OPEL PLUS KEYSTONE Owner's Manual
11
RSF Woodburning Fireplaces
stoves, there is no need to cure the fireplace itself by starting with small fires and progressively larger ones. Feel
free to light a large fire from the very start.
You will experience a slight odor during the first few fires. This odor comes from curing paint and oil burning off the
metal. The odor may be strong enough to set off your smoke detector. Open the doors and windows to allow the
room to properly ventilate.
LIGHTING
Ensure that the catalytic bypass is open (pulled all the way out)
while starting a fire (see Figure 3). Leave it open until the fire
is hot (approx. 15-30 minutes).
Ensure that the combustion air control lever is all the way to the
right in the open position. You will want as much air as possible
for the lighting process.
Start by laying your fire starter and kindling. Traditional fire
starter is crumpled newspaper; make sure to use enough to
light the kindling (5-6 pieces should do). Next lay the kindling
crisscrossed over the newspaper. Using plenty of kindling
ensures that the chimney will heat up quickly and establish a
strong draft,
never use any flammable liquids
. Light the
paper and close the door most of the way, but don’t shut it
completely. If the door is positioned correctly you will see air
rushing into the fireplace, this will help the lighting process.
Once the kindling is lit and sustaining fire, you can add some
small pieces of seasoned cordwood. Use the andirons in front
to help position the cordwood so as not to flatten and smother the fire you’ve just created. Always add at least 3
pieces of cordwood. Position your cordwood in a manner that the fire will hit several pieces as it rises and has air
gaps to flow through. Continue to leave the door slightly open until the cordwood is lit. Close the door completely
when the fire is established, if the fire goes out you’ve shut the door too early.
❖
WARNING: DO NOT USE A GRATE OR ELEVATE THE FIRE.
❖
WARNING: MAKE SURE TO KEEP THE FIRE BEHIND THE ANDIRONS. REPOSITION THE LOGS IF THEY
FALL AGAINST THE GLASS.
ENGAGE THE CATALYST
When the fire is hot, you should always engage the catalyst. To engage the catalyst, simply push the bypass handle
all the way in so that the bypass damper is closed. Closing the bypass will force the smoke through the catalyst.
When the catalyst is engaged you will receive more heat from your fireplace, and it will burn much more cleanly.
The catalyst should not be engaged (bypass closed) unless the fireplace is hot. If the bypass is closed before the
fireplace is hot, the catalyst will get dirty and no extra heat will be generated. The catalyst must be at least 175°C
(350
°
F) before it will start to burn off the wood smoke. Typically, this requires the fire to be lit for 15 to 30 minutes.
CATALYST TEMPERATURE PROBE
For an exact temperature reading at your catalyst, your fireplace is equipped with a temperature probe which
measures the temperature within 1" of the catalyst. A wire and connector have been dropped down on the left side
of the fireplace, inside the casing. You can connect to the probe with our optional Digital Temperature Display (FO-
DTD) or any standard Type K Thermocouple/Sensor Thermometer.
For an accurate temperature reading the bypass must be closed. Here are the important temperature ranges that
you need to be aware of:
•
Below 175°C (350°F): not enough heat is generated from the fire, add more wood, open the air control and
keep the bypass opened.
•
Between 175°C (350°F) and 700°C (1300°F): the temperature is just right for the catalyst, add more wood as
necessary and keep the bypass closed except for reloading.
Figure 3 Bypass Handle
