WOOD BURNING OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
(continued)
CREOSOTE FORMATION AND NEED FOR REMOVAL:
6. When wood is burned slowly, it produces tar and other organic vapors which combine with expelled
moisture to form creosote. The creosote vapors condense in the relatively cool chimney flue of a slow burning
fire. As a result, creosote residue accumulates on the flue lining. When ignited, this creosote makes an extremely
hot fire. If creosote has accumulated, it should be removed to reduce the risk of a chimney fire.
DISPOSAL OF ASHES:
7. Ashes should be placed in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. The closed container of ashes
should be placed on a non-combustible floor on the ground, well away from all combustible materials, pending
final disposal. If the ashes are disposed of by burial in soil or other wise locally dispersed, they should be retained
in the closed container until all cinders have thoroughly cooled.
8. Maintain door seals, etc., to ensure airtight fit. Operate only with the fire door closed. Open door only
to fuel fire. Do not operate the stove with the ash drawer open.
9. Resist the temptation to refuel too soon. Let the fire burn down to just glowing coals before you open
the door. This will be the most efficient operation and there will be less smoking. Do not overfire.
10. Contact your local or provincial fire authority for information on how to handle a chimney fire.
11. For further information on using your heater safely, obtain a copy of the National Fire Protection
Association publication: “Using Coal and Wood Stoves Safely.” NFPA No. HS-8-1974. The address of NFPA is:
470 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA. 02210.
GLASS DOOR
1. Never clean hot glass.
2. Clean with an approved cleaner. Never use an abrasive.
3. Excessive mechanical stress will crack or break the glass. Should breakage occur see your dealer or
carefully remove retainer screws to release glass. Dispose of broken glass in a safe place. Replace the glass only
with 5mm neoceram available from your dealer. Always replace the gasket with a glass replacement. Check glass
after heater has been fired to ensure a tight seal. Tighten retainer just enough to provide the airtight seal. Uneven
pressure from over-tightened screws will break the ceramic (glass). See figure 1.
4. Never build the fire up against the glass.
5. When closing the door, do not allow logs to protrude against the glass.
6. Your Kuma model HT wood stove is equipped with an airwash system that will self-clean the glass. If
the glass is black or soot-covered from slow burning, simply load the stove with good dry split cordwood and burn
at high burn for 20-30 minutes. The glass should burn itself clean.
A WORD ABOUT DRAFT:
The principle of draft is that warm air rises. Your chimney provides draft which sucks the smoke up the
chimney. The stove does not “push” out the smoke. Your Wood Classic stove has been designed and approved for
use under normal conditions. Unacceptable smoking usually indicates poor draft in your chimney system.
CHECK THAT YOU HAVE PROVIDED FOR ADEQUATE OUTSIDE AIR FOR COMBUSTION, IF
APPLICABLE.
PROBABLE CAUSES FOR SMOKING ARE:
1. Insufficient chimney height above nearby obstructions.
2. Clogged or obstructed chimney system (in particular, plugged chimney cap screen)
3. Downdrafts caused by nearby trees, hills, buildings, etc.
4. NEGATIVE DRAFT: In a cold chimney, a cold air column rushing down the chimney can prevent
stove start-up causing the wood stove or the chimney pipe joints to smoke. SOLUTION: Open a nearby window,
and use small strips of newspaper or tinder loosely placed in the firebox that will provide quick and hot heat up the
chimney, thereby reversing draft. Continue building fire.
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