So, I just tried an almost cold start, similar to what saskwoodburner suggested, and it seemed to work. Whereas the needles were matched to start (mid scale), I now have "split needles", where the STT is showing a little higher on its scale than the flue is on its scale. Here is the current result on a small (and dying) burn: Flue STT Fire The effect could be a matter of a dying fire, with a more responsive flue gage than STT gage, though as I type this, they both seem to be holding. Interesting, thanks for the viewpoint.
Any pics of how clogged up it was? Been running my 30 for 5 years and I have never had any build up. I didn't clean my flue this season because of how clean it was the year before last. I got maybe 2-3 cups. This is the 18' of Class A looking down from the top. This is the double wall off the stove.
Sorry, no photos. It (the screen) was clogged to where light did not pass through. The flue was clean.
Got a great fire going, in "the zone." STT 550, flue 400, both steady for a while now. Enough draft to keep the secondaries pretty active, and the airwash is working as well. Cool!
That sounds about to be about the perfect "low as possible", overnight, and most efficient fire. I wouldn't run the flue temps any lower for fear of condensation in the flue.
I'm normally closer to 750°-800° STT and 600° flue. It's hard for me to keep it lower without smoldering it and making a mess of the window. So I run it hot. It's been 5 seasons of running the 30 and I've come to realize that running 900° isn't uncommon with good Wood and I still have a good coal bed when I get home from work (load at 10 pm and get home at 4-5pm). But I stuff it full. Then I run one quick hot 4 split load and to get a good coal bed and then load it up at 10 pm again.. Rinse and repeat
Then you are running a flue temp fairly close to what I am maybe even a little higher, never a problem with black glass or creosote. Reading flue temps on surface is more then accurate enough as long as you have a good temps sensor, the Condar brand seems to be one of the best.