Here's the link to the thread: Linkey

 

[firewatcher]

First question is what kind of wood are you burning ?

Oak and Maple

Two , how dry is your wood / How long has it been seasoned for ? This is where the problem may lie. The guy was new to providing cord wood to customers and lets the logs or stumps sit in his yard for a year and splits them the day of the delivery. It real clean looking but i suspect this may be the problem. So I ordered another cord of oak from somebody else and he said it is seasoned about 7 months but from the postings on this sight, I gather that hardwoods(oak & cherry) need a at least a year to season???

Three , How long have you owned the stove and been using it ?

I had installed in August, played with it here and there in September and have been trying to use it steadily for about 3 weeks now. plus my buddy has a regency and he says his insert will burn anything and said he would trade me wood to see if its the fuel or not but I haven't done that.

 

[KateC]

Hi---we got an Os1800, also in August like you----there is definitely a learning curve and I haven't found the manual to be very useful. One thing I have found with mine is that it seems to burn better in shorter cycles with less wood, but I'm fortunate in that I'm here full time and can tend to it often. I also find that one or two small splits between bigger loads keeps the heat up and coals manageable. My biggest problem is my chowderhead boyfriend, who has no patience and no clue what dry wood is and has a habit of tossing big soggy chunks into the middle of a perfectly fine fire. Definitely get ahold of some good, super-dry wood and see if that makes a difference. Just my $.02 worth with a similar stove, but keep checking back with these guys here---no better people or info anywhere.

 

[wg_bent]

Hi---we got an Os1800, also in August like you----there is definitely a learning curve and I haven't found the manual to be very useful. One thing I have found with mine is that it seems to burn better in shorter cycles with less wood, but I'm fortunate in that I'm here full time and can tend to it often. I also find that one or two small splits between bigger loads keeps the heat up and coals manageable. My biggest problem is my chowderhead boyfriend, who has no patience and no clue what dry wood is and has a habit of tossing big soggy chunks into the middle of a perfectly fine fire. Definitely get ahold of some good, super-dry wood and see if that makes a difference. Just my $.02 worth with a similar stove, but keep checking back with these guys here---no better people or info anywhere.

I love it!! Chowder head!! Anyone who tosses big soggy chunks into a happy fire definetely is a CH.

Another thing to think about is that your stove will likely produce copious amounts of black gunk on the bay windows if the wood is not dry. As Bugette (and others) said...good wood is key!!

(Warren...member of the Hearthnet Osburn insert gang)

 

[firewatcher]

When you say "splits" of wood, what exactly do you mean???

 

[Hogwildz]

Splits from a log, as in, when you "split" the cut logs down to more manageable and stove/insert friendly sizes. start with the smaller (thinner) ones, to start & get a good coal bed with those, then add additional after you have a nice red coal bed. I save the "all nighters" (medium size fulls) for bedtime.

 

[Roospike]

Sounded like a wood issue.

A good rule of thumb for dry wood like oak and other hard wood is 2 years to season.
Normally the date for the wood to really to start to season is once its been split,
Once split then a good 9 months for med grade wood and low hard wood and 16-24 months for hard - hard wood to season.

When burning hard wood you need a good hot coal bed before you start throwing in oak splits and or rounds to get a good light off and burn.

Try the "other" wood of your friends and compare the difference.

 

[Bozlee]

I purchased an Osburn 2200 Bay window Insert after doing alot of research including this site to use as my main heat source for my house. However, I cannot get my insert stove top temperature to exceed 450F. In addition, when i get up to there, it then goes down hill for the next 2 hours to around 300F to 350 F. Furthermore, for me to even get it to 450F, I have to stack the logs 2x2 parallel then perpendicular. Like a square going upwards. Once this box like stacking can longer be performed because of the build up of red hot embers, this is when the stove temp begins to dip and I can never get it back up. Of course my dealer says I am a newbie and it will take a year for me to figure it out how to use the insert properly. So what I am supposed to do freeze till then. Furthermore, I have tried to contact Osburn for the correct stove top temp which I believe should be about 650F(they have not responded). Any help for you folks would be greatly appreciated!!

Try e mailing the Osburn people at this e [email protected] Make it attention to a Gilles Beaudin. This is the new company that took over the name and assets when Osburn went bankrupt a couple of years ago. I have had a zillion correspondence with them at this e addy.