7
Windsor High Efficiency Wood Stove
30005124
adding small pieces of seasoned (dry) firewood,
keeping the door slightly open until each piece
starts to ignite. Remember to always open the
door slowly when placing wood into the fire.
h. Once the wood has started to ignite and the
smoke has reduced, close the wood stove door
fully. The reduction of smoke is a good indication
that the draft in the chimney has started and good
combustion is now possible. Larger pieces of
seasoned (dry) firewood can now be added when
there is sufficient space in the firebox. Adjust the
air control setting to desired setting.
i.
NOtE:
The lower the air control setting the longer
the burn time of your firewood.
2. What type of wood is best to use as firewood?
Dry seasoned hardwood should be used. Avoid
green unseasoned wood. Green wood, besides
burning at only 60 percent of the fuel value of dry
seasoned wood, will deposit creosote on the inside
of your stove and along the inside of your chimney.
3. What does dry seasoned wood mean, and what
is considered hardwood?
Wood that has been dried for a period of one year
in a well-ventilated and sheltered area would be
considered dry seasoned wood. Hardwoods are
generally from slow growth trees (Example: Oak and
fir) Softwoods are generally from fast growth trees.
(Example: Pine and spruce).
4. Will following the above listed steps for starting
a fire result in perfect results all the time?
The quick answer is most of the time. There are
many variables that may affect your success rate
when starting a fire. Most of those variables and how
to deal with them will be learned through experience.
Your ability to start a good fire will significantly in-
crease with time and patience. Some of the reasons
for poor stove performance will be covered next.
5. Why can’t i get the fire lit?
Damp or wet wood and poor draft are the main rea-
sons for poor results in starting a fire. Always use dry
seasoned wood for your fire. Even wood dried for
two years will be difficult to ignite, if it has become
wet.
6. Why is there always a large quantity of thick
black smoke present in the firebox?
A large quantity of thick black smoke in the firebox,
is a good indication that the draft is poor.
7. is it normal for soot to cover the glass at the
beginning of a fire?
Your stove has been built with an air wash system
that will help keep the glass clear when the firebox
has reached a good operating temperature and has
a good draft. Cold firebox temperature and poor draft
cause sooting of the glass. Once the firebox temper-
ature and the draft increases, the soot will burn off.
8. What is draft?
Draft is the ability of the chimney to exhaust draw
by-products produced during the normal combustion
process.
9. What can cause a poor draft?
The most common factors for poor draft are:
a. Atmospheric pressure and air supply
b. Environmental conditions
c. Cold chimney temperature
d. Poor chimney installation and maintenance
a. atmospheric pressure and air Supply
Atmospheric pressure affecting the draft from a
chimney can be either outside the home, inside
the home or both. Outside the home, a high-pres-
sure day (clear and cool) generally creates a bet-
ter draft in the chimney than a low-pressure day
(overcast and damp). Inside the home, normal
household appliances, such as clothes dryers
and forced air furnaces compete for air resulting
in inadequate amounts of air available to fuel a
fire and create a condition known as negative
pressure. Under extreme conditions of nega-
tive pressure the combustion by-products can
be drawn from the chimney and into the house.
This condition is commonly referred to as down
drafting. There are several factors that impact the
amount of air available in the home. Increased
amounts of insulation vinyl windows, extra caulk-
ing in various places and door seals can all keep
heat in but may also make a home too airtight.
If you are in doubt about whether or not there is
sufficient air in your home for your stove, curtail
using those appliances known to consume the
air where possible, or open a window or door to
allow air to enter the home.
b. Environmental conditions
High trees, low lying house location such as in
a valley, tall buildings or structures surrounding
your house and windy conditions can cause poor
draft or down drafting.
