Here is some contradictory basic info I found online from reliable sources:
1) Generally, it is better to burn Less wood with MORE air to get the most out of your stove or fireplace. The wood is utilized in the best way when the air control is fully open and the flames are intense.
2) A fully open air control will lead to more heat being sent straight up the chimney rather than into the room (which reduces efficiency).
My background:
I'm using a Voyageur Grand insert with well seasoned wood. This is my second season using wood for heat. I understand what the desired secondary combustion flames at the top of the insert should look like. Although I'm in Southern California, sometimes we get a couple hours below freeing during the early morning hours. Oh yeah, almost forgot, I love my insert and it keeps my home really warm really cheaply!
My questions:
1) At times, we simply desire maximum heat output from our wood burner. We choose a large load of wood for this. The basic question is, more air for more flames or less air for less heat up the chimney? My guess is use maximum air, perhaps adjusted down just to prevent overheating the stove?
2) Other times we desire maximum efficiency from our wood fuel, i.e. the most heat output per split. For this are we setting air control as low as possible to just get minimal secondary burn flames? If the secondary flame sometimes goes out for a second or two is this ok, or is more air needed to raise efficiency?
3) Sometimes we need minimal heat output and maximum efficiency. Use more wood with less air, or less wood with more air? Too little wood might give too little heat, and prevent secondary combustion? Obviously less wood means opening insert more often to refuel.
My disclaimer:
Perhaps this has already been discussed to death on this forum. Instead of directing me to a further search, please be positive and provide a link to the previous discussion with your favorite answers if you don't want to add to the repetition. I understand there might not be definitive answers, and experience helps. Perhaps best rules of thumb can be provided for rookies? What to look for, what to avoid?
1) Generally, it is better to burn Less wood with MORE air to get the most out of your stove or fireplace. The wood is utilized in the best way when the air control is fully open and the flames are intense.
2) A fully open air control will lead to more heat being sent straight up the chimney rather than into the room (which reduces efficiency).
My background:
I'm using a Voyageur Grand insert with well seasoned wood. This is my second season using wood for heat. I understand what the desired secondary combustion flames at the top of the insert should look like. Although I'm in Southern California, sometimes we get a couple hours below freeing during the early morning hours. Oh yeah, almost forgot, I love my insert and it keeps my home really warm really cheaply!
My questions:
1) At times, we simply desire maximum heat output from our wood burner. We choose a large load of wood for this. The basic question is, more air for more flames or less air for less heat up the chimney? My guess is use maximum air, perhaps adjusted down just to prevent overheating the stove?
2) Other times we desire maximum efficiency from our wood fuel, i.e. the most heat output per split. For this are we setting air control as low as possible to just get minimal secondary burn flames? If the secondary flame sometimes goes out for a second or two is this ok, or is more air needed to raise efficiency?
3) Sometimes we need minimal heat output and maximum efficiency. Use more wood with less air, or less wood with more air? Too little wood might give too little heat, and prevent secondary combustion? Obviously less wood means opening insert more often to refuel.
My disclaimer:
Perhaps this has already been discussed to death on this forum. Instead of directing me to a further search, please be positive and provide a link to the previous discussion with your favorite answers if you don't want to add to the repetition. I understand there might not be definitive answers, and experience helps. Perhaps best rules of thumb can be provided for rookies? What to look for, what to avoid?
