VC Montpelier

[toomerh]

I've changed the way I am starting fires and it really seems to have helped. I use a firestarter and let it burn for several minutes with the door open. I place a 3" split on either side of the firestarter then cross stack fatwood sized splits in three layers on top of the side pieces, then put two 3" splits on top of that. I do not close the door all the way until it's really burning then lock it down with the air intake wide open until the unit is up to temp. What I found is when the door is almost closed you can turn the handle and it catches enough to leave a small crack for air to get in. Works just like a bellows and fans the fire into a frenzy with great air circulation inside the unit. I get a little of the fogging during the cool down but that wipes right off with a damp paper towel. It's several fires before I need to clean off the black near the hinge now and a damp paper towel with ashes works like a charm. Problem didn't go away completely but it is considerably better.

I cleaned the glass tonight before starting a fire and used the top down method with a firestarter, some super dry kindling and a torch (no paper). I let it get nice and hot before turning on fans, and even hotter before shutting it down. 3 hours into it now...What a difference! Not one bit of fog... YIPEE!

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

I cleaned the glass tonight before starting a fire and used the top down method with a firestarter, some super dry kindling and a torch (no paper). I let it get nice and hot before turning on fans, and even hotter before shutting it down. 3 hours into it now...What a difference! Not one bit of fog... YIPEE!

Glad to hear the top down start worked for you, it seems the when the smoke starts at the top, it misses hitting the glass to avoid any dirty spots... Dry wood is the most important issue with this unit, 20-25% vs under 20% will show a big difference in burning due to the large glass surface. As well as he output..... Have fun with it......

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

I've changed the way I am starting fires and it really seems to have helped. I use a firestarter and let it burn for several minutes with the door open. I place a 3" split on either side of the firestarter then cross stack fatwood sized splits in three layers on top of the side pieces, then put two 3" splits on top of that. I do not close the door all the way until it's really burning then lock it down with the air intake wide open until the unit is up to temp. What I found is when the door is almost closed you can turn the handle and it catches enough to leave a small crack for air to get in. Works just like a bellows and fans the fire into a frenzy with great air circulation inside the unit. I get a little of the fogging during the cool down but that wipes right off with a damp paper towel. It's several fires before I need to clean off the black near the hinge now and a damp paper towel with ashes works like a charm. Problem didn't go away completely but it is considerably better.

Great to hear, just a few thoughts, I wrap my fatwood in newspaper so you don't need to fool around with lighting it, one touch to the newspaper and its off to the races, you also might want to try loading the bottom with bigger splits, that way your initial start up will last longer..... That trick you did with just a slight crack with the door handle helps quite a bit with creating a draft so that the fog doesn't take over, keep playing with it and enjoy......