When to add new wood

Since this is my first season burning, I'm stilll learning but I'll share what I do.

I was re-loading way too early at first and getting a huge bed of coals built up. Since it was suggested to me that I should wait for more of the coals to burn down, I have been doing that and it works much better.

When I light up, I will cross stack about six small splits (three on three) on top of some kindling. I leave the air wide open and wait until they burn down low enough for me to add another three (slightly larger) splits on top of what's in there. Again, I leave the air wide open, until the new splits are well charred and engaged. I then shut the air down by about 80-90% and let it roll. By that time the temp is way up and it will just cruise along with a nice secondary.

That is the point that I used to get into trouble by adding more wood too quickly. I used to add more wood as soon as there was enough room. What I was doing was choking the coals that were already there so they could not effectively burn.

What I do now is let the coals burn down much lower before adding more wood. I don't let them go so low that I need to add more kindling or the smallest splits (unless I've got it way too hot in the house and need to let it cool down a bit), rather I try to catch it at a point where three or so larger splits will take off with the air open wide.

I can then keep this cycle going until it's time to load up for the night.

I hope this makes some sense and helps.

BeGreen said:

If the temps are moderate outside, I do pretty much like MrGriz. But when it's cold, I go by stove top temp. At 400 degrees I add wood. If the coal bed is moderate then I put on bigger splits. If the coal bed is huge then add smaller splits for a quicker hot fire to help burn down the coals.

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I second that - as a Jotul owner. BeGreen, was it you that was commenting on lack of healthy airflow when the slide is all the way open? I've found that with my Jotul. I've just in the last 2 weeks found that if I add a large split or two at the most before the stove temp gets below 400 I'm usually good to just toss the wood in and let it go. Temp any lower than 400 and forget it, I'm going to be fiddling with the next load to ensure a good catch. (Temp measured on the right back corner of the stove.)

OT - BeGreen, my youngest son is coming in from a submarine mission today - wave towards the water for me.