Shutting down air on Hearthstone Heritage

[PeterJ]

In order to extend the burn times on my Heritage, I have been shutting the air down all the way by moving the air control level all the way to the right after the stove is buring at a stove top temp of 400+. I get nice secondaries when I do this. Is thee a problen with creosoot build up burning this way? Thanks for your help.

 

[Dakotas Dad]

Nope, that's exactly how you are supposed to run the stove. Your manual *probably* tells you that's how to run it, and may say something about letting it run good and hot for 20-30 minutes everyday.. mine does. At this moment I am running 425 stove top, medium size load of smallish splits, air about 90% closed.

 

[PeterJ]

The manual recommends running the air 1/4 open rather than shutting it down all the way.

 

[Highbeam]

I read that in the manual too. The "normal" operation should be at about 1/4 open according to hearthstone. Well, that's my no f-in around setting for when I want the stovetop at max output. For long burns, especially overnight, I shut it to zero. Realize that 0% draft setting is not 0% air to the stove. The EPA sets the minimum air so that there is always sufficient air to burn cleanly, even at 0% draft setting.

Every night, in all cases, that draft goes to zero if there is a fire. A safety thing. Also, when I leave the house, the draft goes to zero. I know that the stove won't overfire that way.

In summary, I do exactly as you do and have had no problems at all with creo buildup in the flue or on the glass.