30
RELOADING
Once you have obtained a good bed of embers, you should reload the unit. In order to do so,
open the air controls to maximum a few seconds prior to opening the stove's door. Then
proceed by opening the door very slowly; open it one or two inches for 5 to 10 seconds, before
opening it completely to increase the draught and thus eliminate the smoke which is stagnant in
a state of slow combustion in the stove. Then bring the red embers to the front of the stove and
reload the unit.
For optimal operation of your wood stove, we recommend you to operate it with a wood load
approximately equivalent to the height of fire bricks.
It is important to note that wood combustion consumes ambient oxygen in the room .In the case
of negative pressure, it is a good idea to allow fresh air in the room, either by opening a window
slightly or by installing a fresh air intake system on an outside wall. Refer to page 16 of the
present manual.
In order to achieve an optimum efficiency from your unit, we suggest that you operate it with the
air control completely closed. Make sure that you have a good fire going and an adequate
ember bed before you completely close the air control. Use a chimney thermometer if
necessary. Closing the air control too soon will lower combustion efficiency and may cause the
fire to die out. The addition of a blower (if not already included) is highly recommended to
maximize your unit’s efficiency.
CREOSOTE FORMATION AND NEED FOR REMOVAL
When wood is burned slowly, it produces tar and other organic vapours, which combine with
expelled moisture to form creosote. The creosote vapours condense in the relatively cool
chimney flue of a slow-burning fire. As a result, creosote residue accumulates on the flue lining.
When ignited this creosote makes an extremely hot fire. When burning wood, the chimney
connector and chimney should be inspected at least once every two months during the heating
season to determine if a creosote build-up has occurred.
We strongly recommend that you install a magnetic thermometer on your smoke exhaust pipe,
approximately 18" above the stove. This thermometer will indicate the temperature of your gas
exhaust fumes within the smoke exhaust system. The ideal temperature for these gases is
somewhere between 275
o
F and 500
o
F. Below these temperatures, the build-up of creosote is
promoted. Above 500 degrees, heat is wasted since a too large quantity is lost into the
atmosphere.
TO PREVENT CREOSOTE BUILD UP
Always burn dry wood. This allows clean burns and higher chimney temperatures, therefore
less creosote deposit.
Leave the air control full open for about 10 min. every time you reload the stove to bring it
back to proper operating temperatures. The secondary combustion can only take place if the
firebox is hot enough.
Always check for creosote deposit once every two months and have your chimney cleaned
at least once a year.
