Century S245E Installation and Operation Manual
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If the flames get small and almost disappear when you turn down the air, you have turned
down the air too early, or your firewood is wetter than it should be. With good fuel and correct
air control use, the flames should slow down, but should stay large and steady, even as the
air supply is reduced.
4.3.6 Building Different Fires for Different Needs
Using the air control is not the only way to match the stove’s heat output to the heat demand.
Your house will need far less heat in October than in January to be kept at a comfortable
temperature. If you fill the firebox full in fall weather, you will either overheat the space or
turn the stove down so much that the fire will be smoky and inefficient. Here are some
suggestions for building fires to match different heat demand.
4.3.6.1
Small Fires to Take the Chill Off the House
To build a small fire that will produce a low heat output, use small pieces of firewood and
load them crisscross in the firebox. The pieces should be only 3” to 4” in diameter. After
raking the coals, you can lay two pieces parallel to each other corner to corner in the firebox
and lay two more across them in the other direction. Open the air control fully and only
reduce the air after the wood is fully flaming. This kind of fire is good for mild weather when
you are around to tend the stove and should provide enough heat for four hours or more.
Small fires like this are a good time to use softer wood species so there will be less chance
of overheating the house.
