Burning with DS stove Energy Max 160

[aircooledRN]

Hello, I purchased a house with DS stoves Energy max 160 this spring. I have had a few fires in it now with temps dropping. New stove leads to new learning curve and hoping to jump that curve if anyone has any experience with this stove.

This stove has a bypass damper, airwash adjustment (High and low), and a DS hot air regulator. My previous stove had a simple single adjustment to control the amount of air. I am trying to figure out with this stove how to best burn "low and slow" without risk of overfiring using these controls. I have turned the air regulator low, closed the damper and set the airwash to low. However when it was in those settings the stove, which has sheet metal sides attached to it, seemed to be expanding creating a loud "pang" type noise. I am unsure if this is normal? or if the stove is getting too hot. I have two Rutland burn indicators, magnetic temp gauges, on both the top of the stove and the front next to the door. when the sheet metal starts panging the front indicator seems to be showing right on the line of "burn zone vs overfire" (about 575 degrees F). However, the top indicator is in the middle of the burn zone about 400 degrees F

I am wondering if its getting to hot when the sheet metal starts expanding or if its normal. If its not normal then I am unsure how I will be able to load the stove full and let it burn without overfiring.


link to stove manual

https://woodstoves.net/documents/DS_Machine_Stoves/DS-Stoves-Energy-Max-Manual-2017.pdf

Thanks for any advice in advance.

 

[begreen]

This is listed as a coal furnace. Is that what is being burned in it? It will burn wood, but not very efficiently.

 

[aircooledRN]

Im burning wood. It says its a dual stove. I know ive read dual stoves are less efficient with one over the other.

 

[bholler]

Im burning wood. It says its a dual stove. I know ive read dual stoves are less efficient with one over the other.

They sell it as a coal furnace because there is no way it would pass current epa testing. It's the way they are skirting the rules

 

[begreen]

I know they say it can burn both, but it is sold as a coal furnace.

It will be a challenge burning with bottom-fed air. Close the bottom air off as soon as possible and use the airwash + thermostat air to regulate the wood fire. The temps reported are not in overfire territory. That would be pushing 800+º.

DS Stoves Energy MAX 160 Furnace at Obadiah's

The DS Stoves Energy MAX 160 Furnace is an Amish-made coal furnace, built for natural circulation of heat – no electricity or fan needed. Made in the USA.

woodstoves.net

 

[aircooledRN]

I know they say it can burn both, but it is sold as a coal furnace.

It will be a challenge burning with bottom-fed air. Close the bottom air off as soon as possible and use the airwash + thermostat air to regulate the wood fire. The temps reported are not in overfire territory. That would be pushing 800+º.

DS Stoves Energy MAX 160 Furnace at Obadiah's

The DS Stoves Energy MAX 160 Furnace is an Amish-made coal furnace, built for natural circulation of heat – no electricity or fan needed. Made in the USA.

woodstoves.net

So the dial opens air to the bottom of the stove. so with wood I should keep this closed? The airwash only has two settings High and low.

 

[begreen]

Yes, if the wood is nice and dry you can leave the bottom controls tightly shut.

 

[brenndatomu]

Coal needs most of its air to come from the bottom (the dials) but wood does better with top air ("airwash" in your case)

 

[brenndatomu]

The airwash only has two settings High and low.

Literally? You can't set the lever anywhere in between?

 

[aircooledRN]

Literally? You can't set the lever anywhere in between?

I will attempt when I get home but it didn't seem to have a middle setting.

 

[aircooledRN]

Yes, if the wood is nice and dry you can leave the bottom controls tightly shut.

And shut the damper bypass or should I have that open?

 

[brenndatomu]

And shut the damper bypass or should I have that open?

Bypass is opened just for loading...keeps the smoke from coming back into the house so much...

 

[aircooledRN]

Would it be in my best interest to eventually replace the stove? with one for wood if my plan is to burn wood? Or will this stove do "okay"? Or am I just going to go through a lot more wood burning with this stove?

 

[brenndatomu]

People often cut their firewood usage 1/3 to 1/2 when going from an old school "dual purpose" stove to an efficient modern wood burning firebox...

 

[begreen]

Would it be in my best interest to eventually replace the stove? with one for wood if my plan is to burn wood? Or will this stove do "okay"? Or am I just going to go through a lot more wood burning with this stove?

You can do better but it's your money and decision. If you do choose to replace we can help with options.

 

[brenndatomu]

And I know for me I got tired of having to clean the chimney multiple times per year with the old smoke dragon too...only once a year now, and even that's more about laying an eye on everything at least once in a while than it is the chimney actually needing cleaned...usually not much there for "cleanins"

 

[aircooledRN]

Thanks for the info and advice!

 

[CZarrow]

Thanks for the info and advice!

Hello & good day,
Wanted to ask if you are getting used to/ happy w/ your DS 160 Energy Max Stove,
I am in the market for a large unit to heat my 2000+ square feet garage/warehouse w/ 16 foot high ceilings & was considering buying the DS 160,
please advise if any comments etc....
thanks

 

[aircooledRN]

Hello & good day,
Wanted to ask if you are getting used to/ happy w/ your DS 160 Energy Max Stove,
I am in the market for a large unit to heat my 2000+ square feet garage/warehouse w/ 16 foot high ceilings & was considering buying the DS 160,
please advise if any comments etc....
thanks

Hello CZ

I have only burned in it for about 30 days so far. I do like it. However, unless you ever plan on burning coal I would maybe look at a Wood stove vs a combo. it does heat the house well. Still learning its quirks. I've only used it when the high temp is below 40 degrees otherwise the house gets very warm. Even with the stove closed as much as I can get it.

I think with a wood only stove you may get a better efficient burn. seems like I have gone through a lot of wood for how much I have burned.