Restricted air inlet damper on new VC Defiant

[DaleD]

I am new to this site. My new Defiant has a very restricted air inlet damper. Will not stay up to temperature wide open unless I crack open the ash pan. Excellent draft causes great heat up with ash pan cracked open. Inspected small rectangular oval damper plate. It only opens a crack before interference from inner stove plate. Not sure how to get and keep this big thing hit. I’ll include the photo of oval damper that hardly moves.

 

[DaleD]

Not sure how to keep enough air to it without ash pan cracked open.

 

[Kamiobi]

You want to be very careful burning with ash pan open. You can overfire the stove and warp parts of the stove.

 

[begreen]

You want to be very careful burning with ash pan open. You can overfire the stove and warp parts of the stove.

Or crack the base which is very expen$ive to replace.

What is the flue system like on the stove? Can you describe it from stove to chimney cap in detail?

Has the wood been tested for moisture content? Can you show the steps you are taking to start the fire? Do you start a kindling fire first?

 

[defiant3]

Your aware ot's thermostatic and closes as it heats up? May have to repeatedly open it.