Break-in fires for dummies.

[Shadow&Flame]

I have read quite a bit about doing break-in fires on here, but Im still a little fuzzy on the
mechanic's of the process. I thought I would ask about the finer points of the process.
It is my understanding that you go thru the 200/300/400... temps and let it cool between
fires. The question I had, being a complete newb to stoves, was how to achieve control.
When the temp gets up to 200F on the first fire, how do I try and keep it at that temp?
Do I need to cut the air control back/off? I know not to put much wood in and all, but a
good step by step process would be nice to know before starting. If I ever get this damn
stove installed that is

The latest in a long line of stupid questions I will field...prepare yourselves...

 

[BrowningBAR]

I have read quite a bit about doing break-in fires on here, but Im still a little fuzzy on the
mechanic's of the process. I thought I would ask about the finer points of the process.
It is my understanding that you go thru the 200/300/400... temps and let it cool between
fires. The question I had, being a complete newb to stoves, was how to achieve control.
When the temp gets up to 200F on the first fire, how do I try and keep it at that temp?
Do I need to cut the air control back/off? I know not to put much wood in and all, but a
good step by step process would be nice to know before starting. If I ever get this damn
stove installed that is

The latest in a long line of stupid questions I will field...prepare yourselves...

So, the T5 is in and ready to burn?

 

[pen]

The only way to have a clean burn and a cool fire is a small fire w/ small splits.

Start small, and build yourself (and the stove) up to a full load. Each fire gets more fuel and a bigger mixture of larger wood.

No concern about the questions being stupid. We can work with stupid. Ignorance / denial is what is difficult. I don't see you having either.

pen

 

[Shadow&Flame]

BBAR- Nope, not in yet. Still waiting for the surround parts and some info from PE.

PEN- I have no problem asking stupid questions...unlike others, I know I dont know it all...
I understand about the wood...its the process of the air control when getting to said temps.

 

[begreen]

This is a steel box at heart. Have a small fire or two to dry out the firebrick. Then load er up and bake in that paint.

 

[Shadow&Flame]

OK...just over-thinking it I guess. Want to make sure I have all the facts.

Thanks guys

 

[firefighterjake]

The only way to have a clean burn and a cool fire is a small fire w/ small splits.

Start small, and build yourself (and the stove) up to a full load. Each fire gets more fuel and a bigger mixture of larger wood.

No concern about the questions being stupid. We can work with stupid. Ignorance / denial is what is difficult. I don't see you having either.

pen

+1 . . . with any fire -- break in, shoulder season, overnight, dead of winter, etc. the easiest way to control the temp is with what you load and how much you load in the firebox.

With break in fires you want to start small with kindling and one or two small splits . . . add more wood if you need to bring it up to temp more . . . just remember it takes a while to see the temps reflected in the stove if you are using a magnetic thermometer. What you use for wood also matters as much as how much wood you put in the firebox . . . using some pine, lumber scraps, poplar, etc. is a nice way to build a quick fire without a long burn time.

Finally, don't sweat things too much . . . break in fires aren't like making a souffle . . . the temps are all approximate . . . generally the manufacturer just doesn't want a person loading the thing to the gills with small wood on the very first time and bringing it up to 800 degrees F . . . the lower temp fires are meant to help cure the paint and drive any moisture out of the stove cement and allow the metal parts to "settle in."

 

[Hass]

IIRC my stove break in is for the paint curing only. The stove has no break in.
The only first time operating instructions I got were from the paint manufacturer. It said to get the stove up to 450 for 45 minutes, then 600 for 45 more minutes, then it's complete.

It maybe 400 for the first temp, I'm not sure. But I sure know 600 is the second temp it wants, because I read it quite a few times to make sure it really said 600.

 

[Shadow&Flame]

IIRC my stove break in is for the paint curing only. The stove has no break in.
The only first time operating instructions I got were from the paint manufacturer. It said to get the stove up to 450 for 45 minutes, then 600 for 45 more minutes, then it's complete.

It maybe 400 for the first temp, I'm not sure. But I sure know 600 is the second temp it wants, because I read it quite a few times to make sure it really said 600.

There is nothing at all in the T5 Manual about a break-in fire. Just says not to over-fire.
So I will just start small and work up to bigger fires...

Thanks

 

[pcs2011]

Just finished breakin burns on my new Jotul F500. Here is what they recommend in the manual to use as a guide:

- Open air control to full open
- Prime the flue (hold burning roll of newspaper near the top
- Light small fire using newspaper and kindling only (I use 1/4 of one use supercedar fire starters instead of
newspaper)
- Use air control to maintain 200 degrees. Burn for 1 hour.
- Allow stove to cool to room temperature.

- Light a second fire and maintain stove surface temperature of 300 degrees.
- Burn for 1 hour.
- Allow stove to cool to room temperature.

- Light a third fire and maintain stove surface temperature of 400 degrees.
- Burn for 1 hour.
- Allow stove to cool to room temperature.

Hope this helps,

Pete

 

[NCredneck]

Just started breakin fire in my Summit....15 year old oak wood that I had in the basement fireplace justing sitting there for a 15 years. I thought it would go up in flames but actually took a while to get going. I only put 2 splits in for the breakin and temps are not getting high enough. I guess its a learning experience because I was nervous about putting more than that in and its not even enough. Looks pretty though. Sorta like opening a bottle of wine you've had for a while with these old splits.

I wonder if there is such a thing as wood thats too old?

 

[glenlloyd]

Just started breakin fire in my Summit....15 year old oak wood that I had in the basement fireplace justing sitting there for a 15 years. I thought it would go up in flames but actually took a while to get going. I only put 2 splits in for the breakin and temps are not getting high enough. I guess its a learning experience because I was nervous about putting more than that in and its not even enough. Looks pretty though. Sorta like opening a bottle of wine you've had for a while with these old splits.

I wonder if there is such a thing as wood thats too old?

If it's not dry rotted it should be good, especially old house wood that hasn't been exposed, like early 20th c fir ceiling joists etc. That stuff is really dry!

steve

 

[NCredneck]

It burnt fine...just took a while to get going. I was beginning to wonder if it was petrified..LOL!