Got My First Ever Delivery of Anthracite Coal!!!

when I start the stove should I have the thermostat calling for heat or not? the last time I ran the stove I had feed almost completely cut off just enough to keep the stove going. the stove ran all night. I started the stove without changing anything, it was probably set to low. I also think the thermostat was not calling for heat therefore the feeder was in a very low setting at startup. I did have a hot fire established as the blowers probably ran for 5-10 minutes straight however I don't think it was feeding fast enough to sustain the fire. the last time I ran it hotter and backed it down. I have a feel that's the way it needs to be ran. run it on high and then back it down until I find the sweet spot