Hampton HI300

[wtb1]

Got a question for people with a Hampton HI300. I built my first fire last night mainly because I wanted to Not really needed in south yet but I got the itch and built a fire. Tried to use the top down method but it did not work out to well. But I was able to get a fire going without too much difficulty. I am using wood cut and stacked since last Feb. Wood seasons pretty quick in the Mississippi Summer I got a good bed of coals and put in three good size splits and some smaller rounds. Did not completely pack the firebox but had it 3/4 full I would say. Stove top temps got up to 400-425 and had some good secondaries going (IMHO).

My question to fellow HI300 owners... What are your normal stove top temps when burning? I woke up this morning after not loading the stove all night with a good bed of coals and the stove top was still reading 300.

 

[pulldownclaw]

Congrats on the first fire! It will quickly become an addiction "consuming" most of your free time. I don't have a thermometer, so I can't comment on your temps, but sounds like you did a good job getting the fire going. I'm not totally convinced on the top down method. It makes sense to me and I would like to use it, I just haven't had much success with it either. Try to get your wood for next winter going now, conventional wisdom is that all wood needs at least 12 months drying after being split and stacked to get max btu's out of it. Enjoy that stove, it's a beaut! ;-)

 

[Berone]

I'll have to ask a question instead of answering yours: what thermometer are you using and where did you place it? I got a Rutland at HD that I'm hoping isn't working right or is placed improperly, because no matter how the fire is roaring I'm reading in the "creosote" range.

Top down worked great for me. I'm also astonished at how the coals in the morning can light right up when I open the damper and put in some wood.

 

[wtb1]

I think I have a rutland thermometer. I placed mine right in the center of the top shelf as far back as it will go. Seems to me most of the heat in the stove is in the back as that is where I get most of my secondaries.

 

[abby4000]

wtb1

I have the same insert in the gloss black enamle finish, they are a GREAT unit. I do not have a thermometer, what kind are you using, I have been looking for one that will fit. To answer your question this unit really holds heat well. From load up of 5 mid sized maple splits, I can still reload 12 hours later and not need to use a match. Not sure if that is normal or not but my old wood stove there would be no way I could do that. I am very happy with the Hampton, it throws alot of heat and stays warm for a long long time. Here is my girl

 

[abby4000]

oopps forgot to add pic

 

[stejus]

I place my Rutland thermometer between the stove top and the top shelf. This is the area where the hot air exits. If you open your door, you can drop the thermometer in in place. It takes a flash light to read it, but you get readings from the stove top instead of the top shelf.

I typically get readings of 650 to 700 degrees when I get a good secondary burn going.

 

[abby4000]

stejus

Do you have any pics of your thermometer. I cannot picture how you have it placed, open the door, so is it inside?? Sorry for my dumb question.

BTW great install pics!! VERY nice

 

[wtb1]

I will try and place the thermo in the air exhaust and see what temps I get then. It figures that the top shelf will be cooler since it is not in direct contact with the fire box.

Here is a picture of my install.

 

[Farmer Sue]

I use a thermo meter and when pointed at the glass I can get a reading in the 700's, if I then point it at the shelf just above the door the reading is in the 200's. I don't know if these temps are high but it puts out good heat, I still can't see any secondary burning, but am working on that. Good luck with your Hampton, I really like mine.

 

[stejus]

stejus

Do you have any pics of your thermometer. I cannot picture how you have it placed, open the door, so is it inside?? Sorry for my dumb question.

BTW great install pics!! VERY nice

I'll take one tonight and post later. For now, here's a pic of where I placed mine (see red line). You can see it with the door closed but you need to get a flashlight on it to see the needle.

 

[abby4000]

beautiful Installs guys......

Love the hamptons


Thanks Stejus

 

[burntime]

I think I hit 375 or so on the high side on the top shelf of my hampton. More comonly around 325... Hard to remember from year to year...

 

[stejus]

Here are the pics of the Rutland sitting on the stove top, not the shelf. nlittle suggested to put the thermometer upside down so you can see the arrow when its on the 600 to 700 range. Remember to have a flash light handy so you can see where the needle is when you look in there. I hope this helps.

 

[abby4000]

Thanks again Stejus

 

[wtb1]

Thanks for the info stejus. I placed my thermometer in the same spot but had the needle pointed the wrong way No worries as I did not burn last night. Thursday and Friday nights are supposed to be in the low 30's so I might be a burnin those nights.

 

[Roxy]

Hi All
I recently purchased and had installed the Hampton HI300 with the Brown Enamel Finish back this September 09.
I had several break in burns and now am enjoying the inserts heating capabilities.
I typically place my thermometer (Home Save) on the front door directly in the middle above the glass. (keystone)
I only placed it there, since that's where I saw the dealer locate it on his showroom floor.
Is this a correct location??......my temp readings are typically 350 to 400 with the air flow fully open burning hot.

When I cut back on the air it (Home Save) drops down to about 300 degrees or less over time..........my wood oak, cherry, hickory was cut/split back in Feb 09 therfore can't say its fully seasoned yet.
I do enjoy the heat it puts out.....my house thermometer reads any where from 70 to 74 degrees
I'm new to all of this and I do treasure the wealth of information provided by all.
Is the door a suitable place for the thermometer for readings?....and if you think i'm doing anything improper, please comment.
Thanks a bunch in advance.
Roxy

 

[abby4000]

Roxy, welcome, that timberline brown is a very nice finish.
Any way you could snap a pic of a) the thermometer you are using and b) how exactly you put it on the door???

Thanks in advnace and enjoy your new stove, it can really pump some serious heat

 

[Roxy]

You can check out the thermometer at the following site:
(broken link removed to http://www.yardlover.com/homesaver-magnetic-stove-thermometer)

I place the magnetized unit on the front facia of the door directly above the center/middle pain of glass ....

 

[wtb1]

I am taking stejus advice and placing it on the top of the firebox. Open the door and you will see the space inbetween the top shelf and the firebox. Should give a more accurate reading.

 

[burntime]

How the heck do you get it to stay...the enamel on mine will not allow it to stay...

 

[Roxy]

The magnetization on the thermometer may be strong...or....the manufacturer is skimping on the baked enamel finish...go figure!
I can place the thermometer any place on the stove and it will stick with a strong adhesion

 

[burntime]

I have the rutland brand and it will barely stick to the door. Maybe the other brand is a better magnet...