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INSTALLING THE SMOKE PIPE
The smoke pipe is not a chimney. Its function
is to connect the sauna heater to the chimney.
The smoke pipe you use should be not less that
24-gauge steel. When planning your chimney
hookup, make sure a minimum of smoke pipe
elbows are used two (2) or less, and that a
horizontal run of smoke pipe does not exceed
eight (8) feet. The smoke pipe must not be
installed closer than 18 inches to any
combustible materials or pass through a
combustible wall or ceiling.
When attaching the smoke pipe to the heater,
use a minimum of three (3) sheet metal screws
at each joint. This includes the joint at the
sauna heater flue collar. For added protection,
you may want to use furnace cement to help
seal each joint.
MANUAL DAMPERS IN THE STOVE
PIPE
It is recommended that a manual damper be
installed at a safe, convenient place between
the sauna heater and chimney. In the event of
a chimney fire, it can quickly be closed,
reducing air to the chimney.
CAUTION
Never use chemicals or fluids such as
gasoline, charcoal lighter fluid, drain oil
or kerosene to light a fire in your heater.
This would be like checking the level of
gas in your gas can with a lighted match.
Place several pieces of paper and some small
dry kindling inside the unit. Ignite the paper and
close the door.
It will take a few minutes for the fire to establish
itself. Once you have some good red hot
burning embers, add larger pieces of wood. All
chimneys and hook-ups act differently. After a
while, you will find out how your unit works best
for starting.
After a time, you can adjust draft according to
your needs. On air tight units, the burning time
is controlled very much by the draft control,
contrary to the old type stove where the smoke
pipe damper controlled the burning time. Your
heater is capable of putting out a lot of heat so
don’t fully load your unit or open all draft fully
until you have become familiar with the
operation of the heater. Keep in mind; a full
load will not always give you the best results for
your needs. Note: With new metal – you may
smell an odor. This is normal during the first
operation.
When loading your heater that has existing hot
coals, rake the red-hot embers over grates
evenly. Put a few smaller pieces of wood on
coals first, then load up. Close fuel door. Note:
After several days of lengthy burn, load unit,
open draft controls and burn your unit hot for
about 15 minutes while in attendance.
This is a good way to eliminate excessive
creosote build up.
Use Caution when opening loading door. Avoid
opening-loading door rapidly. This could cause
flame to flash out the door. This occurs when
there is fuel that has not been burned, creating
a large amount of gases on top of the firebox.
When the door is opened, oxygen is combined
with the gases and ignites.
HELPFUL HINTS
Set the draft to proper setting. The chimney,
hookups and kinds of wood will be a factor.
Your heater is capable of holding very large
logs. Do not try to add a log that is larger than
what you can easily place in the firebox. You
will get best efficiency when you add only the
amount of wood needed for a short burn.