How to "cruise"?

[excessads]

10 months seasoned ash started 15 mins crank up full throttle to 250, so...should I choke airflow to 1/4 and let it climb slowly to 400 or so? And get to 400 first then choke to lower burn rate?

 

[Chimney Smoke]

Once the flames start taking off I watch them more than the temp. Once the wood is charred and the flames are going strong I turn my air down bit by bit. When cruising, my air control is closed ~75%. I close it to around 50% to start and then two or three more smaller closures as long as the secondaries are rolling well.

 

[firefighterjake]

I watch the flue temp more than the stove . . . once I'm burning in the Goldilocks Zone I typically begin to slowly close down the air a quarter mark at a time until I reach the point (typically 1/4 open or all the way "closed") where the secondaries are burning strongly and I'm in cruise mode. If the fire has been going for some time I can often close down the air all the way or partly open in one move vs. doing it incrementally.

 

[excessads]

Thanks guys, now cruising at 475 with choke closed, really need to get an IR thermometer now to ensure not exceeding insert limit/overfiring

 

[begreen]

Where are you measuring the temperature?

Can you add your stove to the signature line in the account settings?

 

[excessads]

Century cw2500 will add to signature shortly. When the stove was warming up, I felt all around and the warmest spot was in the front next to the door. Just ordered IR thermometer to check operating temp.

 

[begreen]

Century says to put the thermometer on the cooktop. They also say do not exceed 840ºF there.

 

[excessads]

Sorry Begreen, dumb question for you, where is the cook top on the insert?

 

[begreen]

Stove top. They use the term cooktop in the manual.

 

[mark cline]

I use a Condar probe thermometer . When the probe reaches the upper range in the orange , I start to back down the air in 1/4 increments . I'll back down another 1/4 within 5 minutes , if temps are still climbing . I don't want to exceed 600F, so I'll cut own the air faster if the stove top temp gets up to 500F.

 

[mcdougy]

I use a Condar probe thermometer . When the probe reaches the upper range in the orange , I start to back down the air in 1/4 increments . I'll back down another 1/4 within 5 minutes , if temps are still climbing . I don't want to exceed 600F, so I'll cut own the air faster if the stove top temp gets up to 500F.
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I'm confused easily..... Your talking stove top max 600... Are you not gauging with that thermometer flue temperature.? Maybe they mean the same but I would like a bit of clarification from the crew. I'm thinking stove top is a thermometer on the top of the steel top and flue is what you have pictured. Maybe they gauge very close? But that's why I'm asking.

 

[begreen]

The OP has an insert so stove top readings are the best in this case. But that is just a guideline. Once you are used to the way the wood in the stove burns you will find yourself often using the fire itself as a guide with the thermometer reading as a verification.

 

[nola mike]

On mine, I use a candy thermometer in the air gap. The temp reading there is relative, since it depends on blower speed, but it gives me a good idea of whats going on globally. Very difficult to get consistent readings on the insert I think. Temps are wildly different around the door/front of stove dependent on how the stove is loaded.@begreen, where did you find the recommended temp? I've never seen it in the manual...

 

[excessads]

The OP has an insert so stove top readings are the best in this case. But that is just a guideline. Once you are used to the way the wood in the stove burns you will find yourself often using the fire itself as a guide with the thermometer reading as a verification.

Begreen thanks for confirming, previously either you or bholler mentioned 425 measuring on front door may actually be hotter inside. Second fire after when the temp was hovering around 100 I felt my way around the entire stove and next to the door was the hottest spot, I even check above the air gap where blower functions, it was cool to touch, but if the manual says measuring above stovetop don't exceed 899, I will prob operate around 400-500. Not gonna push it.

 

[begreen]

It says don't exceed 840F of the top I think. Our stove top has never been over 750F. Normal cruising temp is between 500-650F. You will be safe in that range and when temps drop down into the teens you will want the heat.

 

[nola mike]

I don't think that we're comparing Apples to apples here. The temp at the top is largely dependant on the blower. I don't think it's indicative of fire box temps

 

[begreen]

True, but all one has to do is turn off the blower and take the temp, then turn it on and take it again. Our stove has about a 100-150F differential with the blower running. No stove is rated by firebox temps.

 

[nola mike]

I'll experiment next time around with the IR gun. You'd have to keep the blower off long enough for the top to reach a steady state. Again though, where are you getting the recommended temps? Reread the manual, still don't see it in there...

 

[begreen]

Temperature is mentioned in the section warning about overfiring.

 

[nola mike]

still don't see it. Is this the manual you're looking at?
https://www.google.com/url?q=https:...v2VXiw&usg=AFQjCNGPoOZSKRi60GgJRIivTv4859oO2g

 

[begreen]

Yes, looks like they have rewritten some sections. Mine is an older copy.

 

[nola mike]

Didn't think I was crazy. I wonder why they took that out?

 

[excessads]

Well based on what I felt at a tolerable temperature, the stovetop is definitely cooler than front left panel next to the door, where I placed the gauge. Think I should be ok if I don't go above 600, I will confirm withe the IR tonight.

 

[excessads]

Cruising steady at 550 w seasoned oak and choke all the way closed . Nice secondary beautiful flame , thx, everyone!


Good thing I m cautious and didn't overstuff the box. It would have been scary if I didn't close the choke at 400 knowing how dry the oaks are.