Jotul Winterport - Constant Tending?

[pjmcavoy]

First off, thanks for all the helpful tips and information. Because of this site I’ve been able to make an informed decision (Jotul Winterport) for a fireplace insert for my 808 sq. ft. house. It heats fantastically, so no complaints there.

One issue I’ve noticed is that the fire needs almost constant tending. If I leave it alone for 2 or 3 hours, it practically burns out. My technique is OK, I have gotten better at stepping the air down, and get nice hot burns (550 -600) regularly, but just not for very long, even if the air has been closed all the way. Any attempt to add larger logs (1/4 log splits) for a longer burn seems to smother the coals. The Winterport seems to work best on split wood that’s about 3-4 inches thick or fewer.

Has anyone else run into this? I know the Jotul has a small firebox, so I wasn’t expecting day-long burns, but I thought I’d at least be able to get 4, possibly 5 hours out of a load. Overnights seem definitely out of the question.

My wood has been split and seasoned for a year, so maybe it’s still a bit green. When I had the Jotul installed I had them do the works – block off plate, insulated SS liner, and plate at the top as well, so I don’t think I’m losing much heat up the chimney.

Any advice would be appreciated – there are not too many of us small burners out there!

 

[jadm]

Welcome to the learning curve :cheese:

When I got my 550 last winter there was an experienced 450 owner named Mike Wilson who helped a lot as he had several years of experience with his 450. You might PM him and see if he is still around. I know others here burn with the 450 so someone should step up and help out.

The 550 is a lot different and I don't think what I do will translate well to the 450.

I have had my 550 for a year and am still learning from my mistakes.....it is very tolerant of my ignorance. ;-P

 

[sixminus1]

I get the best burn time with oak, cut to about 8" length, and split anywhere from 3" to 6" width. I'm finding that a north-south load works better for me because I can pack the tiny firebox with as much as it will take.

It usually takes me 2 or 3 smaller loads that each burn for 2 or 3 hours before a good bed of coals is established and the insert is really up to temp. After that, the efficiency seems to increase. I can pack it tightly, turn the air control all the way down after 20 minutes or so (maintaining 500-600F), and let it go.

You're right about not getting overnights, but you should be getting more than 3 hours.

What kind of wood are you burning? Are you loading as much as you can into the firebox? Don't be afraid to really pack it in there, as long as nothing's touching the glass.

 

[Roxburyeric]

Six - how long of actual flames do you get after it is up to temp loading N/S? I have the 550 and have wondered if loading lots of short splits N/S would give me longer burns. Thanks

 

[sixminus1]

I get just over 2 hours of active flames with tight N/S loads once the unit is up to a good temp.

I get another 3 hours (give or take) of good heat after that.

Keep in mind that the C350 Winterport is much smaller than the 550, so it might be difficult to compare.

 

[oconnor]

Unless my wood is really dry (20%) I am in the same situation is the OP - tend the fire with small splits. I have had some luck if I lay my bigger splits on 2 N/S sticks of kindling - tends to not smother the coals, and lets the air circ well and start the fire. By the time the sticks burn up, the large splits are involved and dry enough to run on thier own. My system has to be well primed for this though - running for 2-3 hrs already.

That is what I do at night. Once the fire is established well, I load another larger split or 2 on top about 30 mins before I head to bed- watch stove temps if you reload a hot stove full, they can take right off fast - didn't watch one night and I had a glowing result.

In the end, I find the C450 to be a "picky eater" when it comes to moisture content, so I'll be getting next years wood split and under cover as soon as I can. I suspect the C350 would be similar.

The latest trick I've been employing is shutting the air down totally once I am down to the last coaled log. By then, the house is warm, and I can hold of on reloading. Once I want to reload, I open the air up, pull the no longer glowing log forward, crack it open with the poker, and shut the door. 10 mins later, I have hot coals to relight with.

 

[JimmyMood]

Reloading every 2-3 hours is about par for the course with the Winterport. I don't think the 550 or even the 450 is comparable to the 350. After a few hours, the coal bed starts getting thinner and not long after it becomes difficult to get a fire going again. When I pack it full for the night, I hear the blower running for about 5 hours, maybe 6, but this is packed full and the air control almost all the way down. I don't bother cutting logs down to 8" length, although that would be ideal for loading NS. I generally can get 4 or 5 splits in EW for the night, but most of the time I load 4 splits in a pseudo log cabin formation to get good heat output.

Compared to the other Jotuls, or most other inserts, this this is small. The firebox is about 1.2 - 1.3 cu ft. While I'm home, I don't mind throwing more wood in every couple hours, but I think I would like something that could go longer. FWIW, I have a 1500sqft home, it is 16 outside/72 inside so heat output isn't an issue with this stove, just burn time.

I have no idea how they came up with the 7 hour spec they list on their website. That must be when the last spark in the last coal goes out.