Burning Fireside Ultra

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tpme06

New Member
Sep 6, 2012
41
Newmarket, NH
Just got the stove going this past week since we've had some chilly weather. The wife makes me get the stove going because she is cold. This is my first season burning and I bought 4 tons of Fireside Ultras from Home Depot because I was able to get them for $188 a ton. So far, little ash, and the glass doesn't get too dirty. However, it's only 54 degrees out right now and I have my Harman Accentra insert on stove mode set at "5" with the blower at about medium speed. It brought the room up to the low 70's, but I still feel like it's not really kicking out much heat. The room it's in is 16' by 11' with 11' cathedral ceilings and a fan up top I have on low to push the heat down. There is a small hallway leading to other rooms, but I would expect if I crank the heat like I am it would be extremely hot in this room, as it's not that big. Are my expectations just way off? Or might it be the fireside ultra's don't put out that much heat? Anyone else burning with these? I'm nervous for when it gets really cold, I feel like I'll need to have it at the max stove temp of "7" in order to keep it a moderate temp!
 
I have never run my stove in stove mode set at 5, especially this time of year.It would be in the 90's in here if I did. So something is not right. I have rarely run it set on 4 in the middle of the winter! No matter what the pellet, it should keep you warm this time of year in New England.
 
That was my concern. It seems to be running fine, I may need to have someone come out and take a look at it. I can do basic cleaning, but I've never had anyone show me how to break the stove down and really clean/lube it up.
 
Is this a new stove or new to you? If not, did you run it last year with no problems? Have you tried it in room temp mode?
 
First year running it. I got it used, but it's only had 2 tons run through it before me, and I've only put through a bag and a half thus far. I have not tried it in room temp mode yet.
 
Do you have an OAK?
 
Sorry, what's an OAK? Seen the term before, but don't know what it stands for :(

I'm just thinking, the installer didn't put any insulation around the damper... so there could be a draft coming through. Maybe tomorrow I'll need to pull the stove out and put some insulation up in the chimney...
 
OAK stands for outside air kit. It makes a lot of difference in a lot of stoves. I have no experience with inserts, so I can't help you with installation of one.
 
I can't speak for your stove s I burn an Eviro. But I burned Fire sides all last year and they kept my 2000 sq foot house in the 70 in the cold.

It's not the pellet... but I think you know this.
 
Doesn't sound like a pellet issue. I burned five tons of fireside ultras last year and no issues (noted slightly less heat than the okies and vermont softwoods). Bought five tons of fireside ultras this year and they seem to have similar heat to last year with clean glass and about the same ash. The lowest outside temps have been in the upper 40's and the stove has only run on its lowest settings, but I don't anticipate issues based on the 3-4 bags I've burned.

Got to love the price - bought five tons for $846 ($188/ton-10% lowes coupon) and paid $65 delivery. Drank about 10 beers stacking (say $2/ton), so I'm into the firesides for $186.20/ton. They're worth that price, even with a slight reduction in btu's compared to other "super premiums"..

Ed
 
I bought a ton few weeks ago, burning first bag last night and it's only 67 in my living room where the stove is, kitchen/dining room is 61, not impressed, wanted Stove Chow which i've burned many times and not happy with these, HD switched now to all Firesides around central/northern Ct.
 
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