Howdy gang
We have one of the aforementioned Timberwolf 2100 wood stoves. It was installed a couple of years ago when we built the house. It has a 6" stovepipe (stainless steel insulated) with a length of ~28 feet.
I am burning a mix of local hardwoods (white/red oak, poplar, maple, birch, hickory) which have been seasoned for over 2 years. No moisture meter.
Normal operating technique:
I pack the firebox and start a top down fire. I keep the door cracked and air control open until things get going. I then close the door. When surface temps get to 300 I start to close down the air control about a 1/4 of the way at a time until it's as closed as it will go.
Surface temps rise to 700-800 F and the flue hits 400 F. It doesn't stay long and then quickly falls off to ~400 F (surface). Burn times are about 4 hours. After 8 there are still coals that I can start another fire from.
Sometimes it acts like it's taking off even when it's choked down all the way. My temp gauge pegs out at 850 F. and the flue hits 550 F or higher.
My question:
It just doesn't seem like I'm getting a lot of heat for a reasonable amount of time out of the thing. Is this just a problem with an inexpensive unit? Am I doing something wrong?
Is there a way to control the air when it's choked down a little more? I only have the one air control and I'm fairly sure the door seal is sealing properly.
Any advice is appreciated!
We have one of the aforementioned Timberwolf 2100 wood stoves. It was installed a couple of years ago when we built the house. It has a 6" stovepipe (stainless steel insulated) with a length of ~28 feet.
I am burning a mix of local hardwoods (white/red oak, poplar, maple, birch, hickory) which have been seasoned for over 2 years. No moisture meter.
Normal operating technique:
I pack the firebox and start a top down fire. I keep the door cracked and air control open until things get going. I then close the door. When surface temps get to 300 I start to close down the air control about a 1/4 of the way at a time until it's as closed as it will go.
Surface temps rise to 700-800 F and the flue hits 400 F. It doesn't stay long and then quickly falls off to ~400 F (surface). Burn times are about 4 hours. After 8 there are still coals that I can start another fire from.
Sometimes it acts like it's taking off even when it's choked down all the way. My temp gauge pegs out at 850 F. and the flue hits 550 F or higher.
My question:
It just doesn't seem like I'm getting a lot of heat for a reasonable amount of time out of the thing. Is this just a problem with an inexpensive unit? Am I doing something wrong?
Is there a way to control the air when it's choked down a little more? I only have the one air control and I'm fairly sure the door seal is sealing properly.
Any advice is appreciated!
