To Prevent Creosote Build Up; Ash Disposal - Country Hearth 2500L Owner's Operation And Instruction Manual

RELOADING
Once you have obtained a good bed of embers, you should reload the unit. In order to do so, open the air
controls to maximum a few seconds prior to opening the stove's door. Then proceed by opening the door very
slowly; open it one or two inches for 5 to 10 seconds, before opening it completely to increase the draft and
thus eliminate the smoke which is stagnant in a state of slow combustion in the stove. Then bring the red embers
to the front of the stove and reload the unit.
For optimal operation of your wood stove, we recommend you to operate it with a wood load approximately
equivalent to the height of fire bricks.
It is important to note that wood combustion consumes ambient oxygen in the room. In the case of negative
pressure, it is a good idea to allow fresh air in the room, either by opening a window slightly or by installing a
fresh air intake system on an outside wall.
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 non-combustible 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.
CAUTIONS:
• ASHES COULD CONTAIN HOT EMBERS EVEN AFTER TWO DAYS WITHOUT OPERATING THE STOVE.
• THE ASH PAN CAN BECOME VERY HOT. WEAR GLOVES TO PREVENT INJURY.
• NEVER BURN THE STOVE WITH THE ASH TRAP OPEN. THIS WOULD RESULT IN OVER FIRING THE STOVE. DAMAGE
TO THE STOVE AND EVEN HOUSE FIRE MAY RESULT.
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