Break in fires?

I don't see why manufacturers would specify a break in procedure if it wasn't needed since most people would rather get the immediate gratification of firing their new stoves up to full capacity as soon as possible. So, I'm going to assume there is a good reason for it beyond just curing the paint, though that in itself is a sufficient reason. Metal, in fact most materials, expand as they heat up and contract as they cool. For a woodstove with many panels and joints the progressively hotter fires during a break in period allow those movable pieces to gradually stretch their legs, so to speak, and get settled in with one another. You also have various panels joined with furnace cement that must properly cure from heat, as well. Even if such break in burns were not needed for the stove's protection it makes sense to start with some smaller fires to get a feel for how the new stove burns before you put the pedal to the metal with it.

Yes. No.

See Nick's reply for best explanation.

When in doubt, do some break-in fires.

Expect more smoke and smell from paint curing with each successively hotter fire. Several full temperature fires may be needed to completely cure the paint.

I'm doing the first break in fire as I type on my new Jotul 550 Rockland.