Experiment with different loading configurations to achieve longer burns. Try loading the wood from side to side and nesting it in the ashes to prevent airflow under and around the wood. Fresh wood should be loaded to the back of the firebox or to the sides. Hot coals or half burned wood should be brought toward the front of the firebox. The way you load your wood can seriously affect burn times. If the new load does not ignite within a few minutes, try crisscrossing the load to allow more airflow around the fire, or try a slightly hotter stove temperature.
Determining the lowest setting for efficient low burns. This will require some experimentation on your part. Try closing the air control all the way with the stove temperature at 325 to 350 degrees. If the flames are completely extinguished, open the air control halfway and then slowly close it until there is only a small amount of flame. It is important to check the stove about 20 minutes after setting the draft control as it takes this long for the stove temperature to stabilize. There should still be some small flames on or above the wood load.
Use 325 degrees as a starting point. You can try starting temperatures 25 degrees higher or lower to achieve desired burn times, start 25 degrees lower if the stove burns the wood too quickly or 25 degrees higher if there are no flames in the firebox for more than a few minutes after loading the wood. You may or may not need to burn the stove with the air control open for a few minutes prior to setting the draft for a low burn, this will depend on the factors mentioned above. Be sure not to smolder a fire overnight. Check your chimney for large amounts of smoke as this indicates very poor combustion.
It is important to realize that stove technology has changed. Stoves have changed a great deal in the last few years. This has led to substantial changes in the methods of operation in new stoves as compared to older stoves. In old stoves without full brick linings and ceramic insulation, the rule was “get the stove as hot as possible before setting the draft on low for overnight burns.” On newer, high technology Country™ Collection stoves, this is not necessary. Although it is still important to have the stove hot enough to burn efficiently, it will require less preheating. Once you have determined your optimum operating temperatures for various burn rates, we believe you will find your stove an extremely convenient way to achieve your heating needs.
Maintenance
Door Hinges: If door hinges need lubricating, use an
Door Latch: If your door latch fails to latch tightly and the gasket is in good condition, place a length of pipe (cheater bar) over the inside portion of the door handle and bend slightly toward the door until the proper
adjustment is obtained. If the door handle does not close easily, apply high temperature
Door Gasket: Periodically check gasket to make sure it is not
Gold or Nickel Plated Door: Clean only with WINDEX brand glass cleaner and a very soft cotton cloth Other products may damage brass, paint, and gaskets.
INSULATING BLANKETS: Your insulating blanket should be inspected during every chimney cleaning. If the blanket is compressed or heavily stained, it should be replaced. Heavy creosote stains or matting is an indication of improper use and your burning habits should be reviewed.
Do not reload the stove for long burns when the stainless secondary tubes or baffle supports are glowing red, or when the stove is uncomfortably hot to load. This indicates the stove is too hot to load for a long burn. Also, do not load wood for a long burn on a deep bed of hot coals. Try stirring the coals a few minutes before loading the stove for a low burn to allow some of the unburned coals time to burn.
Glass Cleaning: Only clean glass with products specifi- cally made to use on wood stoves. Other products could damage gaskets and paint. Never scrape glass with a razor blade. This can pit the glass and make it impossible to clean in the future.
WINDOW GASKET: The window gasket can be checked by running the flame of the match near the gasket and around the door. If the flame is drawn in around the window, the gasket should be replaced.
DOOR HANDLE: Door handle may become tight as you use the stove. Free the handle up by using dry graphite supplied with the stove. The directions are included with the graphite.
NOTE: DIAGRAMS & ILLUSTRATIONS ARE NOT TO SCALE.
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