new insert issues

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clearblue16

New Member
Jan 14, 2009
51
Seattle
so i got my hampton hi200 installed and have it going for the first time tonight....this is my first insert/stove althougth i have been around them a little bit....so i had a little fire for awhile, let it warm up and add a little more....with the door cracked just a bit or open it burns with nice flames and all smoke goes up the flue....but when i close the door with the draft full open pretty much all of the flames disappear although the cools glow a little bit with the occasional weak flame......i assume you are supposed to have active vigorous flames with the door closed and the draft full open....when i move the draft control it makes some sliding sounds like it is doing something but it seems to me it is a little short on oxygen with the door closed....am i supposed to position the wood a certain way? does the brick and flue have to "break in"? i have had it going for a couple hours and i don't feel much heat either....help!
 
Congrats on your new machine. Now how seasoned is your wood? Your chimney set up, Do you have a Block off plate? liner? Whats the length etc... ?
 
I was having the same problem with my HI200. I tried burning some bear bricks instead and it did great. It appears the wood I got is not well seasoned as it was advertised to be which I hear happens alot. I would try some bear bricks/bio bricks, etc and see how it does with those. If those burn good in there, you may have some not so seasoned wood like me :(

Good luck. :)

Melissa
 
avlism said:
I was having the same problem with my HI200. I tried burning some bear bricks instead and it did great. It appears the wood I got is not well seasoned as it was advertised to be which I hear happens alot. I would try some bear bricks/bio bricks, etc and see how it does with those. If those burn good in there, you may have some not so seasoned wood like me :(

Good luck. :)

Melissa

#1 complaint & #1 cause in most instances. We all learn this less early on.
 
Cmon clearblue16 I see you have started another thread on (proper temperature). Have you got all this stuff straightend out on the above. Did you find a problem? Let us know. You gotta share. Come on back ya here. :)
 
Ha! I did get it work...just a matter of the right wood and breaking it in....once you get it going with some coals it works just fine....definetly an art form....now I have to figure the overnight configurations! Very happy sitting here on the couch with the room 75, the gas heat has been off since I lit the match for the first time last night! I have been missing out all these years! Now I need to fine some black locust, which is practically the unicorn of firewood up here in the NW! ( rare)
 
Your best bet here in the PNW for good solid firewood that is relatively easy to acquire is Red Fir or Birch depending on where you get your firewood. I burn primarily Red Fir and get good solid burn times but can sometimes get Birch which is an excellent firewood if you can find it and get it seasoned.

Black locust can be found, but it's rare and IMO you're better off with a wood you can come by easily.
 
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