Where do I take the temperature of a wood insert?

Was the smoke coming from the door gasket or the primary & secondary air inlets? If it was from the inlets then it is only the cold flue. If it was the door gasket, was the door completely closed and latched when the smoke leaked out? If the smoke can leak out, air can leak in and make it hard to control the stove once hot. If so you should do the "dollar bill" test. When the stove is cold put a dollar bill between the door and the frame. Close and latch the door and pull on the dollar. If it slides out easily the latch needs to be tightened as per the manual. Repeat several times around the door. Do not over-tighten the latch. If it cannot be easily adjusted call your dealer to check it out.

If the bricks are all wood, no glue or other binding agents, then it is the low moisture content. If there is too much air they will burn very hot. I only use them when I have marginal wood that needs to be moisture balanced.

I have never burned just Envi blocks. With a full load of well seasoned hardwoods I get 8 hour burns. At the end of 8 hours the stove is still giving off a good amount of heat from a nice bed of coals. There are enough coals to put some splits on and re-start the fire. I think 10 hour burn is a marketing number. After 10 hours I am sure I will find some hot coals but not enough to generate any real heat or to re-start the fire easily.

I was wondering why the competition for free firewood was getting so bad.

KaptJaq

PartView, I go thru about 2.5 tons/pellets per winter. I think the blocks do gets too hot, that's why I only do up to 5 blocks. I have a magnetic thermometer that I stick to the top arch of the door...right in front of the glass I think. With 4 blocks, the temp can reach 375 and 5 blocks will kick it up to 450. With 5 blocks...the box is only half full. I am scare of add more than 5 blocks...so I think the trick to get to the magical 8 hours burn is to add regular cord wood in the mix, this way, I get the box fully filled without getting too hot....adding more envi blocks is probably too risky beyond 5.

The guy who sell the Envi Blocks is also an Envi burner himself...you can just give him a call and ask for advice as well.