Encore Woodburning Stove
Creosote
Creosote is a
Because letting the smoke cool off and slow down is one of the keys to creosote production, it makes sense to line a chimney to match the stove’s outlet size, for safety reasons as well as performance. Consult a quali- fied installer and check local and national codes for recommended chimney size.
Fuel
Even the best stove installation will not perform well with poor fuel. The best fuel is hardwood that has air- dried
Dry wood burns readily with a good chimney draft. But with modern stoves, especially catalytic ones, the wood can be too dry. While
If you hear a rumbling or roaring noise, like a propane torch, from the stove, that is a sign the catalyst is seri- ously overfiring. The catalyst is a platinum film on a ceramic base; the metal can get to higher temperatures than the ceramic can take, and overfiring the catalyst can break it. Dry wood can also burn out faster than you want. If your dry wood burns out too quickly or overloads the catalyst you can mix in greener wood to slow the fire down.
Back-puffing
smoke rise to the flue more quickly, let more air into the firebox, and avoid big loads of firewood. You should always see lively, dancing flames in the firebox; a lazy, smoky fire is inefficient, can lead to
Draft Testing
An easy way to test your chimney draft is to close the stove’s damper, wait a few minutes to let the airflow stabilize, then see whether you can vary the strength of the fire by swinging the air control open and closed. Results are not always instant; you may need to wait a few minutes for a change in the air control setting to have an effect on the fire. If there’s no change, then the draft isn’t strong enough yet to let you close the damper, and you’ll need to open it for a while longer and manage the fire with the air inlet until the draft strengthens. If you keep track of your burning habits and relate them to their effects on the stove’s operation, you’ll be rewarded with good performance and a safe system.
In many cases, local or national codes require the installation of permanently open air vents, particularly with larger appliances (i.e. above 5 kW). Refer to these codes to determine specific requirements for your installation.
Negative Pressure
Good draft also depends on a supply of air to the stove; a chimney can’t pull in more air than is available to it. Sluggish draft results when a house is tight enough to prevent the ready flow of air to the stove, or by competi- tion between the stove and other equipment that sends indoor air outside - especially
Conclusion
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