PE Summit Questions

[protonvx]

My wife and I purchased a home that has a PE Summit Classic installed. Our last home of 10 years had an older wood stove (non EPA) in the house and a wood furnace in the shop. So I do have some experience burning wood. But my experience is more like, throw in some dry wood (moisture checked after splitting a split), adjust the air, watch the flue temps and adjust the air/add wood as needed. We have enjoyed the longer burn times of the Summit but we have some questions. I would have just called PE, but I can't find their number online. The flue is comprised of about 7 feet of single wall stove pipe and 10 feet of triple wall stove pipe and the draft seems fine. Wood is well under 20%.

Stove seems to be performing as it should but my issue is getting it to burn up the coals before I need to add more wood to maintain the temps inside the house as well as bring the flue temps above 230. The coal bed is still rather large and the air is open all the way. I have tried putting smaller splits on the coal bed to increase both the heat output and the flue temps but that only really seems to add to the coal bed. Maybe I am worrying too much about flue temps and just need to let the coal bed burn down more on its own or maybe I am doing something wrong? So my first question is in regards to reducing the coal bed.

My second question would be about the boost manifold and if it actually does anything? The little holes seem to always be covered by ash and/or coals. When they are covered by coals, it does not appear that the coals are burning any faster or hotter which would imply that no air is coming out of those holes. I did read some threads on here that were specific to the Summit, so I apologize if my questions have been asked and answered but yet I missed them.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Itslay90]

My wife and I purchased a home that has a PE Summit Classic installed. Our last home of 10 years had an older wood stove (non EPA) in the house and a wood furnace in the shop. So I do have some experience burning wood. But my experience is more like, throw in some dry wood (moisture checked after splitting a split), adjust the air, watch the flue temps and adjust the air/add wood as needed. We have enjoyed the longer burn times of the Summit but we have some questions. I would have just called PE, but I can't find their number online. The flue is comprised of about 7 feet of single wall stove pipe and 10 feet of triple wall stove pipe and the draft seems fine. Wood is well under 20%.

Stove seems to be performing as it should but my issue is getting it to burn up the coals before I need to add more wood to maintain the temps inside the house as well as bring the flue temps above 230. The coal bed is still rather large and the air is open all the way. I have tried putting smaller splits on the coal bed to increase both the heat output and the flue temps but that only really seems to add to the coal bed. Maybe I am worrying too much about flue temps and just need to let the coal bed burn down more on its own or maybe I am doing something wrong? So my first question is in regards to reducing the coal bed.

My second question would be about the boost manifold and if it actually does anything? The little holes seem to always be covered by ash and/or coals. When they are covered by coals, it does not appear that the coals are burning any faster or hotter which would imply that no air is coming out of those holes. I did read some threads on here that were specific to the Summit, so I apologize if my questions have been asked and answered but yet I missed them.

Thanks in advance for your help!

This is the same problem I’m having aswell

 

[MongoMongoson]

I don't have a Classic, I have and LE. On mine the boost air certainly did something. Too much, as a matter of fact. I ended up blocking it off partially to reduce its contribution to firebox air.

Next time you clean out the coals, pull out the piece of stainless angle that has the boost holes in it. Under that angle is where the boost air enters the firebox. If it is all plugged up with ash under the angle your boost air will not flow.

I don't know how old your stove is, so it may not be the same as mine. On mine, on the right side under the angle is the inlet air hole. It is probably 1/2" diameter. Make sure that is clear, and try to get a look down it. On my stove, it is a clear shot to the empty sheet metal box under the firebox. We do not have the ash drawer option.

 

[all night moe]

What species of wood are you currently burning? I know you said you have experience but, really dense hardwoods tend to coal up and they will build up a large coal bed in any style stove. Burning some softwoods, kindlin, or bark will help burn the coals down while providing a boost of heat as well.