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139684_Rev_7 / C 450 Kennebec 7 / 17
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).
• 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.
• Close the doors and secure the latch.
• Wait 5 – 10 minutes for the fire to re-establish before
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 con-
trol without waiting for the fire to be re-established.
Creosote Formation
The Jøtul C
450
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 inspected every two
months during frequent use and cleaned whenever
accumulation of 1/4” or more is evident. A qualified
chimney sweep or other authorized service person can
provide this service.
It is also important to remember that chimney size,
temperature and height all affect draft which in turn
affects the formation of creosote. An exterior chimney,
whether masonry or prefabricated steel, will be exposed to
cold outside temperatures, and consequently, will be more
prone to creosote accumulation than an interior flue.
A chimney flue located within the home interior
will benefit from the insulating characteristics of the
building itself. Consequently, the flue system will be
less conducive to condensation of unburned gases and
minimal creosote accumulation will result.
As a general rule, try to avoid burning the insert at
the lowest air control settings. Although a low setting
will prolong burn time, it may also result in incomplete
combustion. In reducing the fire intensity, draft is
weakened and the chimney flue cools. This, together
with the increase in unburned gases, leads to rapid
creosote accumulation.
Figure 20. Top-down Firebuilding
Starting and Maintaining a Fire
Burn only solid wood directly on the bottom grate of the stove.
Do not elevate the fire in any way.
Traditional Fire Building
1. With the primary air control lever in the full open
position
(to the right)
, start with several sheets of
crumbled newspaper placed directly on the grate. On
top of the newspaper, place several pieces of small
dry kindling (approx. 1” in diameter) with two to three
larger logs (approx. 3” to 5” in diameter) on top.
2. Light the fire and close the door, slowly building the
fire by adding larger and larger logs. Be sure to follow
the break-in procedure before creating a hot fire that
might damage the stove.
3. Once the fire has become well established, adjust the
primary air control lever as necessary to generate the
desired heat output and burn time.
Top-Down Fire Building -
See fig. 20.
Many people find this method to be superior to the
traditional method.
1. With the primary air control lever in the full open
position
(to the right)
, place two short 1/4-split logs on
the firebox floor, perpendicular to the rear wall, about
6 inches apart.
2. Place kindling across the base logs.
3. Place one or two smaller logs on top of the kindling.
5. Place newspaper between the two bottom logs under
the kindling. Light the news paper and close the door.
Continue to add kindling and small logs as necessary
to build the fire. Keep the air control fully open until
the fire is well-established.
