Hi, I'm not new to wood stoves, the house I grew up in was heated only by wood, a big old Earthstove. But I am new to this 'cigar' style of stove. Anyway, I was given an old Jotul 118 for my workshop, and I'm having some problems with it. First of all, I'm having a hell of a time getting it burn hot enough to put out much heat. I can get a good, hot bed going with lumber, but as soon as I put real wood to it, and close the door, it just wants stoke down and burn real low. I'm burning seasoned oak, split small, so I know it's dry enough. And draft isn't a problem either. But the low burn is creating a lot of creosote. I've only burned it three times, and have an 1/8th inch crust of creosote in my pipes already! I'm seriously considering popping the top off and removing the upper baffle, so it would burn just like a boxwood. Does anyone have any thoughts on this before I light it up? Any advice will be truly appreciated.