Better burn with MPD a bit open

I have a Coal Chubby and find that when I have the MPD completely closed that I need open my air intake almost 100% to get the stove up to temperature. But if I open my MPD about 10% then the stove reaches temperature with the air intake open about 25%. Anyone else run into this issue or is this normal? I do find the coal to last a lot longer with the MPD completely closed!

u gotta let it breath a little

Does your MPD have a hole in it to let at least some air through, even when closed?? It's potentially UNSAFE if it fits too tight and doesn't have a minimum 1"-2" hole in the MPD plate.

I hope you have several, at least two operational Co Detectors.

Greg L

LsFarm wrote:Does your MPD have a hole in it to let at least some air through, even when closed?? It's potentially UNSAFE if it fits too tight and doesn't have a minimum 1"-2" hole in the MPD plate.

I hope you have several, at least two operational Co Detectors.

Greg L

Yes, my MPD fits loosly and has 2 holes in it allowing gases to still pass by. And yes, I have several CO detectors throughout my house. I haven't had a problem with CO, or even my draft for that fact. Just found it interesting that I need to open my air intake wide open with the MPD closed 100% just to maintain stove temps. Understandable, but just seen a lot of posts where people say they closed off the MPD 100%. I seem to have a better fire with it open just a bit.

I run my stove the same way, btw

I run the Chubby with the MPD about 90% closed - I also noticed there's a difference in draft when the MPD is angled up or down.
When the MPD is 90% closed I leave the bottom slider open about 1/8th of an inch. That usually gets me a good 10-12 hour burn where the bulk of that time is spent between 450-500F as measured on the top of the stove - and about 175F at the 6ft mark on the black pipe.

To make sure I have good draft - I "listen" while adjusting one of the purge flap doors. When I can hear the air getting sucked in just a tad that's where I leave it. This seems to indicate a point at which I will achieve a good burn and knowing that I have a effective draft.

I do not run with a baro.

I've tried running with the MPD 100% closed and find the coal is not fully exhausted - where I'm left with unspent fuel.

I think what helps me a great deal is that I have a digital temp gauge on the side of the stove - so I have been able to monitor the change in temp with the slightest adjustment to anything - mpd,draft,purge valves, poking etc