WS Progress Hybrid sporadic chugging

This is my second fire in the PH. After establishing a decent bed of coals burning pecan, during which it was difficult to achieve catalytic combustion temps, I threw 3 medium sized splits of oak in the stove. After 10 minutes in bypass and full open draft, I completely closed the draft and the bypass and the stove quickly went black. Now, about 1 hr. 50 minutes later, the box is still black but sporadically bursts into a box full of secondary flames about every 15 to 30 seconds., with the flames lasting 1 second or less. Top temp is up to 520 and either steady or very slowly increasing. The firebox seems to be accumulating gas and oxygen until a combustible mixture is achieved, then the mix is suddenly combusting with a "whoosh" and a sucking noise. Very similar to an old hit-and-miss gas engine. Not concerned, but very impressed as this seems to be an ultra-efficient mode with good quality wood.

My stove shipped 2/9/2012. Has anyone else experienced this?

BeGreen said:

It sounds like it's starving for air. Try giving it a bit more to see if that stops the hit or miss combustion.

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I really don't want or need any more heat. I'm going to just watch this for awhile. It's very interesting. Will keep you all posted. BTW, BG, I love the quotes in your signature and have added them to my internal email sig at work for benefit of the corp management types, i.e. the mediocre minds.

The chugging is becoming more frequent and less "explosive" now. Getting a LOT of heat but the stove top and flue pipe temps are maintaining @ 510 and 275.

The "chugs" are becoming less frequent and much less "explosive" (explosive is the best description I can think of, though I was never concerned for the integrity of the stove). The most violent chugs I witnessed never even came close to lifting the lid stones or causing me concern. Now the "chugs" are longer-lived and much gentler, without any "whoof,", "chug" or sucking noise. Just a nice repeating secondary flame. This stove is both peculiar and fascinating.

The "chugs" have ended and there is now just a bit of occasional secondary flame. I believe the "peak-of-burn" of this light to moderate load of oak has passed and the stove is ready to be "put to bed" for the night. Top temp is 510 and flue temp is now down to 260. I'm curious to see what will be in the firebox 4 hours from now. WOW! The specie of wood can REALLY make a difference in the heat output and burn characteristics of the stove.

Temps are down to 470 & 230 now, with no secondary "bursts". I'm going to bed (on the couch in the stove room).