What am I doing wrong on reload?

[corey21]

That load seemed normal to me. The stove will seek its own temp once the air is shut down.

 

[NSDave]

For some reason I had it in my head that quicker shutdown of air should mean lower peak temps. But it is good to be assured that things are going correctly.

Once again, I appreciate the input from everyone that weighed in!

 

[ArsenalDon]

It is crazy.....now I have a cast iron stove and so maybe that is the difference but I see guys talking about 700 degrees and the best my IR gun has ever clocked is 550 and I have tried like hell to get it as hot as I could with everything wide open....that is stove top center.

 

[Ashful]

It is crazy.....now I have a cast iron stove and so maybe that is the difference but I see guys talking about 700 degrees and the best my IR gun has ever clocked is 550 and I have tried like hell to get it as hot as I could with everything wide open....that is stove top center.

What wood species, and how long has it been split and stacked? In the sun, shade? Covered?

 

[BrowningBAR]

What wood species, and how long has it been split and stacked? In the sun, shade? Covered?

I'm with Joful on this. I can get both of my cast iron stoves to 700 and beyond, easily. I don't want to get them that hot, but I can.

Also, the Isle Royal is known to be hot blooded. I think 650-700 top end temp for that stove is normal, if I remember correctly from the posts of our Isle owners. That bastard like to run hot. If you aren't getting it north of 550, your fuel is an issue.

 

[rdust]

Ahh this brings back memories, I don't miss those non cat days one bit. I love roller coasters but not with my stove temps.

 

[Hogwildz]

The person is asking for help & suggestions. BS comments are neither. Seems a few dedicated BK threads are not enough for some folks.

 

[NSDave]

Thanks all; This being my first full season I'm still figuring it out; I burned last season but replaced an old VC resolute acclaim with the steel Kodiak halfway through. The old VC said to not let it get about 700; all the Kodiak says is if its red its too hot.
I could get the VC up there close; but I had dry wood; 2 yr c/s/s

 

[Ashful]

...but I had dry wood; 2 yr c/s/s

Had?

 

[TradEddie]

It is crazy.....now I have a cast iron stove and so maybe that is the difference but I see guys talking about 700 degrees and the best my IR gun has ever clocked is 550 and I have tried like hell to get it as hot as I could with everything wide open....that is stove top center.

Everything wide open will probably not give you the hottest stove, the fire may burn hot, but the extra air blowing through the stove is drawing that heat up the flue before it can transfer to the stove. Once the fire is going well, you usually want to use the lowest air setting that keeps it burning.
TE

 

[NSDave]

Had?

Still have just not the exact same splits plus now they have an extra summer's seasoning