Specifications

EMPYRE PRO SERIES INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL 17
OPERATION
Understanding the Gasication Process of
the Empyre Pro Series Wood Furnace
Woodgasicationisanamazingcleanburningand
efcient process! It is a process where much of
the solid fuel is converted to gases. These gases
ignite and burn along with the solid fuel. A large
percentage of wood is converted into gases. In
order for these gases to burn up there must be the
right amount of air, as well as temperatures of well
over1000ºF(538ºC).Gasicationisaccomplished
in the Pro Series furnace because:
a) air ow is engineered to provide the correct
amountofunderreandoverreair.Thissettingis
calibrated for burning seasoned wood;
b) temperatures high enough to burn the gases
are reached in the insulated chamber below the
rewood.
A key factor in the gasication process is the wood
itself, the type of wood, the moisture content, diameter,
lengthandplacementin the rebox.TheProSeries
furnace is not difcult to operate using seasoned
wood and by using the following guide it will also work
well even when using less than ideal wood.
The gases in the wood are released when the wood
surfaceisexposedtothere.Themoresurfacearea
of a piece of wood that is exposed and the drier the
wood is, the faster the gases are released. Example:
A small burning DRY piece of rewood will release
gasesmuchfasterthanalargeWETpieceofrewood.
Scenario 1: in the case of the small DRY piece of
rewoodwhichhaslotsofexposedsurfaceareathe
gasesarereleasedrapidlyandthereburnsvery
hot but it is starving for air due to the high volume
of gases. This will eventually create smoke.
Scenario 2: in the case of the large piece of WET
rewood that in proportion to its mass has little
surface area and will release gases slowly. In this
case there is too much air. The air is now cooling
thereresultinginbluesmokeandverylittleheat.
Generally speaking, when burning extremely dry
rewood,piecesshouldbeover5inchesindiameter
in the Pro Series 200, and over 7 inches in the Pro
Series 400. If using high moisture wood, use pieces
that are less than 5 inches in diameter in the Pro
Series 200, and less than 7 inches in the Pro Series
400. It is good to mix the dry and wet wood when
possible. When using the recommended seasoned
wood where the moisture content is between 19%
and 25% the diameter of the wood is not that
important.
Scenario1isalsocreatedwhenstirringahotre.
Scenario 2 is also created when rewood is too
shortinrelationtothelengthoftherebox.Correct
lengths are as follows:
Pro Series 200 24 - 28 inches
Pro Series 400 31 - 36 inches
Stack wood pieces side by side. If pieces are short
place them end to end making one long piece. Do
NOTjustmakeapileofshortpiecesintherebox.
Firewood should be centered front to back over the
brick slots.
Scenario 2 is also created when wood bridges in the
rebox.Thisisoftenduetowoodwithhighmoisture
or lack of careful placement of the wood. Scenario
2 is also created when starting up a cold furnace.
Only a small amount of wood is burning with a lot
ofexcessair.Starttherewithsmallpiecesofdry
woodandstirthere ensuringagoodamountof
wood is over ALL of the brick slots.
Identifying Smoke Verses Condensation
Mostly the exhaust from the chimney will be clear.
There are times soon after loading the furnace
when a gray vapour may appear. This vapour
disappears soon after leaving the chimney. This
vapour is moisture being released from the wood.
Smoke is more blue in colour and will not disappear
as quickly as the gray vapour. On a cold winter day
what looks like smoke may only be vapour.
Loading Wood into the Firebox
1. The right time to add wood is when there still is
a good layer of charcoal or wood left, but not so
muchthatitisdifculttostir.
2. Using the ash rake, gently pull the charcoal
and ash away from the back and sides of the
rebox. Stir the charcoal sufciently so that
ash falls down through the brick slots. Always
ensure that the brick slots are not blocked by
ash buildup. Place wood into the rebox, DO
NOT throw, as this may damage the brick lining.