First Fire In New Stove Guidelines Please

Yes, slower today because of the warmer tempts; strange weather, snow, sleet, freezing rain, high winds that scared me, and then today, sunny and warm and snow and ice is all but gone. Storm kept me awake last night; power blinked off three times but some are without power.

 

That's crazy cheap! I don't even have my $649 one installed yet!

I bet they are working towards discontinuing that model, replacing it with the Madison.

 

No, it is top only.

 

That's a heck of a good price right there.
I put up an FYI thread to let everyone know about it

 

Now that is a price worth considering. Too bad I'm not really in the market for a larger stove like that. I want a similar sized one to the one I have only with the 'Smart Stove Technology' plus it has a larger firebox than my 13-NC, at least I think it does.

I would never be able to use the 30-NC to it's full potential since my place is under 1000 square feet and fairly well insulated now and getting better (lots of remodeling). But thanks for letting me know.

 

I have the kicker stove placed in a traffic area (slightly). The 30 would extend at least 14" more into the traffic area of the basement. Unless I turn it sideways......but then the door swings the wrong way and we would not be able to view the burn.

Hmmm. Still thinking on this one.

 

There are several factors as well, how large is your fireplace opening? While elbows reduces the draft, could you use an elbow? What sort of chimney do you have?

 

Have you looked at the Madison 01 model? Someone posted in this thread the PDF for that model which is a smaller stove; it may be along the size of the 13-NC.

 

I have a question, what causes soot to build up on the glass door? What can be used to clean off soot that is hard to remove? Most of the soot came off easily but some is stubborn.

 

Wet wood, burning too low/cool, keeping the door cracked (defeats the air wash).
Most people use a damp paper towel. Dip it in ash for the tough spots. The ash acts as an abrasive. A nice hot fire will burn the black off.

 

I use a damp paper towel, then a dry one.
If it's a little stubborn, I'll use the Rutland glass cleaner.
You can also use a damp paper/cloth towel dipped in ashes. Works extremely well.

ETA: I see fox beat me to it.

 

Don't think she'll like another factor pointing towards wet wood. Hasn't accepted it yet!!

 

How about stop saying wet wood because the wood is not wet. Yes, the wood may be more than the 20% moisture but I don't know yet and neither do you. I plan on testing the wood as soon as possible.

 

How about you start listening to all the comments about wet wood?

The wood will not feel wet or sizzle, but as many others have stated the wood is the issue.

Your stove will burn with a short chimney. On my 13, I have two 30" sections of class A, and about 5 1/2 feet of single wall. In addition to two 90's. Yes, you can increase the draft and this will aid in the burning process by forcing it. (The stronger draft you have is kinda liked forced combustion)

I went through the very same conditions/issues you are describing when I switched over to the epa stove. But I was not as stubborn and un-receptive to advice from people who had experience burning epa stoves. I got some dry wood and saw the difference immediately...without increasing the chimney height as many have suggested/recommended! Including the factory help line.

If you were at all able, I would hook up that 13 (or whatever stove it is called) that was gifted to you and since the baffle is burnt out, I'm betting that it would burn and draft just as good as any. An excellent choice would be a non-epa stove. you would be surprised at how well it burns with your setup.

 

Cleaning your stove glass thread
Cleaning your stove glass | Firewood Hoarders Club

 

OK wet wood guy:

I had ordered a moisture meter but was waiting for the slow boat from China to deliver it.

I split two pieces of the sweet gum I have been burning; mainly burning the sweet gum because I figured it would be seasoned, and two pieces of the poplar. I took two readings in each side of the splits.

Sweet Gum; Split 1
10.2, 10.1
10.8, 10.3

Sweet Gum; Split 2
11.1, 11.2
10.5, 11.2

Poplar, Split 1
12.6, 12.0
12.0, 11.9

Poplar, Split 2
12.3, 13.3
13.6, 13.3

I just noticed as I put some wood in the stove that I am still getting soot on the glass. I think it is mainly the poor draft from having a chimney three feet shorter than the required height as specified by the manufacturer.