How to get huge secondaries

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SmokeyCity

Feeling the Heat
Mar 6, 2011
428
Western Pa
I just read post about the guy whose vogelzang performer went Chernobyl, and someone mentioned keeping the wood away from the pipes.

Well, if you want killer secondaries stack the wood so that you have some extra dry black locust right up near the pipes and let er rip, then back it all the way off.

I have been doing this during the heart of the winter for two seasons now. Works every time for a great light show. Looks like a flame thrower sometimes.
 
SmokeyCity said:
I just read post about the guy whose vogelzang performer went Chernobyl, and someone mentioned keeping the wood away from the pipes.

Well, if you want killer secondaries stack the wood so that you have some extra dry black locust right up near the pipes and let er rip, then back it all the way off.

I have been doing this during the heart of the winter for two seasons now. Works every time for a great light show. Looks like a flame thrower sometimes.

And your stove temps are?
 
SmokeyCity said:
I just read post about the guy whose vogelzang performer went Chernobyl, and someone mentioned keeping the wood away from the pipes.

Well, if you want killer secondaries stack the wood so that you have some extra dry black locust right up near the pipes and let er rip, then back it all the way off.

I have been doing this during the heart of the winter for two seasons now. Works every time for a great light show. Looks like a flame thrower sometimes.

Yep, I agree you have to stack the wood up near the secondary burn tubes in order to maximize the secondary burn to get the highest efficiency during the first part of the cycle while the wood is outgassing. Adjust the primary air to achieve the desired stove temp: 450-640 depending on the outside temp. Once the wood quits outgassing and gets to the coal stage then you just ride the temp down to 2-300 then reload. Keep the primary air as low as possible to keep the secondaries lit during outgassing to maximize the burn time. Stack the wood to within 2" in the front with some fresh wood in the back for outgassing to maximize the secondary burn.
 
As good a way to waste the heat in the wood as I can think of. Well, or you could give it your neighbor.
 
BrotherBart said:
As good a way to waste the heat in the wood as I can think of. Well, or you could give it your neighbor.

Maybe that's why it's been so warm here in New York lately?
 
you're lucky I didn't have the power vent turned on...

Battenkiller said:
BrotherBart said:
As good a way to waste the heat in the wood as I can think of. Well, or you could give it your neighbor.

Maybe that's why it's been so warm here in New York lately?
 
BrotherBart said:
As good a way to waste the heat in the wood as I can think of. Well, or you could give it your neighbor.


I suppose as tall as the NC30 firebox is it would take a lot of wood to stack it up near the secondary burn tubes. My firebox floor is as big but its only about 2/3 as tall.
 
I believe the manual for my 30 says not to load above the top of the firebrick.

The airspace up there is needed for the secondary system to work properly.

-SF
 
SlyFerret said:
I believe the manual for my 30 says not to load above the top of the firebrick.

The airspace up there is needed for the secondary system to work properly.

-SF

How far below the burn tubes are the tops of the firebricks on the NC30? Mine vary from about 1/2" in the back to about 2" in the front.
 
The biggest drawback iv found in piling too high is you keep ramming the Sec pipes and the refractory board on top while reloading,..... not a good idea.
 
Our Super 27 definitely burns best when the wood is stacked up against the baffle. If a piece of wood (not as dry as it should be) is not burning well, stacking a second piece on top gets things cooking. You gotta love watching the blue/purple flames with no smoke coming out of the chimney.
 
Battleaxe said:
SlyFerret said:
I believe the manual for my 30 says not to load above the top of the firebrick.

The airspace up there is needed for the secondary system to work properly.

-SF

How far below the burn tubes are the tops of the firebricks on the NC30? Mine vary from about 1/2" in the back to about 2" in the front.

Got a Fire goin, but it looks to be about 4" from secondary tubes to Firebrick. . With 2 layers of splits, I get about an inch above the bricks, still plenty of room for secondary burn. Using larger splits (like to cut them square or rectangular for easy packing of the stove) I can pack it in pretty good.
 
YEAH..like ... what he just said

aroth said:
Our Super 27 definitely burns best when the wood is stacked up against the baffle. If a piece of wood (not as dry as it should be) is not burning well, stacking a second piece on top gets things cooking. You gotta love watching the blue/purple flames with no smoke coming out of the chimney.
 
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