I have an old VC defiant early 80's. I am using well seasoned hardwoods as well as bio bricks and a few pieces from pallets. This is what happens from a cold start takes several hours to get to 400*. I basically keep throwing in wood and burning with the primary and secondary wide open and even the door a crack open. If not the fire will smolder and temps will be around 200*. To me it seems like there is a air supply restriction. I took it apart last year resealed it and cleaned out the back of the fire box. I can take a flashlight and shine it through the primary and secondary and I can see light entering the fire box! I have a 25 ft masonry interior chimney with 8 x 8 clay flue. It was cleaned in Sept of '09. Have check no blockages or obstructions.Well once I can get stove over 500* it is great heats well. But the battle is exhausting to get the stove top to that point.
Is it possible that the chimney is taking so long to heat to create a strong draft? I have observed that sometimes with the doors a crack open that the doors begin to be sucked in a bit. I also have taken a lit cigar (cohiba) and have opened the doors to the stove and have help the cigar up to 8 inch away and the smoke goes horizontal and up the stack. Maybe to much draft I dont know. Any help or thoughts would greatly be appreciated.
I have also observed that on occasion when I open the air supplies one would think that I would be heading towards an over-fire, but just the opposite happens the temp begins to drop.
Is it possible that the chimney is taking so long to heat to create a strong draft? I have observed that sometimes with the doors a crack open that the doors begin to be sucked in a bit. I also have taken a lit cigar (cohiba) and have opened the doors to the stove and have help the cigar up to 8 inch away and the smoke goes horizontal and up the stack. Maybe to much draft I dont know. Any help or thoughts would greatly be appreciated.
I have also observed that on occasion when I open the air supplies one would think that I would be heading towards an over-fire, but just the opposite happens the temp begins to drop.