Operating instructions

5. Why can’t I get the fire lit?
Damp or wet wood and poor drafts are the main reasons for poor results in starting a fire. Always use dry,
seasoned wood for your fire. Even wood dried for two years will be difficult to ignite if it has become wet.
6. Is it normal for soot to cover the glass at the beginning of a fire?
Your stove has been built with an air-wash system that will help keep the glass clear when the firebox has
reached a good operating temperature and has a good draft. Normally a hot stove will keep the glass clean, but if
you must clean the glass, use a soft cloth with no abrasive and clean only when cold. Cold firebox temperature
and poor draft cause sooting of the glass. Once the firebox temperature and the draft increase, the soot will burn
off.
7. What is draft?
Draft is the ability of the chimney to exhaust or draw smoke produced during the normal combustion process. Too
much draft may cause excessive temperatures in the appliance and may damage the appliance*. Inadequate
draft may cause backpuffing or "plugging" of the chimney. There is a certain amount of draft that is required to
allow for your stove to function at its’ highest efficiency. A water column gauge can be used to reference this
amount.
8. What can cause a poor draft?
The most common factors for poor draft are:
a) Air supply
b) Environmental conditions
c) Cold chimney temperature
d) Poor chimney installation and maintenance
e) Atmospheric pressure
a) Air supply – Inside the home, normal household appliances such as clothes dryers and forced-air furnaces
compete for air, resulting in air starvation to the fire. This creates a condition in the house known as negative
pressure. When a house experiences negative pressure, the combustion gases can be drawn from the
chimney and into the house. This condition is commonly referred to as down drafting. Increased amounts of
insulation, vinyl windows, extra caulking in various places and door seals can all keep heat in but may also
make a home too airtight. An easy way to stop negative pressure in a home is to crack a window in the room
containing the stove.
b) Environmental Conditions - High trees, low-lying house location such as in a valley, tall buildings or
structures surrounding your house and windy conditions can cause poor draft or down drafting.
c) Cold Chimney Temperature - Avoid cold chimney temperatures by burning a hot fire for the first fifteen to
forty minutes, being careful not to over-fire the stove. If any part of the chimney or parts of the stove starts to
glow, you are over-firing the stove. Where possible, install a temperature gauge on the chimney so
temperature drops can be seen.
d) Chimney Installation and Maintenance - Avoid using too many elbows or long horizontal runs or height of
your chimney. If in doubt, contact a chimney expert and/or chimney manufacturer for help. Clean chimney,
rain caps and especially spark arrestor regularly, to prevent creosote build-up, which will significantly reduce
chimney draw and possibly a chimney fire.
9. Should I close or open the air control fully when shutting down the stove?
When shutting down the stove, fully open the air control. This allows the chimney temperatures to remain as high
as possible for as long as possible. Cold chimney temperatures create creosote.
Note: These instructions are intended as an aid and do not supercede any local, provincial or state
requirements. Check with officials or authorities having jurisdiction in your area.
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