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3. CATALYST TROUBLESHOOTING
Operation of any wood stove can create problems. 
While the use of a catalyst equipped wood stove will 
substantially lessen some of these problems, such as 
creosote formation, other traditional wood stove 
problems may remain.

These problems are invariable related to such conditions 
as draft, aging or failure of stove components, flue 
installation, wood supply and others. Here are a few 
clues that may be of some assistance in discerning these 
problems:

A sluggish stove performance may be attributed to: a 
poor chimney draft; an obstruction in the chimney; the 
chimney damper being closed; closing the bypass 
damper too soon; burning wet or unseasoned wood; the 
combustor being plugged or obstructed; or a 
combination of the above.

A drop in overall fuel efficiency may be attributed to:
having cold, windy weather, burning wet, pithy, or 
spongy wood; the combustor not in operational mode 
(600 plus degrees); or the combustor being broken or 
dislodged.

A high fuel consumption may be attributed to: burning 
the wrong type of wood for the desired heat output; 
improper regulation of draft or inlet air (close damper 
after proper light off, install barometric damper set to 
.06 inches of water, or close inlet air as much as 
possible); cold, windy weather; or the combustor not 
engaged or functioning properly.

Backpuffing may be attibuted to: gusts of wind; a hot 
combustor (above 1400 degrees F); or opening doors in 
a tightly constructed house.

Smoke rollout when the door is opened may be 
attributed to: the manual flue being closed; wind gusts 
blowing down the chimney; the combustor is not at 
operational temperature; or the stove door is being 
opened too quickly.

Glowing stove parts may be attributed to: running the 
stove too hot (excessive amounts of wood); a high draft 
(reduce when temperatures become too excessive); a 
glowing combustor (which is normal during first 1/3 of 
burn cycle); or a chimney fire (close inlet air and outlet 
dampers completely - if this does not help, vacate home 
and call the fire department immediately).

Creosote accumulation may be caused by one or more of 
the following: a poorly insulated chimney; a non-
functioning combustor; types and amounts of wood 
burned; or a leaking damper plate.

Creosote leakage from metal flue joints may be caused 
by one or more of the following: no chimney cap; metal 
flue assembled improperly; or a normal increase in the 
moisture due to a higher efficiency of catalytic burning 
(condensation on cool chimney walls).
 
A heavy concentration of smoke leaving a chimney may 
be attributed to one or more of the following: improper 
wood being burned; the damper is open; or water vapor 
(on cold, still days, water vapor is often mistaken for 
smoke, the difference being that water vapor appears to 
be white and tends to rise vertically and dissipate rapidly 
while smoke is usually bluish brown and will drift down 
and settle down in low areas before dissipating).

A poor draft may be attributed to these factors: an 
improper chimney height; wrong size flue being used; 
cooler temperatures caused by external chimney; or a 
massive stone or masonry chimney.

An unhealthy combustor can be attributed to plugging, 
catalyst peeling, catalyst deactivation, masking, substrate 
cracking (thermal and mechanical), substrate crumbling, 
color variations (does not affect performance), or 
catalyst abrasion. An excellent guide to pinpointing and 
correcting these problems can be found either by 
consulting your catalyst warranty.

Summary of Contents for 36-BW

Page 1: ...Appalachian s 36 BW INSTALLATION AND OPERATION PROCEDURES FIREPLACE INSERT FREESTANDING 1995 Appalachian Stove Fabricators Inc ...

Page 2: ... VIII Maintenance 15 1 Ash Removal 15 2 Care of the Glass 15 3 Chimney Care 15 4 Stove Finish 15 5 Blower Care 15 6 Door Gasket Replacement 16 7 Motor Maintenance 16 TABLE OF CONTENTS IX Safety 16 X Limited Warranty 17 XI Warranty Registration 18 Thank you for purchasing the Model 36 BW stove Appalachian Stove welcomes you to the growing ranks of energy conscious Americans Heating with wood and bi...

Page 3: ...increase heat extraction by controlling the escape of hot combustion gasses and smoke The sliding damper is opened by pulling the control handle out and closed by pushing the handle in 8 Draft control regulate the burning rate and the heat output of the stove The larger the fire the more heat the unit will produce The drafts are opened by pulling out the draft slide and may be left in any intermed...

Page 4: ...of the fireplace 2 INSTALLATION AS A FREESTANDING UNIT The Model 36 BW stove must be installed with adequate clearance from combustible surfaces to assure safe operation FIGURE 2 A Composition of the wall structure combustible or non combustible materials B Type of stove pipe used to connect the stove to the chimney or flue single wall to double wall insulated pipe NOTE Walls of wood frame constru...

Page 5: ...d the fireplace of furniture rugs etc B Place drop clothes or other protective materials on the floor and hearth to protect against damage C Remove ashes and clean the firebox floor D Remove the damper plate if possible or block it open using non combustible materials such as brick or rock E Insert the interior of the firebox and flue for possible deterioration of mortar joints loose bricks and ex...

Page 6: ...eal firmly against the face of the fireplace compressing the insulation to accomplish a seal 5 IMPORTANCE OF PROPER DRAFT Draft is the force that moves air from the appliance up through the chimney The amount of draft in your chimney depends on the length of the chimney local geography nearby obstructions and other factors Too much draft may lead to excessive temperatures in the appliance and may ...

Page 7: ... of the installation will simplify the process and help achieve effective operation of the unit A Select the location for the stove installation The stove should be positioned so that the air flows to the rest of the home in the most direct route possible B Locate the approximate penetration point of the chimney structure Avoid roof areas such as valleys ridges dormers and hips Place the floor pro...

Page 8: ...al screws to prevent accidental separation C If an elbow is installed the horizontal section of the stove pipe should slope 1 4 per foot or run toward the stove to allow creosote to drip into the firebox D Always install the single wall stove pipe with the male crimped end down to prevent leakage of creosote or moisture 5 INSTALLATION INTO MASONRY FLUE Masonry flue for use with solid fuel applianc...

Page 9: ...roof structure or 2 feet higher than the highest point within 10 whichever is greater This assures proper chimney function and reduces the possibility of back drafts NOTE All installations must meet local building and fire codes Check with local building officials for assistance in getting permits inspections and good advice 7 IMPORTANCE OF PROPER DRAFT Draft is the force that moves air from the a...

Page 10: ... OPTIONAL BRASS BRASS FOR TRIM PANELS 1 Mount the top and side strips to the trim panels with the self tapping screws that are provided Leave approximately 1 at the top edges of the trim to be covered by corner brass If necessary strips can be easily cut with a hacksaw 2 Mount the two brass corners overlapping the top and the side brass strips 3 Remove the protective coating from the brass strips ...

Page 11: ...e equipped with a temperature probe to monitor catalyst operation Proper functioning combustors typically maintain temperatures in excess of 500 degrees F and often reach temperatures in excess of 1000 degrees F If catalytic temperatures are not in excess of 500 degrees refer to the Catalyst Troubleshooting Guide or further information located in this manual To determine if the catalyst is working...

Page 12: ... or the stove door is being opened too quickly Glowing stove parts may be attributed to running the stove too hot excessive amounts of wood a high draft reduce when temperatures become too excessive a glowing combustor which is normal during first 1 3 of burn cycle or a chimney fire close inlet air and outlet dampers completely if this does not help vacate home and call the fire department immedia...

Page 13: ...st not in metal housing should be wrapped with 1 16 gasketing before installing Locate the catalysts from the front of the damper housing Reinstall the sealing D New gasketing should be installed to allow for a seal between the damper housing and the firebox top This may be done by putting a layer of gasketing around the top where the housing will be located In both cases the use of an adhesive to...

Page 14: ...ur home comfortable CAUTION DO NOT UNPLUG YOUR BLOWER WHILE THE STOVE IS IN OPERATION VII OPERATION CAUTION THE ASH PAN DRAWER MUST BE CLOSED WHEN THE STOVE IS IN OPERATION For the best results in maintaining and achieving fewer emissions in your certified stove we have found the following instructions to be helpful in operating the 36 BW For a high or maximum burn fully open the manual draft cont...

Page 15: ...the stove at a medium or high firing rate for about 10 minutes to ensure that the catalyst reaches approximately 600 degrees F It is important to periodically monitor the operation of the catalytic combustor to ensure that it is functioning properly and to determine when it needs to be replaced A non functioning combustor will result in a loss of heating efficiency and an increase in creosote emis...

Page 16: ...nded as liquid types can cause problems if sprayed onto a hot stove BE SURE EVERY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY KNOWS WHERE THE EXTINGUISHER IS AND HOW TO USE IT 7 Use of a chimney cap with an approved spark arrestor is recommended 8 Use caution when loading or working around the stove to prevent burns 9 Make sure the ash pan drawer is closed when the stove is in operation WARNING THE INSTALLATION OF THIS ...

Page 17: ...amage from handling or acts of God This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties expressed implied or statutory and the manufacturer expressly excludes any implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose or an implied warranty of merchantability and all other obligations or liabilities of the manufacturer who neither assumes nor authorizes any person to assume for it any other obligations ...

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Page 19: ...____________________________________ CITY __________________________________STATE ________________ HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT APPALACHIAN STOVE ___________ ______________________________________________________________ TYPE OF HEAT YOU PRESENTLY HAVE ________________________ APPROXIMATE SQUARE FEET OF HOME ______________________ NUMBER OF ROOMS _________________________________________ TYPE OF CONSTRU...

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