HearthStone Equinox 8000, Owner'S Manual

Page: 21 / 33

moisture. As you might expect, green wood burns
poorly. You must season green wood before using it
in your wood stove. To season green wood properly,
split, stack, and allow it to air dry for a period of one
year. Green wood may provide less than 2000 Btu
per pound, whereas dry wood can provide up to
7000 Btu per pound.
Stack the firewood on skids or blocks to keep it off
the ground, cover only the top of the stack. Plastic or
tarps that cover the sides of the woodpile trap
moisture and prevent the wood from drying. As for
stacking, an old Vermonter said, "The spaces
between the logs should be large enough for a
mouse to get through, but not for the cat that's
chasing it."
CAUTION: DO NOT STORE FIREWOOD WITHIN
THE STOVE'S SPECIFIED CLEARANCES TO
COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS.
B
UILDING
A F
IRE
Once you understand the controls of your wood
stove and have the appropriate firewood, you are
ready to start a fire.
B
REAKING
I
N
Y
OUR
W
OOD
S
TOVE
It is imperative that your stove is "broken in" slowly.
Soapstone must be "seasoned"; over-firing a new
stove may cause soapstone to crack or may
damage other stove parts. Removing the moisture in
the soapstone slowly is critical to minimize the
“shock” to the stone at its first exposure to high
firebox temperatures. In addition, any moisture
remaining in the asbestos-free furnace cement must
also be slowly removed to ensure adequate sealing
and bonding.
When you light your first fires, the woodstove will
emit some smoke and fumes. This is normal “off-
gassing” of any paints and oils used when
manufacturing the woodstove. If you find it
necessary, open a few windows to vent your room.
The smoke and fumes will usually subside after 10
to 20 minutes of operation. The odor and smoke will
end once the stove is “cured”.
The first fires may produce other odors from
impurities that exist in the area immediately
surrounding the stove. Some potential impurities are
cleaning solvents, paint solvents, cigarette smoke,
and soot from scented candles, pet hair, dust,
adhesives, a new carpet, and new textiles. These
odors will dissipate over time. You can alleviate
these odors by opening a few windows or otherwise
creating additional ventilation around your stove. If
any odor persists, contact your dealer or an
authorized service technician.
If you adhere to the operating procedures in this
manual, the stainless steel, cast iron, and soapstone
components of your stove will give you many years
of trouble-free use. With use, the color of the
soapstone will change and small fractures may
appear on the surface of the stone. These changes
will only add character and distinction to your stove.
Avoid the following conditions that can cause the
glass, soapstone, steel or cast iron pieces to break:
Do not throw wood into the stove.
Do not use the door as a lever to force wood into
the stove.
Do not load wood encrusted with ice into a
burning stove - the thermal shock can cause
damage.
Do not use a manufactured log grate. Burn the
fire directly on the cast iron and stone bottom of
the firebox.
The bottom layer of soapstone in the firebox
prevents thermal stress and should remain in place
in the firebox at all times.
B
UILDING
A B
REAK
I
N
F
IRE
1. Open the front or side door and place five or six
double sheets of tightly twisted newspaper in the
center of the firebox. Arrange kindling in a
crisscross pattern over the newspaper. Kindling
should consist of approximately ten pieces, 1/2"
(13 mm) in diameter and 10" to 20" (254 mm to
508 mm) long.
2. Fully open the primary air control by pushing the
control handle fully to the left, away from the
firebox.
3. Light the paper under the kindling. Close the
side door and briefly leave the front door slightly
ajar until the kindling burns and draft begins to
pull.
4. Close the door and allow the fire to burn. Keep
both the front and side doors closed while the
stove is in use. Ensure the ash grate is in the
closed position and the ash drawer compartment
door is tightly closed.
5. MONITOR YOUR STOVE to maintain a steady,
low-burn fire. Your first fire should make the
stove warm but
not hot, to the touch . At most,
add a few small chunks of wood to the fire to
reach safe break-in temperatures.
6. Once the stove is warm but not hot to the
touch, close the primary air control by pushing it
fully to the right to allow the fire to die out
completely.
HearthStone Quality Home Heating Products, Inc ® Equinox Model 8000 20