Volume of a stove: is it including airspace above firebricks?

[Swedishchef]

Hi guys

Quick question: when everyone mentions the volume of their stove, are we talking about the volume at the firebrick level only or the entire air space inside the combustion chamber?

Also, most stove manuals say not to load the stove higher than the firebricks, does everyone heed this warning? Is it safe to load the wood above the firebrick line?

Thanks in advance

Andrew

 

[SolarAndWood]

They seem to all include every last cubic inch whether it is effectively usable or not.

 

[WES999]

The manufactures published spec tend to be a bit optimistic, My Regency is claimed to be a 1.4 cf fire box, when I measured it was more like 1.1 cf.

 

[PapaDave]

I think most here would say to leave perhaps an inch of air space between baffle and splits for airflow. Manufacturers seem to think you can use every nook and cranny in the stovebox, including space behind firebrick, but I've not found that to be realistic. :coolsmile:
This is something I've taken into my own hands, and started measuring the firebox of any stove I come across.
If the manual says to only load no higher than firebrick, that's the measurement I would use.

 

[rdust]

BB posted a link explaining it all a while back, I'm sure he'll post up when he see's think thread.

Edit: did a quick search and found it here. Calculating Firebox Volume

 

[PapaDave]

Thanks rdust......read that already. Perhaps Andrew has not.
I'll stick to my own measurements.

 

[Swedishchef]

Thanks guys

Thanks for the link to the other post. I had not seen it! Wow. Pretty complex measurements

SO what about loading higher than the firebricks? Is it dangerous for the stove?

A

 

[Todd]

I wouldn't worry about loading up to the baffle because as soon as the load gets going it shrinks down and gives you that air gap you need. Just be careful not to cram it in there and damage the baffle, some baffles are pretty fragile.

 

[Jags]

I wouldn't worry about loading up to the baffle because as soon as the load gets going it shrinks down and gives you that air gap you need. Just be careful not to cram it in there and damage the baffle, some baffles are pretty fragile.

Todd is spot on in my opinion. The wood will start to shrink early on in the fire. I personally load the sucker stuffed full.