Operating Your Stove Efficiently; Burn Rate; Over-Firing Caution - HearthStone Homestead 8570F Owner's Manual

Operating Your Stove Efficiently

Your Homestead stove is designed to burn firewood
efficiently. The following operational tips explain how to
obtain the most heat possible with minimal creosote
build-up and emitted pollutants

Burn Rate

There are four basic burn rates: high burn, medium burn,
low burn, and overnight burn. Each has its own purpose.
High Burn Rate. A high burn rate is recommended once
or twice a day to fully heat the stovepipe and chimney;
this also helps keep the amount of creosote in your stove
and chimney to a minimum.
After the fire has been established and both the stove and
chimney are hot, create a high burn for maximum heat
output. Pull the primary air control forward so that it's
fully open or almost fully open. Fully load the firebox
with wood on a bed of hot coals or on an actively flaming
fire.
After you have attained a high burn rate, monitor the
stove temperatures frequently to ensure that the stove is
not over-fired. The surface temperature on top of the
stove should not exceed 600° Fahrenheit (316° Celcius).
Once you understand how your stove burns and heats in
your particular setting, you will be able to easily create a
high burn rate without risk to the stove or chimney.
Once your room's temperature is comfortable, maintain
your fire by loading smaller quantities of wood. Burning
smaller amounts of wood at a high burn rate creates the
most efficient fire, emits the lowest amount of pollutants,
and creates the least amount of creosote in your chimney.
Medium Burn Rate. In general, you would usually create
a medium burn rate, especially if your stove is left
unattended. Set the primary air control to a mid-range
setting, appropriate to maintain a comfortable temperature
in the area being heated.
Low Burn Rate. Close the primary air control for a low
burn rate. Set a low burn rate only periodically; over
extended periods of time, a low burn rate promotes the
accumulation of creosote. If you consistently maintain
low burn rates, inspect your venting system frequently.
Overnight Burn Rate. An overnight burn, as you might
expect, allows you to keep an area heated while you sleep.
To create an overnight burn, first make sure the stove and
chimney are hot from an established fire. Next, pull the
primary air control fully open, and then completely load
the firebox with wood. Allow the fire to burn intensely for
20 to 30 minutes.
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Finally, push the primary air control close to its lowest
setting; the fire will settle into a lower burn rate with a
small flame. The fire will now burn slowly and steadily.
The length and intensity of the fire depends on the type of
wood being burned, the strength of the chimney draft, and
other variables, which vary from installation to
installation.
In the morning, you should find a bed of hot coals buried
within the ashes. The stove should be warm to the touch
but not hot. To restart the fire without relighting, simply
stir and rake the ashes with a poker until the hot coals
have come to the surface. Place a handful of kindling on
the coals, close the door, and fully open the primary air
control. The fire should re-ignite within 5 to 10 minutes.
Place a few logs on the burning kindling, close the door,
leave the primary air control fully open, and allow the
logs to ignite.
Running a high burn rate at least once a day burns off
accumulated creosote from within the stove and venting
system. Now, in the morning after an extended low burn
rate, is a good time to create your daily high burn rate; run
it for about 20 minutes or so. Not only does this hot fire
promote a clean stove and chimney, it also helps keep the
glass clean for easy viewing of the fire within.
Once the fire is burning briskly, regulate the primary
air control to a medium setting for a medium burn rate.

Over-Firing Caution

Over-firing means the stove is operating above the
recommended temperatures stated previously in the "Burn
Rate" section. You should carefully avoid over-firing
since it damages your stove. Symptoms of over-firing
include short burn times, a roaring sound in the stove or
stovepipe, and discoloration of the stovepipe.
CAUTION:
ANY SYMPTOMS OF OVER-FIRING WILL VOID
YOUR WARRANTY!
Over-firing can be caused by an excessive draft,
inappropriate fuel, and human error. Here are the steps to
take for each of these causes.
Excessive Draft. Contact your dealer to have a draft
reading taken. Any draft in excess of 0.1 wc requires a
damper in the stovepipe. Some installations may require
more than one damper.
Inappropriate Fuel. Do not burn coal; kiln dried lumber,
wax logs, or anything other than natural cordwood.
(Please refer to the Caution under "Choosing Firewood"
on page 32 for more inappropriate fuels.)
34 Homestead Models #8570F and #8570H