Vermont Castings Encore 2040 Homeowner's Installation And Operating Manual page 21

You'll enjoy the best results when burning wood that has
been adequately air-dried. The wood should be 18"-20"
(457-508 mm) in length. Avoid burning "green" wood that
has not been properly seasoned. Do not burn construc-
tion materials; they often contain chemicals and metals
that can damage the inside surfaces of the stove and pol-
lute the air. Do not burn ocean driftwood; when it burns,
the salt it contains will attack the cast iron.
The best hardwood fuels include oak, maple, beech, ash,
and hickory that has been split, stacked, and air-dried
outside under cover for at least one year.
If hardwood is not available, you can burn softwoods that in-
clude tamarack, yellow pine, white pine, Eastern red cedar,
fir, and redwood. These should also be properly dried.
Store wood under cover to keep it dry. The longer it is
stored, the better heating and fire-viewing performance
you will enjoy. Even for short-term storage, be sure to
keep wood a safe distance from the heater and keep it
out of the areas around the heater used for refueling and
ash removal.
a Surface Thermometer is a
valuable guide to operation
An optional surface thermometer tells you when to adjust
the air control, and when to refuel. (Fig. 32)
Fig. 32 Take temperature readings with a thermometer located
in the middle of the griddle.
For example, when the thermometer registers at least
450°F. (230°C) after start-up you know the stove is hot
enough and it may be time to close the damper. Note that
the stove will warm up much sooner than the chimney,
though; a warm chimney is the key to easy, effective stove
operation. Please review the draft management information
on Page 25 to see how the size, type, and location of your
chimney will affect your stove operation. When thermom-
eter readings drop below 350°F. (175°C) it's time to adjust
the air control for a higher burn rate or to reload the stove.
A temperature reading over 750°F. (385°C) is a sign to cut
back on the air supply to slow the burn rate.
ST523
Use the following temperature ranges as a guide:
•
Intrepid
Readings in the 350°-500°F. (175°-260°C) range indi-
cate low to medium heat output.
temp readings
•
500°-600°F. (260°-315°C) readings indicate medium
heat output.
11/00
•
Readings of 600°-750°F. (315-385°C) indicate high heat
output. Operating your Encore continuously at griddle
temperatures of 750° F. (385°C) or higher may damage
the cast iron or enamel finish.
30006253
Encore ®
Use the air control Settings
No single air control setting will fit every situation. Each
installation will differ depending on the quality of the fuel,
the amount of heat desired, and how long you wish the
fire to burn; outdoor air temperature and pressure also
affect draft.
The control setting also depends on your particular installa-
tion's "draft," or the force that moves air from the stove up
through the chimney. Draft is affected by such things as the
length, type, and location of the chimney, local geography,
nearby obstructions, and other factors. See Page 26 for
details on how the installation affects performance.
Too much draft may cause excessive temperatures in the
Encore, and could even damage the stove. On the other
hand, too little draft can cause backpuffing into the room
and/or the "plugging" of the chimney.
How do you know if your draft is excessively high or low?
Symptoms of too much draft include an uncontrollable
burn or a glowing-red stove part. Signs of weak draft are
smoke leaking into the room through the stove or chimney
connector joints or low heat output.
In some newer homes that are well-insulated and weather-
tight, poor draft may result from an insufficient air supply
in the house. In such instances, an open window near the
stove on the windward side of the house can provide the
combustion air supply needed.
Another option for getting more combustion air to the stove
is to duct air directly from outside to the stove. In some
ST523
areas provisions for outside combustion air are required
in all new construction.
The Encore is equipped to deliver outside air for combus-
tion and outside air kit #3265 is available.
When first using the stove, keep track of the air control
settings. You will quickly find that a specific setting will give
you a fixed amount of heat. It may take a week or two to
determine the amount of heat and the length of burn you
should expect from various settings.
Most installations do not require a large amount of combus-
tion air, especially if adequate draft is available. Do not for
any reason attempt to increase the firing of your heater
by altering the air control adjustment range outlined
in these directions.
Use the following air control settings as a starting point to
help determine the best settings for your installation. Each
is described as a fraction of the total distance the lever may
be moved from right to left.
2040 Non-Catalytic Woodburning Stove
that work best for you
21