Consolidated Dutchwest - struggling

[CDWBurner]

Hi, new to the forum, looking for help!

I have a Consolidated Dutchwest airtight stove that I just started using full time this winter.

Had the chimney and pipe going out to chimney cleaned in the fall.

This stove has all sorts of features, many of which I’m just learning about.

It has a combustor, threaded dampers on the side for combustor, for the fire chamber, on a side loading door. It also has a damper located on the access door to the ash drawer.

I just learned tonight how the combustor works in collaboration with the flue. Neat stuff.

Before this, I was running this stove like a simple wood stove, adjusting the damper below and flue to control flow.

That was working but not efficiently. Today I took the time to learn how the dam thing actually is supposed to operate because it’s been a bear to keep a fire going and it keeps puffing out smoke.

I was excited to see how much more heat there is from a smaller flame... however I continue to have smoke issues no matter what.

I notice that the combustor gasket is not in the best of shape, nor is the ceramic combustor itself.

That is a concern, but I have been getting puffs of smoke out of the dampers, the connection from the stove to the chimney no matter what I do - running it wide open or using the combustor. It is very windy outside today, I’ll mention.

So...what should I do? My plan right now is to burn it down and shut down the fire and go back to central heating. Is there some advice I can get to continue using the stove? Or does it need some maintenance to be able to operate with turning my house into a casino.

Please help! Thanks!

 

[CDWBurner]

By the way, wood is dry ... ash drawer is not full...

 

[lopiliberty]

Make sure the draft on the ash pan door is closed. That is only to be used for burning coal. I always had mine open (didn't know any better) a smig which led to frequent grate replacement and it probably had something to do with my inner top cracking and warping

 

[CDWBurner]

Really?!? The brass damper in front is not meant for use with wood? Which other damper(s) should I be using?

 

[CDWBurner]

My probe thermometer on top of stove and combustor panel shows between 700-1000 F if that contributes in any way

 

[Diabel]

Welcome to the forum.

80% of the time it is the wood that is the problem.
15% is the user error
And the rest is the stove itself

In your case, I am not sure if you have started using the stove full time now, used it part time till now.
Or are totally new to it. If it is the last scenario then we will need way more info on the stove (pics are best).

We have many individuals here who are using these stoves or have used them in the past, plus many professionals who service them regularly that will chime in.

Cheers

 

[jetsam]

This might be the manual. Hard to say without a model number.

 

[lopiliberty]

Really?!? The brass damper in front is not meant for use with wood? Which other damper(s) should I be using?

the combuster air which is above the side door and the one on the side door

 

[CDWBurner]

Pics of stove

 

[lopiliberty]

That's a sequoia. Search Vermont castings sequoia manual on Google

 

[CDWBurner]

Welcome to the forum.

80% of the time it is the wood that is the problem.
15% is the user error
And the rest is the stove itself

In your case, I am not sure if you have started using the stove full time now, used it part time till now.
Or are totally new to it. If it is the last scenario then we will need way more info on the stove (pics are best).

We have many individuals here who are using these stoves or have used them in the past, plus many professionals who service them regularly that will chime in.

Cheers

Thank you.

I used for a month last spring during a power outage. That was the first time I used in the five years we have lived here. Loved the wood heat so bought 6 FC this fall and have been using it full time.

I am learning how to use it. I gotta admit that I learned more about the stove in the past two hours watching videos online than I knew before today.

 

[CDWBurner]

That's a sequoia. Search Vermont castings sequoia manual on Google

Does Vermont Castings own Consolidated Dutchwest? Is there a way I can confirm the model?

 

[bholler]

Yes you have a wood coal combo unit the brass knob on the front is only for use with coal.

Does Vermont Castings own Consolidated Dutchwest? Is there a way I can confirm the model?

Yes they aquired the company in a lawsuit claiming DW infringed on their patent with their arched door. Your stove was a very good stove for its day but they are prone to back puffing.

 

[Diabel]

Your wood is not properly seasoned.
Wood is like wine.....you need to let it age!

Buying wood this past fall will not cut it in a catalytic stove, sorry.

 

[CDWBurner]

Your wood is not properly seasoned.
Wood is like wine.....you need to let it age!

Buying wood this past fall will not cut it in a catalytic stove, sorry.

It was cut last spring, delivered in August. How long should it season?

 

[Diabel]

It was cut last spring, delivered in August. How long should it season?

Minimum 2 years (exposed to sun and wind)

 

[bholler]

Minimum 2 years (exposed to sun and wind)

That depends on many variables i get mine below 20% in about a year

 

[Diabel]

That depends on many variables i get mine below 20% in about a year

Agree.

Softwood in perfect conditions

 

[bholler]

Agree.

Softwood in perfect conditions

Nope i do it with oak every year. Cant get hickory or locust in a year they take about 1.5.

 

[CDWBurner]

May I ask what you mean when getting wood below 20% in one year? I’m burning mostly ash, some oak

 

[Diabel]

Sorry bholler

Oak seasoned within a year....

Even dead standing for many years will not do it

Please share the secret!

 

[bholler]

Sorry bholler

Oak seasoned within a year....

Even dead standing for many years will not do it

Please share the secret!

Split small stack single rows and top cover. No real secret. Standing dead is completly different than cut split and stacked chord wood.

 

[bholler]

May I ask what you mean when getting wood below 20% in one year? I’m burning mostly ash, some oak

Your wood should be below 20% moisture content. You should get a moisture meter to find out what you have. To check you would need to bring a peice in get it to room temp then split it and check that fresh split face.

 

[bholler]

Sorry bholler

Oak seasoned within a year....

Even dead standing for many years will not do it

Please share the secret!

Now it does burn allot better if i let it go longer and get it down around 15% but it works fine after a year at 20%. I just moved and have plenty of room to get ahead now so i will have 2 and 3 year old stuff. So i will be able to stack deeper.

 

[Diabel]

Yeah,
You and I know what seasoned wood is. Most of the new members coming here for support do not....