Which burn looks more efficient *videos*

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MTMike

MTMike

Member
Dec 23, 2011
31
Eastern Montana
The stove has been burning for about 2 hours, this is the 2nd load of wood and the 2nd load has been in there about 15-20 mins.

Which burn looks better?

Video 1: Air at 25% open


Video 2: Or air closed off


"25% open" looks like a hotter, more efficient burn to me. It has more constant flow flames from the secondaries than "closed off". Closed off has less flames all around the log, and the flames around the secondaries look like they're sporadically puffing and then going away, puffing and going away.

EDIT: Wood is dry Poplar

Thoughts?
 
If you are looking for efficiency, check your chimney. The burn that produces the least amount of smoke out the top will be the most efficient.
Good luck.
 
Based on the videos, I would try for C: 12.5% closed and see how that works out.
 
A steady secondary burn with the least primary opening is the most efficient.

That being said, #2 needs a little more air to have a stable "walk away " burn. My stove can take 10 minutes to stabilize after a change in primary air to reach steady state.

I'm with BeGreen on this.
 
I agree with BG. Your best burn is somewhere between the 2 you have shown in the videos.. All stove installs are different and I can run my T-5 all the way down most times and get very long burn times (10 hrs. + regularly) with good dry hardwoods..

Ray
 
Personally i look for strong secondaries with as little primary air as possible. Even if there is no flame visible on the wood itself and the secondaries are going strong thats the sweet spot for me.
 
I looked at the video again and wondered if #2 isn't closer to where we burn. Could it be that the video camera doesn't have enough light to do a good job of showing the secondary action? Or that if you left the fire at air setting 2, that after 5-10 minutes the fire would pick up a bit more secondary action? Keep experimenting and you will find out.
 
Number one is the winner by a mile.
 
Actaully it's hard to decide if #2 works unless you watch for 5-10 minutes.

That burn in my stove could go to dark/smolder or stabilize to a good secondary burn in that time.
 
I was playing with the lighting, and found that the best recording of the fire was taken with the living room dark. Since it's my cell phone camera the quality isn't all that great, but it's an OK representation of the flames. With the air completely closed it didn't seem like it was burning as well. I will try playing with it some more tonight and see if I can find the sweet spot. Thanks guys!
 
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