Ashford 25 Insert Questions

[Highbeam]

The cat thermometer is a switch. Once the cat hits 550F, the needle moves upwards the 12 o'clock position and will not go further.

BKVP

I'm so glad you said this. I've had some arguments with folks about it, they seem to think it is an analog gauge.

 

[Highbeam]

A couple of things I’ve learned in >35 years, 200+ cords:
1) it’s critical that the door gasket is a perfect seal, so the only air ingress is the thermostatic valve.
2)In my case, I find that very fine adjustments around “2” make big changes in heat output. Start thinking like “I’m going to turn it up from 1.9 to 2.2 to really warm the place up”. The only time I ever turn it up over 2.5 (2300 sq fr, 2 floors, King version) is when it’s below zero outside and maybe a N wind blowing.
3)Lastly, I’ve done experiments like recently: had some trees cut down on my ~25-30 deg bluff to restore view. Had logs stacked in backyard, the very next day split a birch and spruce round (~10” diameter) into quarters.
Put them in living room about 10’ from stove. After 4 weeks the spruce quarter lost 50% of its weight and the birch 24%. Don’t need my moisture meter to conclude wood can dry very quickly in a dry warm place!!
I think it’s a good idea to stage wood from outdoor storage to somewhere indoors for even a very few days before use.

For folks reading, charlie has an old stove with actual numbers on the thermostat dial. BK eliminated markings on the dial many years ago.

Myself, I load dry cold wood directly from the outdoor covered woodrack or woodshed directly into the stove. I do believe that preheating the wood can only help speed combustion but I don't want the mess or wasted space of moving wood into the home for the next day. That just adds an additional wood moving step which I try to minimize.

 

[Burnin Since 1989]

For folks reading, charlie has an old stove with actual numbers on the thermostat dial. BK eliminated markings on the dial many years ago.

Myself, I load dry cold wood directly from the outdoor covered woodrack or woodshed directly into the stove. I do believe that preheating the wood can only help speed combustion but I don't want the mess or wasted space of moving wood into the home for the next day. That just adds an additional wood moving step which I try to minimize.

That's the blessing we all enjoy! Hearing all the input and making informed decisions.

 

[GG Woody]

Since this bit of talk has started, I've been bringing more wood in.
I think I've liked bringing a smaller bin in twice a day more than bringing 1 back breaking load a day...
I might last longer this way and the wood rack looks better fuller.

 

[BKVP]

My wife drew the line when I was putting 50 half rounds in the house! That's how we became users of NIELS. But I travel less in the winter, so back to half rounds!

BKVP

 

[xshmoox]

I'm so glad you said this. I've had some arguments with folks about it, they seem to think it is an analog gauge.

Also since I’m reading through this page and just installed one for my sister/brother in law. And didn’t pay too much attention when hooking up the cat gauge wires, are they for lack of a better term polarity sensitive( does it matter which terminal they go on) as when we got it up to temp in seemed the gauge went left instead of towards 12 o’clock. So I’m assuming I hooked them on the wrong terminal as I didn’t see anything listed in the manual about it.

 

[BKVP]

Also since I’m reading through this page and just installed one for my sister/brother in law. And didn’t pay too much attention when hooking up the cat gauge wires, are they for lack of a better term polarity sensitive( does it matter which terminal they go on) as when we got it up to temp in seemed the gauge went left instead of towards 12 o’clock. So I’m assuming I hooked them on the wrong terminal as I didn’t see anything listed in the manual about it.

Yes, the two leads are incorrect. On back of gauge, loosen two nuts swap wires, tighten nuts, good to go. If it proves too much, as dealer to help please.

BKVP