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2.2.1 Simple Wood Moisture Test
Add one large piece of wood to the top of an established fire. If it starts to burn on three sides, within one
minute, it is dry and seasoned and right for burning. If it turns black and starts to burn in three minutes, it is
damp. If it turns black and does not start burning until after five minutes, it is green and wet. If it hisses at
any time the wood is soaked and will not burn until excess moisture is boiled away.
2.3 Notes About First Firing
Before firing ensures that the room is well ventilated. Curing the paint is recommended to preserve the
best quality finish. Heating the stove up too intensely on the first fire will dull and lighten the colour on
overheated areas, and cause smoke and odour to be emitted into the room. To cure the paint, the first two
fires should be burned for only about twenty minutes each.
Allow the stove to get warm only but not hot, i.e. 250
o
F (120
o
C) as measured by a stovetop thermometer,
and allow the stove to cool down. Light a third fire and burn it for about forty minutes to 450
o
F (230
o
C)
or less. Once again cool the stove to room temperature, then operate it according to the following
instructions. This extra care will result in a more durable, and uniform finish.
2.4 Lighting A Fire
1.
Place enough crumpled balls of newspaper or other paper into the stove to cover the bottom of the
firebox.
2.
Place small dry kindling on the crumpled paper.
3.
Place larger dry kindling on top of the small kindling.
4.
Open the draft control fully to the right (located on the front of the stove, Figure 2.1)
5.
Light a fire at the bottom of the crumpled paper and close the door. If the fire tends to go out,
momentarily hold the door slightly ajar to fan the fire. As soon as the fire catches hold, close the
door.
6.
Ideally the large kindling should be burned until a thick bed of red embers is obtained. At that
point, add cordwood fuel and continue to operate the draft control wide open until the fire is well
established. Once the firebox is hot, the draft control can be partially closed by moving the handle
to the left to adjust the intensity of the fire.
