burning on high setting. why is it "bad"

[St_Earl]

i've been discussing this with a CAB50 owner. i have a PS50.
so high medium low setting stoves.
i've read running on high for long periods is not recommended.
why?

for me, with the feed gate all the way closed and burning the mwp blend, it's either run on high when it gets down in the minus teens temp range. or open the gate some to run on medium.

looking for more info on why running on high (as long as the pot is not getting overfilled) is not recommended.

 

[Jaymaine34]

I don't have an answer for you but I was wondering the samething I have a cb1200 I run on high all the time temp set at 78 stove cycles on and off . Am I doing something wrong ? We like it warm as you can tell 27 outside now and toasty !

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Some stoves can't remove the heat fast enough on high to stop the stove from going over temperature.

Some can.

What does your manual say about your stove?

 

[St_Earl]

Some stoves can't remove the heat fast enough on high to stop the stove from going over temperature.

Some can.

What does your manual say about your stove?

i will check
i have run it overnight on high and it was fine. i like that the quality of the flame action is better that way. with the gate closed down.

thanks, smokey

 

[moey]

I run high just about every morning, never have run it on high more then probably 1.5 hours the room is 85 at that point.

 

[St_Earl]

yeah. it has to be mid minus teens at least for me to want to run oh high.
basing the need on how the back bedroom will be at the end of a long cold night.
if not i would definitely have to open the gate some.

i have the 4 inch venting with a good long first rise and only one 90 degree after the initial one from the back of the stove.

 

[DexterDay]

I have not run my Classic Bay on High in 4 yrs and hasn't hit Med in 2 years.

I run on Low with gate 100% open.

The running on High is only troublesome when your feed isn't set properly on High and you Overfire the unit.

If you own a Quad or Heatilator, your flame should be set per the manual (4"-6" Quad-- 4"-8" Heatilator) Especially if you run on Med and High.

Low and slow is what I like. My 1st 3 yrs I only had my Quad and I had it tweaked to run on Low and run 24/7. Running on High satisfies the Stat quick and only heats the air in my house. I prefer to heat lower and slower and heat the entire house and the objects in the house. The "soak" is better own a lower setting (my opinion) and heats the walls, furniture, etc.

High is only a bad thing when over firing. I don't/won't run on High because I don't need it. If I did, I would set my feed gate accordingly and run as necessary.

My home is a 2,180 sq ft ranch that is 18 yrs old.

 

[SwineFlue]

My experience has been the exact opposite of DexterDay's... and I agree with him completely.

I have a wimpy 30,000 BTU/hr stove in a large, high-ceiling room with lotsa windows (none facing south). Any excess heat easily flows up to the main-level hallway above. I usually run the stove on Medium, sometimes on High. During cold snaps, I run it on High continuously for several days at a time. The stove is perfectly happy to eat a bag of Barefoots every 9 hours.


Where did you read that you're not supposed to run on high? If it's in the manual, then 'high' is just a surge rating (to quickly bring a room up to temperature) for that stove.

 

[MommyOf4]

When our repairman came, he noticed that we ran it on high and told me that running on high all the time will burn out the motor faster. He made an analogy of pushing the gas pedal all the way (or something like that LOL), but I didn't get it. I tried to explain it to my husband, but he didn't get the analogy as well.

I'll ask when they come again on Wednesday. LOL

 

[3650]

Running on high continuously = warped or cracked heat exchanger tubes.

 

[Jaymaine34]

So I called the stove company the installed my cb1200 and I quate ( run it on high that's what it's made for ! )
I'm experimenting today set stove at medium thermostat at 77 installed a fan in the doorway at the top of stairs pushing the warm air to the masterbedroom ( coldest room in house farthest away from stove ) burning mcfeeters .
Gonna get below zero tonight so we will see !
I adjusted the flame per the manual on high . Flame seems ok now on med ( should I adjust it again on med ? ) flames are still above pot and active ( not like on high ) but the quad manual says to adjust on high .
Last night on high with ( minus fans ) all the same and I couldn't take it way to hot !
Now seems good and cozy !

 

[DexterDay]

So I called the stove company the installed my cb1200 and I quate ( run it on high that's what it's made for ! )
I'm experimenting today set stove at medium thermostat at 77 installed a fan in the doorway at the top of stairs pushing the warm air to the masterbedroom ( coldest room in house farthest away from stove ) burning mcfeeters .
Gonna get below zero tonight so we will see !
I adjusted the flame per the manual on high . Flame seems ok now on med ( should I adjust it again on med ? ) flames are still above pot and active ( not like on high ) but the quad manual says to adjust on high .
Last night on high with ( minus fans ) all the same and I couldn't take it way to hot !
Now seems good and cozy !

The manual setting on High (4"-6" above pot) is to make sure you dont Overfire the unit.

If running on Med and you need a little more heat, opening the gate a little wont hurt.

I leave mine open 100%, but it stays on Low. My house has a very open floor plan with a good convective loop.
My stove runs for over an hour when it starts. But is off almost just as long.

 

[P38X2]

Some stoves can't remove the heat fast enough on high to stop the stove from going over temperature.

Some can.

What does your manual say about your stove?

I still think that seems strange. Even with high limit protection, it seems like a huge liability for the stove manufacturers to not design a stove that can handle it. Not disagreeing with you that certain stoves state this fact and I understand it accelerates the lifespan of the stoves consumables.

I'm at a loss for coming up with a good analogy using a car engine or an air conditioner or something. When those fail, it's unfortunate but it doesn't necessarily create a dangerous situation. But, a stove manufacturer saying don't run the unit at it's maximum output because something potentially deadly can happen seems silly and irresponsible. Imagine a boiler manufacturer saying trust in our product...but don't turn your thermostat past 75 or you risk meltdown. A boiler will run constantly til the black gold is gone. It'll potentially cost you $1000 but it won't cause the unit to fail...or worse.

 

[midfielder]

Hm...It makes you wonder why a stove would have a high setting that would shut it down. I rarely need to run my stove on high, but when I do it seems to like it. Burns its cleanest above 2.5 (of 6) and has never tripped the overheat snap disc. The convection fan makes more sound moving air than the low-mid setting that works for most average winter weather but it's still better than the noise of the FHA oil burner running off and on all the time.

 

[Jaymaine34]

I would say the stove is cycling 15 on 15 off give or take a few flame comes above pot 4 inches gets knocked down when pellets drop them come back up repeat ( the stove retires before room blower shuts off )

 

[DexterDay]

I would say the stove is cycling 15 on 15 off give or take a few flame comes above pot 4 inches gets knocked down when pellets drop them come back up repeat ( the stove retires before room blower shuts off )

That means the stove is starting twice an hour??

I would definitely lower the heat setting.

Your heating the room to fast and satisfying the stat (only heating the air). If you lower the heat setting, the stove will run longer, but stay off longer also (less cycling and wear and tear) plus the objects in the room will "Soak" the heat in. This makes the room more comfortable and allows the stove to take a break .

The use of pellets on start up is quite a lot, plus the convection blower has to wait for the stove to get to temp. It will be more efficient and use less pellets to run the stove longer and lower. When its below 20° I only get about 1° an hour rise on low, but the stove is gaining ground. Albeit slowly, but keeping the constant heat, keeps the house much more comfortable . IMHO

If its only off 15 minutes, then the convection blower and combustion blower have only been off a few minutes?

Seems crazy to run lower, because everyone thinks there should be an immediate increase in temp. Good things take time, and a rise of 1° an hour is still a rise. If gaining 3°-5° an hour, the stove will be cycling like mad and may not give the T/C enough time to cool under 200° and will make the stove overfeed pellets on the next start up, causing a Freight Train like sound and HUGE flame

 

[CT Pellet]

If running a stove on "high" is bad, then I am one bad man!

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

If running a stove on "high" is bad, then I am one bad man!

You's bad, very bad,.go stand in the naughty corner and wear that special cone shaped hat.

 

[briansol]

I generally run on 3/5. I hit 4/5 when it gets to be +5 degrees. and that is usually just for a few hours while watching tv in the drafty living room (thanks to no outside air). I ran it on 5 for about an hour once, and it was just rediculous fuel consumption and a loud unit, and frankly, not much more heat than 4 put out. the manual also says not to run on 5 for a long time.

1. CONTINUOUS OPERATION: When operated correctly, this
appliance cannot be overfired. Continuous operation at a
maximum burn can, however, shorten the life of the electri-
cal components (blowers, motors, and electronic controls),
and is not recommended. Typical approved operation would
include running at the low to mid range setting with occasional
running on the maximum setting during the coldest periods
of the winter. DO NOT OVER-FIRE THIS INSERT. Follow all
instructions regarding the proper use of this insert.

 

[jtakeman]

The Breckwells are the only stove I have seen that states "do not run on high for more than 2 hours". Because they will get hot enough on the highest setting to trip the high limit switch. Reason is they didn't put a large enough convection blower to properly cool the unit IMHO.

If you need to run your stove on its max setting to get just enough heat in the house its more likely you are using an undersized unit than what you should be using. Running em balls out can over work the motors(they don't like excessive heat-Most have thermal fuses that can pop-Some may reset once cool-Others the fuse is a one time deal = New motor time!) and Its also possible to cause some warpage to the sheet metal enclosure. Excessive heat is also rough on the burnpots and often you'll see them burn out.

If you have to run full tilt, It is what it is until you replace the unit. Your next unit should be larger to avoid over working it! But if your worried now, you could add another stove to assist the present one.

 

[nikeseer]

The manual setting on High (4"-6" above pot) is to make sure you dont Overfire the unit.

If running on Med and you need a little more heat, opening the gate a little wont hurt.

I leave mine open 100%, but it stays on Low. My house has a very open floor plan with a good convective loop.
My stove runs for over an hour when it starts. But is off almost just as long.

I have calculated my flame height and at almost closed I am peaking at 8 + on high so I know my feed is good. But on medium setting with same feed it doesn't keep up at night bringing the temp up to the thermostat temp to cycle. I cycled it off at 830p or so last night on medium with the feed not quite at half.. maybe a third open. It came on at 945p. Did not cycle off till 1125a this morning. Back on at 1243p. Seems like a good span for the off time but took long time to get up to temp, and in the 30's during the day today and high 20's last night. How does that sound? Any suggestions? Would one of the fans you see that you can put on the wall in a corner to push air help? And it cycled off my son just told me at 245-250p ish. Expecting it to come on any time because almost at my swing. 74 set. Currently 72. Goes off at 76.

 

[imacman]

Running on high for long periods should be no problem unless specifically advised against in the owners manual. If a stove can go overnight on high w/o any issues, I think you're good to go.

I don't run mine on high very often, just occasionally.....never saw an issue.

 

[glenc0322]

So I called the stove company the installed my cb1200 and I quate ( run it on high that's what it's made for ! )
I'm experimenting today set stove at medium thermostat at 77 installed a fan in the doorway at the top of stairs pushing the warm air to the masterbedroom ( coldest room in house farthest away from stove ) burning mcfeeters .
Gonna get below zero tonight so we will see !


take the fan and turn it around and blow the cold air out of the room and it will draw in the warm air it sounds crazy i know but works better. If you dont believe me ask around or try it you will see it works better

 

[nikeseer]

Running on high for long periods should be no problem unless specifically advised against in the owners manual. If a stove can go overnight on high w/o any issues, I think you're good to go.

I don't run mine on high very often, just occasionally.....never saw an issue.

Well it definitely doesn't have an issue running on high. I just think it cycles more than I like and doesn't warm anything but the air like dexterday said. I prefer running longer but still cycling which saves me a little of my pellets.. My husband doesn't want to buy another ton even though it is soooo much cheaper than oil heat. With 74 bags left, he doesn't want to burn through them so fast. Trying to find it's happy spot for us all. I work from home so we try to keep it at a steady temp. Do you think having a higher flame on medium(feed open a little more) would keep up more with the lower temps outside 20- to single digits?

 

[St_Earl]

The Breckwells are the only stove I have seen that states "do not run on high for more than 2 hours". Because they will get hot enough on the highest setting to trip the high limit switch. Reason is they didn't put a large enough convection blower to properly cool the unit IMHO.

If you need to run your stove on its max setting to get just enough heat in the house its more likely you are using an undersized unit than what you should be using. Running em balls out can over work the motors(they don't like excessive heat-Most have thermal fuses that can pop-Some may reset once cool-Others the fuse is a one time deal = New motor time!) and Its also possible to cause some warpage to the sheet metal enclosure. Excessive heat is also rough on the burnpots and often you'll see them burn out.

If you have to run full tilt, It is what it is until you replace the unit. Your next unit should be larger to avoid over working it! But if your worried now, you could add another stove to assist the present one.

the question for me of running on high on -15 to -20 below nights isn't one of the stove being undersized. it's a choice of do i run it on high with the feed gate all the way closed or open the feed gate a little and run on medium.
there has only been one night so far this winter where the question has even come into play.
i like the quality of the burn with the gate closed. the mwp blend pellets are short and i just get a nice active flame and the pot stays not too full.

of course i do have two tons of softies as well that i haven't had the chance to break out yet.
if we ever get real winter that may just be my solution.

but yeah. medium would be fine on the coldest nights with the blend. i'd just have to open the gate some.