I may be a bit off on the concept, but it seems to me that the most efficient burn of an EPA stove is when ONLY the secondaries are spitting flame and the wood is just smoldering. I achieved a 7+ hour burn when I went to bed with the stove in this condition. However it seems that many people are under the impression that one needs to achieve a blazing hot fire and 600/+ degree stove top temps with the fire box looking like one big fireball. I don't understand how the wood is burning efficiently in this way. I've come to understand that flames are actually inefficient, unless heating your stove to achieve secondary burn of course. My secondaries will kick in when my top temps get to 400 +/- a few degrees. At this point I turn down the stove to 1/2 then in about 15-20 mins turn it down to almost closed and from there it will cruise. Does this sound right? I'm sure that every stove is different and each has it's own personality and "sweet spot", but it's really the concept that I need an answer on. Thank you!