Specifications
HT-2000 Installation and Operation Manual     
17 
DO NOT LEAVE THE STOVE UNATTENDED WHEN THE DOOR IS SLIGHTLY 
OPENED DURING IGNITION. ALWAYS CLOSE THE DOOR AFTER IGNITION. 
After the kindling fire has mostly burned, you can add standard firewood pieces until you 
have a fire of the right size for the conditions. 
4.2.2  The Top Down Fire 
The top down fire starting method solves two problems with the conventional method: first, 
it does not collapse and smother itself as it burns; and second, it is not necessary to build 
up the fire gradually because the firebox is loaded before the fire is lit. A top down fire can 
provide up to two hours of heating or more. The top down method only works properly if 
the wood is well-seasoned. 
Start by placing three or four full-sized split pieces of dry firewood in the firebox. Next, 
place 4 or 5 more finely split pieces of firewood (2” to 3” [50 mm to 75 mm] in dia.) on the 
base logs at right angles (log cabin style). Now place about 10 pieces of finely split kindling 
on the second layer at right angles. 
The fire is topped with about 5 sheets of newspaper. You can just bunch them up and stuff 
them in between the kindling and the underside of the baffle. Or you can make newspaper 
knots by rolling up single sheets corner to corner and tying a knot in them. The advantage 
of knots is that they don’t roll off the fire as they burn. Light the newspaper and watch as 
the fire burns from top to bottom. 
4.2.3  Two Parallel Logs 
Place two spit logs in the firebox. Place a few sheets of twisted newspaper between the 
logs. Now place some fine kindling across the two logs and some larger kindling across 
those, log cabin style. Light the newspaper. 
4.2.4  Using Fire Starters 
Many people like to use commercial fire starters instead of newspaper. Some of these 
starters are made of sawdust and wax and others are specialized flammable solid 
chemicals. Follow the package directions for use. 
Gel starter may be used but only if there are no hot embers present. Use only in a cold 
firebox to start a fire. 
DO NOT USE FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS SUCH AS GASOLINE, NAPHTHA, FUEL OIL, 
MOTOR OIL, OR AEROSOLS TO START OR REKINDLE THE FIRE. 
4.3  Maintaining Wood Fires 
4.3.1 General Advice 
Wood heating with a space heater is very different than other forms of heating. There will 
be variations in the temperature in different parts of the house and there will be variations 










