![How to Build a Wood Fire](/images/new-backgrounds/44538/4453839x1.webp)
Dutchwest Sequoia
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ST756
Fig. 20 The Sequoia’s primary air supply is closed at the 5 o’clock position, and fully open at 8 o’clock or more.
Sequoia Control Settings for Coal Fires
(The primary air and combustor air controls always remain closed. Primary air is closed a the 5:00 position, while the combustor air is closed when rotated fully clockwise.)
Burn Rate | |
Low | 1/2 turn |
Medium | 1¹⁄₂ turns |
High | Fully open |
If your stove is equipped with an optional blower, it is important to follow these guidelines as well for best results:
At
At higher heat outputs, (8:00 or more) the blower can be set on high if desired.
NOTE: The
DO NOT OPERATE THE STOVE WITH THE ASH DOOR OPEN. THIS CAN CAUSE EXTREME OVERFIRING OF THE STOVE, WHICH IS DANGER- OUS.
The stove’s paint and cement will emit a slight odor during the first few fires. We suggest that you provide extra ventilation near the stove by partially opening a door or window when the odor is present.
How to Build a Wood Fire
and Keep it Going
Make sure your stove is set up correctly for burning wood.
A Sequoia leaves the factory with the catalytic combustor installed.
In the United States it is against the law to operate this wood heater in a manner inconsistent with the operat- ing instructions in this manual, or if the catalytic com- bustor is deactivated or removed.
The grate covers are also installed. These are neces- sary for wood burning and should be left in place.
High-Efficiency Wood Burning
with Catalytic Combustion
Smoke from a wood fire is really escaping energy that has not been burned to produce the heat. Combustion temperatures of 1100°F (595°C) are required to burn the smoke, and a level this high seldom is present in a fire set to burn several hours. As a result, long fires in conventional stoves lose a great deal of potential heat up the chimney as smoke.
A catalytic combustor captures this heat by lowering the temperature at which smoke will burn. This makes high efficiency possible even with long, low level fires.
ST743
Fig. 21
Catalytic combustion is activated with two adjustments: by closing the stove damper, thereby exposing the smoke to the combustor, and by opening the combustor air control. The combustor needs extra air during medium and high burns, and the Sequoia’s combustor air control must be fully open to supply it. During low burns, the combustor air control should be open only a 1/2 turn.
Closing the stove damper also reduces the draft, so to avoid putting out the fire or deactivating the combustor, close the damper only when a fire is well established.
When starting a fire, wait until the fire is well estab- lished and there is an ember bed of at least two inches before closing the stove damper.
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