Here is the history: Vermont Castings Intrepid model 1308 with a cat. 6 inch rear exit flue hooked into a new stainless flex liner all the way to the top with the cap, etc. on it. No insulation on pipe, and I have a block off plate. I keep a wood stove thermometer on the griddle on the top. This stove is a front or top load. It does have a small firebox, so I try to keep a small fire in it but it really wants to get too hot too easily. I feel like I have to babysit the stove. the manual I downloaded off line said to not let the stove get over 750 degrees, and to flip it to "CAT" when the temp got to 450 Degrees. It seems to go up to 750 degrees without a lot of fire. We do have good seasoned wood. It's like I have a hot stove with 2 or 3 little sticks! The family has been calling it the kindling burner as it is efficient with making heat with a little wood. I just feel like I am always fooling with it. Adjusting damper, checking temps. When the temp gets to 750 degrees, I have been setting a box fan on low 3 feet from it to cool it down so it does not get damaged. What am I doing wrong?
Also, chimney is not that high, it was 13 feet from top to floor of old fireplace.
I am also used to my big monster Crosswinds wood furnace in the basement, that just eats wood. It is old school I know, but we just load it and go to bed. I have to really watch the intrepid, and have stayed up with it when I wasn't comfortable with the temps on top.
Also, chimney is not that high, it was 13 feet from top to floor of old fireplace.
I am also used to my big monster Crosswinds wood furnace in the basement, that just eats wood. It is old school I know, but we just load it and go to bed. I have to really watch the intrepid, and have stayed up with it when I wasn't comfortable with the temps on top.