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[tinfoilhat2020]

I found this on another forum and I tried it out....wow is all can say.....stacking 2 splits the long way leaving a 4-6 in "tunnel" between them, then stacking slits from front to back sideways. Making sure that no wood is touching the sides of the firebox.... It creates an inferno with wood being completed engulfed in flames and much high heat transfer

[tinfoilhat2020]

example

[tinfoilhat2020]

few more

[Uponthehill]

Agree D5. I like to use 2 logs longways, about 8" diameter. Then use split wood stacked front to back.   I read an article once which mentioned that smaller rounds provide more BTU due to the wood grain being tighter than the larger pieces that we have to split. Not sure if this is true but it makes sense to me. 
Stay warm...

[tinfoilhat2020]

you too my friend!

[tinfoilhat2020]

my favorite is 4-8 inch rounds.....nothing better!!!!!

[hondaracer2oo4]

I played with different stacking configs with my old conventional. I did find that you got more fast heat out of that stacking but I burned wood faster. I found that a tightly packed pile on top of a good coal bed was the most wood conserving configuration.

[juddspaintballs]

I'm not sure if the newer models have a removable restrictor on the blower outlet into the firebox, but if they do, go ahead and remove it for the "coal" setting.  I also blocked off the air outlet into the firebox and have all of my air blowing underneath the grates and up into the firebox.  As long as I keep the wood on the grates and the ashes cleaned off (shaker grates FTW), the fire really rocks. 

[tinfoilhat2020]

I was thinking about trying that out... They new models come with the restrictor in place

[heat550]

Ok I will test this on 400  But the old 200 css here is how I did it . long burn tight stack . Fast heat loose stack . above 0f loose stack below 0f tight stack . Also 200css only had one fan in front so stringers 6-8 inch pieces on bottom  to the back in V touching in the back . One cross level then packed it tight long way with 30 inch. This how I turned chimney a shade of purplish blue . Fire builder beware don't do this at -20f  If your heating 5500 sq ft  your pushing the outer limits but 200css will do it . it was cycling fan on and off . ( note this was 1994 model heatmor 200css with round flu's )   

Thanks d5knapp for the post will give it a try

Heat550

[heat550]

I'm not sure if the newer models have a removable restrictor on the blower outlet into the firebox, but if they do, go ahead and remove it for the "coal" setting.  I also blocked off the air outlet into the firebox and have all of my air blowing underneath the grates and up into the firebox.  As long as I keep the wood on the grates and the ashes cleaned off (shaker grates FTW), the fire really rocks.

What year was your 400 ? I did notice that bigger pipe in my new 400 and yes its removable.  Did your door get hotter when you took restrictor out  when burning wood ?

Heat550

[heat550]

example

Question how did you get that piece back there that far. Without starting on fire . 

Heat550

[tinfoilhat2020]

lol heat.....i got good aim

Im going to try taking the restrictor tube out tonight, i dont think it should make a different on the hat of the door

[tinfoilhat2020]

staking the wood nice and tight in the back is near impossible. The bigger firebox has been fun for me to get used to. Im not one to just "chuck" wood in. I am very gentle about placing and stacking wood. Its easy to get a nice stacked row in the front half, but in the back half it sucks........i put the slits in half way and then used the poker/scraper to move them around the beast i can

[heat550]

lol heat.....i got good aim

Im going to try taking the restrictor tube out tonight, i dont think it should make a different on the hat of the door

Let me know how it works .

Heat550