I am entering my 2nd season with an RSF Opel III insert. I must say I was very happy with my 1st season of burning last year as the fireplace gave me a good consistent heat that kept my NG forced air furnace pretty much idle. However, last season I did get a lot of blackening of the fireplace door window by creosote. I attributed this to poorly seasoned wood as I only had about 6 months of seasoning time since I cut and split.
I was eagerly anticipating this season as now I am sitting on 2 1/2 cords of 12+ month seasoned red maple, yellow birch, and sugar maple. Much to my disappointment, I again have the heavy black creosote coating my window so much so that I can't even really see the flames, just an orange glow. I haven't even really been able to achieve a good secondary burn this year it seems. I've read on here before (I believe) that the air holes in the secondary tube of these epa burners should be facing the window as to effectively wash it. The holes in my secondary tube are facing towards the window, but up and away from it at an approximate 30 or 45 degree angle. I can't adjust this postion as there is a factory preset tab that sets this position so I am assuming it is correct.
I've read where others on the hearth.com burn their morning stokings of firewood quite hard with wide open air supply for a bit to burn off any light residues left on their windows from an overnight burn - I have tried this with no luck. I'm really thinking something isn't right here or maybe I even need 2+ year seasoned firewood? Anyone have any advice, suggestions, or is this just the way it is (I hope not)?
I'm really happy with my heat output from the Opel, but I need to get this black window issue figured out. I've just sent a similar email into RSF as well, but thought there might be some insight found here over the weekend.
Thanks,
lumbajac
U.P. of Michigan
I was eagerly anticipating this season as now I am sitting on 2 1/2 cords of 12+ month seasoned red maple, yellow birch, and sugar maple. Much to my disappointment, I again have the heavy black creosote coating my window so much so that I can't even really see the flames, just an orange glow. I haven't even really been able to achieve a good secondary burn this year it seems. I've read on here before (I believe) that the air holes in the secondary tube of these epa burners should be facing the window as to effectively wash it. The holes in my secondary tube are facing towards the window, but up and away from it at an approximate 30 or 45 degree angle. I can't adjust this postion as there is a factory preset tab that sets this position so I am assuming it is correct.
I've read where others on the hearth.com burn their morning stokings of firewood quite hard with wide open air supply for a bit to burn off any light residues left on their windows from an overnight burn - I have tried this with no luck. I'm really thinking something isn't right here or maybe I even need 2+ year seasoned firewood? Anyone have any advice, suggestions, or is this just the way it is (I hope not)?
I'm really happy with my heat output from the Opel, but I need to get this black window issue figured out. I've just sent a similar email into RSF as well, but thought there might be some insight found here over the weekend.
Thanks,
lumbajac
U.P. of Michigan