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3-90-70738R9_08/13
OPErATINg INSTruCTIONS
The SF250 is approved for use with coal only. Burning
wood or other such fuels in this stove, except for the
purpose of igniting a coal fire, is prohibited.
Starting A Fire
Begin by opening the draft control knobs on both the load
door and the ash door. Open both doors. Be sure all items
have been removed from the ash pan (i.e. touch-up paint,
warranty registration, etc...)
Place aproximately eight sheets of newspaper, crumbled,
on top of the grates. Lay some kindling on top of the
crumbled paper. This kindling should be dry and no larger
than 3/4 in. diameter. It should be layered in a criss-cross
fashion to allow good air flow. Now place some slightly
larger pieces of wood (about 2” diameter) on top of the
kindling. Using a match or grill lighter, ignite the paper at
the bottom just inside the door. Close both doors and allow
the kindling and larger wood to catch fire. After around five
minutes, open the load door slightly, for a few seconds and
then open completely. This is a good practice to get into as
it will allow any smoke and gases to clear away from the
door opening. Add small compact pieces of wood when the
kindling is burning hot. When a substantial bed of hot wood
coals is established, start adding coal in small amounts at
a time. Allow a few minutes between coal loadings to be
sure that what you’ve added is ignited. You can keep the
ash door open through this process, but NEVER LEAVE
THE STOVE UNATTENDED WITH A DOOR OPEN. Once
you have a bed of burning coal, you can load coal into the
stove to the top of the firebricks. Always make sure there is
some flame showing through the coal. This will ensure the
gases are being burned and not accumulating in the firebox.
After a good coal ignition, set the draft controls on the load
door to about 1/4 turn open. The draft control on the ash
door is used to control the rate of burn. After starting a fire,
keep it about 2 full turns open for about 30 minutes. Then,
adjust further closed to the proper output level. Normal
operation will be between cracked and one turn open. Since
coal responds slowly to draft adjustments, make only small
adjustments and allow time in between.
loading
Coal should only be added when there is a reasonably hot
fire. The coal bed should be bright and vigorous. If the fire is
burning hot and there is a deep bed of coals, full loads can
be added. If it is not as described, add coal in small batches
only.
Increasing heat From A low Fire
Every effort should be made not to let a coal fire burn so
long that it has started to die. This will cause the reloading
process to be much longer, and there is a good posibility of
losing the fire.
Do not shake or stir a low fire.
Open the draft control all the way until the fire gets as hot as
possible. Start adding small batches of coal and follow the
instructions for starting a fire.
Once there is a good bed of burning coals, the grates may
be shaken to remove ashes.
Shaking Ashes
Shaking should be done only when there is a hot fire
burning. The frequency of shaking will depend on the
degree of burning. Shaking should be done at least once
per day, preferably twice.
The best results from shaking will occur when short choppy
strokes are used, rather than long, even strokes. Grasp the
shaker handle with one hand and shake it, only moving the
actual handle 1/2 inch or less. Do this until you start to see
hot coals falling into the ash pan, then stop. Do not rock the
grates, as this will allow burning coal to fall through, and
you’ll lose the fire.
Ashes
The ashes should never be allowed to accumulate in the
ash pan. Excess ash will block the required airflow through
the grates and cause them to warp and sag. Neglect is not
covered by your stove’s warranty.
Ashes should be placed in a metal container with a
tight fitting lid. This closed container of ashes should
be placed on a noncombustible floor or on the ground,
well away from any combustible materials, pending
final disposal. If the ashes are disposed of by burial
in soil, or otherwise locally dispersed, they should be
retained in the closed container until all cinders have
thoroughly cooled.
Fuel
The SF250 is approved for burning anthracite coal. Pea,
Nut, and Stove sized coal are all suitable.
grates
The functions of a grate system are to support the fuel load,
while allowing air flow to the fire in a balanced amount.
Another function is to allow for ash removal without losing
the fire. The SF250 grate system provides for all of this and
can be removed with no tools required.
Summary of Contents for SF 250
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