Hampton HI300 Users...Is N/S Loading Better??

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Mine is taller than that.
If you can't regularly control the flames by pushing in the air rod, I'm thinking you'll like it better when you replace the gasket.
 
I follow manual, more or less. I load it N/S, open air, crack open door, use firestarter squares to get going, switch on fan to auto/low, wait til all wood is burning close door, wail a little while and close air some, wait more and close air some, etc, until about 1/4" open. I go by how it looks, and that the top isn't glowing red. Nice secondaries. I've used an IR thermometer in the past, but it's a pain, unsure that results are that meaningful, and I can't be bothered anymore.

Ok, I do the same deal. No need for fire starters though. I use kindling if the stove is cold or just use the coals.

Mine is taller than that.
If you can't regularly control the flames by pushing in the air rod, I'm thinking you'll like it better when you replace the gasket.

Mine is 25'. Stove is only a year old and it passes the dollar bill test all around. If I shut it down all the way it will calm down eventually (30-45 minutes) but then it smolders pretty badly. Is your wood dry?


BTW, is everyone else's stove slightly rounded on the fire box towards the front and a little higher than the middle/back which is flat?
 
With dry wood and a full stove my hi300 tries to run away. It will quickly get above 700 even with the epa hole plugged. Last year I had a lot of late nights with the fan on high waiting for the stove to settle down so I could set the fan to low. Now I just load up 30 minutes before bed and get the stove dialed in and leave the fan on high all night.

I will need to clean my chimney more often now but the house is warmer in the morning and I'm getting enough sleep. :)

Glad I'm not the only one! I've spent many a night with the windows and doors open in the middle of winter waiting for the stove to calm back down and the house to cool down a bit. I know it was my fault because I'd wait till the last minute to load before going to bed so I'd get the overnight burn. I was rushing it and it ended up being counter productive because I'd end up being up till midnight babysitting the stove and the whole load burned up in an hour or two. I have had the top of my stove glowing more times than I care to admit, in fact, it is slightly warped. I have now become better at controlling the stove and don't rush it.
 
That thread with the smartstove adaptor is great! I dont think i wanna rip into mine like that though
 
When you refer to a run away... Is that the top glowing, I had that happen once this year. My father in law re loaded it quickly. Other than that the stove is very controllable. I like n/s loading
 
Had mine to 700* last night with those strong secondaries, house is still 70 this morning.
Would love to be able to close up the intake all the way while those secondaries are rolling.
I havnt seen any glowing other then a secondary tube, and i hope i never do!
 
When you refer to a run away... Is that the top glowing, I had that happen once this year. My father in law re loaded it quickly. Other than that the stove is very controllable. I like n/s loading
I haven't ever seen the top of the stove glow but I have seen the temp at 750 and still trying to climb even with the damper all the way closed. Takes 30 mins or so to calm down.

Putting the fan to high will prevent the stove temp from climbing in that case. Leaving on low would be a problem.
 
Could someone that blocks the EPA hole take a picture of it so I can get a better idea where it is??
 
Could someone that blocks the EPA hole take a picture of it so I can get a better idea where it is??

If you pull fan out it is on right side as if damper would be on that side, cant miss it. I dont have a pic sorry but next time i pull it i will!
 
had another runaway for a bit last night. The stove connector was red... Opened the door to the house and the door to the stove. That will teach me to fall asleep with the damper wide open after a reload...
 
I did that not to long ago but all was good cause i loaded a small load. So far im good, never got anything cherry red. 6 months and still going on my tank of oil! Prolly should use oil instead though...
 
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