Had a really nice fire last night. It doesn't always work out this way due to all the variables involved but last night theT6 provided an exceptional 4+ hr secondary light show. It was mesmerizing. Here is a brief clip. Enjoy the light show!
Secondary light show. Sometimes it all comes together
- Thread starter begreen
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EbS-P
Minister of Fire
I had a video on a cold start where you could see the smoke at the bottom and then watch it ignite as it swirled up.
4 hours is a good run for secondaries. Love those slow lazy floating flames!
EbS-P
Minister of Fire
![[Hearth.com] Secondary light show. Sometimes it all comes together](/talk/data/attachments/345/345224-0e55572cff2de5a6395c6d17a0386364.jpg?hash=-YGnDzuu4X)
Somewhere in the 550-600º range. Though to be honest, I don't look at STT too much. I run the stove by flue temp.NiceJust curious, what STT and flue temps did you have?
It was completely closed but that still means there was maybe 10% primary air. The air control hits a stop which still permits a little primary air. This stops the fire from smoldering and supplies the air wash. Secondary air is unregulated on the older T6. I had the flue damper closed too.
This is not an every day occurrence, nor intentional. Today's fire is nice, but a lot less visual. There was something about that load where everything came together to make this unusually long light show.
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EbS-P
Minister of Fire
EbS-P
Minister of Fire
Yes. With the damper I can get the air flow down low enough that I get the lazy floaters.
Interesting. I have a thread on a home built outdoor water furnace. I'm trying to incorporate secondaries via tubes. Hoping to burn off smoke during idle time and, as a benefit, extend my differential time between firings. Possibly I should include an auto damper for idling.
More research to do.
This has gone on for about an hour and a half now. I guess until the thermostat changes the air too much one way or another.
Another one. If it's cold outside reach this mode (so this is high BTU output for my system and usage.
This rolling cloud doesn't last fo r hours but does take half an hour or so. So very specific gas production rate and oxygen flow rate are needed.
They appear at the boundary between new oxygen from the air wash and the gases from the load.
When they end (or when I dial down the thermostat by half a mm or so), it ends with no flame except for some dancing small flames between the (very hot) cat and it's flame shield.
This rolling cloud doesn't last fo r hours but does take half an hour or so. So very specific gas production rate and oxygen flow rate are needed.
They appear at the boundary between new oxygen from the air wash and the gases from the load.
When they end (or when I dial down the thermostat by half a mm or so), it ends with no flame except for some dancing small flames between the (very hot) cat and it's flame shield.
There are times when I get that rolling flame in my Fireview as well. Pretty cool looking stuff!
Is it possible to achieve this 'light show' burning red cedar logs? I dont have much experience with my new T6 yet, but the 2-3 times i've fired it up so far I'm yet to see a secondary burn at any stage of the process. Last time I blocked the boost air hole and now Im able to choke the stove down to the point I can put the fire out completely if I wanted to (ie too much). Still no secondaries though, am I doing something wrong or is it the wood or both?
As noted, this is not an every fire occurence. It happened with the right combo of reduced draft, wood outgassing, and primary air closure.
Red cedar may outgas too quickly. You should be seeing secondary combustion if the wood is fully seasoned but it may be roiling flame instead of the lazy, billowy flames. I get this more often with hardwood than with softwood.
Red cedar may outgas too quickly. You should be seeing secondary combustion if the wood is fully seasoned but it may be roiling flame instead of the lazy, billowy flames. I get this more often with hardwood than with softwood.
If it happens with my pitch pine or spruce , it doesn't last long. Over in 15 minutes or so.
I think that's similar to what begreen says he sees.
I think that's similar to what begreen says he sees.
Good light show. It’s nice when it all comes to together that.
I figure I’ll play. It’s cold outside. My key damper is closed, primary air is closed, but it’s still pulling air in the bottom.
- Feb 4, 2007
- 58
Taken a few minutes ago from my office chair at the computer. Jotul F600 Firelight CB. Just a little secondary flame as the fire is dying down to a bed of coals. The sound is from the movie 'Nobody's Fool' (1995) that is playing on the other monitor.
I’ve been burning well seasoned red oak all winter. Once I get everything up to temp and turn the down the air, the secondary light show is great as you can imagine. Red oak is awesome, it’s been stacked since Nov, 2021.
Yes, when I am burning locust, I just want to sit an watch it burn with its dancing and blooming blue flames.
Little flames behind the cat shield are fun to watch, the aurora borealis of the cat stove world 😉
Those little flames tend to reach out and get the smoke outside of the shield going too
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