Woodstock Soapstone Fireview Operation Manual

OPER TION
Prior to operating your new Fireview woodstove, please refer to "Setting up your stove" on page 11, located in the
Installation portion of the manual.

Seasoning Your Stove

Both soapstone and cast iron need to be seasoned. The seasoning can be accomplished through a series of small to
moderate fires. Your Woodstock Soapstone Stove is an easy stove to season, because even a small fire will provide hours
of radiant heat once the stove is warm. There are two things you will notice during the first fire:
First, there will be a hot, acrid smell as the stove heats up. This smell is a result of the paint on the cast iron curing.
You will want to have your first fire on a day when you can open the windows in the house to provide adequate
ventilation. Fortunately, the odor is non-toxic and will only be present for the first few fires.
Second, there will be some condensation on the glass. This condensation is a result of
moisture being driven out of the furnace cement in the stove, and condensing on the inner
surface of the glass. It takes a couple of small fires to season the stove and remove this excess
moisture.
After the first few fires, the texture and grain of the stone may become slightly more
pronounced, and the color may deepen slightly.

Starting a Fire and Establishing Proper Draft

THIS IS IMPORTANT: Check the Draft Before You Light The Stove:
Before you light your stove, it is a good idea to check the draft. If you experience a down
draft (cool air moving down the chimney), you will need to correct this before you light the
stove. Otherwise, you may get smoke in the house.
1. Open the catalytic bypass damper by pushing the lever with the black knob all the way
down. This will open the bypass door. (Fig. 1)
2. Push the air lever next to the side door all the way down to "4" to completely open the
air damper. With the lever in the down position, maximum air is allowed into the
firebox. (Fig. 2)
3. Always confirm there is adequate draft before lighting the fire. Hold a lit match or light
a small piece of newspaper in the top of the firebox, where smoke exits. If the flame is
drawn out of the firebox, toward the flue, proceed with lighting the fire. If the flame
stands still or is pushed away from the flue exit, you must establish a good draft before
lighting a fire. There are several ways of establishing a draft, below are a few suggestions:
A) You may be able to correct inadequate draft by opening a door or window in the room
where the stove is installed. Wait a minute or two, then light a match again in front of the
flue outlet. The flame should be pulled into the flue opening.
B) A hair dryer or heat gun pointed at the flue exit is a good way to establish draft
without creating a lot of smoke. After you think you have draft, re-test with a match.
C) Light rolled up newspaper and hold it under the bypass door at the back of the stove.
This should warm the chimney enough to establish proper draft.

Lighting the Fire

DO NOT USE ANDIRONS OR A GRATE TO SUPPORT WOOD. BUILD A FIRE
DIRECTLY ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FIREBOX.
1) Once good draft has been established, build a fire on the floor of the firebox. Do not use additional grates,
andirons, or any other methods to support the fuel in the firebox. Start with crumpled newspaper and dry
kindling.
2) Now light the newspaper. Once it catches, you may leave the door open 1/4 to 1/2 inch for a few minutes to
promote air flow, but DO NOT forget to close it.
12
Always perform the "Match Test"
before lighting your stove. If you
light a match and hold it in front of
the flue exit, the flame will be
pulled into the flue collar if there is
enough draft to light the stove.
Figure 1:
Open bypass by lowing
lever with the black knob
Figure 2:
Open air fully by lower-
ing air lever down to "4".