After some fits and starts (kinda like learning to drive a standard shift!), the PH has decided to settle down and operate like it should. I always KNEW it could do better than it did, but it just took some convincin'! We've had three nights in a row with lows below 20 F and today in the "hotest" part of the day, it's only 34, SO last night I loaded the PH 1/2 full of two thousand year old cedar with 1/2 dry, oak pallet pieces (26" X 4" x 2') on top of that, lit 'er up, got it goin', cut the cat on at 300 degrees, cut the air to right next to nothin' and set my damper to 1/2 closed. Stayed up with it for 1/2 an hour to make sure it didn't act up (i.e. splode!) and then hit the rack. The fire commenced at 1930. This mornin' at 0800, we still had lots of coals and tossed in four oak boards of the above dimensions. Ran without a hitch and we were still at 74 at 0800, BUT the stove top temp will still not get above 400-425! Does this temp need to be higher? If it does, I cannot figure out how to get it there and would appreciate suggestions. (Tony, no wisecracks about blowin' it up! 
--I can do that on my own, thank you very much!) :lol:
So far, this stove seems to put out about twice the heat as the FV. Haven't measured anything, but I've been running around in jean shorts and a short-sleeved, summer type T-shirt all day. That would not have happened with the FV. So, I don't know what WS did, but it isn't a function of firebox size increase, 'cause that's only 1/2 cubic foot, but even Lynda commented on the extra heat. Places in our room that we could not sit under the same circumstances with the FV, near the patio doors, we can now sit in comfort. So, it's quite a bit more heat.
Nothing technical, but we are much more pleased with this stove. JM2cents!
--I can do that on my own, thank you very much!) :lol: So far, this stove seems to put out about twice the heat as the FV. Haven't measured anything, but I've been running around in jean shorts and a short-sleeved, summer type T-shirt all day. That would not have happened with the FV. So, I don't know what WS did, but it isn't a function of firebox size increase, 'cause that's only 1/2 cubic foot, but even Lynda commented on the extra heat. Places in our room that we could not sit under the same circumstances with the FV, near the patio doors, we can now sit in comfort. So, it's quite a bit more heat.
Nothing technical, but we are much more pleased with this stove. JM2cents!
Actually that element is part of the plan, but, in an emergency, one to be considered only after the facility is secure, ifyouknowwhatImean! She has seen fit to adopt a more spring-like wardrobe in these temps, which has caused some ignoring of the PH from time to time!
