Can't seem to get her hot enough...

wood wacker said:

I have a Regency 1200.. yea I know, small, but space was limited, one time I had her to 400, and burned the h#*@ out of her to get her there. So, is my wood to wet? should I be leaving the dratf open more? shuting it down more? stuffing more wood to her? HELP! I do get some heat at 300 or so. And I can keep her there, but would like to get her up to around 400 for more heat. The other thing is, it's supose to have a self cleaning glass, but I'm not sure that at 300... it is getting hot enough to wash the glass. you guy's love us rookie's ...don't ya !

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Could be:
Wet wood
not leaving air open long enough to get it good & hot & charred.
Short chimney?
Clogged cap?
some or all of the above. Start with the wood. Buy a stack of the kiln dried stuff at the supermarket and see how it burns. If it improves, your wood is wet.
Glass will get dirty from:
Wet wood, not letting the stove get hot enough, prolly again, a combo of both.
My money is on wet wood. That would cause both problems.

Hey Woodwacker
Far as I know, Regency is a decent brand, and 300 is likely just starting to make heat. If you have to push it to get 400, then it could be your wood, or the damper setting. What are you burning, and how long has it been drying? I regularly burn my P.E. Summit insert at between 450 to 500. Sometimes 550 to 600, although I can tell from the "hot metal" smell that 600 is a little hot. It seems to like around 475 the best. That's with the thermometer mounted on the front of the insert, just above the door, since I can't access the pipe. Where is your thermometer located?

Willhound

You didn't tell us enough- about the situation.
What's with the questions about "wet wood" ? Does it sizzle ? When was it cut and split ?- What is it ?
If it is unseasoned (wet)- it ain't going to burn well, throw off much heat, cuz it's using all it's 'energy' steaming off the water.
Added more wood is not going to make it burn 'Hotter'.

i have that same insert were did you fine a good spot for the thermometer any were i put it on the insert i have not seen it go much past 150f. i do not use the thermometer much , after i start it and blower turns on i cut back on air get good secondary
burn i dont mess with the air much after that, when i add wood before bed i will cut air back more but in the morning glass is dirty start hot fire glass cleans up. you might be burning hotter then you think. PS. with good wood its very easy to burn this insert.
HOPE THIS HELPS

wood wacker said:

yes begreen, the wood has been sitting on the ground. Stacked, but not split....does it need to be split for it to properly season? and Cary, I put my thermometer on the face of the unit, right at the top left corner of door on the body itself, figured that was the only place for a some what accurate reading.on the surround I too won't get over 150 or so.

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Bingo: you answered your own question, heres how:
If it has been laying in log length or even cuts and not split. It ain't ready to burn, period.
Oak & most hardwoods need to sit MINIMAL 1 year split to be dry enough to give a productive burn.
Its got to be sizzling and frothing as Begreen asked, well is it?

Edit: Again I suggest one of those kiln dried oak bundles at the local supermarket and try that. Bet it gets up to 500-600 in no time no problemo.