Thanks so much, everyone! This has helped greatly. Also - a picture is worth a thousand words, and I really appreciate the trouble you've gone to to post these. I'm making a series of "test" fires based on all the suggestions. It's clear I've been doing some things that just wouldn't work (like adding unsplit wood too soon). Yes, begreen, I'm using the start up control, also opening the door a crack sometimes. All the methods make a good fire initially because my wood is VERY dry and has been kept in a dry barn for 3+ years. It burns enthusiastically, I just need to discover how to keep it going.
I've been making much smaller fires than I see here, starting with about half the amount of wood I'm seeing on your pictures. I was afraid of putting a lot of wood in there initially - again, they scared me with the overburn thing and the instructions that came with the stove had plenty of warnings but nothing about what to do if you got too hot a fire. I assume call the fire department and leave the house! I'm especially cautious because, my husband having had several strokes, can't move around quickly and I don't ever want to get into a situation where that's an issue.
The original problem I complained of - wood dropping down onto the floor of the stove and then going out - happened with wood that was burning very vigorously , but that didn't seem to matter. A flaming piece of wood that dropped down onto the bottom of the stove would stop burning entirely within about a minute. I grew up with fireplaces that had a grate, so there was always space under the burning wood to insert a few bits of kindling if the fire showed signs of going out. I gotta say - miss that grate!
I've been making much smaller fires than I see here, starting with about half the amount of wood I'm seeing on your pictures. I was afraid of putting a lot of wood in there initially - again, they scared me with the overburn thing and the instructions that came with the stove had plenty of warnings but nothing about what to do if you got too hot a fire. I assume call the fire department and leave the house! I'm especially cautious because, my husband having had several strokes, can't move around quickly and I don't ever want to get into a situation where that's an issue.
The original problem I complained of - wood dropping down onto the floor of the stove and then going out - happened with wood that was burning very vigorously , but that didn't seem to matter. A flaming piece of wood that dropped down onto the bottom of the stove would stop burning entirely within about a minute. I grew up with fireplaces that had a grate, so there was always space under the burning wood to insert a few bits of kindling if the fire showed signs of going out. I gotta say - miss that grate!
