Operating the Pacific Energy Summit insert-series c

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donmac

donmac

Member
Jun 3, 2015
61
Cincinnati Ohio
Finally got the insert installed. Would appreciate hearing from experienced series c users with a summary of steps when operating from a cold start. For example, when to restrict air input from high and do you ever put air control lever all the way to the right(past low)? What operating temperature should I be at during peak operating after initial burn off and good hot coal base? Anything specific to consider when re-charging with new load of wood after initial burn? Any suggestions appreciated. Never heated with EPA stove. Thanks
 
The position of the air control lever will depend on several factors like the stage of the burn, species of the wood, wood moisture content and strength of the draft (which will be outside temp dependent). Some of this is visual, if turning down the air control all the way snuffs out the fire and causes the wood to smoke and smolder then the fire needs more air. In general you will be able to turn down the air control in increments. Start with it wide open until the fire starts to burn robustly and stove top temp rises to say 300F, then close it down partially (maybe 50%) until the flames get lazier, but don't go out. Leave it there for 5-10 minutes until the flames recover strength, then turn it down again (maybe to 25%) until the flames get very lazy, but not out. Repeat again if possible in 5-10 minutes. On a colder day, say below 40%, if the wood is dry and the draft is good you may very well be able to turn down the air all the way at the last step. Dry wood is the key here. EPA stoves shine when they burn fully seasoned wood.
 
I do not have the PE insert but I do have a PE Summit Classic and I love it. It really is built with quality and burns very well. My glass stays very clean. The stove is a steel box and has a steel jacket so mine puts out a softer, less harsh heat. I fell in love with wood stoves because of this stove. I loved it so much we just bought another PE stove, Alderlea T5 for the main level great room. I just got it at the house yesterday and plan to install in the fireplace box in the next 2 weeks. Working on another stove/chimney right now also so it'll take me a little bit longer to get to mine. Let us know how that beast burns. I would have gotten an insert but I really need to use the outside air (OAK) intake in my fireplace since the house is so tight and very few wood inserts come with OAK ability? Thus I had much more selection when I began to consider stoves, plus I just think stoves look great!
 
Is there any kind of break in process with the insert? I have not fired up my summit yet but i was wondering if there is any process recommended for this. Plus would you recommend a thermostat, and if so where do you install it?
 
It's good to have a first small fire to drive any moisture out of the bricks. After that the only break-in is for the paint. Get the stove up to around 500F to accomplish that. Yes a thermometer is a good idea but inserts present a challenge for placement. Try to get a 2" dial thermometer and place it just outside of the left or right corner of the door.
 
That is about all the instructions said as well just as I figured, thanks for the info. Do you think it is possible to get eight to ten hour burn times overnight with larger hardwood rounds with the summit?
 
heavy hammer said:
That is about all the instructions said as well just as I figured, thanks for the info. Do you think it is possible to get eight to ten hour burn times overnight with larger hardwood rounds with the summit?
Click to expand...
Yes, I do that with softwood (doug fir). 10-12 hr burns with hardwood are possible unless the stove is being pushed hard.
 
I mostly burn Hickory, Oak, Maple, Cherry, Walnut, Beech. I get 12hr burn times unless as mentioned you have it cranked and burning hard. Even then I am sure the burn time would be 6-8hrs though I would not want to burn hard like that too often. I load my stove up before going to bed with air on high, approx. at 9pm, then 20-30 min later I turn the air down to approx. 50% range. Then 10ish minutes later I tune it down another......25%, then I go to sleep when ever I'm ready. I wake in the morning with a bed of live coals at 6am. I load the stove again and tuned it down in the same manner, then I go to work about 7am. Get home at 4:30pm and do the same with a smaller load cause I know I'll load it heavy later that evening.

This is just a typical example of how it works for me. All this varies on any given day of course.
 
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I plan on using it just like what your talking about ccmac. Probably only time it will get used a little harder is the real cold days, but once the house is up to temp it usually doesn't take a lot to keep it there. Plus the big stove in the basement, I'm hoping to just keep them cruising nice and steady.
 
Any specific 2 inch dial thermostat you recommend.
 
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