sonnyinbc said:
I have my magnetic thermometer on the front door (near the top) on my insert. A PE insert pre EPA but similiar to the Pacific. I was thinking that 400 would probably be about 600, and 200 would keep me out of the creosote zone. Am aware that all inserts are different, but have been running mine at 450 max and 200 for a longer burn, according to the front mounted thermometer. What gives me a sense that this must be about right is --no hot metal smell, and no creosote on the glass. So do you think maybe just add 200 degrees and that just might be the "stove top temp"?? Don`t want to put anyone on the spot here, just your best guess? And remember this is an older PE insert. So, I don`t get that secondary burn feature.
I am very new at this- it's my first season burning, so my experiences are just that- mine.
I have played around with my PE insert a lot though and have found that
for my particular insert and conditions the following is what works best. And by "works best" I mean gives me the longest secondary burn and allows me the most time between reloads.
I am using a PE Pacific insert and a Rutland magnetic thermometer placed on the top right front right above the corner of the door.
When I load I allow it to get up to around 500ºF, then I cut the air intake back a bit while it keeps inching upwards to 550ºF.
When it hits 550ºF I cut the air intake all the way back. The temperatures continue to escalate for a bit and usually peak right around 650ºF. I have had it get as high as 800ºF, though, but that felt a bit too hot for my newbie comfort level.
Once I cut the air back it hangs steady at 650ºF for a very long time- two hours or more- then slowly starts falling backwards for the next couple of hours. When it has fallen down to around 250-300ºF I load it up again and start all over.
The point that seems to make the most difference is how hot I allow it to get before I cut the air intake back. If I don't let it get quite hot enough no secondary burn happens and it cools down too fast. If I let it get too hot before I cut it back, it continues to get hotter and hotter and scares me. It seems that ±100º can make it or break it in this regard.
My process is the same whether I am doing small or large loads- the only difference is the larger loads last longer, so I determine the amount of wood I use to load up by how long I need it to go before I have to come back again.
With my insert the thermometer is right on the front, so I don't know what it is actually measuring other than the firebox and the steel of the front. But I use the thermometer for reference points only, so whatever it is measuring is sort of a moot point. I just know that 'x' temperature produces 'y' results and have just worked off of that.
Anyone with experience- feel free to correct me or tell me I'm doing it wrong. I am a complete novice and am just reporting what has worked best for me so far.