Questions about my "inferno" stove top thermo

[spiff]

So, I am kind of new to wood burning stoves and have some questions. I have a Lopi Endeavor wood stove. Bought an inferno "stove top" thermo and see that it has burn "zones" on it. I placed it on the lower step of my stove, centered above the glass door. The zones say "creosote" below 400, "best" to 650, and "too hot" above the 650 range. My questions are: what is the cruising temps of this stove? If I get the stove going above that 650 range does "all heck" break loose? I see people saying they cruise at 700-800 on this site. Am I missing something???? How do I know what is safe or not when burning this stove? I hear the stove crackling and popping during the burns...I 'm assuming it's the steel just heating up. It is installed with double wall pipe.

Thanks for any help!

 

[lopiliberty]

My lopi likes to cruise around 700 to 750 for the first hour or so then starts to come back down. I would say anything under 750 for a short time is fine. Are you letting it get to 650 before you start turning the air down? At what temps are you reloading?

 

[Highbeam]

I am very confident that nobody cruises their stove at 750-800. Sure, the non cats can peak out that high but the bulk of the time they are running in what your meter calls the best range. Higher or lower withinn the range as needed.

 

[Sprinter]

If I get the stove going above that 650 range does "all heck" break loose?

No. But I get uncomfortable around there. I have a digital temp alarm set at 650 just to let me know it's getting too hot. Because if it gets to 650 when I'm not watching, it's likely still rising and I want to catch it. In an overfire situation it may be rising fast. I know some folks like to run hotter than that, but it's unnecessary and you begin to run the risk of damage over time.from warping, etc. It's not gonna melt or anything though. Just watch your temps until you get more comfortable with the stove and it's characteristics and you'll be fine.

Also, be aware that there can be quite a variation in temps around the stovetop. I got an IR "gun" thermometer and put my thermometer at the hottest spot. It's not really necessary but if you like to tinker, they can be useful.

 

[spiff]

So I start up the stove and get it into the 450 range or best range on the inferno meter...then let it hoover around the 450-500 max range on the lower step. I then shut down the air intake to slow things down. Trying to keep it in that 450 range cruising. I don't load it up with wood and choke the air down for the overnighter because I am leary. Just trying to learn the ropes.

 

[Sprinter]

Just trying to learn the ropes.

Feel free to experiment with technique to find what works well for you. Cruising temperature can depend on the wood you're burning and size of load. In warmer weather, my smallish loads and lighter wood, 450 is common for me too. In more serious weather, you'll load it up more and maybe use denser wood and 550-600 will be more common.

Don't turn the air down too much too soon, especially in warm weather, or you may experience backpuffing. Not unusual when you're trying to be too conservative with the temps. Don't start to turn the air down until the secondaries are burning and then turn it down in stages, keeping the secondaries burning and a lazy flame.

Yes, you'll hear pinging and popping sounds which is normal.