Help With Clydesdale (Can't Get Temp Up)

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
P

Pizzaman

New Member
Nov 15, 2008
21
Ashburn, VA
I've burned a couple dozen fires in my new Clydesdale, and I'm running out of options. With a Rutland thermometer positioned on the top center of the unit, I really haven't been able to get the reading above 200F. I have decent wood that appears to be seasoned. I've tried small splits to get a good bed of coals, but it always seems when I throw the next log on the fire, it doesn't erupt. I've got some flames, but not a ton. When I crack the door of the stove, I get more flames (obviously), but once I shut the door, I'm back to square one.

The stove emits a decent amount of heat when I open it to re-stock, but I've never felt anywhere close to overpowered with the amount of heat coming out. I'm able to reach my hands in without gloves to add or reposition logs. My installer DID NOT install a blocker plater around the pipe at the damper. But, chimney is less than 5 years old and appears to be in good state of repair.

We live in a 5-year old house that's very fuel efficient with new windows. No cold drafts, etc. I'm sitting about 15 feet from the stove now and don't feel any real heat unless I jack up the fan all the way. Possible solutions I haven't tried yet:

1. Thermometer is broke.

2. Wood I'm using is worse than I thought. Go get some kiln-dried wood and fire it up with small pieces of that.

3. Ventilation issues, not getting enough air. Air intake clogged?

I'm open to any other suggestions.
 
#2 sounds like the most likely scenario. If this is an exterior chimney, that may be compounding the problem with the lack of a block-off plate.
 
I know the lack of a block-off plate will reduce the heat output of the stove. I'm just not sure how dramatic an effect it can have.

I guess I have to figure out how to check the air intake.
 
What kinda wood and wheres the air setting at?
 
Tendencies said:
What kinda wood and wheres the air setting at?
Click to expand...

Oak. I've had success getting a good fire started with wood pallets. But I can't get anything else to catch. Maybe I'm using logs that are too big, too early? I was able to burn logs this size in my last insert, which was smaller.
 
Stupid question for any Clydesdale owners. Do you place your thermostat ON TOP of the grate on the top of the stove, or UNDER the grate?
 
Pizzaman said:
I know the lack of a block-off plate will reduce the heat output of the stove. I'm just not sure how dramatic an effect it can have.

I guess I have to figure out how to check the air intake.
Click to expand...

How does the block off plate effect the stove top temp?

If you're only getting to 200 somethings wrong. I mean, at that temp your really not getting much heat at all.


I'm still struggling a bit with my new Jotul Castine. I've had all the same thoughts wood, chimney, possible intake blockage....

I'm now getting the stove up to the 550-650 range but even wide open it never wants to climb any higher (not that I really want it to).

I think your next move should be supermarket wood. Split it down a bit further and let it run with the door closed. Stove top should be at 550 in a half hour or less.
 
Pizzaman said:
Tendencies said:
What kinda wood and wheres the air setting at?
Click to expand...

Oak. I've had success getting a good fire started with wood pallets. But I can't get anything else to catch. Maybe I'm using logs that are too big, too early? I was able to burn logs this size in my last insert, which was smaller.
Click to expand...

Has the oak been split, stacked and seasoned for at least a couple years? If not, it is probably still damp on the interior of the splits. For a test, get a couple bundles of grocery store wood and try them out. If the stove works great, the wood is the issue.
 
Pizzaman said:
Stupid question for any Clydesdale owners. Do you place your thermostat ON TOP of the grate on the top of the stove, or UNDER the grate?
Click to expand...
I place mine on top of the grate, centered. After buning for a couple of hours it is difficult to place wood in without gloves. Temp reading on a magnetic rutland is about 400 f with 3 splits and the air cut all the way down. (oak)
 
newtothis said:
Pizzaman said:
Stupid question for any Clydesdale owners. Do you place your thermostat ON TOP of the grate on the top of the stove, or UNDER the grate?
Click to expand...
I place mine on top of the grate, centered. After buning for a couple of hours it is difficult to place wood in without gloves. Temp reading on a magnetic rutland is about 400 f with 3 splits and the air cut all the way down. (oak)
Click to expand...

Wow. Nowhere near that. Guess I'm off to get kiln-dried wood from the supermarket tomorrow.
 
I recently installed a blower on my dovre wood stove. It attaches to the back of the stove, kind of where the chimney pipe comes out. After installing it I noticed the temp of the chimney dropped dramatically.

Do you have a blower? Does it get higher with the blower disconnected/turned off?

Bob
 
As usual, the experts on Hearth.com are right. 2 bags of Hot Sticks from the local 7-Eleven. 30 minutes in, I'm burning at 400F.

Guess I don't have a ventilation issue. :)

I've managed to pick up a few cords worth of really good wood (Cherry, Red Oak) that will season well. I'll just have to struggle through the season using the pallets I have to keep my temp up.

I'm still going to have the installer put in a blocker plate for the damper.

ONE MORE QUESTION: For Clydesdale users, how much ash are you keeping in the bottom of your firebox?
 
Good news. Enjoy that big boy and keep and eye on the flue this season. Check it at least once a month for creosote build up.
 
Good to hear you're getting higher temps. I'm on my 3rd season burning the Clydesdale and I'm still learning new things and new ways of burning. So the learning curve can continue for a while, even after you think you've got it all figured out.

As for the ash levels, I'm leaving a good amount in this year (another new one for me). Last year I would empty once a week or so, now I'm going closer to a month before emptying. I'm basically burning until the level of ash is almost at the point of falling out the door when I open it. I find that a good 1" or more of ash does wonders at holding heat and coals on overnight burns. Plus its no fun emptying the stove, messy... so the less often I do it the better!

Good luck and if you ever have any questions feel free to PM me. I remember what it was like learning how to operate a new stove. Its fun, but can quickly get frustrating when you can't get the desired results...

Happy burning!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

R
Stove fans and exit gas temps
Replies
8
Views
614
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
danrclem
D
R
Exit Gas temps on alternative stoves?
Replies
6
Views
601
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
rashomon
R
E
How effective are the new Lopi NexGen Hybrid woodstove inserts without using the blower
Replies
2
Views
288
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
MinM
M
Chaka
Hearthstone Clydesdale TruHybrid (8492) Review
Replies
10
Views
2K
HearthStone
SJFam
S
L
Non-flush insert comparisons
Replies
17
Views
1K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
LEW22
L
Top Bottom
Back