Weird experience with sassafras?

[Littledog]

So I’ve only ever burned good hardwoods. I ended up getting my hands on a bunch of sassafras, I cut, stacked, and split back in Feb. Internal moisture is now 18% and very lightweight. I loaded the stove and it seemed to burn ok. Until right before it got to the coaling stage. It will hold as a big black chunk and do nothing, like it’s got nothing left in it to burn. Had to put some cherry in so it would turn into coals. Is this normal with softer woods??? I suppose I’ll have to mix it with my other stuff to see if I have a better experience with it

 

[stoveliker]

For me it burned down normally. Well. No coals, as normal with softwoods.

Did the draft stall because it didn't put out enough heat into the flue at the end of the burn (leading to a fire that stops, leaving black leftovers)?

 

[Littledog]

For me it burned down normally. Well. No coals, as normal with softwoods.

Did the draft stall because it didn't put out enough heat into the flue at the end of the burn (leading to a fire that stops, leaving black leftovers)?

That’s a good point. Maybe what happened since there was more smoke than normal when opening the door. Also not that cold yet to produce the best draft. For insight I’m using a Napoleon s25 insert with a 23 foot insulated liner

 

[stoveliker]

Yes, draft stalls earlier in relatively warmer shoulder season temps.

Insulated 23 ft sounds good.

Do you have CO detectors?

 

[Littledog]

Yes, draft stalls earlier in relatively warmer shoulder season temps.

Insulated 23 ft sounds good.

Do you have CO detectors?

Yes I do. Thanks for the input!!

 

[kennyp2339]

As mentioned above, you might have experienced a stove stall, it happens when the air equilibrium is just about perfect, things will get better once it gets cooler, also at least for me, when I burn soft woods I need to have at least 5 pieces in there because they kinda work off each other when burning.