16
Jøtul C
550
CB Rockland 139656_02 10/2/14
Starting and Maintaining a Fire
Burn only solid wood directly on the bottom plate of
the stove. Do not elevate the fire in any way.
1. Set the Air Control Lever in the full open position. 2.
Crumple several sheets of newspaper directly on
the bottom plate..
2. Place several pieces of small dry kindling (approx.
1” in diameter) on top of the newspaper, with two
to three small logs (approx. 2” to 3” in diameter)
on top.
3. Light the fire and close the door. Gradually build
the fire by adding larger and larger logs as the fire
develops a bed of coals.
4. When you have added the final logs, adjust the Air
Control Lever to provide the desired fire intensity.
Experiment with a variety of air control set-
tings to determine the best one for your individual
circumstances. Remember that fuel characteristics,
chimney system condition, building design, and
weather conditions all affect the performance of
your fireplace insert. In time, you will discover how
these elements combine and how you can work with
them to achieve satisfactory performance.
Adding Fuel to the Fire
When reloading the stove while a bed of hot embers
still exists, follow this reloading procedure:
• Always wear stove gloves when tending to the
fire.
• Push the Air Control Lever to the full open position
(far right).
• Always wait a few seconds before opening the
door.
This allows the renewed air circulation to
clear unburned gases from the firebox.
• Use a stove tool or poker to distribute the hot
embers equally around the firebox.
• Load the fuel, usually with smaller logs first.
Keep logs behind the andirons.
See fig. 16.
• Close the doors and secure the latch.
• Wait 5 – 10 minutes for the fire to reestablish be-
fore adjusting the Air Control Lever for the desired
heat output. If a thick bed of live coals is present,
you may be able to add fuel and immediately set
the air control without waiting for the fire to be
reestablished.
Creosote Formation
This appliance is designed to burn wood cleanly
and efficiently when operated as described in this
manual. However, when wood is burned slowly and
at low temperatures, tar and other organic vapors
are produced which condense on the relatively cooler
chimney flue surfaces to form creosote. Failure to
keep the chimney system free of creosote build up
could result in a chimney fire.
The creosote that accumulates in the chimney
is highly flammable and is the fuel of chimney fires.
To prevent chimney fires, it is important to have the
chimney flue and connector pipe cleaned and in-
spected at the beginning of the heating season and
then inspected twice per month during frequent use.
Clean the chimney whenever creosote accumulation
of 1/4” or more is evident. A qualified chimney sweep
or other authorized service person can provide this
service.
Break-in Period
The cast iron parts of your fireplace insert require a
break-in process to allow them to gradually adjust to
thermal expansion and contraction. This is accom-
plished by building a series of three or four fires, each
somewhat hotter than the last. Allow the fireplace
insert to cool completely before building the next
fire.
Limit the first fire to just kindling and a couple of
1 -2 inch logs and add progressively more and larger
logs to subsequent fires, keeping the Air Control set
to the fully open position.
It is normal for a new fireplace insert to emit
odor and possibly smoke during the first few fires.
This is characteristic of the burn-off of residues from
the manufacturing process and the curing of painted
surfaces. Open a window near the fireplace insert to
provide plenty of fresh air to the room during this
“seasoning” period.
WARNING!
NEVER OVER-FIRE THE STOVE. IF ANY PART OF
THE STOVE OR CHIMNEY GLOWS, YOU ARE OVER-
FIRING. A HOUSE FIRE OR SERIOUS DAMAGE TO
THE STOVE OR CHIMNEY COULD RESULT. IF THIS
CONDITION OCCURS, IMMEDIATELY CLOSE THE AIR
CONTROL.
Andirons
Figure 16.
Fuel load area - keep logs behind the andirons.
