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3.5 MAINTAINING THE FIRE
Once the wood has been consumed (or partially consumed) and you have obtained a good bed of embers, you
should reload the unit. In order to do so, open the air control to its maximum for approximately 15 seconds
prior to opening the stove door. Then, proceed by opening the door very slowly. Open it by 2” to 4” (52 to
104 mm) for 10 to 15 seconds before opening it completely. This procedure will increase the draft and thus
eliminate the smoke which is stagnant in a state of slow combustion in the stove. Then, bring the red embers
to the front of the stove and reload the unit. Depending on the type of wood you burn and the strength of
the draft in your flue, you may have to leave the air control open to its maximum for more than 15
seconds to avoid smoke spillage before you reload the stove.
Your Drolet stove will work best if a thick bed of hot embers is maintained in the bottom of the firebox, and a
minimum of two large pieces of seasoned fuel are added. Combustion efficiency is largely related to
establishing a hot ember bed, and hot firebox temperatures. The quicker the stove and chimney (flue) get up
to normal operating temperatures, the better. A small intense fire is preferred to a large smouldering fire, both
to improve combustion efficiency and to reduce the amount of creosote build-up. The best performance will
be obtained by adding relatively small amounts of fuel to a well established ember bed, and then operating
with the air inlet control open long enough to achieve a hot fire. The wood should be placed with air in
between individual pieces. Use a poker to make an air channel in the embers below the wood. This will allow
air to flow under the wood for a more efficient burn.
In order to achieve an optimum efficiency from your unit, we suggest that you operate it with the air control
slightly open (approximately 10%). Make sure that you have a good fire going and an adequate ember bed
before you completely close the air control. Use a chimney thermometer if necessary. Closing the air control
too soon will lower combustion efficiency and may cause the fire to die out. The addition of a blower (if not
already included) is highly recommended to maximize your unit’s efficiency.
3.6 FAN (BLOWER) OPERATION
If you have purchased and installed and optional fan (blower), allow the stove to reach operating temperature
(approximately one hour), before turning on the fan. The increased airflow from the fan will cool the firebox
and affect the start-up combustion efficiency if the fan is turned on too quick.
CAUTION: ENSURE THAT THE FAN’S POWER CORD IS NOT IN CONTACT WITH ANY SURFACE OF THE STOVE TO
PREVENT ELECTRICAL SHOCK OR FIRE DAMAGE. DO NOT RUN THE POWER CORD BENEATH THE STOVE.