Slow Combustion
When the air combustion control is completely
closed, the fireplace is in a slow combustion
phase. If the hearth is hot enough, slow combus-
tion will not extinguish 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). Do not allow the wood to burn without
flame, since this will produce excessive creosote
in the unit.
Creosote may accumulate on the glass door. This
method of burning should be used only after
operating the WRT4820WS fireplace with the
air control opened
(Figure 1)
to produce a hot
fire for about an hour or at medium pace for at
least three (3) hours. Slow combustion can be
used at night in order to reduce the heat output
and to prolong the burn. The loading time will
be between 6-8 hours.
REFUELING FOR BEST PERFORMANCE
The WRT4820WS fireplace will operate best if
attention is given to operating the unit with the
damper fully opened
(figure 1)
after refueling
in order to bring the firebox and the chimney
system up to their optimum operating tempera-
ture. Combustion efficiency is relative to firebox
temperature. A temperature of 932º F (500º C)
and up, with a visible flame, in the upper part
of the firebox indicates a maximum efficiency.
To obtain this temperature, the fireplace must
be operated with the primary air and air boost
controls fully opened during 10 to 20 minutes
after reloading, depending on the heat and on
the moisture content of the wood.
Once you have reached the desired temperature,
the air boost can be closed and the primary air
set to a medium setting. You know you have
reached the desired temperature when, closing
the primary air control, you can see a flame
at the top of the firebox. The benefit of this
technique will be cleaner glass, less creosoting,
greater efficiency and the most pleasing fire for
your enjoyment. If your fireplace is equipped
with a forced air system, make sure the central
blower is turned off during reloading to avoid
smoking problems.
SMOKING –
CAUSES AND TROUBLESHOOTING
To reduce the likelihood of smoking when open-
ing the door, set the combustion air controls to
the left before opening the door. Your fireplace
has been designed and tested to provide smoke
free operation. Occasionally, there may be a
small amount of smoking upon lighting the fire,
until the chimney heats up but this should not
continue. If the fireplace continues to smoke
it is probably for one of the following reasons:
A. Negative pressure in the house -
As the
fire burns, air goes up the chimney. This air
must be replaced through leakage into the
house or through the outside air duct. When
operating the WRT4820WS fireplace, open a
nearby window temporarily to check if there is
adequate replacement air supply.
B. Blowers operating (e.g.: range hood) -
These blowers draw air out of the house
and may actually cause a negative pressure
in the house. Turn off all blowers and open
a nearby window to determine if this is the
cause of the problem.
C. Wet wood -
Wet or tarred wood will smoulder
and smoke instead of burning properly. Your
dealer can help you determine if you have
properly seasoned wood for burning.
D. Dirty or blocked chimney -
Check to make
sure the chimney is clear and clean. If dirty
call a certified chimney sweep or use a
properly sized chimney brush to clean.
E. Chimney not long enough -
The minimum
chimney height is twelve (12) feet (3.7 m) not
including the fireplace height. The chimney
must extend at least three (3) feet (915 mm)
above its point of contact with the roof and
at least two (2) feet (610 mm) higher than
any roof or wall within ten (10) feet (3 m) of
it. When installed with offsets, the minimum
chimney height is fifteen (15) feet. Additional
height will increase draft and will decrease
the tendency to smoke.
F. Poor chimney draft -
With no fire, there
should be sufficient draft to exhaust cigarette
smoke introduced under the baffle. Chim-
neys installed against an outside wall without
protection may generate back draft problems
which will cause start-up problems. To
prevent this, open a nearby window, roll up
a piece of paper and light it. Then, hold it in
the upper part of the firebox to warm up the
chimney. Wait until the draft is sufficient,
then start the fire.
G. Blower for forced air kit operating -
Make
sure that the blower is in the “off” position
when you open the fireplace door for reloading.
IMPORTANT CAUTIONS
A. Do not block the hot air vents to the fireplace
as this will cause the fireplace to overheat.
B. Never use gasoline, gasoline-type lantern
fuel, kerosene, charcoal lighter fluid, or
similar liquids to start or ‘freshen up’ a fire
in this fireplace. Keep all such liquids well
away from the fireplace while it is in use.
C. Do not burn coal. The sulphur in coal will
corrode the firebox and chimney.
D. Do not burn driftwood which has been in the
ocean or salt water. The salt will corrode
the firebox and chimney.
E. Do not burn wood in the area in front of the
grate.
F. Do not abuse the unit by burning paper, or
cardboard or construction material such as
pressed wood, plywood or lumber. Wood
protectors, metallic paper, coal, plastic,
waste, sulphur and/or oil will damage the
fireplace.
G. Do not allow the wood to smoulder or burn
without flame, since this will produce
excessive creosote in the unit as well as
increased particulate emissions.
Smoke Detectors Recommended
Since there are always several potential sources
of fire in any home, we recommend installing
smoke detectors. If possible, install the smoke
detector in a hallway adjacent to the room
(to reduce the possibility of occasional false
activation from the heat produced by these
appliances). If your local code requires a smoke
detector be installed within the same room, you
must follow the requirements of your local code.
Check with your local building department for
requirements in your area.
Carbon Monoxide Monitor Recommended
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
: Early signs of
carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the flu
with headaches, dizziness and/or nausea. If you
have these signs, obtain fresh air immediately.
Some people are more affected by carbon mon-
oxide than others, including pregnant women,
people with heart or lung disease or anemia,
those under the influence of alcohol, and those
at high altitudes.
It is against federal regulations to operate
wood heaters in a manner inconsistent with
operating instructions in the manual.
MAINTAINING YOUR WRT4820WS
FIREPLACE
Have your product inspected at least once
a year by a qualified service technician to
ensure gaskets, air tubes, baffles, and vent-
ing are in good repair to ensure proper per-
formance. Have degraded items replaced
by a qualified service technician.
This wood heater needs periodic inspection
and repair for proper operation. Consult the
owner’s manual for further information. It is
against federal regulations to operate this
wood heater in a manner inconsistent with the
operating in this manual.
Creosote - Formation and Need for Removal
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 slow-burning fire.
As a result, creosote residue accumulates on the
flue lining. When ignited this creosote makes
an extremely hot fire.
The chimney shall be inspected at least twice
a year during the heating season to determine
when a creosote buildup has occurred.
When creosote has accumulated it shall be
removed to reduce the risk of a chimney fire.
When the creosote accumulation is large, a
creosote fire in the chimney can damage the
chimney and overheat the surrounding wood
framing. Creosote formation in a chimney can
be minimized by making sure there is always
visible flame burning, avoid smouldering fires
and by proper refuelling techniques.
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