Temps for inserts

[jasperdog]

Hi All:

I have a Country insert that I have been using for a couple months. When I am burning what I think is "pretty hot" I get a temp of maybe 350 on the top of the insert and around 600 on the glass measured by bi-metal and IR on the top and IR on the glass.... This is with maybe 4 splits (all I can reallyl fit without hitting those tubes on the top) and with a well developed fire. I have tried various levels of air and pretty much this is what I get .

Judging by what I read here those readings seem low. Where do you guys measure your temps??


Thanks...

 

[mainstation]

I have a 15 yr. old Regency R14, burning well seasoned hardwood mix. I have a $10 thermometer that sits top the right of the glass door and usually sits around 350 F with reduced air. I have just added to the Blocker plate, tweaking a bit and have to reported the insert is holding the heat better. Prior to the "tweaking" I had an open space around the SS flex at least 12" either side= lotsa heat loss.

 

[par0thead151]

i assume a zero clearance insert does not need a blocking plate?

 

[jadm]

Old insert - Napoleon 1100 - I didn't like to go over 500*. Usually stayed around 400*.

New insert - Jotul 550 - I don't like to go over 800*. Usually stay around mid 500* to mid 600*. Only burn at 400* when a load is on the down side of a burn. (Temp. taken with an IR therm. on center top of the firebox.)

 

['bert]

I would say a little low, but try to find a manual and see what it suggests. I don't get nervous until I see 800 on top of the firebox. I close the air down and the temp usually follows. I have seen higher a few times and makes me very uneasy.

 

[Joey]

I agree with Berta. Get a manual and see what it says for your particular stove. I cruise at about 550-600, that the point when I shut the air all the way down. At the end of the burn cycle, around 300, the stove isnt kickin off nearly as much heat that I would like it to be. My manufacturer says to keep the stove under 700 to prevent an overfire condition.

 

[jasperdog]

I will check the manual and see what they recommend. Based on my prior word burning stove experience (Jotul, Vermont Castings, Woodstock, some other steel stove I forget the name of) the fire "looks" right but I would like to get this right and get the max heat from my wood.

 

[johnn]

4 splits and shes full? Is this the norm or are your splits too large?

 

[jasperdog]

Well maybe 5 splits and then I am bumping those tubes on the top which I am assuming are some sort of gas refire deal.... My splits are not that big either. I have the medium size insert from Country and they are not all that big. I am not there right now but maybe I can get a photo and put it up here in a day or two for evaluation.....
My cast iron stoves always felt hotter than these firebrick filled models... I really like the Soapstone stove from Woodstock. We use that to heat our deer camp and it works great but that is a free standing stove located in the center of a typical one bedroom plus loft cabin. At -10F things are comfy in there with just a moderate fire.

Thanks for all the responses. I will check the manual which I should have done first in all likelihood...

 

['bert]

Those "tubes" at the top of the stove are where the air enters the stove for the secondary combustion.

 

[pgmr]

I have a Country insert that I have been using for a couple months. When I am burning what I think is "pretty hot" I get a temp of maybe 350 on the top of the insert and around 600 on the glass measured by bi-metal and IR on the top and IR on the glass....

Most inserts have at least a double top, meaning there is an air gap between the inner stove wall and the outer shell. Many have double walled construction on five sides. If you are measuring on the outer shell, you will get a much lower temp reading than you would on the outside of the inner wall. If you are running a blower (and even if you're not), the cool air entering the bottom of the insert cools off both the inner and outer walls as it travels through the stove and is expelled under the top as nice hot air.

I wouldn't worry so much about the absolute temps you are reading. As long as the burn looks good and the house is warm enough, you are doing it right.

 

[jasperdog]

Thanks pgmr. I knew I was not getting the same reading i was getting on my cast iron stoves and thought that was why. I think the glass temp is a lot closer to a normal outside stove temp. When I get that secondary burn rolling flame that looks sort of liquidy (theres a word I just made up) it seems like I have it where I want it.