Lopi Freedom Bay insert.

[Caruso293]

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The above is the end result of all of the recent advice given to me from all of you on this site. I stocked the stove 3/4 full at 11 AM. Cut the air back gradually until only about less than 1/4. Mostly oak and hickory and maple. Lets see how long my blower can stay on for. Im hoping for at least 5-6 hours. I have not been getting the burn times as most of you with similar stoves. Its a work in progress. Thanks all again.

 

[begreen]

The video is private, can't see. But the opening frame looks like the firebox is only partially filled with short splits going E/W and some filler going N/S. The air looks like it could be cut down even further. Maybe try it fully closed?

 

[lopiliberty]

I sometimes fill mine the same way and get 8 to 12 hour burns. Looks like you could get a few more splits in there, fill that thing up and turn you blower down to low. When the blower is running at a higher speed it cools the fire down thus having to give it more air and reducing burn times. I might have missed it somewhere but are you turning your blower off when you reload. If your not turn it off on reloads, get it hot and cruising then turn the blower on low

 

[Caruso293]

The video should be public and viewable now. I could have gotten 2 more splits in but I dont like loading so close to the glass. The blower was on medium to high and I did not turn it off. I did not know having the blower on cooled the firebox. Good to know. 5.5 hrs later and blower turned off. Not the 10 hours some are describing but better than what I have been getting. I had all splits running east to west then 2 going north south. I only could have cut the air 1\8 inch before cutting it completely off.

 

[etiger2007]

So do most of you put a split in n/s on the side if you can fit it?

 

[TradEddie]

My regular non-bay Freedom gets much longer and hotter burns loading N/S, perhaps a small split e/w to top off. Loading E/W almost always leaves a log at the back which will not be fully burned when the fire has gone cold. With good wood, I've been able to close the air completely and still see temps rise past 600F, burning for 10+ hours.
I haven't seen a noticeable temperature drop with fan running on low speeds, so I always leave it running.

TE

 

[lopiliberty]

So do most of you put a split in n/s on the side if you can fit it?

98 percent of the time I load N/S. The other 2 percent is E/W. I cant see loading the stove E/W in the middle of the firebox only and having wasted space on the sides. If I really take the time and find the right splits I will load only in the center of the firebox and then load N/S on each side.

 

[MrLouie]

I've never been able to get consistent burns past about 6 hours with mine either. I almost always load it N/S now also, never get a complete burn if it's loaded E/W. I also modifed my switch on the fan so it only turns off when I switch it off. Never stayed on long enough.

 

[Hickorynut]

My burn times average about 3 hours loading with usually two good size splits east/west. Also, get dirty glass quite often usually have to clean at least after every couple of fillups. Have to get up during the night and add wood or the fire will go out by morning. Wood is good and dry, locust, oak, cherry and door gasket is good and tight against door. Draft is good and strong. Oh and another negative is I can't open the door during a burn cycle without getting smoke smell in room until at least the wood has broken down into large hot coals. Stove does not put out the heat of my other stove. The heat from my other stove was so strong at times it would move the ceiling fan and could heat the house fairly quickly. This stove's heat output is less and takes much longer to raise the house temp. I do like the door handle on the left as being left handed I like loading the stove with my left hand. Overall, compared to my previous country flame this lopi freedom stove is just average.

 

[TradEddie]

98 percent of the time I load N/S. The other 2 percent is E/W. I cant see loading the stove E/W in the middle of the firebox only and having wasted space on the sides. If I really take the time and find the right splits I will load only in the center of the firebox and then load N/S on each side.

Depends on the length of the splits. Much of my currently seasoned wood was cut when I had a much bigger slammer, so it is too long to fit N/S anyway, also that tapered firebox means I need to sizes to load N/S, bigger ones for the center, smaller ones for the sides.

TE

 

[Caruso293]

Interesting. My splits are too big to fit north south but I will keep that in mind the next tree I cut up. My firebox is NOT tapered. Perfect rectangle. Only the outside of the freedom bay is tapered. I thought the firebox on the freedom and the freedom bay were identical.

 

[TradEddie]

Only the outside of the freedom bay is tapered. I thought the firebox on the freedom and the freedom bay were identical.

So did I, but obviously not. The freedom firebox is only about 14" wide at the very back, then it widens to about 20" almost the front of the firebox, see pic below. More importantly for N/S loading, the splits at the sides need to be 4-6" shorter than those at the center, if you want to really pack them in.

TE

 

[trailmaker]

Another N/S Freedom Bay loader here. I feel like I can get more wood in, and less chance of stuff rolling/crumbling forward into the glass. It also seems exponentially easier to split the shorter 14in rounds.

 

[DKranger22]

I had put a deposit on the Liberty Freedom insert a few weeks back, but really started to second guess the tapered firebox. I thought this could really hinder my ability to load both N&S E&W and to maximize burns. I have since settled on a Lennox (Country) Caynon insert. I still think that the Lopi is a quality unit, I just don't think it was the right insert for me. My cousin has one and burns around the clock all winter and swears by his Lopi Freedom.

 

[TradEddie]

I'd have no problems with the taper if my wood hadn't been cut for a much larger firebox. Based on my experience during that recent cold spell, I'll have very little use for full loads anyway, two splits e/w is enough to make my house a sauna in most weather.

TE

 

[Caruso293]

Again very intersting to read about what other folks with similar set ups are doing. My dilemma is whether or not to burn today. 57 out and rainy in CT today?????

 

[coldkiwi]

I have a revere, which is a smaller model similar to the freedom.I put 3 large splits in it at 9 last night had the air almost closed with the fan on low,got up at 6.30 this morning with the fan still going and enough coals to just throw another split on it to get it going.I think the large split thing helps.Have to clean the glass every couple of days,the long slow burns gum up the glass a little, small price to pay for a longish burn.I plan on modifying the stove a little next summer so that more of it protudes on the hearth..cannot seem to leave well enough alone!

 

[Caruso293]

I have some pretty large splits that will be ready next year. I can't leave well enough alone either. I had no idea there would be such a learning curve with wood burning. I still have lots to learn but things have gotten much better thanks to this site. So much experience here.