I found this forum through almighty Google...I have poured through hundreds of posts, old and new, and have a pretty good idea what I am going to get in response to my questions.
Everyone on this site, especially the faithful Jotul/Oslo's have impressed me and piqued my interest, so here goes.
I have been heating my 2200+ SF Timber-frame home using 100% wood for 23 years. I just retired a "used-when-I-got-it" 1980's C. Dutchwest CAT.
I typically burned 3-4 cords and the house is always very comfortable. I also use passive solar as a heat source (the coldest days are generally clear). This year I splurged and brought home an Oslo, I felt it was time to get something more modern and safe. The break-in fires were adventurous with smoke alarms, acrid smoke and open windows. Winter has been slow to come, you guys call it shoulder weather (not sure why) and I have been tinkering with the stove non-stop since mid-October. All in all the stove is gorgeous and well made.
Here is the rub:
I don't feel like I have any control of this thing, like a hot rod with a governor. I can't see a difference in air flow between open and closed on the draft control (this is the cheesiest part of the stove by far) and the thing is working right! I took it apart to be sure. I know you are going to say that it takes time to get used to a different system and I agree, 100%. I also know that there have been many posts describing similar and direct opposite problems, with raging dragons spewing 600 degrees and climbing... I don't want that at all. I even saw a series of posts where a guy sold his Jotul and bought another stove because of a problem like I am experiencing. Have they built in too much safety? I think you should see a difference when the doghouse is open vs. shut.
The expected answers are going to be chimney configuration, wet wood and poor draft. Maybe the wood is not 10%, I don't have a Kiln. However 15-17% readings on newly split surfaces of Ash, seasoned 2+ years and used as comparisons, not actual moisture's, make me comfortable the fuel is good. The Chimney is a 3 flu masonry job that is dead center in the middle of the Salt Box house. I clean it myself and it is both well designed and in excellent shape. It draws like no tomorrow. I have outside air piped directly to the stove, through the slab, because the house is very "tight". I do not have the Jotul kit...
What I am really asking you all, as the real Jotul tech advisers: is there anything I am possibly missing mechanically with the stove that you have seen, experienced or heard of? Or, am I just stuck in my ways and need to be more patient? Change is tough for us old-timers...
I appreciate any/all input. It is finally supposed to get colder (8-10 F) tomorrow night so I can maybe strech this baby out.
Thanks a lot,
Mark
Everyone on this site, especially the faithful Jotul/Oslo's have impressed me and piqued my interest, so here goes.
I have been heating my 2200+ SF Timber-frame home using 100% wood for 23 years. I just retired a "used-when-I-got-it" 1980's C. Dutchwest CAT.
I typically burned 3-4 cords and the house is always very comfortable. I also use passive solar as a heat source (the coldest days are generally clear). This year I splurged and brought home an Oslo, I felt it was time to get something more modern and safe. The break-in fires were adventurous with smoke alarms, acrid smoke and open windows. Winter has been slow to come, you guys call it shoulder weather (not sure why) and I have been tinkering with the stove non-stop since mid-October. All in all the stove is gorgeous and well made.
Here is the rub:
I don't feel like I have any control of this thing, like a hot rod with a governor. I can't see a difference in air flow between open and closed on the draft control (this is the cheesiest part of the stove by far) and the thing is working right! I took it apart to be sure. I know you are going to say that it takes time to get used to a different system and I agree, 100%. I also know that there have been many posts describing similar and direct opposite problems, with raging dragons spewing 600 degrees and climbing... I don't want that at all. I even saw a series of posts where a guy sold his Jotul and bought another stove because of a problem like I am experiencing. Have they built in too much safety? I think you should see a difference when the doghouse is open vs. shut.
The expected answers are going to be chimney configuration, wet wood and poor draft. Maybe the wood is not 10%, I don't have a Kiln. However 15-17% readings on newly split surfaces of Ash, seasoned 2+ years and used as comparisons, not actual moisture's, make me comfortable the fuel is good. The Chimney is a 3 flu masonry job that is dead center in the middle of the Salt Box house. I clean it myself and it is both well designed and in excellent shape. It draws like no tomorrow. I have outside air piped directly to the stove, through the slab, because the house is very "tight". I do not have the Jotul kit...
What I am really asking you all, as the real Jotul tech advisers: is there anything I am possibly missing mechanically with the stove that you have seen, experienced or heard of? Or, am I just stuck in my ways and need to be more patient? Change is tough for us old-timers...
I appreciate any/all input. It is finally supposed to get colder (8-10 F) tomorrow night so I can maybe strech this baby out.
Thanks a lot,
Mark