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OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFORD CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD HEATER
•
heats the firebox components so they reflect heat back to the fire, and
•
heats the flue system so it can produce strong, steady draft for the rest of the cycle.
Although it is important to fire each new load hot to prepare for a clean burn, do not allow the fire to burn
at full intensity for more than a few minutes.
DO NOT LEAVE THE ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD INBUILT UNATTENDED WHILE A NEW LOAD IS BEING FIRED
HOT.
DO NOT OVERFIRE.
When you burn a new load of wood hot to heat up the wood, the zero clearance wood inbuilt and the flue
system, the result will be a surge of heat from the zero clearance wood inbuilt. This heat surge is welcome
when the room temperature is a little lower than desirable, but not welcome if the space is already warm.
Therefore, allow each load of wood to burn down so that the space begins to cool off a little before loading.
Letting the space cool before loading is one of the secrets to clean burning and effective zone heating.
4.3.5
Turning Down the Air Supply
Once the firewood, firebox and flue system are hot, you can begin to reduce the air supply for a steady
burn.
As you reduce the air supply to the fire, two important things happen. First, the firing rate slows down to
spread the heat energy in the fuel over a longer period of time. Second, the flow rate of exhaust through
the zero clearance wood inbuilt and flue pipe slows down, which gives more time for the transfer of heat
from the exhaust. You will notice that as you reduce the air setting, the flames slow down. This is your
indication that the zero clearance wood inbuilt is burning at its peak efficiency.
If the flames get small and almost
disappear when you turn down
the air, you have turned down the
air too early, or your firewood is
wetter than it should be. With
good fuel and correct air control
use, the flames should slow down,
but should stay large and steady,
even as the air supply is reduced.
4.3.6
Building Different Fires for Different Needs
Using the air control is not the only way to match the zero clearance wood inbuilt’s heat output to the heat
demand. Your house will need far less heat in January than in May to be kept at a comfortable temperature.
If you fill the firebox full in fall weather, you will either overheat the space or turn the zero clearance wood
inbuilt down so much that the fire will be smoky and inefficient. Here are some suggestions for building
fires to match different heat demand.
