Short burn times epa stove

[Millertime2531]

Fireplace is a ambiance elegance 40 by supreme. Currently, the longest burn I’ve gotten is 6 hours. Average is about 3-4. Very rarely more than that. That’s from load up to a point where my coals are cool enough to barely start a fresh log. Wood is dry and seasoned below 20. Splits have been relatively small ( about the size you would get if you bought from a home store). I thought that might be the issue so I got some fat logs from a friend that were about 7-8”splits 2 yr seasoned oak. Firebox is 3.2 cubic ft so I can fit about 3-4 in there. I nest them in tight East to west. It burns fairly slow to start but seems to be engulfed and raging after about an hour. Cutting air control as much as I can doesn’t slow it down much until about nearly hour 2. After hours 3 I’m down to chunky coals. Stove claims 6-12 hr burn times. There is no way. I think I’ve tried everything. Am I missing something?

 

[logfarmer]

Have you checked the door gasket? You should be able to nearly snuff the fire out closing the air all the way!

 

[Millertime2531]

Stove is only about 4 months old. Gasket is is in place and in good shape. I can cut off air supply, but not completely as it is an epa unit. I need to get the stove to about 500 degrees before I do it or it will likely go out. The acc control will actually shut it down on its own or I can pull it out manually.

 

[logfarmer]

Ok maybe start cutting the air down a little bit earlier? Still try to achieve the 500* but cut back a little at a time.

 

[begreen]

Try closing down the air quicker, as soon as possible without squelching the flames .

Note that this is a zero clearance fireplace, it is not a stove.

 

[IowaRSFBurner]

Reading the manual, that has an air activator for reloading and starting the fire and a separate burn control lever. Have you played around with either of those? It really sounds like it’s allowing too much air in somehow. Have you done a dollar Bill test on your door to verify you don’t have any leaks?

 

[Millertime2531]

Just gave the dollar bill test. Big fail in a few spots. With the unit only being a few months old I wouldn’t expect this. Is the gasket a universal thing or do I need one brand specific? Are some types better than others?

 

[IowaRSFBurner]

Check first to see if there are any adjustments that can be made before replacing the gasket. I liked buying from the mfg just to get correct thickness and length. My RSF had a shot gasket after only 3 years of service, basically it disintegrated.

 

[blackx-runner]

Just gave the dollar bill test. Big fail in a few spots. With the unit only being a few months old I wouldn’t expect this. Is the gasket a universal thing or do I need one brand specific? Are some types better than others?

Who installed the unit? If dealer installed might be worth giving them a call. Could trace back to a mfg. defect or something that would be covered under warranty. If you start monkeying with it that might cause some issues getting it resolved.

 

[weatherguy]

I have a 2,8 firebox and fit more splits than you, is your firebox and odd size? I usually can fit 7-8 splits of that size.