How to tell if I am "overburning"

If your insert really is 30 years old it's more than likely that it's been over fired at some time during its long lifetime. I replaced a similarly old insert a couple years ago and when I removed it there was a crack in the top and all the panels had some warpage. However, the insert burned fine and its performance didn't appear to suffer from any damage it had experienced. Having said that, it is important to keep a fire within the proper parameters to reduce the chance of a chimney fire. When you're thermometer arrives it should be a big help to you as you learn the burn characteristics of your insert. With my old insert I could tell when my fire was getting too hot by the sound the fan made (it started to make a buzzing sound when the stove got too hot) and I could smell that the stove was getting very hot. There would be a slight scorching odor like if you left an iron on a piece of clothing too long when you were ironing. Of course, when the doors to the insert start glowing red that's a sure sign you've over done things a bit!

Two sure-fire ways to know you are over-firing your stove.

1) Thermometer
2) Stove is glowing red . . . or white

I suppose if you also wake up to find a molten mass of metal on your hearth that might also be a sign of over-firing as well.

Best bet . . . stick with the thermometer.

I think its easy to figure out if you are currently over firing a srove (glowing/thermometer).


Its hard to figure out if you stove has been comprimised by a previous over fire. I guess (probably other things) you would look for:
cracks
warpage
unable to control fire

If you dont have those issues you are good to go.... I think.........