Hitzer 82 Operation

OPERATION OF HAND-FIRED
Starting a coal fire takes time and patience. Take around eight sheets of
newspaper, crumble into balls and place on top of grates. Next, lay fine kindling on top of
the paper. The kindling must be dry and no larger than 3/4" in diameter. Layer the
kindling in a crisscross fashion to allow good air flow. Open the draft control fully, this
can be found on the back of the free standing units and the ash door slide. On the
fireplace inserts it can be found just on ash door slide. Then light the paper just inside the
door. Now, close the loading door and allow the kindling to catch fire. After a few
minutes, open the loading door an inch or two for a few seconds before opening
completely. This method will allow smoke to clear away from the door opening before
the loading door is completely opened.
Add small, compact pieces of hardwood when the kindling fire is burning hot.
Keep the draft controls fully open to establish a hot fire quickly.
When there is a well established wood kindling fire going, start adding coal (pea
or nut is preferred over stove size) small amounts at a time covering the entire grate area.
If the entire grate area is not covered, the coal will not ignite. Keep the draft controls
open.
Another method for starting a coal fire is by using charcoal briquettes. First, start
by making a substantial mound of briquettes in the center of the grates. Light the mound
of briquettes. Allow the mound to burn until the charcoal has turned white. Once the
charcoal fire has reached this stage it should be spread out over the entire grate area.
Small amounts of anthracite coal can now be added in layers, over entire grate area. Once
a layer has started to burn and turn red, another layer can be added.
Continue adding small amounts of coal until there is a solid bed of burning coal.
Adding to much coal at one time can put the fire out. Allow sufficient time between each
small loading (at least 5-10 minutes), so that each loading has time to ignite thoroughly
before the next load is put in. When a substantial bed of burning coals has been
established, fill the stove to approximately the top of the firebrick. In the gravity fed
hopper units (503, 50-93, 30-95), fill the hopper at this time. A deep bed of coal will
always burn more satisfactory than a shallow bed. Control the heat output of the stove by
the amount of air (draft controls), not by the amount of fuel in the unit.
When the deep bed of coal is completely ignited, the draft control should be set to
desired heat output.
ANTHRACITE STOVES
HITZER INC.