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1. Make sure stove is completely cool.
2. Open glass door and lift up the firebrick for ash drawer
using a fireplace poker through the metal hook raised
from the top of the brick and set aside in firebox.
3. Using a small hand broom, sweep the ashes into the
opening, allowing the ashes to fall into the ash pan.
4. Make sure all debris is clear of the opening. This is
important to ensure the firebrick (when replaced) seals
to the metal stove bottom. If the fire brick is not
properly sealed, the stove will not operate correctly.
5. Using gloves, pull out the ash drawer while holding the
bottom of the ash pan so it doesn’t fall out onto the
floor.
6. Dispose of the ashes in a metal container with a
tight-fitting lid.
7. Replace ash pan drawer and firebrick to their original
positions.
IMPORTANT
HELPFUL HINTS
1. What is the correct way to start a fire?
a) You will need small pieces of dry wood (kindling)
and paper. Use only newspaper or paper that has
not been coated or had unknown materials glued or
applied to it. Never use coated (typically advertising
flyers) or coloured paper.
b) Open the door of the wood stove.
c) Crumple several pieces of paper and place them in
the center of the firebox and directly on to the fire
bricks of the wood stove. Never use a grate to
elevate the fire.
d) Place small pieces of dry wood (kindling) over the
paper in a Teepee manner. This allows for good air
circulation, which is critical for good combustion.
e) Light the crumpled paper in 2 or 3 locations.
Note: It is important to heat the air in the stovepipe
for draft to start.
f) Fully open the air control of the wood stove and
close the door until it is slightly open, allowing for
much needed air to be introduced into the fire box.
Never leave the door fully open as sparks from the
kindling may occur causing injury or property
damage. As the fire begins to burn the kindling,
some additional kindling may be needed to sustain
the fire. DO NOT add more paper after the fire has
started.
g) Once the kindling has started to burn, start by
adding some of your smaller pieces of seasoned (dry)
firewood. NOTE: Adding large pieces at the early
stages will only serve to smother the fire. Continue
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
between 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) fire
wood 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 staring 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
increase with time and patience. Some of the reasons
for poor stove performance will be covered in the
next section of these instructions.
5. Why can’t I get the fire lit?
Damp or wet wood and poor draft are the main
reasons for poor results in starting a fire. Always use
dry seasoned wood for your fire. Even wood dried for
