Valcourt Antoinette, User'S Installation And Operation Manual

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FP7CE Antoinette - Installation and Operation Manual
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3.2.1 Conventional Fire Starting
The conventional way to build a wood fire is to bunch up 5
to 10 sheets of plain newspaper and place them in the
firebox. Next, place 10 or so pieces of fine kindling on the
newspaper. This kindling should be very thin; less than 25
mm. Next, place some larger kindling pieces on the fine
kindling. Open the exhaust damper fully and light the
newspaper. If you have a tall, straight venting system you
should be able to close the door immediately and the fire
will ignite. Once the fire has ignited, close the door.
A conventional kindling fire with paper
under finely split wood.
DO NOT LEAVE THE FIREPLACE UNATTENDED WHEN THE DOOR IS SLIGHTLY OPENED OR THE FIRESCREEN
IN PLACE. ALWAYS CLOSE AND LATCH THE GLASS OR FIRESCREEN DOOR AFTER THE FIRE IGNITES.
After the kindling fire has mostly burned, you can add standard firewood pieces until you have a fire of the
right size for the conditions.
CAUTION: PLACE THE WOOD LOGS FAR ENOUGH FROM THE GLASS TO ALLOW PROPER PRIMARY AIR
FLOW
3.3 Maintaining Wood Fires
3.3.1 General Advice
Wood heating with a space heater is very different than other forms of heating. There will be variations in
the temperature in different parts of the house and there will be variations in temperature throughout the
day and night. This is normal, and for experienced wood burners these are advantages of zone heating with
wood.
Do not expect steady heat output from your fireplace. It is normal for its surface temperature to rise after a
new load of wood is ignited and for its temperature to gradually decline as the fire progresses. This rising
and falling of temperature can be matched to your household routines. For example, the area temperature
can be cooler when you are active, such as when doing housework or cooking, and it can be warmer when
you are inactive, such as when reading or watching television.
Wood burns best in cycles. A cycle starts when a new load of wood is ignited by hot coals and ends when
that load has been consumed down to a bed of charcoal about the same size as it was when the wood was
loaded. Do not attempt to produce a steady heat output by placing a single log on the fire at regular
intervals. Always place at least three, and preferably more, pieces on the fire at a time so that the heat