Vermont Casting 2170 Reloading and Reviving a Wood Fire, Remove and Store Ash Safely, 2006063

increase over an approximate 30 minute period. The probe temperature will peak during the first 2/3 of the burn time and then fall after the volatiles have burned off. To ensure continued operation of the combustor, let the temperature approach 1000°F (540°C) before reducing the air settings.

5.Close the primary air control to a medium setting, or about 6:00 on the imaginary clock face referred to on Page 18. The fire volume will diminish immedi- ately, but the stove will continue to warm up. Main- tain control of the fire using the primary air and combustor air controls, and remember: reduce the setting for a smaller fire, increase the setting for a larger fire. Refer back to the air control settings chart on Page 18 for recommended settings at different burn rates.

DO NOT OVERFIRE THIS HEATER. Overfiring may cause a house fire, or can result in permanent damage to the stove and to the catalytic combustor. If an exterior part of the stove or the chimney connector glows, you are overfiring.

Reloading and Reviving a Wood Fire

When reloading, best results will be obtained if you first de-ash the stove by stirring the fuel bed to allow ash to fall through the grate into the ash pan.

Do not break the charcoal into very small pieces or pound or compress the charcoal bed.

It is important that air can circulate through the charcoal bed during the burn. Larger pieces of charcoal allow more air to circulate under the wood and will result in the fire reviving more quickly, and will also encourage the stove to burn more cleanly.

Open the stove damper and wait at least fifteen sec- onds for the draft to increase. Open the door slowly, add the fuel, and then close the damper. Split wood will fill the firebox more completely and reduce the fre- quency of reloading.

Leave the stove damper open for a short time until the probe temperature reaches 800°F (430°C), then close it.

Sometimes the temperature will drop below 600°F

(316°C) after reloading, particularly if the loading door is open a long time. Should the temperature drop below this level, stimulate the fire by increasing the primary air supply. Reduce the air supply when the temperature has reached 800°F (430°C).

NOTE: If the charcoal bed is relatively thick and your fuel is well-seasoned, it is possible to add fresh fuel and close the damper immediately, and adjust the air control for your desired heat output.

Dutchwest Seneca

Remove and Store Ash Safely

Check the ash pan before reloading the stove. If the ash level is close to the top, empty the pan. Before replacing the ash pan, clear away any ash that has spilled over the sides and back of the pan.

Empty the ash drawer regularly, typically everyone to three days. The frequency will vary depending on how hot you run your stove: the hotter the fire, the more wood you burn, and the faster ash will accumulate.

Ash may contain hot coals and must be treated with extreme care.

ST744

Fig. 28 Wear a heavy stove glove for protection when removing ash.

Always Dispose of Ash in a Safe Manner

Ash should be removed frequently and placed outdoors in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. The closed container of ash should be placed on a noncombustible floor or on the ground, well away from all combustible materials, pending final disposal. If the ash is disposed of by burial in soil or otherwise locally dispersed, it should be retained in the closed container until all cinders have thoroughly cooled. Wood ash may be used as a garden fertilizer.

CAUTION: Never use a vacuum cleaner to remove ash from the stove; always remove and dispose of the ash properly.

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