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Page 20
September 1, 2008
Cumberland Gap Wood Stove
7006-188E
BURNING PROCESS
In recent years there has been an increasing concern about
air quality. Much of the blame for poor air quality has been
placed on the burning of wood for home heating. In order
to improve the situation, we at Quadra-Fire have developed
cleaner-burning wood stoves that surpass the requirements
for emissions established by our governing agencies. These
wood stoves, like any other appliances, must be properly
operated in order to ensure that they perform the way they
are designed to perform. Improper operation can turn most
any wood stove into a smoldering environmental hazard.
KINDLING or 1st STAGE
It helps to know a little about the actual process of burning in
order to understand what goes on inside a stove. The first
stage of burning is called the kindling stage. In this stage, the
wood is heated to a temperature high enough to evaporate
the moisture which is present in all wood. The wood will
reach the boiling point of water (212°F / 100C) and will not
get any hotter until the water is evaporated. This process
takes heat from the coals and tends to cool the stove.
Fire requires three things to burn: fuel, air and heat. So, if
heat is robbed from the stove during the drying stage, the
new load of wood has reduced the chances for a good clean
burn. For this reason, it is always best to burn dry, seasoned
firewood. When the wood isn’t dry, you must open the air
controls and burn the stove at a high burn setting for a
longer time to start it burning. The heat generated from the
fire should be warming your home and establishing the flue
draft, not evaporating the moisture out of wet, unseasoned
wood, resulting in wasted heat.
The air control to the right of the stove is called the Start-Up
Air Control; it is used during the kindling stage of burning.
It must be closed (pulled out) after the first 5 to 15 minutes.
Figure 21A
.
2nd STAGE
The next stage of burning, the secondary stage, is the period
when the wood gives off flammable gases which burn above
the fuel with bright flames. During this stage of burning it is
very important that the flames be maintained and not allowed
to go out. This will ensure the cleanest possible fire. If you
are adjusting your stove for a low burn rate, you should close
down the air to the point where you can still maintain some
flame. If the flames tend to go out, the stove is set too low
for your burning conditions. The air slide control under the
ash catcher is the one used to adjust the stove for burn rates.
This is called the Primary Air Slide Control. Figure 21A.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ BEFORE USING STOVE
Do not over-fire.
Over-firing may ignite creosote or will damage
the stove and chimney.
To prevent over-firing your stove, DO NOT:
• Use flammable liquids
• Overload with wood
• Burn trash or large amounts of scrap lumber
• Permit too much air to the fire
WARNING
Fire Risk
Symptoms of over-firing may include one or more of the
following:
• Chimney connector or appliance glowing
• Roaring, rumbling noises
• Loud cracking or banging sounds
• Metal warping
• Chimney fire
1. Symptoms of Over-Firing
2. What To Do if Your Stove is Over-Firing
• Immediately close the door and air controls to reduce
air supply to the fire.
• If you suspect a chimney fire, call the fire department
and evacuate your house.
• Contact your local chimney professional and have
your stove and stove pipe inspected for any damage.
• Do not use your stove until the chimney professional
informs you it is safe to do so.
Hearth & Home Technologies WILL NOT warranty stoves
that exhibit evidence of over-firing. Evidence of over-firing
includes, but is not limited to:
• Warped air tube
• Deteriorated refractory brick retainers
• Deteriorated baffle and other interior components
OVER-FIRING YOUR APPLIANCE