5. Burning Process
Fire requires fuel, air and heat. If heat is robbed from the
fireplace during the drying stage, the new load of wood
has reduced the chances for a good clean burn. Always
burn dry, seasoned firewood.
• Kindling or 1st stage:
In this stage, the wood is heated to a temperature high
enough to evaporate the moisture which is present in
all wood. The wood will reach the boiling point of wa-
ter (212°F) and will not get any hotter until the water
is evaporated. This process takes heat from coals and
tends to cool the fireplace.
• 2nd stage:
The secondary stage is when the wood gives off flam
-
mable gases which burn above the fuel with bright
flames. It is very important that the flames be main
-
tained and not allowed to go out. This will ensure the
cleanest possible fire. You should close down the air
to control the point where you can still maintain some
flame. If the flames tend to go out, more air is neces
-
sary.
• Final stage:
The final stage of burning is the charcoal stage. This
occurs when the flammable gases have been mostly
burned and only charcoal remains. This is a naturally
clean portion of the burn. The coals burn with hot blue
flames.
It is very important to reload your fireplace while enough
lively hot coals remain in order to rekindle the next load
of wood.
8. Opacity
Opacity indicates how cleanly your fireplace is burning.
Opacity is measured in percent; 100% opacity is when
an object is totally obscured by the smoke column from
a chimney, and 0% opacity means that no smoke col
-
umn can be seen. Periodically check the opacity and
burn your fireplace as nearly smoke-free as possible
(goal of 0% opacity).
7. Creosote Formation
When wood is burned slowly, it produces tar and other
organic vapors which combine with expelled moisture
to form creosote. The creosote vapors condense in
the relatively cool chimney flue of a newly-started or
a slow-burning fire. As a result, creosote residue ac
-
cumulates on the flue lining.
When ignited, creosote creates an extremely hot fire
which may damage the chimney or even destroy the
house.
The chimney shall be inspected at least annually be-
fore lighting, or once every two months during heating
season.
When creosote has accumulated it shall be removed to
reduce the risk of a chimney fire.
6. Dirty Glass
A portion of the combustion air entering the firebox is
deflected down over the inside of the door glass. This
air flow “washes” the glass, helping to keep smoke
from adhering to its surface. When operated at a low
burn rate, less air will be flowing over the glass and the
smoky, relatively cool condition of a low fire will cause
the glass to become coated. Operating the fireplace
with the burn rate air control and start-up air control all
the way open for 15-20 minutes should remove the built
up coating.
4. Storing Wood
Splitting wood before it is stored reduces drying time.
The following guideline will ensure properly seasoned
wood:
• Stack the wood to allow air to circulate freely around
and through the woodpile.
• Elevate the woodpile off the ground to allow air
circulation underneath.
• The smaller the pieces, the faster the drying process.
Any piece over 6 in. (152 mm) in diameter should be
split.
• Wood should be stacked so that both ends of each
piece are exposed to air, since more drying occurs
through the cut ends than the sides. This is true even
with wood that has been split.
• Store wood under cover, such as in a shed, or covered
with a tarp, plastic, tar paper, sheets of scrap plywood,
etc., as uncovered wood can absorb water from rain
or snow, delaying the seasoning process. Avoid
covering the sides and ends completely. Doing so
may trap moisture from the ground and impede air
circulation.
D. First Fire
Before lighting your first fire in the fireplace, make certain
that:
• the baffle and ceramic blanket are correctly positioned,
resting against the rear support
• firebrick are in place
• all labels have been removed
• all plated surfaces have been cleaned
NOTICE:
Oils can cause permanent markings on plating if
not removed before the first fire.
NOTICE:
The first three or four fires should be of moderate
size to allow the oils and binders to be burned from the
fireplace and the refractory and paint to cure. You may
notice an industrial odor the first few fires. This is considered
normal.
19
Quadra-Fire • Pioneer III Owner’s Manual • 4182-900 • Rev D • 08/19
