Quadra-Fire 32198A installation instructions Burning PROCESS, Wood Selection and Storage

R

Cape Cod Wood Stove

OPERATION

BURNING PROCESS, CONT. WOOD SELECTION AND STORAGE

The next stage of burning, the secondary stage, is the period when the wood gives off flammable gases which burn above the fuel with bright flames. During this stage of burning it is very important that the flames be maintained and not allowed to go out. This will insure the cleanest possible fire. If you are adjusting your stove for a low burn rate, you should close down the air to the point where you can still maintain some flame. If the flames tend to go out, the stove is set too low for your burning conditions. The primary air control slide in the center of the stove, beneath the ashcatcher, is the one used to adjust burn rates.

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 stove while enough lively hot coals remain in order to provide the amount of heat needed to dry and rekindle the next load of wood. It is best to open the air controls for a short while before reloading. This livens up the coal bed. Open the door slowly to prevent ash or smoke from exiting. You should also break up any large chunks and distribute the coals so that the new wood is laid on hot coals.

Following these standards for operation and maintenance is a responsible action for the choice to heat your home with wood. In addition, you will also extend the life of your wood stove for many years of use and enjoyment.

WARNING

ALWAYS OPERATE THIS APPLIANCE WITH THE DOOR CLOSED AND LATCHED EXCEPT

DURING START-UP AND RE-FUELING OR WHEN

USING THE FIRESCREEN.

Burn only dry seasoned wood! This will not only minimize the creation of creosote formation, but also provide the most efficient heat output. Even dry wood contains at least 15% moisture by weight and should be burned hot enough to keep the chimney hot for as long as it takes to maintain particulate (smoke) burning. It is a waste of energy to burn unseasoned wood of any variety.

Dead wood lying on the forest floor should be considered wet, and requires full seasoning time. Standing dead wood can be considered to be about two-thirds seasoned. To tell if wood is dry enough to burn, check the ends of the logs. If there are cracks radiating in all directions from the center, it is dry. If your wood sizzles in the fire, even though the surface is dry, it may not be fully cured. Splitting wood before it is stored reduces drying time. 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.

CAUTION! DO NOT STORE WOOD CLOSER THAN THE REQUIRED CLEARANCE TO COM- BUSTIBLES OF THE STOVE OR WITHIN THE SPACE REQUIRED FOR CHARGING AND ASH REMOVAL

WARNING ! DO NOT LEAVE THE FIRE UNAT- TENDED WHEN THE DOOR IS UNLATCHED OR WHEN USING FIRESCREEN. CARELESSLY PLACED FIREWOOD COULD FALL OUT OF THE FIREBOX CREATING A FIRE HAZARD TO YOUR HOME.

32198A February 15, 2002 Page 27