NOTE: DIAGRAMS & ILLUSTRATIONS ARE NOT TO SCALE.
5
Accelerated Combustion
The maximum heat output for the Villa Vista™
fireplace is achieved by burning with the com-
bustion air damper opened (see
Figure 2
). By
this method, the Villa Vista fireplace can produce
up to 70,000 BTU of heat per hour. However, it
will be necessary to reload with wood every one
or two hours. This is the least efficient method
of burning the Villa Vista fireplace.
Figure 2
Slow Combustion
When the air combustion damper is almost
closed, the fireplace is in a slow combustion
phase (see
Figure 4
). Slow combustion will
not stop the fire, but there will be a noticeable
change in the flame pattern. The flames will
be slow and may appear dirty if the wood is
too wet (moisture content of 20% and more).
Always set the damper so that flames are
visible , that way you maintain a good clean
combustion process.
Figure 3
For instance, a long chimney will necessitate
closing the damper more. To obtain the proper
combustion, close the damper completely, then
open it about 1/2 to 3/4. Three medium size
pieces of wood should be burning on a bed of
hot coals. The heat output will be approximately
35,000 BTU per hour and the loading time will
be about every 3-4 hours. Softwoods may be
burned using this method but the time will be
substantially reduced.
Use caution when firing with the combustion
air control wide open. Only burn cordwood in
this manner. Small dry pieces of softwood and
construction scraps will burn very intensely
using this method and may damage the firebox
and catalytic combustor.
Medium Combustion
This is the recommended mode of operating
the Villa Vista fireplace and should be the one
normally used since it will deposit the least
amount of creosote on the glass and in the
chimney. The combustion air damper must be
3/4" closed (see
Figure 3
). The precise setting
will depend on many factors, including chimney
length and the moisture content of the wood.
This method of burning should be used only
after operating the Villa Vista fireplace with the
air control opened to produce a hot fire for about
an hour. Slow combustion can be used at night
in order to reduce the heat output and prolong
the burn. The loading time will be between 6-10
hours. Be aware that the glass will get dirty
using this setting.
Starting And Maintaining a Fire
Step 1. Place several crumpled up balls of
newspaper in the firebox. Place small dry pieces
of kindling on top of the paper, criss-crossing the
kindling so that there are air spaces in between.
Keep the fuel far back enough so that air can
get underneath.
Figure 4
Step 2. Open the air control fully and pull the
by-pass damper control towards you to put it
in the OPEN position. Light the newspaper.
Leave the door open until the fire is well es-
tablished.
Step 3. Once the kindling fire is well estab-
lished, add increasingly larger pieces of cord-
wood until the fire is actively burning. Close the
door and maintain an accelerated combustion
air set up in order to achieve combustor light-
off conditions.
Step 4. When the fire is burning well, close the
by-pass damper control by pushing the control
rod in. It takes about 15 – 30 minutes with
the by-pass opened to reach proper light-off
temperatures for the catalytic combustor.
Step 5. Set the air control at the desired set-
ting.
The unit will burn best with 2-3 pieces of cord-
wood spaced 1 to 2 inches apart and allowing
air to get under the fuel. Criss-crossing or ar-
ranging the fuel so that air can get underneath,
will help the fire get started easily.
Refuelling for Best Performance
(
see Figure 5
)
To refuel the
Villa Vista fireplace at the end of
a burn cycle when only hot embers remain and
flames are gone (not enough heat to maintain
catalyst operating temperatures):
Step 1. Open the by-pass and air controls
fully.
Step 2. Open the door approximately 1 inch
and wait five seconds until the draft is
stable. Then open the door completely,
load the fuel and close the door.
Figure 5
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