Englander NC30 deal .....ordered

If you have a blower, you can better utilize those lower temps. For real, not being a smart@ss. I didn't think it would make that much of a difference with the Spectrum, but it does. I don't have a real blower for it, but a small fan that blows air up the back and across the top, just like the factory unit.

I did burn thru a load faster, but I'm pretty sure that was because it was friggin' cold outside and I needed more heat.

 

I can now see where the blower would help at all phases of the burn but especially at the end when it's all coals.
This thing likes to hold coals, so having the blower pushing the heat around would be worthwhile.
I'm finding (so far) that once the stove gets to about 400°, I can start backing down the air almost to the lip, then after just a couple minutes, put it almost closed. The temp comes up, then settles, and the 2ndaries and ghost flames start their dance.
That's where I'm at right now, with the stove cruising at 500°.
Reloads take off very quickly too. That's a result of dry wood, but the doghouse and primary intakes provide lots of air to the stove. Not much need to leave the door open once the load is placed.
Still not a fan of the blowtorch eating through the base, but it must keep some gases available for the tubes.

 

Dex, the r/h front brick is the one that looked broken.
The painter hit part of that brick (and others....no biggie). I made what now seems an erroneous assumption that it was broken at the factory.
I have a whole bunch of firebrick from the old hearth...I used one of those as a replacement. Fits fine, so I'm not sure why they cut that brick.
I have the AC16 blower on the way, and I'll see if it'll fit (I highly doubt it based on dimensions given).
I really think the AC30 is the one I'll end up using though.
Looks like the ESW site is the least expensive retail option. If you know another source, I'll consider it.

What's this about notifications?

 

Is it a good idea to get the side shields once I get the blower set up?

 

The blower on the Ashley was variable and auto/manual.
I still have it.
Gotcha. I don't use the phone for mail so I was lost for a second.

 

I don't see the need for it. But, I have never used the side shields. So I have nothing to compare it to.

 

Would the side shield move the heat up and allow the blower to move the heat? If so, I might give them a try for the kitchen. I just didn't think the side shield worked that way.

 

Yeah, I couldn't remember if Dex had 'em or not.
I'll wait for the blower before making a move on the shields.
I really don't see a need for the side shields in my situation re: CTCs, so I'd only consider them for the air flow.
Good point. The rear shield wouldn't allow air to go to the side shields, so they'd be for heat.

 

Ok, so I have the stove loaded for the night with the air all the way off. Ghosty flames at the top of the box with a small bit of flame where the doghouse is shooting air.
How should I proceed for the night?

Open the air a touch, or leave it?

 

How I run it will be different than how you run it for a variety of reasons. I find if I run it with the air all the way closed I will get darkened glass and darkened fire brick. If I open up the air just a little, the glass and brick are clean.

 

Yeah, I know.
I'm looking for that perfect setting (riiiiight) where it doesn't go ballistic then die, and a good burn overnight.
Maybe it's the Maple I'm using, but the burns I'm getting aren't much better in terms of time, than the Ashley.
I've only emptied ash once (yesterday), and didn't really need to, so this stove is doing a more complete burn.
Part of the problem situation, I hope, is the outside temps.
Something's going to click in and give me that AHA moment, or a whole bunch of those, but right now I'm working on the learning curve.
There are some comparisons to the Ashley that work, but a lot that don't. It's a mindset change.

 

Pulled coals forward this a.m., then loaded 4 splits of Maple a few minutes after 7 (all I had left in the house).
It's now 8:30 and the ghosties are still working every few seconds.
Stove is about 450, outside temp is 25 (today's high), and the house is comfortable at very close to 70 (and climbing....slowly).
When I was outside a bit ago, all I had was a heat sig.
Well, at 8:40, we're at coals. Guess there was less wood left than I thought.
It may be a bit before I reload.

 

I am seeing mentions of "not much longer than the old stove". I had some of the same thoughts early on this year with the new stove but have grown to love it. My old stove hooked to a liner for the last 2 years of it's life would give me a darn good burn as I think your Ashley was doing for you. I was expecting a huge difference and while I have seen quite a decrease in wood consumption in the overall big picture, the day to day is not earth moving. I do think once you get a blower and can get those last hours of coal burn down with good heat you will see some difference.

 

Thanks for that LP.
I've said it before....I tend to think long term, but sometimes get in a hurry.
I can see little things that point to this stove being better all around.
Hard to see the forest for the trees kind of thing.
It's tough to not compare.
I'm about to load it up for the day.

 

Dave, when these stoves are down to coals they still provide heat for a long time. IMO the majority of the burn on my non cat was "coals". My non cat would typically only have an active flame for a couple hours of the burn, the rest is coaling time. What are the stove temps when the stove is down to "coals"? Most of the non cat guys probably reload in the 200*-300* range, the stove should still have plenty of coals for a relight at that point. These stoves don't like a couple sticks tossed it, load it full or near full every time if the temps allow and let it burn.

 

I'm seeing quite bit of coals now, and the stove seems to stay in the 400° range for quite a while once down to coals.
So, that jives with what you guys are telling me.
I wanted to reload a bit ago, but too many coals, so I pulled them forward and stuck a single piece of Spruce e/w in to get 'em burned down. Full air.
Once that does it's thing, I'll reload full for the day.
Tonight should prove interesting, since the forecast is -1°.
I don't know how to run the stove hot just yet.