2700-I WOOD INSERT (ACT)
Page 18
September 1, 2008
R
7007-161H
AIR qUALITY AND YOUR
qUADRA-FIRE INSERT
In recent years there has been an increasing concern about
the quality of our air. Much of the blame for poor air quality
has been placed on the burning of wood for home heating.
In order to improve this situation we at Quadra-Fire have
developed cleaner burning inserts that surpass the stringent
requirements for emissions established by our governing
agencies. Your 2700-I, like any other appliance, must be
properly operated in order to ensure that they perform the
way they are designed to perform. Improper operation and
maintenance may cause any wood burning unit to release
more particulate, adversely affecting the environment.
The story of the Three Burning Stages . .
.
It helps to know a little about the actual burn process, which
entails three discernible burning stages. The first stage is
called the kindling stage. During this stage the fuel reaches
the boiling temperature of water, 212°F, evaporating the
moisture found to some degree in all wood.
Because the process takes heat from the insert during this
initial drying stage, each new load of wood reduces the
chances for a good, clean burn. For this reason it is always
best to burn dry, seasoned firewood, and operate the con-
trols properly. The bottom control on the right side of your
insert is called the Start-Up Air Control and is used primar-
ily during this first kindling stage of burning.
During the secondary stage, the wood gives off flammable
gases which burn above the fuel with bright flames. These
flames above the fuel must be maintained until the third
stage to ensure proper burning. During this stage you may
adjust your insert for a low burn rate. To achieve a low
burn rate it is necessary to close down the air while still
maintaining some flames. If the flames tend to go out, the
setting is too low. The Primary Control, located under the
ashlip, will assist you in adjusting the insert for a low burn
rate.
The third stage of burning is the charcoal stage. This hap-
pens when the flammable gases have been burned and the
charcoal remains. The coals burning with hot blue flames
is a naturally clean portion of the burn. It is very important
to reload your insert while enough lively hot coals remain
in order to provide the amount of heat needed to dry and
rekindle the next load of wood. Open up both controls for
a short while before reloading to liven up the coal bed. You
should also break up any large chunks and distribute the
coals so the new wood is laid on hot coals. Leave both con
-
trols open until the new wood load is burning well enough
to maintain the secondary stage of burning and then set
controls to your desired heat output setting.
Primary Air Control
Start-Up Air Control
OpEN - pUSH IN CLOSE - pULL OUT
START-Up AIR SYSTEM
The combustion air enters at the rear of the firebox through
the rear air tubes. This air supply is controlled by the Start-
Up Air Control.
pRIMARY AIR SYSTEM
The primary air enters at the upper front of the firebox near
the top of the glass door. This preheated air supplies the
necessary fresh oxygen to mix with the unburned gases,
helping to create secondary, tertiary and quaternary com-
bustion. This air is regulated by the Primary Air Control. For
more primary air (more heat), push rod in. For less primary
air (less heat), pull rod out.
Figure 18.1.
In other words . . .
Pulling either control towards you closes off the air avail-
able to the insert in that area. Pushing either control opens
it, allowing air circulation to the area. A good analogy to
remember for this procedure is the gas pedal on your car.
Pushing in the gas pedal makes the engine run faster. Let-
ting off (pulling the control back) makes the car run slower.
Figure 18.1
