LFEngineering
ArboristSite Operative
Alright guys I need some help. I'm new to wood burning, but I think I have a good idea what I'm doing. However inexperience leads me to worry about every little thing. For example: there were a few days which I was getting a TON of smoke when I would fill the stove. I got all concerned that the chimney was getting blocked, or something was amiss. Nope, turned out to be inverse air, we had a warm front come in and mess with the pressure. 2 days later it was good. Anyway... I installed a refurbished 86 Defiant Encore (cat model) in October and have been burning 24/7 since. After burning some questionable wood early in the season I cleaned the stove out in November. I cleaned it again on Jan 1st to see how dirty it had gotten. Both clean-outs yielded little creosote.
Typically the stove will have a good coal bed; I'll fill it > leave the damper open > wait for the griddle temp to hit 500-600 > close the damper to engaging the cats > wait for the temp to dip while the cats ignite > once the temp is back on the rise I'll adjust it to our normal operating area & continue with my day. On average the stove lasts between 9-11 hours. For the first 2 months of having the stove we had to be careful about leaving the stove on high (air control full open) because even with the cats engaged the stove could over fire.
Recently however I've noticed that the once the cats are engaged I can leave the stove on high & the griddle temp wont ever get over 600. I'm burning the same wood supply, same filling / operating procedure ect. What could cause this?
Typically the stove will have a good coal bed; I'll fill it > leave the damper open > wait for the griddle temp to hit 500-600 > close the damper to engaging the cats > wait for the temp to dip while the cats ignite > once the temp is back on the rise I'll adjust it to our normal operating area & continue with my day. On average the stove lasts between 9-11 hours. For the first 2 months of having the stove we had to be careful about leaving the stove on high (air control full open) because even with the cats engaged the stove could over fire.
Recently however I've noticed that the once the cats are engaged I can leave the stove on high & the griddle temp wont ever get over 600. I'm burning the same wood supply, same filling / operating procedure ect. What could cause this?