Controlling The Fire - Masport Pittsburgh Installing And Operating Instructions

Before lighting the fire, the damper must be fully open (its handle in line with the flue).
If your stove has a STEADIHEAT control, its handle should be no lower than mid-way
between the bottom(low) and top(high) positions.
With all hot plates in place, light the paper in several places and close the top door. If
your model has a rotating air control on the front of the top door, turn the round plate
(using the multi-purpose tool) until the air holes in it are fully open.
After a few minutes, when the kindling is fully alight, add a little fuel to the fire, and add
more after 10 - 15 minutes.
CAUTION. ALWAYS ENSURE THAT THE DAMPER IS FULLY OPEN BEFORE LIFTING
A HOT-PLATE OR OPENING ANY APPLIANCE DOOR. THE OUTSIDE OF THE
STOVE AND FLUE WILL BECOME EXTREMELY HOT DURING FIRING. DO NOT
TOUCH THESE SURFACES WHEN THE STOVE IS HOT. IF CHILDREN OR AGED
AND INFIRM PEOPLE MAY COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE STOVE, WE
RECOMMEND THE ERECTION OF A SAFETY GUARD.
Do not place heat sensitive materials such as drying clothes or fuel supplies near to the
stove as permanent damage or a fire may result. It is important that the minimum stove-
to-wall distances shown on page 4 are maintained at all times.

CONTROLLING THE FIRE

STEADIHEAT MODELS. It will soon become apparent which setting of the control
lever gives the heat you require. Move the lever up to increase the heat output,
remembering, of course, that there must be sufficient fuel in the firebox if more heat is
required.
NON-STEADIHEAT MODELS. The heat output is regulated mainly by rotating the
round air supply control plate on the front door. Open the vents to increase heat output,
and close them to reduce heat output. Further reduction of the heat output can be had by
partially closing down the damper at the flue base, using the multi-purpose handle.
(Always open this damper fully before lifting a hot-plate or opening the top door for
refuelling purposes).
We recommend running the fire on full heat for at least 30 minutes each day to help keep
the flue clean.
THE FIRE SHOULD NEVER BE RUN SO FIERCELY THAT THE STOVE
BECOMES RED HOT.
A dying fire can be revived by adding fuel and opening the air supply. If the stove has
been running on a hot setting and is then turned to a low setting, the heat output will not
decrease immediately because the hot fire-bed continues to radiate heat, even with a low
air setting. Moving suddenly from a very hot fire to a low setting may result in flue
smoke. This is only a temporary condition, but it is best avoided by moving from a very
hot setting to a low setting in several steps over five or ten minutes.
Remember, a roaring fire wastes fuel, as more of the heat is lost up the flue.
If only a moderate heat output is needed, it is more efficient to have a small intense
firebed rather than a large smouldering one.
Do not operate the stove with the top or ash doors open or a hot-plate removed (unless
the opening is covered by a saucepan).
IMPORTANT. FOR THE FIRE TO DRAW PROPERLY, AIR MUST BE ABLE TO
ENTER THE ROOM WHERE THE STOVE IS INSTALLED. Leave a door slightly
ajar and perhaps also a window elsewhere in the house if your home is of modern air-
tight construction. Leaving the room door open will help spread warmth throughout the
house.
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