PE Vista side knock-out

Is it an insert or freestanding unit?

Expert is a matter of opinion. The manual is the manufacturers wisdom.
I would go with the manual.
If you follow the manual, and for some reason need to close the holes back off, it is only a sheetmetal casing, you can patch them over with sheetmetal and some screws.
Even silicone would hold patch in place

begreen said:

Expert: '/ekˌspərt/':

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Ex-pert. He used to be one, before his mind went... But seriously, wouldn't it work about the same? Or maybe it breathes easier with them removed? I'd have to see it in person to make an unqualified amateur guess.

their is no way that the unit can over draft with those knock out removed as you are still in control of the amount of air going into the firebox using the air slider under the ash lip.

begreen said:

This is the first time I have heard anyone make such claims.

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But they are expert professionals! OK, I've beaten this dead horse enough lately, but it's a sad state of affairs. Maybe, as you say, there are other factors we don't know about...but I doubt it.

Johnny said:

I called the dealler again and the other agent told me that if I remove it when the unit burns well, I may end up with over drafting. He said that if that occurs, it will burn too fast even I close the air supply lever.

I think the manual doesn't say "may remove knock outs", so I better get them removed. But like I said, I really don't know whether my unit burns well or not. (It's hot when I burn wood... That's all I can say now)

I wanted to ask PE, but their website doesn't have any phone number. I left the memo through web mail.

Do you have any other suggestion?

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Your dealer is an unknowledgeable moron who knows how to sell an insert, but that seems to be all he knows about. Ain't no way in hell it can ever overdraft from taking knocking the plates out. The air is controlled by the damn lever, not the case holes. The plates are intended to be left in place if outside air is used, all it is doing without outside air kit being used is blocking inside air that should be getting to the insert to burn correctly, when not using outside air. If you feel it is burning good, then let it be. Just means the air is being pulled from somewhere else.
You have been given good advise, the rest is up to you as to what you choose to do.

How high is your fan setting?

The burn looks normal for the stove. Do you have a plate in the bottom of your fireplace for an ash drop to the basement? That is how mine was and the knockout was not removed and the stove draws air from the basement. This eliminates any cold air drafts in the room that I have seen some complain about when using room air for combustion. Another thing I have learned about this little stove (had it since 2006) is that standard splits are poor burning unless made smaller in diameter. I use slab wood cut to 14-16" lengths that is available from a local supplier for MUCH less than cord wood. It burns the best for me, though you lose some burn time, but the heat output is much better.

Not to get off subject, but as i learned here, if you go low and slow with your fan you will see it being a lot hotter, for me i put my fan on the automatic setting at about 30% power, and just keep it there. I see at least a 3 or 4 degrees hotter in my room from this. You should at least try it and see how it works for yourself.

Mine runs max on manual all winter, except for reloads.