Is there an accepted "standard" to define overfire?

[Andy S.]

My burn tubes and firebrick baffle were glowing bright last night. There was no glow visible on any external surfaces. My IR pins at 600* and it was pinned on the decorative depression in the top center of my front door. Is "overfire" something you know when you see it or is there an accepted definition? Thanks!

 

[mellow]

When you see the outside of your stove or pipe glowing, over fire. Baffles and tubes are designed to take the heat during peak burns, they will glow nothing to be alarmed with.

1000 stove top is usually considered over fire and you want to cool it down.

 

[Dave K]

I've yet to get my old airtight to get over 700 stove top. I've tried burning the once a week "really hot fire" (that is often debated whether it makes sense to do) but I can't get my stove that hot! I suspect its the wood. The wood is averaging about 27% on the MM.

Be concerned only if you get a glow on the outside or the stove or pipe.

 

[BobUrban]

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/what-defines-a-runaway-stove.119648/

Another recent topic of the same nature. Glowing inside fine - outside, not so good :-O

 

[begreen]

I would get another IR thermometer. 600F is a common daily temp for many stoves. Get one that reads to 900F or higher. This is where metal begins to glow a dull red and is definitely overfire temp. Most steel and cast iron stoves can handle this briefly, but it should not be sustained or repeated. Try to keep the body of the stove below 750F for a good long life of the heater.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...d-thermometer-with-laser-targeting-69465.html

 

[ridemgis]

My burn tubes and firebrick baffle were glowing bright last night. There was no glow visible on any external surfaces. My IR pins at 600* and it was pinned on the decorative depression in the top center of my front door. Is "overfire" something you know when you see it or is there an accepted definition? Thanks!

Everything I've read here to date suggests that if you don't feel the need for fresh underwear, then it's not an overfire.
Scary ain't it!

 

[Andy S.]

I would get another IR thermometer. 600F is a common daily temp for many stoves. Get one that reads to 900F or higher. This is where metal begins to glow a dull red and is definitely overfire temp. Most steel and cast iron stoves can handle this briefly, but it should not be sustained or repeated. Try to keep the body of the stove below 750F for a good long life of the heater.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...d-thermometer-with-laser-targeting-69465.html

As sound suggestion, of course, but I'm already walking the thin line with the wife and kids when it comes to fire-related tools (toys in their opinion). If I come home with another IR, they will cross the line from teasing me because they think I'm obsessed to mocking me because they think I'm a lunatic. With last night being the only exception, the only spot on the face of my insert to exceed 600* is the area I described - my initial reference point. Move off to the left or right and both normally stay in the high 500's for what I think is a "good" burn. I think I'll change my point of reference as a first step.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I've yet to get my old airtight to get over 700 stove top. I've tried burning the once a week "really hot fire" (that is often debated whether it makes sense to do) but I can't get my stove that hot! I suspect its the wood. The wood is averaging about 27% on the MM.

Be concerned only if you get a glow on the outside or the stove or pipe.

Yup. It is the wood.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

As sound suggestion, of course, but I'm already walking the thin line with the wife and kids when it comes to fire-related tools (toys in their opinion). If I come home with another IR, they will cross the line from teasing me because they think I'm obsessed to mocking me because they think I'm a lunatic. With last night being the only exception, the only spot on the face of my insert to exceed 600* is the area I described - my initial reference point. Move off to the left or right and both normally stay in the high 500's for what I think is a "good" burn. I think I'll change my point of reference as a first step.

Andy, what does your stove manual say for the recommended top temperature? About the lowest I've seen is the Hearthstone at 600 and Woodstock at 700. We read many times on this forum of people reaching 800-850 and no problem with the stove.

 

[JA600L]

This exact question was on my mind too. I had my Quadra Fire 4300 burning at 600 F stovetop last night. I closely monitored it and everything appeared to be ok. I saw no glowing or crackling noises from flue. Is that ok? I stuck the gauge higher on the single wall stove pipe and saw 450 F. This was with overnight locust logs with the air set at medium. It burned all night very nicely.

 

[Andy S.]

Andy, what does your stove manual say for the recommended top temperature? About the lowest I've seen is the Hearthstone at 600 and Woodstock at 700. We read many times on this forum of people reaching 800-850 and no problem with the stove.

Nothing, Savage. The manual is frustratingly vague on operating tips. My experience with stoves before my insert was my parent's stove back in the 80's. Start the fire and put more wood in when the fire burns down. There should be MUCH more info available from the factory, IMO. Modern stoves are too technical for the manufacturers to be so vague. BTW...mine is a flush mount insert so I can't get stove top temps and would REALLY benefit from a manufacturer's suggested reference point and temp.