Napoleon 1402 Fireplace Insert Burn Question????

[Tank29]

Hey All,

We just had our Napoleon 1402 Fireplace Insert installed the other day and lastnight was the first night that we "tried" to burn all night...At 10:30pm lastnight I loaded the insert full and waited for about 20 minutes before I set the damper to 1 which is pretty much closed...I woke up this morning at 5:30am and checked it, what I found was that there was alot of coals but the fire was not putting off enough heat to even turn the blowers on...I loaded it with oak and walnut before I went to bed...Is there anything that I can try to get the fire to burn hotter and for longer?...I really only need it to burn hot for 6 hours since that is usually the longest that I get to sleep...Thanks in advance.

Todd

 

[chachdave]

I get about the same results. Load my 1402 around 11pm with about 5 to 6 splits and shut it all the way down. At 630am I got hot coals but fan is off. My house is still pretty warm though got a 1600 sf ranch. I also put a cast iron kettle on top, fill it 2 times a day with water makes living room feel like a sauna. Over all i`m impessed with burn time didn't expect any miricles.

 

[Tank29]

I get about the same results. Load my 1402 around 11pm with about 5 to 6 splits and shut it all the way down. At 630am I got hot coals but fan is off. My house is still pretty warm though got a 1600 sf ranch. I also put a cast iron kettle on top, fill it 2 times a day with water makes living room feel like a sauna. Over all i`m impessed with burn time didn't expect any miricles.

Maybe I am not getting it hot enough before I load it up for the night?...Last night I put 5-6 splits and had the damper set to 3 for about 20 minutes then closed it down for the night (10:30pm)...This morning there was a nice bed of coals but really no heat from stove, lay hand right on the top of it without a problem...Now, wood burning is new to me so i may be doing something wrong or I have to just keep testing to find the best results...What setting(s) are you using throughout the day on the damper?...Is there a temp guage that I can get so I know what the stove temp is?...Thanks for the input and help.

Todd

 

[Carel]

I have had a 1402 for a couple of years now and the best I've had is 6-8 hours of burn time over night. There is no right or wrong way, my only advise is to save your hard wood for the over night burns and the other for daytime. There is no easy way to check the temp. of a wood insert properly except for a laser pointer thermometer at the chimney where it attaches to the unit, that's the way I do it. 350-450 degrees Cecilius is the best. Hope this helps.

 

[ControlFreak]

I've been heating with a 1401 (1402's older brother) for about 12 years. I load it up at about 9:30 pm and at 6:00 am there are enough coals left over to restart the fire without kindling. Use a magnetic stove thermometer and stick it on the top in the center. When your temperature reaches 450 degrees, then you can start closing off the draft control gradually until you reach 550. Make sure that your secondary stays lit the whole time.

I pack the firebox with as much wood as I can fit, oriented front to back. One hint that I figured out over the past few years: pack the wood as tightly as you can on the sides and then leave a vertical path for flames to travel from the bottom to the top in the center. This way, you'll have a clear path for flames to get up to the top and kick off the secondary as soon as possible. As the fire burns, it will burn outward from the top and the center. Always make sure that there's a clear path for flames to get from the bottom to the top, otherwise it will struggle to get the secondary started.

And above all, make sure your wood is properly dried to around 20%.

Dan

 

[jjhof0306]

If your wood is properly seasoned and you're leaving the primary air on 1, you might be burning too fast. I know if I leave my 1400 (free standing version of the same stove) open at all it gets very hot and burns very quickly.

Just my $.02.

:coolsmile:

 

[Tank29]

I ordered a moisture detector from H.F....It should get here next week...I have the magnetic thermometer top dead center and the very best that I have been able to reach is 325*F...Giving this more thought I am starting to wonder if my secondary burn is lagging...I ahve got the room temp to stay about 78*F-80*F throughout the day and evening and when I get up at 5:30am the room temp is about 68*F and the stove temp 100*F...There is always enough coals to start over without kindling...I usually scoop out about 2/3 of a metal ash bucket every morning...The ash is usually a little smaller than a golf ball...I have been setting the damper at 3-4 durning the day and closing it down about 11pm when I pack it over night...I really think I am lacking on my secondary burn so I may have to try and load my wood differently...Thanks for the help!

Todd

 

[ControlFreak]

I ordered a moisture detector from H.F....It should get here next week...I have the magnetic thermometer top dead center and the very best that I have been able to reach is 325*F...Giving this more thought I am starting to wonder if my secondary burn is lagging...I ahve got the room temp to stay about 78*F-80*F throughout the day and evening and when I get up at 5:30am the room temp is about 68*F and the stove temp 100*F...There is always enough coals to start over without kindling...I usually scoop out about 2/3 of a metal ash bucket every morning...The ash is usually a little smaller than a golf ball...I have been setting the damper at 3-4 durning the day and closing it down about 11pm when I pack it over night...I really think I am lacking on my secondary burn so I may have to try and load my wood differently...Thanks for the help!

Todd

Todd,
The moisure meter will be a big help for you. If you're not getting above 325, then you're probably dealing with a moisture problem. I remember when I got my stove, I complained to the retailer about how it just wouldn't heat up. He patiently told me to get a bunch of scrap 2x4 lumber and burn a load of that. What a difference. So this will be a very good experiment for you to try. I think you'll find that you'll have no problem getting the temp up to 600, which is a good peak temp. You'll also see how the fire should look when the secondary is going strong. You'll see flames throughout the entire interior of the firebox.
This summer, you should plan on getting your wood for the next two winters. This coming winter you'll have to struggle a bit with less than optimum moisture, and the following winter you'll be in good shape once you're buying the wood a year in advance.

 

[Carel]

Just watch out though, there is no good way to really know what the temp. is inside the box. If you think about it, with the thermometer right where the flames lick the top plate that is not a true reading. The best spot is the chimney right where it connects to the unit. I have a thermometer right in the middle of the top plate and I get a reading of 750-900F but right at the chimney connection I get 350-450F. I always look at the glass and the bricks if they are both clear great, if they are not clear you need to burn hotter! Have fun and remember that every unit is different. It might take a a while to perfect but well worth it.

 

[johnn]

Two things I`m certain of. With, time and experience you will get to know your stove better. With time your wood will be better seasoned. The season is winding down, so you may be still learning next year, but try mixing it up some. Set like seasoned hard woods off to the side, use them to do your night burns during the day when you can monitor them and take notes on the temps, and adjustment settings. Stacking can really change things up along with many small details, just dont let anything escape your attention, and it will all come together.