First season using this VC Aspen. Been getting more comfortable loading it heavier / higher stack of splits in the evenings. All has been great, smooth burning many dozens of big hot fires so far up until Last night, I stupidly decided to add a couple splits to an already strong fire. It was stacked a little higher than I've been loading the stove, almost to the top. Soon I start smelling paint curing (which had gone away months ago). I also noticed the fire began to sound different, more of an intermittent woomp woomp woomp rather than a steady roar. After 10-15 minutes or so of monitoring I noticed the griddle area start to glow a dim red in a 6" circle under my trivet.. This is what set me into panic mode so I grabbed the only thing I could think of to safely tone it down (ashes that id cleaned out earlier but were wet from sitting out in the rain. ) I tossed a small shovel full into the firebox and that brought everything down to a relaxing normal burn again. Far as I can tell it Burned fine overnight and I cleaned the remaining few bits of hot ashes out just now and am inspecting for cracks or warping. All looks sounds. .... Except for when I shine a light into the upper portion of the stove , just under the top plate, and above, I guess what is called a baffle plate ? And noticed alot of white crusted matter sitting on top of the baffle plate( which seems to be made of a type of firebrick) . I can only get my hand in so far, but it seems like hardened ash and can be broken up. Also on the sides of the baffele where the top plate 'seams' connect to the body/side plates, there's a thick, mushy, white fiberglass like material that's in the form of strips just sitting kind of loose along the two bottom sides of the top plate. I don't know. I wish I'd looked at this area before this happened so I'd know if it always looks this way or if the brief over fire caused significant damage to this area. It doesn't seem like I can easily take this area apart for a deep cleaning and closer look.. Appreciate any advice you might share. Thanks in advance P.s. Hope y'all had a good holiday season and your New Year is off to a good start.
Looking closer now with a flashlight and feeling it with my fingers further back, I think pretty much all of that In the photos are that fiberglass fireproof strip, not ash. and it seems to be connected in a horseshoe shape . Thinking it's always been like that. Okay, what I'm looking at must be the super wool blanket , item #2. Maybe my account will help other newbies in the future who have this stove from making the mistake I did. Think I'm gonna go ahead and light it back up. Probably should have the company who did the install inspect it when the burning season is over.
I wouldn’t beat yourself up about it. Know your stoves limits and take it as a lesson learned. As long as you don’t make a habit of over firing, the stove will be fine. I have an IR thermometer that I find helpful when running my stove. Having numerical feedback is much more useful than guessing. It’s always a learning curve with a new stove.
Great idea. I used to have one of those, it's a fun tool to use. Also wouldn't mind getting a gauge that goes onto the stove top. Any you'd recommend? I have a double wall flue so I don't think a flue mounted gauge would be much help? I already picked up a bag of dry sand this morning and now have two coffee cans full next to the fire extinguisher, should it oddly ever happen again or if someone happens to overload the stove when I'm not home etc.
I have a stovetop thermometer that came with my stove. You can pick them up at any farm supply store I don’t know if one brand is any better than the other. I’d take any brand over nothing. There are also thermometers for double wall pipe. Hopefully somebody will chime in shortly, I don’t have one. Here is a thread on the stove you have. 2020 Vermont Castings Aspen C3
