why leave draft control open 1/2" at least?

[Cheeks]

The manual for my wood burning epa insert says to always leave the air flow rod at least 1/2" out. Can anyone tell me why they would recommend this?

The only thing I can think of is that they think the stove would cool down to below the point where the secondary burn occurs.

My wood is perfectly seasoned and this year the stove gets so hot that I have had to close it all the way down a few times (and/or put fan on hi). I probably didnt have to but I want to maximize the btus.

Thanks for any info on the 1/2" question.

 

[Fsappo]

This is for the Hampton?

 

[Cheeks]

Yes, the HI300 wood insert.

 

[Fsappo]

I never noticed that in the manual. I would just burn it using common sense. Start it up, get the fire going good, back down the air. If the thing burns clean and all night with the air closed, then that's how I would burn it.

 

[begreen]

This instruction is in conjunction with the fan control. They want the stove to be hot enough if the fan is running. From the manual:

The fan is to be operated only with the draft control rod pulled out at least 1/2" from the fully closed position. The fan is not to be operated when the draft control rod is in the closed position (pushed in). The fully closed position is the low burn setting.

 

[Fsappo]

Doesn't that fan have a snap disk?

 

[begreen]

One would think so. Could be that Regency is just being protective of the owner in trying to keep flue gases warm enough to keep creosote down?

 

[Fsappo]

Yeah, or they copied/pasted info from manual to manual year after year and just missed that part. You may agree, but a fan enhanced epa stove with a snap disk should be able to be burned low, fan switch always on and let the stove and fan work in harmony.

 

[mellow]

Guess they are trying to quell the people that say they can't feel the heat with the fan on.

 

[begreen]

One of these days I should go into the stove manual editing business. There are anomalies and errors in most of them.

 

[velvetfoot]

My wood is perfectly seasoned and this year the stove gets so hot that I have had to close it all the way down a few times (and/or put fan on hi). I probably didnt have to but I want to maximize the btus.

I am doing exactly, make that almost, the same thing!
I close it down pretty much, sometimes all the way initially. I open it up more and turn the fan down when the initial thrill is over. It responds fairly well to the air control lever, so I don't want to tempt fate and choke it. I'm thinking: colder, more draft as well.

 

[Chuck the Canuck]

Well I have to agree with the manual here on this one; I'm finding with the Austral that if I have the air completely shut down, and then I turn on the fan, the stove will start to cool down pretty quick.... and within half hour or 45 minutes the stove top will be getting too cool and the secondaries will be starting to die out...

I guess that's why I only run the fan at all if I feel that the stove top temp is getting too high; otherwise, I just don't need to use it....

 

[Cheeks]

thanks for all of the replies! I think you guys figured it out... so the fire doesnt get too cold, and to keep the fan on (if using auto sensor).

 

[Chimney Smoke]

I think my stove would have a meltdown if I left my air halfway open.

 

[velvetfoot]

1/2", not half.