Yep - think I found one ! In both settings below I ran Manual - Medium, burning Softwood Pellets:
a) Hardwood Pellet Setting - Normal Elevation - Flame Height -5
b) Softwood Pellet Setting - High Elevation - Flame Height 0
In both cases the heat output (measured by a thermometer), and the flame look identical (height, vibrancy, etc). Flame height just touches the top of the baffle at its max.
So, just a couple more questions:
1) Is there anything detrimental to running the stove on High Elevation ? (I am in Michigan).
2) From a fuel consumption standpoint over time, which of the above two settings is better with Softwood Pellets ? I think (?) the softwood setting has a lower feed rate, and you indicated the High elevation setting has a lower feed rate, but I also think increasing the flame height may increase the feed rate?
At this point, I wonder if I can justify the ~20% cost premium for the softwood pellets. They do indeed create less ash and appear to burn a little hotter (and with setting b) above I can get an extended run time between auto-clean).....if I can approximately justify I am burning less (vs Hardwood) I'll stick with them!
Thanks much for your insight !
