2025/26 VC performance discussion thread

[Smokey Da Bears]

Welcome neighbor. Have you verified the STT with the IR to be sure that thermometer is accurate?

Other than that, have you checked all the gaskets to be sure they're not pulling in air? You can use incense or something a little smokey to see if it pulls into the stove around the gaskets.

go Pats! Yeah the IR and magnet are close. I have replaced front door, ash pan, and griddle gaskets. Also had to adjust front doors, they were super leaky.

 

[Woodsplitter67]

STT - a magnetic inferno from Condar on the back of the griddle. I also have a cheap infrared that I don’t use much.

Normal cat temp runs anywhere between 900-1400. I like trying to keep it in the 1100-1300 range. Highest cat temp I’ve seen is like 1650 when I’ve gotten brave and packed the stove or while the cat was new and hyper.

With a cat temp in the 1100-1300 range I have a STT running 500. No smoke out of chimney. I have a magnetic chimguard 18 inches up at a 45 elbow, running around 275-300.

It sounds all decent, but this is like a 3-5 hour burn cycle…maybe 7-8 if conditions are absolutely perfect.

Do you know why your stove backpuffs what the cause is.

Most of what your saying looks to be correct. I'd double check your magnetic thermometer many are really off. 900 sounds super high.

Just to make sure . When your stove backpuffs all your doing it turning up the he primary air.. correct

 

[Smokey Da Bears]

900 is my cat..not stove top. That would be enough to never burn wood again 😂🤣

Yes, when I see or smell a backpuff, I’m opening primary air. My assumption on a backpuff is a build up of gasses not exhausting that ignite. They are kind of cool to see. But campfire smell in the house.

 

[Woodsplitter67]

900 is my cat..not stove top. That would be enough to never burn wood again 😂🤣

Yes, when I see or smell a backpuff, I’m opening primary air. My assumption on a backpuff is a build up of gasses not exhausting that ignite. They are kind of cool to see. But campfire smell in the house.

Ok.. so backpuffing is from the lack of draft. A strong draft will keep this from happening.

When this happens open the bypass and turn up the primary air and Re-Establish a good draft. Close the bypass and turn the air back. This will lessen the need for you to baby sit the stove this should only take a few minutes. You shouldn't have to constantly set the air.

I believe you said the stove top gets extremely hot when your cats engaged like around 1jk can you go into detail of what's happening.

 

[Rusty18]

Just finished the upgrade from custom adapter (previous owner built)/13” clay tile to 6” stainless flex insulated and what a difference! 3’ horizontal out back of stove then up 13’ to chimney cap. Been trying to make the stove puke the last 2 loads and it apparently has enough draft to keep it sucked up the pipe. I’m the old setup it’d puke just cause I looked at it.

Also I have a 2550 with separate secondary air damper and made some mods to allow it to over clock when the cat runs away to air quench it vs cutting all air. I also have a small chain attached so I can manually add cooling air if needed. Judging by the way it’s running this evening may have it finally tuned in though.

 

[Rusty18]

Just did a reload. 400 stt 900 cat. Filled it half full of maple. Closed damper as soon as I had the top door shut on in it and cut primary air to zero. No visible flames but cat temp is rising (it dropped to 817 during reload but back to 900 and climbing now)