cast iron... how hot is too hot?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
I have peaked at 900F. Quickly brought it down to 700 (when I realized I screwed up, ash pan was not secured properly). No worse for the wear.

That stove you have is a beast. I've been watching your posts for some time and it sounds like she gets hot very quickly and throws alot of heat.
 
The highest I've ever seen on the griddle thermometer was 700, maybe once. You really have to push this stove hard to get that temp without something else getting way too hot first.

On a regular basis I will get the andirons inside the stove hot enough to glow (900+) when firing a new load since they pretty much sit in the coal bed. I imagine the ash grate probably gets just as hot. On a couple of occasions I have had the glowing combustor throat issue like Gark but this always was accompanied by a cat over temp ( 1800+) so I know what to watch for.

I like that house of yours. The fact that you have 3 woodburning areas is pretty cool.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jharkin
That stove you have is a beast. I've been watching your posts for some time and it sounds like she gets hot very quickly and throws alot of heat.

I am lucky that it is built like a tank. I am not the kindest person to it.;lol
But - I have always said that the IR is one of the easiest breathing stoves that I am aware of. Its a 3.0 cuft cast iron stove that was built with one thing in mind. Make heat. It does that pretty darn well. I am also running very good (read dry) wood. All this said...it is also a very controllable stove with one exception. It don't do slow and low very well.::P It likes to cruise at 550-650F.
 
First, this is not an effort to try to answer your question, You have gotten good answers already. Just an interesting part of my past.
My Uncle heated his shop with a large old pot belly stove. He was a carpenter and had lots of scrap lumber. That is the only thing he ever burned in that old stove, and it always had some part glowing red:ZZZ I thought you were supposed to run them that way !!!
 
I like that house of yours. The fact that you have 3 woodburning areas is pretty cool.
Dear god, I long for a centrally located chimney in an open layout...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ashful
Dear god, I long for a centrally located chimney in an open layout...

Amen. The novelty of running multiple stoves wears off very fast, particularly when you have a tight work schedule, kids to get to bed in the evening, etc.
 
Everything is relative. I have a not horrible heating layout as old houses go... But I long for a second bath. I long for actual closets. I long for not hitting my head on the stairwell header. I long for a basement that doesn't require walking around like a hunchback to clear the pipes. I long for space to put the kids toys somewhere other than the living room. I long for more than 3 ft of kitchen counter. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: pen
Dear god, I long for a centrally located chimney in an open layout...

I know that it's more work but still...it is nice to have a bunch of fireplaces...whether it's easy to keep them going...you would be the resident experts on these matters!!! :)
 
I am lucky that it is built like a tank. I am not the kindest person to it.;lol
But - I have always said that the IR is one of the easiest breathing stoves that I am aware of. Its a 3.0 cuft cast iron stove that was built with one thing in mind. Make heat. It does that pretty darn well. I am also running very good (read dry) wood. All this said...it is also a very controllable stove with one exception. It don't do slow and low very well.::P It likes to cruise at 550-650F.

Sounds good. 3 cubic feet should be overnight burn range!!! As long as she isn't smoking the wood like cigarettes!
 
Sounds good. 3 cubic feet should be overnight burn range!!! As long as she isn't smoking the wood like cigarettes!

I can do an 8 hours burn and end up with a stove top of about 300F. Easy restart. My problem is that I am often away from home for 11 or more hours any given day.
 
I know that it's more work but still...it is nice to have a bunch of fireplaces...whether it's easy to keep them going...you would be the resident experts on these matters!!! :)
It's easier than it has ever been now that I have the large stoves in place. But, it is still a lot of work.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.