Operation and maintenance guidlines
Continued
Second Lighting – Start the fire slowly and gradually as you did with the first lighting, but this time you can burn up to ten pounds of firewood, probably four to five logs that are 3" in diameter. With the second lighting you can let the fire burn two hours – no more.
After First and Second Lighting – When the fireplace has been properly cured with 1st and 2nd lighting, you will be able to add a full fuel load to the fireplace which is about 10 to 15 pounds of firewood at any given time. Consider that this typical fuel load is three to four dry hardwood logs that are about 6" ) to 8" in diameter.
Without a grate for your firewood to rest on, you cannot get the air flow you need under the fire which makes for a hotter, more satisfying fire.
Do not “over burn” – Always remember, your Grand Meridian fireplace is an elegant addition to your home. It is not an indoor incinerator! If you start to use the fireplace and begin a routine of “over burning,” you can permanently and unalterably damage the unit. Under no circumstances should you be burning household trash, including chemicals and combus- tibles, cardboard boxes, your office papers, scrap lumber or stray branches from your yard, particularly pine.
WARNING: Burning of above mentioned materials will cause an unsafe condition and will void your warranty!
Starting a Fire and Basic Operation
Before starting a fire in your fireplace, open the damper to its’ fully open position. Crumple some paper and place it on the log grate. Use some soft, dry wood as kindling and put it on top of the paper. Place some small logs or split logs atop the paper and kindling.
Finish off the fuel load with a couple of hardwood logs or split logs – oak or hickory. Check to see that you’re stacking the logs so that they will fall inside the grate as they burn.
To get the most out of your wood, it is recommended that you let it set and completely dry out for nine months to a year.
When you are satisfied with the arrangement of your wood load, light the paper which in turn will ignite the
kindling, then the softer wood and finally, the harder wood logs. As the fire burns, you can carefully lay additional logs on the flame, but make sure you place them gently without forcing them into the opening.
Annual Fireplace Maintenance
Your fireplace and chimney require seasonal and monthly
The manufacturer recommends that inspection of the fireplace and chimney take place on a monthly basis during the heating season. Start at the top, looking for birds’ nests, leaves or any other obstruc- tions. Also check the spark arrestor, for creosote or soot
For the spark arrestor, scrub with a wire brush. To dismantle the chimney cap for cleaning of the flue, unscrew the four screws that hold it in place. For cleaning access from below, open the damper in the firebox. It is best to use a flexible handle chimney cleaning brush made especially for the job.
If your fireplace system has any offset chimney sec- tions, start cleaning with the flexible brush from the top of the section downward to the elbow. Then clean from the firebox up to the offset/return section.
Be sure that you have covered the floor of the fireplace and out to the hearth with a damp sheet that has been taped securely in place. When all the soot has settled, remove the sheet and vacuum up – don’t sweep the excess soot.
Good
Outside Inspection – During your once a month inspection of the firebox and chimney, make it a point to also check the outside of the chimney, the metal
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