woodburner and flames - silly question

SG27

suered wrote: »

SG27, we're in opposite boats then You have a thermometer but no glass and I have glass but nowhere to put a thermometer. It's reassuring to hear that at least one other person doesn't close the bottom vent all the way, though.

I wonder if you could put a thermometer anywhere else on the stove and get an accurate reading? I expect with experience and practice you can keep the stove running at a good level by watching the fire. I have no idea what the flames look like though, unless I'm enjoying an open fire effect with the doors open.

Skulls

1st. Gear....Bottom vent open fully, top vent fully open
2nd. Gear...Bottom vent 80% open, top vent fully open
3rd. Gear..Bottom vent 60% open,top vent fully open
4th. Gear...Bottom vent 25% open, top vent fully open
5th. Gear Closed bottom vent, top vent fully open
6th. Gear Closed bottom vent, top vent half-ish open

Just think of it like driving, you wouldn't try starting in 6th and you wouldn't go from first to fifth. In each gear you build up speed/heat before changing gear.

suered

Skulls, that's brilliantly clear - and yes - I was jumping gears. Thankyou!

Does anyone think it might be possible to find a spot to attach a thermometer on an inset stove? Just for extra info.

Oh - and I've just thought of yet another question - for those of you without flues in your chimneys - how warm/hot does your chimney breast get over time? I'm thinking just above the mantelpiece, after fire been on for 4+ hours.

Thanks again

Gloomendoom

suered wrote: »

Oh - and I've just thought of yet another question - for those of you without flues in your chimneys - how warm/hot does your chimney breast get over time? I'm thinking just above the mantelpiece, after fire been on for 4+ hours.

Thanks again

We have two chimneys currently in use, neither are lined and they don't seem to get warm at all.

Skulls

suered wrote: »

Skulls, that's brilliantly clear - and yes - I was jumping gears. Thankyou!

Does anyone think it might be possible to find a spot to attach a thermometer on an inset stove? Just for extra info.

Oh - and I've just thought of yet another question - for those of you without flues in your chimneys - how warm/hot does your chimney breast get over time? I'm thinking just above the mantelpiece, after fire been on for 4+ hours.

Thanks again

Would it not stick to the door, I've looked at pics of the fire and as my thermometer is magnetic I would think most would be.

My chimney is not lined and never gets hot, it might get warm but, not hot. Just checked and it's just a tiny bit warm and the fire has been going since 6am, just ticking over, 3 heatlogs in total in halves, so 5 top ups since lighting.

[Deleted User]

suered wrote: »

Missu, thanks for your input. I find that mine catches light REALLY quickly - none of this "leave the door ajar for x minutes" - within 2 mins tops the whole inside is FULL of flame - and that's just with newspaper, kindling and a small sized log on top.

When do you put your 'big' log on? When it's still full of flame or when it's died down to embers? And only one big log or more? And do you have the bottom vent open or closed when you open the door? And do you then open up the bottom vent fully after putting a new log(s) on and if so, for how long?

I'm finding that quite often if I close down the bottom vent fully (top vent wide open) then I lose the flames completely and then I start worrying about not running it hot enough and stuff building up in the chimney (when I had it installed the sweep said I didn't need a flue, but want to be extra cautious).

Sorry - that's a LOT of questions! Thank you all for answering.

You're welcome :-)
The first big log goes on when the smaller logs are well alight and glowing. I close the top vent every time I open the door to avoid smoke coming out although this is less when the fire is going strong. I then open it again. I close the bottom vent fully when the big logs are well alight and glowing. If it died quickly then it's been closed too soon. If the flames turn soft and whirly it's the right time. I then use the top vent at about half closed position.

suered

Blimey! I know wind direction, air pressure etc makes a difference but I honestly thought I was going to set the bluddy chimney on fire this evening!! 6 balls of newspaper, 4/5 bits of little wood - all fine. Add one piece of ex-joist as per normal (I'm currently burning my way through all my replaced joists from the lounge as well as 'normal' delivery of wood and have been generally using them as my first 'big' log as I know they're properly dry, albeit picking up some moisture from being stacked outside) and even though I closed down both the top and bottom vents the whole inside was FULL of flame and you didn't want to be nearer than about 3 feet - and so it continued for over half an hour.

What on earth do you do in such a situation? I couldn't cut the air off any more and was on the verge of putting the fire brigade on standby!! Has this happened to anyone else?

I have a feeling after this winter, once I'm done with this load of wood I'm going to be buying Greenfires' hotties cos then at least I'm cutting one variable out of my steep learning curve!

SG27

suered wrote: »

Blimey! I know wind direction, air pressure etc makes a difference but I honestly thought I was going to set the bluddy chimney on fire this evening!! 6 balls of newspaper, 4/5 bits of little wood - all fine. Add one piece of ex-joist as per normal (I'm currently burning my way through all my replaced joists from the lounge as well as 'normal' delivery of wood and have been generally using them as my first 'big' log as I know they're properly dry, albeit picking up some moisture from being stacked outside) and even though I closed down both the top and bottom vents the whole inside was FULL of flame and you didn't want to be nearer than about 3 feet - and so it continued for over half an hour.

What on earth do you do in such a situation? I couldn't cut the air off any more and was on the verge of putting the fire brigade on standby!! Has this happened to anyone else?

I have a feeling after this winter, once I'm done with this load of wood I'm going to be buying Greenfires' hotties cos then at least I'm cutting one variable out of my steep learning curve!

Is the stove new? Could be poor seals from worn out fire rope around the doors? I've heard this can make the fire uncontrollable. If I close all my vents the fire goes out and the temerature drops like stone.

Greenfires

Sue - when the stove's in full swing - light a candle or a joss stick, and move it around the edge of the door and the joints between the bits of the stove. If the seals are leaking then the smoke or flame will be drawn into the stove, and will highlight any leaks for you.

ian103

this has been a useful thread, just moved to a house with a stove, been burning left over wood for the last few days, just brought a net of hardwood logs and were struggling to get the fire going well.

does high wind have an adverse effect on how a stove works? if so need to find out best approach as were fairly exposed to sea breezes.

also what logs are best hardwood, softwood or a mix.