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Merrimack Large Insert
Primary Air
Hole
ST1158
Fig. 12 Keep primary air holes free of ash for proper perfor-
mance.
Add the fuel, smaller pieces first. If it is necessary to use
ST1158
wood smaller than the 18" (460 mm) optimum size, be sure
front bricks
to fill the firebox as completely as possible by loading the
wood pieces alternately on the left and right. Split wood will
fill the firebox more completely and reduce the frequency of
reloading. If possible, stack wood diagonally to maximize
air spaces between fired pieces.
If you have an ember bed of at least 2-3" (51 - 76 mm), the
air setting may not need to be adjusted. If the ember bed is
less than 2-3" (51 - 76 mm), activate the automatic setback
feature. This will provide extra air to start the fire flaming and
'setback' to the desired air setting once the stove is heated.
Finally, adjust the air control and fan speed for your desired
heat level.
NOTE: If the charcoal bed is relatively thick and your fuel is
well-seasoned, it is possible to add fresh fuel (smaller pieces
first), close the door, and reset the air control immediately.
Special Tactics for Cold-Climate Heating
The Merrimack Large Insert is capable of producing up to
55,000 Btu/hour and heating an area of up to 2,000 sq. ft.
However, many factors affect heating performance and can
influence the extent to which the Merrimack Large Insert
can heat a given area.
A well-insulated home, located in a moderate climate and
with the Merrimack Large Insert located centrally in an open
floor plan, will be easier to heat than a drafty home in the
far north in which a Merrimack Large Insert is installed on
an exterior wall at the end of a long house.
In Fireplace Insert installations, over-sized chimneys can
produce less effective results than those that are properly
sized, and interior chimneys usually perform better than
those located outside the house.
Different results may be experienced even in the same
installation if you switch from burning good, dry wood to
wood that is partially rotted or inadequately seasoned.
12
Andiron
To compensate for these factors in cold climates, it may
be necessary to operate the Merrimack Large Insert for
longer periods of time with the air control set to a higher
level more of the time.
Remove and Store Ash Safely
Check the ash level before reloading the stove, remove
ashes if necessary. Turn off the fan before shoveling the
ash into your ash container.
Remove ash regularly, typically every one to three days.
The frequency will vary depending on how you operate your
Merrimack Large Insert; more wood is consumed at higher
heat output settings, and ash will accumulate faster.
Disposal of Ashes - Ash should be removed frequently
and placed outdoors in a metal container with a tight-fit-
ting lid. The closed container of ash should be placed on a
non-combustible floor or on the ground, well away from all
combustible materials, pending final disposal. If the ash is
disposed of by burial in soil or otherwise locally dispersed,
it should be retained in the closed container until all cinders
have thoroughly cooled. Wood ash may be used as a gar-
den fertilizer.
CAUTION: Never use your household or shop vacuum
cleaner to remove ash from the fireplace; always remove
and dispose of the ash properly.
30004671
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