Regency I3100L - Why does owners manual say don't burn with draft fully closed down and fan on?

The blower really moves a lot of the hot air away from the insert and into the room, especially when it's on high. Usually I can't close the draft control all the way down when the blower is on high. I end up leaving it about 1/4 to 1/3 open and that's perfect.

That's with well seasoned firewood and a good draft.

Hope that helps

They write these manuals for the masses, they don't know you're gonna come here and get edjumacated!

davidmsem said:

This site has been great for me! I was looking for plans for a woodshed a few months ago for my conventional fireplace, and here I am now a burner! The bride needed convincing, but she came around.

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Warmth of the fire seems to have that effect.

I'm thinking they do that so those who burn less than seasoned wood may not have as much build up. I run ours with the blower on low 24X7 and the draft fully closed once the load is going good. I did have more build up the first year as our wood was only 9 months C/S/S.

I usually close down when the front temps are around 425-450 on an accurate magnetic thermometer. I know it's accurate as I have a magnetic thermocouple that I have calibrated it to and also an IR gun. To "calibrate" the magnetic you just bend the spring in whichever direction it needs to go to read more accurately (then re-check with IR to make sure it's right). If you're not sure of your wood (try to get a moisture meter if you can) or if you get creosote build up on the glass with it closed all the way, try leaving it open 1/4", then 1/2" to see if the issue goes away. If it does, it's probably less than seasoned wood.

With good wood, it can get hot quite fast. I noticed that diff between the first year (not real well seasoned) and the following years (2 yrs seasoned). Now it can go from hot re-load to 450 in a matter of 15 minutes or less. Good, seasoned wood is so important.