So much for a small 2nd break-in burn!

[bayshorecs]

With the first break-in under my belt running the stove around 300-400*, I decided to get the 2nd done last night. This time, I was planning on running it at 400-500*. After the fire got going good, I loaded it up, had the air intake fully open and went to the garage for about 10 minutes to finish making a batch of biodiesel. I have been trying to burn up some of the punky wood I got early on so that a piece of the junk didn't make it into the fire in January.

After 10 minutes, I come back in the house and the place was roasting! Looked at the stove and it was FULL of flames. I grabbed the laser temp gauge and scanned the stove, 950* F! I quickly reduced the intake and got it down to around 650-700*.

Thoughts:
1. Didn't expect that much heat from old punky wood!
2. 10-15 wait time on turning down the intake is a general guideline, not a RULE!
3. Least I know the paint smell should be gone from now on!

I also took some measurements of the wall temp behind the stove. The stove is 14 3/4" from the wall (supposed to be 15"...).

Stove at:
300-400* -> Wall temp at 100*
500-700* -> Wall temp at 125*
700-950* -> Wall temp at 150*

Are those temps too high? The stove is basically installed to code but that seems a little high. The wall is drywall/plaster -> styrofoam insulation -> cinder block.

Any reason for concern?

 

[Henz]

I think your jsut fine

 

[Henz]

I think your jsut fine, I mean look at my pick, thats about the distance I ahve to knotty pine!

 

[Adios Pantalones]

If punky wood is dry-dry, then it will burn very fast. It's akin to softwood not having as much energy total, but giving it up much faster.

 

[Jags]

Welcome to secondary burn. I think your just fine. Your stove may be coughing a little trying to catch its breath, but it will recover. Those wall temps are well within acceptable temps.

Keep an eye on that new stove till ya get a good feel for it. You are correct, when TIMES are stated (which I personally don't like to use) they are "suggestions". Go by the temp.

 

[SlyFerret]

Yup, sounds like very dry wood, and a nice strong draft. Your setup should work great for you!

-SF

 

[daveswoodhauler]

If punky wood is dry-dry, then it will burn very fast. It's akin to softwood not having as much energy total, but giving it up much faster.

Thanks for the info on the punky wood. Had some that the utility company left on the side of the road...some punky...some not. Cut it up and split it...now drying out. Was curious if I should even try to burn the punky stuff when dry...now I know I can. Thanks.

 

[bayshorecs]

It was dry and very crumbly. So much so that after awhile, the stove wasn't very warm but it looked like it was still full of wood. I opened the door to poke the logs and they crumbled into ashes.

Maybe I should save a few of those for new fire starters!

 

[bayshorecs]

Also think the draft played into the burn. The first burn was with outside temps around 60F. Last night, it was around 40F.

Looks like I have a winner for the setup. The 24" of horizontal pipe and 15' of vertical class A outside the house was a little concerning. There was no smoke coming from the chimney during the burns. Maybe I don't need a chase!

Winds were around 10-15mph though. tough to see smoke with those speeds I would assume.

 

[akhilljack]

for the wall temps you should be good. if you have a vappor barrier around the studs in the wall like i do 300 max. i think the plastic vapor barrier will catch fire around 300-350 and it will be the first thing to catch followed by the studs maybe then your wall covering by then your screwd any way. most people have trouble keeping there stove it self at the temperatures it takes to lit off a stud from ambient heat much less 15 inches away.

 

[fossil]

I'd say the finish on her's prob'ly pretty well cured now, bayshore...good job! (I'm sure you didn't hurt anything, and I don't think anything got "dangerous", from what you describe). Rick

 

[InTheRockies]

bayshorecs,

I think you're going to really like that stove in the dead of winter. I have a medium sized stove from Century (2 cf fire box, but my house is small, 1200 sf) and I remain impressed at how much more efficient it is over the old smoke dragon that I removed. The temps where I live continue to fall--daytime highs are now in the 30s and we've been dipping down below 20 at night. I'm continuing to wake up to a good bed of coals in the morning and room temps of 70-71. Your stove will really put out the heat with that bigger fire box. Enjoy, I know you'll stay warm.

 

[bayshorecs]

I hope so too. I know this winter I will fight some season wood issues but I hope it isn't too bad.

My house is 2200 SQ FT so I need to get a couple fans to kick the heat around. 40* outside last night, downstairs was 85* :0 and the upstairs was 70-75*. That is with no fans.

I think I will be good!

 

[bokehman]

I think the lesson to be learnt here is don't leave the stove unattended when in the warm-up phase.

 

[begreen]

I think the lesson to be learnt here is don't leave the stove unattended when in the warm-up phase.

Amen. Always stay close by a stove when starting it up or adding a fresh load of wood.

I'd continue to watch the wall temps. If it got up to 150 after just 10 or less minutes of exposure to a hot stove, I'd want to know how it reads after several hours running at 650. It's probably fine, especially if the wall stays at 150, but it's good to keep track of until you know the stove installation well. As noted earlier, a wall shield could be added for additional peace of mind if required.