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Creosote - Formation and Need for Removal when wood is burned slowly, it produces tar and other organic
vapors, which combine with expelled moisture to form creosote. The creosote vapors condense in the
relatively cool chimney flue of a slow-burning fire. As a result, creosote residue accumulates on the flue lining.
When ignited, this creosote makes an extremely hot fire. The chimney connector and chimney should be
inspected at least once every two months during the heating season to determine if a creosote build-up has
occurred. If creosote has accumulated (3mm or more), it should be removed to reduce the risk of a chimney
fire.
We strongly recommend that you install a magnetic thermometer on your smoke exhaust pipe, approximately
18" above the stove. This thermometer will indicate the temperature of your gas exhaust fumes within the
smoke exhaust system. The ideal temperature for these gases is somewhere between 275°F and 500°F. Below
these temperatures, the build-up of creosote is promoted. Above 500 degrees, heat is wasted since a too
large quantity is lost into the atmosphere.
• To Prevent Creosote Build Up: Always Burn Dry Wood. This Allows Clean Burns And Higher Chimney
Temperatures, Therefore Less Creosote Deposit.
Leave the air control full open for about 5 min. every time you reload the stove to bring it back to proper
operating temperatures. The secondary combustion can only take place if the firebox is hot enough.
Always check for creosote deposit once every two months and have your chimney cleaned at least once
a year.
If a chimney or creosote fire occurs, close all dampers immediately. Wait for the fire to go out and the heater
to cool, then inspect the chimney for damage. If no damage results, perform a chimney cleaning to ensure
there is no more creosote deposits remaining in the chimney.
ASH DISPOSAL
Whenever ashes get 3 to 4 inches deep in your firebox or ash pan, and when the fire has burned down and
cooled, remove excess ashes. Leave an ash bed approximately 1 inch deep on the firebox bottom to help
maintain a hot charcoal bed.
Ashes should be placed in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. The closed container of ashes should
be placed on a noncombustible floor or on the ground, away from all combustible materials, pending final
disposal. The ashes should be retained in the closed container until all cinders have thoroughly cooled.
SMOKE AND CO MONITORS
Burning wood naturally produces smoke and carbon monoxide(CO) emissions. CO is a poisonous gas when
exposed to elevated concentrations for extended periods of time. While the modern combustion systems in
heaters drastically reduce the amount of CO emitted out the chimney, exposure to the gases in closed or
confined areas can be dangerous. Make sure your stove gaskets and chimney joints are in good working
order and sealing properly to ensure unintended exposure. It is recommended that you use both smoke and
CO monitors in areas having the potential to generate CO.
OPERATIONAL TIPS
•
Operational Tips for Good, Efficient, and Clean Combustion
•
Get the appliance hot and establish a good coal bed before adjusting to a low burn rate (this may take
30 minutes or more depending on your wood)
•
Use smaller pieces of wood during start-up and a high burn rate to increase the stove temperature
•
Be considerate of the environment and only burn dry wood
•
Burn small, intense fires instead of large, slow burning fires when possible
•
Learn your appliance's operating characteristics to obtain optimum performance
•
Burning unseasoned wet wood only hurts your stoves efficiency and leads to accelerated creosote
buildup in your chimney
It is strongly recommended that ashes in the metal container are taken outside immediately, and are not
stored within your home.
16
Woodstove Utilization
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