Operating Your Wood Stove; Building A Fire; Disposal Of Ashes; Keeping The Door Glass Clean - Breckwell The Mahogany Wood Stove Manual

O Y
PERATING OUR
For best efficiency and heat output, burn dry, seasoned wood only. Never burn wet wood, driftwood, wood that
has been in salt water, trash, cardboard, coal, rubbish, etc. Burning fuel other than dry, seasoned wood may be
illegal in some areas. Seasoned wood is wood that has been cut, split, and stored in dry, covered area in a
manner that allows for free airflow around the wood for an extended period of time (6 months minimum).
NOTE: During normal operation the door must remain closed. Failure to operate the stove properly can result
in smoke entering the home, increased safety hazards, and may result in serious bodily injury or death.

Building a Fire

1. Never use gasoline, gasoline‐type lantern fuel, kerosene, charcoal lighter fluid, or other similar liquids to start or
'freshen up' a fire in this heater. Keep all such liquids well away from the heater while in use.
2. Do not use a grate or any other means of elevating the fire. Always build the fire on the surface of the firebrick.
Stack seasoned wood in a manner that allows sufficient airflow around the wood and no closer than 3" to the
secondary air tubes and 1" from glass.
3. Pull the damper rod completely out. The damper controls the burn rate and amount of air coming in to the stove.
Pulling it out allows more air in to the stove, a higher burn rate. Pushing it in lessens the air coming into the stove,
a lower burn rate.
4. Crumple up some paper and place on firebrick between the front and center of brick. Cover the paper with several
pieces of kindling. For a cold chimney, one or two extra pieces of paper may be placed on top of the kindling to
help establish draft.
5. Light the paper and allow enough time for the kindling to get burning. Depending on the natural draft of your
stove, the door may need to be left open slightly during this startup process.
6. Once the kindling is burning well more wood may be added. For best results, use gradually increasing sizes of wood
before adding larger pieces for longer burns. Always allow enough time for the wood to get burning well before
adding larger pieces of wood. When loading wood, always be careful not to dislodge the upper brick baffle.
7. After establishing the desired fire (about 15‐20 minutes), be sure to check the exhaust for excessive amounts of
smoke. Excessive smoke indicates an improper burn rate (damper setting). Readjust if necessary and recheck again
after 5‐10 minutes.
8. The optional fan should only be used after the stove is completely reheated. The speed should be set to match the
burn rate, a low burn – low fan, a high burn – high fan.

Disposal of Ashes

Ashes should be placed in a metal container with a tight fitting lid. The closed container of ashes should be
placed on a noncombustible surface or on the ground, well away from all combustible materials pending final
disposal. If ashes are disposed of by soil burial or otherwise locally dispersed, they should be retained in the
closed container until all cinders have been thoroughly cooled.

Keeping The Door Glass Clean

No stove door glass stays perfectly clean. The most important factor in keeping the glass clean is to burn only
well seasoned wood. Burning wet wood will make the glass dirty. The airwash system, which directs the
incoming combustion air across the glass, is designed to help keep the glass clean. The airwash performs best at
medium burn rates. The glass is also kept clean by the high temperatures inside the firebox. Cool temperatures
in the firebox will cause condensation of the exhaust by‐products on the glass. Do not expect the glass to stay
clean during longer burn times. If your glass gets very dirty during overnight burns, try preheating the stove
longer before shutting the damper down. Load wood towards the rear of the stove. Keeping freshly loaded
wood away from the glass will also help. This stove will self clean by burning very hot fires, but do not over fire.
If the stove or chimney system glows, you are over firing. Proper burning habits and an understanding of how
your stove operates will help you keep your door glass clean, but remember that no door glass will stay
perfectly clean.
America's Favorite Stoves Since 1980
W S
OOD TOVE
Chapter 4
Operation
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