180-AF25 v1.11 per PE32 revs
March 15, 2021
Page 26
AF25
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
ICE - FORMATION AND PREVENTION
Most of what you see coming from the chimney of a properly operating catalytic appliance is water vapor. In
extremely cold weather, and with some exterior chimneys, this vapor may freeze in the chimney to the point
of actually blocking the chimney and extinguishing the fire. In such weather, burn the appliance for 5 to 10
minutes with the thermostat set to
HIGH
to melt any possible ice build.
WOOD BURNING IN THE SHOULDER SEASON
There are a few things to consider if you choose to light a fire during the spring or fall seasons when the
outside temperature is milder, perhaps 55°F to 70°F (13°C to 21°C).
You may notice smoke spillage out of the loading door when it is opened during start up or reloading. This is
caused by a lack of natural draft within the chimney system. The temperature difference between the chimney
system and the outside air causes flue gasses to be drawn up and out of the chimney. Smaller temperature
differences produce less draft in your chimney system than larger temperature differences. This air movement,
referred to as Stack Effect, is also influenced by air density and moisture differences. To eliminate the smoke
spilliage you may have to stoke the fire for longer than usual. Once the fire warms the chimney the draft
will improve and spillage will be reduced. When operating the appliance on a lower thermostat setting, the
resultant lower flue temperatures can cause your chimney system to cool down. This also decreases natural
draft and spillage may occur.
General Rules for burning in the shoulder season:
• Run your appliance on
HIGH
for 30 minutes after start up and reloading before gradually turning the
thermostat down to the desired heat output setting.
• The thermostat setting needs to be high enough to keep the catalytic thermometer in the active zone. If
the thermometer will not stay in the active zone, turn the thermostat to a higher setting and then wait 15
minutes to confirm that the thermometer remains in the active zone. Repeat as required.
• If your appliance is producing too much heat, try to reduce the volume of wood fuel loads rather than
turning your thermostat down. It is good burning practice to build smaller, hotter fires on milder days in the
spring and fall.
OPTIMAL LOW BURN THERMOSTAT SETTING
Your Blaze King appliance was tested and certified in accordance
to the New Source Performace Standards for Residential Wood
Heaters. During this test series, the low burn rate of the unit was
determined by setting the thermostat knob to a position that yeilded
the lowest burn rate achievable. Considering that certification
testing was conducting in a controlled labratory environment with
the appliance connected to a 15ft tall chimney, you may find that
your optimal low burn thermostat setting is either above of below
the certification test setting based on your location, installation, and
the external environment you are operating in. If you find that you
are setting your thermostat beyond the test setting, please note that
if the thermostat is turned down too low the fire may go out or the
combustor may stop working which is indicated by the thermometer
needle falling into the
INACTIVE ZONE
. If this happens, simply turn
the thermostat back to a higher heat output setting and let the fire
reestablish itself.
TESTED LOW BURN SETTING
