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Lighting the stove (cont)
Do not run the appliance with the door open. This reduces the effi-
ciency of the burn and you will use much more fuel.
Tips
The first stage of the fire, just after lighting, is usually the smokiest
because the cold wood and cold stove take heat away from the
flames. During this stage, ensure both air inlets of the stove are fully
open to get a hot flame. It might appear that this initial hot burn lets
too much heat go up the chimney, but it is a necessary part of an
efficient fire. The extra heat "primes" the chimney to produce a
strong draft, and helps keep the flue clean by loosening creosote
that might have been deposited by the previous fire. The hot initial
burn also drives moisture out of the firewood and gives an ignition
source for the smoke that is released from the wood.
Make small changes. Do not try to add too much fuel at once, the
fuel should not be stacked higher than the top of the back fire brick.
Adding fuel gradually will help maintain a steady temperature and
burning rate so that the stove burns efficiently and cleanly. Adding a
large amount of fuel all at once will dramatically reduce the temper-
ature inside the stove. After adding a large piece of wood/log it is a
good idea to increase the top air opening slightly more until the new
fuel begins to burn and the stove returns to temperature.
This also applies to the air controls. Adjusting them gradually will
help maintain a steady combustion rate.
Do not run the stove with the top air control fully closed. The top air
control supplies air for the glass 'air shield' system. The further
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