VC Encore 2550 running hot after liner install

[whoppr]

Hi....

I have a VC Encore 2550 Cat Stove. This winter I had a stainless liner installed because the clay liner in the chimney was cracked, wanted something safer, and more efficient. It probably was not installed correctly, but didnt think too much of it since it was here when we bought the house and we use it only for supplemental heat. Since the liner install the stove has been running hotter, but is much more difficult to bring the temp down. The griddle temp will sit at 650-700 even when the air is turned all the way down. I know this has to be drafting better, but surprised how tough it is to dial the griddle temp down to 550 or so.

It would not surprise me if the draft was not great before and maybe why it was running cooler, but 550 should be more normal I think. It is burning wood quicker so must be taking in more air since the install.

They did move the stove during the install to get the liner in. In my mind, it is either the stove is just drafting more air or something loosened up during the install when the stove was moved. I think the ash pan is OK with the gasket. Door and griddle gaskets look OK.

Where can the air intake be adjusted?

Does this seem to be running hot to others?

Is this normal after a new liner install if it is drafting better?

Thanks

 

[begreen]

Make sure the stove gaskets are in good order. Do the dollar bill test on them.

How tall is the liner in the chimney?

 

[defiant3]

Especially check gasketing around the glass, and maybe have another look at the ash pan door. They are just wierd sometimes. The only other thing that commonly afflicts Encores is the seal around the top. By that I mean the cement in the seam around where the top casting meets the front, back, and sides. You can get furnace cement in caulking tubes and try injecting it into the seam around the top. It's easy, only takes like 5 minutes, and might just help. If so, know that at some point removing and recementing the top should be in the cards. Don't bother adjusting the draft control just yet., that's not likely the problem. Hold off on that till you're about to start pulling hair out. (if nothing else helps)

 

[webby3650]

From my experience this sounds normal. I kept my thermometer on the top beside the griddle, seems to be a much more realistic temperature. Most often, my therm would peg on the griddle but only read 6-700 on the stove. Defiantly check your gaskets, but I think you are just experiencing better draft.

 

[RandyBoBandy]

Better draft for sure. What size loads are you burning? And how big are the splits?

 

[Charles1981]

I would worry of an air leak somewhere. I don't think 650-700 griddle temperature is good for the stove. Thats really really hot. I have a encore 2040 with 25 foot 6 inch liner and it has some serious draft and pull and the only time I am over 600 is with the bypass open. Close that bypass and the stove will cruise at 550, turn the stove down all the way closed and it will cruise at around 400-450.

Sometimes I feel like I put in some overtly dry locust or oak and and no matter what I can't get the stove to cruise under 500-550 but I never have the stove over 600 except just before closing the bypass.

 

[webby3650]

The griddle is designed to be hotter than the stove top, that's why it's a griddle..
It will always be hotter than the surrounding cast iron stovetop.