Central boiler sent out every owner of this stove a thermostat housing to be installed inline. It is to stop flow to the home until the water temp is 170 minimum. If your boiler still has fire brick on the sides you are to remove it and run temp @ 185 or higher to stop corrosion and from what your saying about wet wood you need to look into it soon
That can not be right, it would be steaming.
I know someone who has one, runs it pretty much full time and her boiling point is 190. And uses uncovered softwood.