From: "Larry Caldwell" 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.frugal-living misc.consumers.house misc.rural
Subject: Re: Help! Wood stove heat regulation?
Date: 29 Sep 2005 09:14:05 -0700
   posting-account=eYswzwwAAAATEybgoNAusFtiMgScUXYf

Bill wrote:

> The problems I'm having are in the morning when it is chilly in the house.
> Because it is cold, I build a larger fire. And it seems to not burn too well
> until the wood stove gets heated up real good - so I add more wood to get
> more fire. Then after about 45 minutes, the stove pipe temperature is about
> 450 degrees and I have a "raging inferno" on my hands!

In the mornings you need a quick, hot fire.  Small softwood, not much
bigger than kindling, will heat up the stove quickly and then go out
quickly.  Pine or cedar will give you a quick, hot fire.  Leave the
dampers open for complete combustion, or you will have creosote
problems from soft woods.

In the evenings, you need large wood for a slow fire.  Hardwoods are
best, and the biggest hunk of wood you can fit into the firebox, on top
of a good bed of coals so it won't go out.  Dry hardwoods, like oak,
will minimize creosote buildup.

Whatever you do, keep your wood as dry as possible.  Water boiling up
the chimney carries off a huge amount of heat.  Did you install a
woodshed as part of the wood stove installation?

As far as the damper and stack temperature operation, follow the stove
manufacturers' directions.