Hello, I am very new to this site and only been burning two years. I have a Travis Industries catalytic stove. I bought “semi seasoned “ wood this spring plus had some from last year. Everything was fine then suddenly the wood turns black and won’t flame. Moisture content less that 20%, had the flue cleaned beginning of the season, we burn every day. I am lost, wet wood? Thanks, Dave
Welcome fellow CT burner. My first thought is: when you checked the moisture content, did you split the wood first to check a fresh face? The outside of a split that’s been drying a while won’t give you a true reading as to what the internal MC is. Also, when reloading the stove, the air control should be wide open. You don’t want to throttle back the air until the fire is well established, which is usually several minutes into the burn.
We have another member with a TI stove... al beit an insert- Travis Industries Xtrordinair Elite 36 If your wood is truly below 20% MC after measuring correctly, and your cat is engaged per manufacturer’s recommendations, than I should think your stove is operating correctly. Follow this link for a great read on cat stoves/operation- Now if i can just learn how run this thing! And welcome aboard Ddio39
Be sure your splits for testing have been indoors overnight prior to re-splitting. Room temp is the target for testing. Most meters are calibrated to be accurate at 70F or close to it. Cold splits will indicate low moisture content. Heads up!
X2. What Eric said Ddio39 Welcome to the FHC! Great to have another nutmegger What part of CT you call home?
One other thing may be the species of wood. Oak (all types) and hickory should be dried (we prefer dried over seasoned) for three years for optimal burning. It can burned less than that but like fine wine it gets better with age. Most common CT woods are good after at least a year CSS. Maple, birch, beech, cherry, ash etc. How are you storing the wood? Should be off the ground and top covered. Wood touching the ground only absorbs moisture and doesnt dry. It sounds like what you are describing is caused by wet wood. Most other common CT woods should be good after a year CSS.
Welcome Ddio39 . I have a Travis Industries Lopi Rockport. There was a learning curve for me with my stove. (Still learning). When is the wood going black? When you engage the cat? There are times when you will engage the cat and shut the air down, that there is no flame. Just glow from the cat.
