1. Chimney Installation and Draft
Chimney systems will only draft properly when they
are installed according to the instructions, in an appropriate
location and with the proper chimney height. Installing
the fireplace according to the instructions, choosing
an appropriate location, and choosing an appropriate
chimney height are the responsibility of the designer and
the building contractor.
Tightly insulated and sealed homes, two story interior
spaces and high vaulted ceilings can cause negative air
pressures within the house which can impair drafting
performance. HVAC return air ducts near the fireplace
opening will adversely affect the fireplace drafting
performance.
It is the responsibility of the designer, the
building contractor and their mechanical contractor
to determine that the building’s internal air pressures
are conducive to positive fireplace drafting.
Avoid placing any fireplace in an area near tall trees,
tall buildings, or high land masses. These structures can
reduce ambient air flow pressure as well as produce
down drafts, either of which can impair fireplace drafting
performance.
Earthcore Industries L.L.C. does not warrant
drafting and is not responsible for it.
2. Fireplace Curing Instructions
It is critical that the Isokern masonry elements in the
firebox and smoke dome assembly be dry before firing of
the unit. Moisture left in the components from exposure
during storage and shipping, as well as moisture from the
installation phase, must be eliminated before the unit is
put to its intended use.
The first step in reducing the ambient moisture is to
be sure that the completed fireplace rest totally in a dried-
in setting for a minimum of 28 days after construction of
the unit is complete.
The next step in curing the fireplace is to be sure that
the first five or six fires are of short duration.
The first fire of the unit can take place once the
minimum twenty-eight day drying period has passed. This
fire should be especially short.
Start the first fire slowly with a small amount of
paper and kindling (small dry wood splits or twigs) and
a maximum load of four to six pounds of dry firewood,
estimated to be no more than two or three logs each of
about three inches (3”) to four inches (4”) diameter.
The first fire should burn for no more than thirty to
sixty minutes and then allowed to go out. Do not refuel
the fireplace during the first lighting.
A cooling off period of twenty-four hours, at a
minimum, should follow the first fire.
The second fire should be the same as the first fire. It
should burn for no more than thirty to sixty minutes and
allowed to go out. Do not refuel the fireplace during the
second lighting.
Summary
A twenty-four hour cooling off period must be
observed following second lighting.
After first and second fire, continue use of the unit
with three or four small fires of short duration (sixty
minutes or so) and small fuel load.
After these first five or six small fires of short duration
normal use of the fireplace can proceed. For normal
use the maximum recommended fuel load is twelve to
sixteen pounds of dry firewood at a time. This fuel load
is considered to be approximately three to five cured
hardwood logs of about three inches (3”) to six inches
(6”) in diameter. As the fire burns down, refueling should
be only one or two logs added at a time.
IMPORTANT:
Do not burn construction debris or trash of
any kind in the fireplace. Whereas it is not uncommon for
construction debris and refuse to be burned in a fireplace
by site personnel on a project that is under construction,
this activity must be avoided. It is the responsibility of
the building contractor to insure that the required dry-in
period is met and that the required lighting sequence is
performed by the owner or by the owner’s agent.
3. Log Grates
Log grates are required for burning solid fuel in
the Isokern fireplace. Grates allow for easy air flow up
through the burning logs thus creating a more complete
and efficient burning of the fuel.
4. How to Build a Fire
First set the fireplace damper in the full open position.
Begin laying the fire by placing several pieces of wadded
up paper directly on the log grate. Place kindling (small
splits of dry pine or other dry softwood) on top of the
paper, enough to loosely cover the paper. Next arrange
several small, dry hardwood or softwood logs or log splits
on top of the kindling layer.
Finally, arrange two or three larger hardwood logs
(oak, hickory, etc.) or log splits on top of the stack.
Ignite the paper at the bottom of the stack. The burning
paper will ignite the kindling which will, in turn, set the
remaining fuel on fire.
Be sure to stack all firewood in such a way that it will
settle into the log grate as the paper and kindling layers
are burned away. Additional logs can be set onto the fire
as each fueling burns down.
Ideally, fuel logs should be of a hardwood species that
have been air dried for one year or longer. Use of cured
or uncured pine logs and uncured hardwood logs for fuel
should be avoided. Pine logs and uncured hardwood
logs will tend to smolder and burn at relatively low
temperatures producing high levels of soot and creosote.
IMPORTANT:
Do not throw, toss, jam, kick or otherwise
force logs into the Isokern fireplace.
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Earthcore Industries
MAGNUM
Series Fireplace
