Jotul LP Gas Stove heat output level
I recently purchased and had installed a Jotul Allagash gas stove. We are using LP gas, and I assume the installer converted the unit from natural gas to LP using the supplied conversion kit. The problem is the stove does not put out much heat. We are using it in a 700 sf home with a one room open floor plan and live in a mild winter climate. The ceiling is only 8′ and the building is very well insulated. I had two portable electric 1500W heaters before the stove, and the stove doesn’t heat much more than those . . . do you have any feedback on installation, settings, etc. that could help us troubleshoot this problem? The information about the stove said it heats up to 1300 sf, so we considered our 700 sf house to be a perfect match for the unit. Could it be the orafice for LP gas is not correct?
Replies
yes...
what is the BTU rating... for both if it gives it...
what number orface do you have left over... was the gas valve switched over too...
where is here???
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Asheville, NC is the climate.28,000 is the BTU rating.Orafice left over is #39 (manual says that one is for Natural Gas = good).Thanks!
In Minnesota, 28,000 BTU of OUTPUT could certainly take the chill off of 700 sq ft (reasonably well insulated), if not necessarily heat it to broil. Is the 28K input or output? What's the supposed efficiency of the unit?
I'm pretty sure it's output, that's how Jotul rates the stoves? Efficiency is about 85%. Still haven't heard from Jotul. I'm dissapointed.
Did you mean was the unit switched over from Natural to LP? I assume it was, since the NG orafice is left over. But, would that cause this problem if not switched over, or would that just affect flame picture?Thanks,
the LP gas orfice has been used... we hope... if the unit is still sitting on the floor or were you installed it originally... this is good...
now what # is that one... IIRC it should be in the 40's...
what could be happening is not enough gas is getting to the burners.... this may be the gas vale and not the orfice...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
COCTEAU3,
Check to see if the regulator has been switched to propane. There is usually a little cap that screws on with a "button" that you flip over to change from natural to propane. Natural has a bigger orifice but lower pressure. With the smaller orifice (propane) and lower pressure (regulator set to natural) you would see less BTU's.KK
is it calibratd for the altitude that yur at...
what's the gas pressure at the unit...
is the supply line undersized..
can you hear the burners whistle as it heats or the flow of gas to burners...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
altitude is configured in 2k increments to 4k feet...
1K increments after that to 10k....
500' elevation changes above 10k...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
I'm having exactly the same problem. With exactly the same stove. I'm very confident I changed all orifices and valves correctly. We added a 200sf addition with a 10 foot opening into the room. We had hoped (since the claim was it would heat 1300sf) it would help keep the reat of the area a little warmer.
We have been sadly disappointed.
How do you check the gas pressure and calibrate it for altitude?
TMO:My guess is that the "certified installer" has the equipment and knowhow to check the pressure without blowing up the stove . . . my installer was questionable at best, so I'm trying to contact Jotul directly to get some feedback. Does your dealer offer a tradeup in such a situation? My dealer has yet to be contacted, and when I do, I will ask for help, or ask for a size bigger. Jotul's claim of 1300sf is impossible at best. I'm going to power down the stove and check the setting for the restrictor settings but I think my flame picture is excellent. So I doubt there is a drafting problem. Our flame is about 6 inches at highest, with a good mix of blue and yellow. Your's?john
Mine gets about 6" or so as well. It is super attractive and the flames look great. I hadn't really thought about going back to the dealer yet. I wasn't positive the problem is with the stove. Since you seem to be having exactly the same problem It has made me wonder.
Did you get the blower?
Yes, I got the blower, cost $249 extra. It doesn't blow very well. Mostly it creates some flow up and through the top grate. I do like the automatic setting, however. Sounds like we have the same flame picture experience. I'm waiting to hear from Jotul tech (who were on vacation until today) about the output subject. Do you have any contact info for them too?
No. I'd appreciate it if you could post it. Thanks in advance.
Guys- I have the NG version of this stove in a 960sf house vic. Tacoma, WA (mild winters) w/ 12' ceilings in part and it does a great job of keeping us warm. I realize there is different heat output in NG vs. LP, but if we didn't have this thing hooked to a thermostat, it would cook us out of the house. We like it, but obviously you guys are having a very different experience. And my flames are probably 4", mostly blue w/ some yellow- not as decorative as the one in the store, but nice enough.
ON page 19 of the manual, it says not to change anything for altitudes from 2000-4500 feet. I live at approx. 2100 ft. The PDF manual available on the Jotul site had suggested to convert for high altitude above 2500 ft, however, I assume the manual we got with the stove takes precedence over the PDF online manual. j.
might want to get an official ruling from the company...
proud member of the FOR/FOS club...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
it's the back to the gas company fer the pressure check and it's the orfice size relative to altitude...
Mfgr spec'd...
proud member of the FOR/FOS club...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!