How hot is too hot?

[Johnpolk]

I have a quadra fire isle royale and the manual warns against over firing, but they don't give any advice as to what a max temp to beware if would be. We have been having trouble lately with the stove taking off on us and running out of control. I have been shutting the air down around 500 and shutting it down in steps trying to get it to settle around 600. But even with me actively trying to keep it from getting out of hand it snowballs. Right now it's going crazy. It's been completely shut Down since the high 500s and has been slowly rising. 730 right now. Hotter it gets, more gases come out of wood and the problem snowballs. For now I have a box fan I put in front of the stove to help cool it. HELP!! I need advice. Is it technique or the stove. I've been trying to employ some of the techniques I learn here, such as raking coals forward and not reloading until stove cools. This last reload was into a 200 degree stove

 

[corey21]

Try shutting down in stages starting at 400. I think it wastes wood to wait till it is 500 to start shutting down.

 

[BrowningBAR]

I have a quadra fire isle royale and the manual warns against over firing, but they don't give any advice as to what a max temp to beware if would be. We have been having trouble lately with the stove taking off on us and running out of control. I have been shutting the air down around 500 and shutting it down in steps trying to get it to settle around 600. But even with me actively trying to keep it from getting out of hand it snowballs. Right now it's going crazy. It's been completely shut Down since the high 500s and has been slowly rising. 730 right now. Hotter it gets, more gases come out of wood and the problem snowballs. For now I have a box fan I put in front of the stove to help cool it. HELP!! I need advice. Is it technique or the stove. I've been trying to employ some of the techniques I learn here, such as raking coals forward and not reloading until stove cools. This last reload was into a 200 degree stove

Remember, the Isle likes to run hot. Owners have reported temps over 700 is not shocking.

Like Corey mentioned, try cutting the air in stages sooner.

 

[Johnpolk]

Thanks for advice. Ill try attaching a picture of a phenomenon that occurs sometimes when it gets hot like that. Sometimes it appears that there are flames shooting out of the firebrick. I only notice it in the back corners of the stove and I only see it when the stove gets really hot. Could that be air leaking in and igniting or something else?

 

[BrowningBAR]

Thanks for advice. Ill try attaching a picture of a phenomenon that occurs sometimes when it gets hot like that. Sometimes it appears that there are flames shooting out of the firebrick. I only notice it in the back corners of the stove and I only see it when the stove gets really hot. Could that be air leaking in and igniting or something else?

Lets not read too much into this.

First, try cutting the air back sooner.
Second, remember the stove likes to run hot.

Then determine if there are leaks. I doubt there are leaks coming from behind the firebrick. Of all the places, behind the firebrick would be the last place I would think about air leaks at this point.

 

[WidowMaker]

Thanks for advice. Ill try attaching a picture of a phenomenon that occurs sometimes when it gets hot like that. Sometimes it appears that there are flames shooting out of the firebrick. I only notice it in the back corners of the stove and I only see it when the stove gets really hot. Could that be air leaking in and igniting or something else?

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Sounds as if you might have a small air leak somewhere in that area...Shut air completely down, turn stove fan/s an high and ride it out...750 is not too hot for a good stove, even 800+ for a brief period won't hurt, would certainly try to avoid prolonged operation at those 800+ temps.

 

[corey21]

Lets not read too much into this.

First, try cutting the air back sooner.
Second, remember the stove likes to run hot.

Then determine if there are leaks. I doubt there are leaks coming from behind the firebrick. Of all the places, behind the firebrick would be the last place I would think about air leaks at this point.

Yep i would try to cut it down sooner before you determine you have an air leak.

 

[Cross Cut Saw]

Try loading less wood into it.

How full are you currently filling your firebox percentage wise (60% 80% 100%)?
If you're trying to cram every nook and cranny full it will be harder to control, especially if the stove is new to you...

I can comfortably run my stove in the 600 degree range with it about 66% full, I wouldn't run that hot with the box completely full, too risky for me to over fire.

Some people may be more skilled at controlling their stove with the firebox completely full but I don't want to babysit the thing and don't like the idea of over firing.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Yep i would try to cut it down sooner before you determine you have an air leak.

Right. The stove isn't running away on the owner. You experienced this earlier in the year. Cut the stove back sooner and see what happens. No need to let the stove go cold looking for an air leak that may not exist.

 

[Johnpolk]

The fullest I've tried filling it is maybe 75% full. Trying to learn how fill it fuller and reload it less often. The fuller I fill it, the harder it is for me to stop it from over firing

 

[loudog]

I had similar issues with my Clydesdale when cutting back at 450-475. Now I cut back at 400, or if I snooze a bit and let it get to 500, cut back more aggressively. As expected, that solved my overfiring issue.

 

[CT Pellet]

Sounds as if you might have a small air leak somewhere in that area...Shut air completely down, turn stove fan/s an high and ride it out...750 is not too hot for a good stove, even 800+ for a brief period won't hurt,

Hell man... If the lights are off and you can't see the stove, she ain't hot enough

 

[corey21]

The fullest I've tried filling it is maybe 75% full. Trying to learn how fill it fuller and reload it less often. The fuller I fill it, the harder it is for me to stop it from over firing

One more thing i would like to add. Sometimes i go by flue temps when turning the air down in stages also.

 

[BrowningBAR]

The fullest I've tried filling it is maybe 75% full. Trying to learn how fill it fuller and reload it less often. The fuller I fill it, the harder it is for me to stop it from over firing

I think some of this is nerves. Use bigger splits. Cut the air back sooner.

 

[Johnpolk]

I think some of this is nerves. Use bigger splits. Cut the air back sooner.

Could very well be nerves. Just trying to learn how to operate this thing correctly. It also chews through the wood when I let it get that hot. Makes sense

 

[corey21]

Could very well be nerves. Just trying to learn how to operate this thing correctly. It also chews through the wood when I let it get that hot. Makes sense

Don't be afraid of it just cut it back sooner and enjoy.

 

[begreen]

I think some of this is nerves. Use bigger splits. Cut the air back sooner.

Good advice. Also, JP, you probably have checked this, but are you closing the start-up air control all the way after the fire is started?

 

[Johnpolk]

Definately closing the start up air. Just had a fire with two large splits on coals and shut it down much earlier than I have been previously. It was a really nice fire. Good heat for several hours. Now I'm reloading with 3 large splits. Going to try to find my limit and learn what I can and can't do

 

[Thor]

Don't be afraid of it just cut it back sooner and enjoy.

At what point should one worry ?

 

[lopiliberty]

How hot is to hot? As per all stove manuals "When the stove or flue starts to glow red your overfiring" I can't figure out why they waste the time to put this the manual. Anyone who burns wood or with any common sense would know that a red stove is to hot wouldn't ya think? In all seriousness, you should be good to 750 for a short time but I wouldn't get a cast iron stove any hotter than that. At least with temperatures that high you know you have good seasoned wood

 

[rideau]

Definately closing the start up air. Just had a fire with two large splits on coals and shut it down much earlier than I have been previously. It was a really nice fire. Good heat for several hours. Now I'm reloading with 3 large splits. Going to try to find my limit and learn what I can and can't do

Enjoy your Isle Royale. Sounds like you are off to the races. That's great.

And don't hesitate to ask questions or for advice here anytime you get concerned. We've all taken advantage of the knowledge and support others offer here. The Forum is a great, and always timely, resource.

 

[corey21]

At what point should one worry ?

I would say 800 is to hot. I don't like going past that generally i try run in the 500 to 700 range stove temp.

 

[ArsenalDon]

Ok, I have the same stove and have been a burner for just approaching a year...a lot to learn and not much info out there (best info is the people here!)

Are you using the start-up air control when re-loading? are you cracking the ash door at all? (not recommended unless you are sitting right there by the stove). I load mine quite often all the way to 2 inches below the baffles, pack it front to back and tight. The tighter I pack the wood (less air space in between) the longer the burns I get. Using smaller splits and leaving good airs space burns it hotter and faster.

 

[BrowningBAR]

are you cracking the ash door at all? (not recommended unless you are sitting right there by the stove).

Not recommended at all, unless you are hoping for warped and cracked firebox parts.

 

[Johnpolk]

I actually don't touch the ash door at all. I tried using it a few times and found it to be a complete pain so I've been shoveling and will clean ash door in spring. I do leave front doors cracked open on start up sometimes. This forum has great advice. Thanks everyone