Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice on getting the best performance out of my Villager boiler stove, particularly from people who have experience running these stoves.
My stove heats a central heating system with around 10 radiators. I have a VTC 511 loading valve fitted, so the return water is kept hot to protect the stove. The radiators all get warm, but I want to make sure I’m running the stove as efficiently as possible and getting the best heat output without wasting wood or causing problems with tar and creosote.
I’m particularly interested in the following:
- Flue temperature: What temperature should I aim for when the stove is up to operating temperature? Where is the best place to measure it, and what temperatures are too low or too high?
- Air settings: How far open do you run the primary air and the airwash? Do you leave the airwash open all the time, or reduce it once the fire is established?
- Flue damper: Do any of you use a flue damper to control the burn? If so, how much do you close it, and how do you avoid restricting the draw too much?
- Water temperature: What boiler water temperature do you aim for when heating radiators?
- Wood: I mainly burn seasoned hardwood, including sweet chestnut. What moisture content and log size work best in these stoves?
- Overnight burning: Is it better to keep the stove ticking over slowly or let it burn properly and reload as needed?
- Efficiency: How do you get the best balance between heating the water, getting heat into the room and keeping the flue clean?
I used to run a solid-fuel Rayburn, which I controlled partly with the flue damper and primary air, so I’m familiar with solid-fuel appliances, but I’d like to get the best out of this particular stove.
I know every installation is different, but I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has experience with Villager boiler stoves.
What settings do you use in practice, and what flue and water temperatures do you find work best?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
I’m looking for some advice on getting the best performance out of my Villager boiler stove, particularly from people who have experience running these stoves.
My stove heats a central heating system with around 10 radiators. I have a VTC 511 loading valve fitted, so the return water is kept hot to protect the stove. The radiators all get warm, but I want to make sure I’m running the stove as efficiently as possible and getting the best heat output without wasting wood or causing problems with tar and creosote.
I’m particularly interested in the following:
- Flue temperature: What temperature should I aim for when the stove is up to operating temperature? Where is the best place to measure it, and what temperatures are too low or too high?
- Air settings: How far open do you run the primary air and the airwash? Do you leave the airwash open all the time, or reduce it once the fire is established?
- Flue damper: Do any of you use a flue damper to control the burn? If so, how much do you close it, and how do you avoid restricting the draw too much?
- Water temperature: What boiler water temperature do you aim for when heating radiators?
- Wood: I mainly burn seasoned hardwood, including sweet chestnut. What moisture content and log size work best in these stoves?
- Overnight burning: Is it better to keep the stove ticking over slowly or let it burn properly and reload as needed?
- Efficiency: How do you get the best balance between heating the water, getting heat into the room and keeping the flue clean?
I used to run a solid-fuel Rayburn, which I controlled partly with the flue damper and primary air, so I’m familiar with solid-fuel appliances, but I’d like to get the best out of this particular stove.
I know every installation is different, but I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has experience with Villager boiler stoves.
What settings do you use in practice, and what flue and water temperatures do you find work best?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
