9
Operating your stove- Somerton stove
Suitable fuels
Somerton is tested to burn wood. Wood briquettes and peat can also be burnt. For a full list of suitable fuels, check with
the official solid fuels approvals body, HETAS or Solid Fuel Association. Do not overload stove as this can cause excessive
heat and damage the stove( see table on page 4
). ALWAYS KEEP FUEL LOAD BELOW TERTIARY PORTS AT REAR OF STOVE.
Only use fuels approved for use on heating stoves.
Do not burn liquid fuels, drift wood, finished wood, sawn wood, pallet wood, chipboard/plywood ,varnished wood or
plastic coated wood, wood treated with preservatives, or house hold waste. DO NOT EXCEED SPECIFIED FUEL WEIGHTS.
DO NOT BURN HOUSE COAL. DO NOT BURN HOUSEHOLD WASTE, THIS APPLIANCE IS NOT AN INCINERATOR.
MENDIP STOVES RECOMMEND THE USE OF A FLUE THERMOSTAT TO CHECK YOUR STOVE IS NOT OVERHEATING. PLACE
FLUE THERMOSTAT DIRECTLY ABOVE COLLAR OF STOVE AND REFER TO TEMPERATURE GAUGE ON PAGE 4.
The first lighting of your stove.
Before lighting your stove for first time make sure you have read this manual fully and acquainted yourself with the
controls of this appliance. (see page 9)
The heat-resistant paint on your stove will cure and harden the first time you light your appliance. The curing process produces
a good deal of smoke and odour, it is therefore important that the first time you light your stove the room should be well
ventilated. During the process it is important to open and close the stove door periodically (every 30mins) during the first
couple of firings therefore preventing the door seal cord around the door from sticking and coming away from the door.
Once the heat-resistant paint has hardened the smell will disappear. This stove is NOT designed to be used with the door
open, the stove door must be kept closed except when lighting the stove, adding firewood or removing ash in order to
prevent flue gases from escaping.
Lighting your appliance
Quality Firelighters should be used when lighting the stove. (Never use metholated spirit, petrol or other flammable liquids).
Lighting your stove with firelighters will be more reliable and easier than using paper.
TO LIGHT YOUR STOVE (wood)
1. Place a few smaller pieces of dry wood (kindling) in the stove on top of the non toxic firelighters, place one or two small
dry split logs (¼ split) on top.
2. Fully slide open ( pull out fully) the Universal air control (UAC) air slider below the stove door. Slide out fully to the left
position. The stove now has total primary air for start up.
3. Light the firelighters and push door to closed position, latch in 1st position so the door is open 2 mm. This provides
additional combustion air for start up and reduces condensation on the door glass. If neccessary open ash pan a small
amount.
4. Once the flames from the logs are fully established ( this can take some time) slide UAC control fully out to the right ( this
is full seconday air).
5. If the stove begins to falter and generate smoke move UAC slider to central position again until fire is established.
6. Once the fire bed is established slide uac control to the secondary position and 100% open, for the stove to burn cleanly
plenty of secondary air is needed, do not be tempted to shut the fire down too early as this may cause smoke. At nominal
heat output, expect to refuel your stove approximately once an hour.
Check load weights for your model on the table on page 4.
The stove will get very hot during use and due care must therefore be exercised. Please use the glove when operating air
controls , door and ashpan.
Incomplete combustion
If the air controls on your Somerton stove are closed too much incomplete combustion may lead to a build-up of hard,
shiny soot on the inside of your stove and glass. To prevent sooting of the chamber and glass introduce:-
1) more secondary air,
2) check that your fuel is suitable and dry.
3) that you have sufficient draw in your chimney.
It is important to check the draft conditions before lighting your stove. This may be done, for instance, by crumpling a piece
of newspaper, placing it in the combustion chamber and lighting it. The draft conditions are good if the smoke is drawn away
through the chimney.
