September 1, 2008
September 1, 2008
Heat & Glo • NorthStar EPA Fireplace • 480-1081C
Page 51
L. Burning Process
Firerequires3thingstoburn:fuel,airandheat.Ifheat
isrobbedfromthereplaceduringthedryingstage,the
new load of wood has reduced the chances for a good
clean burn. For this reason, it is always best to burn dry,
seasonedrewood.Wedonotadviseburningunsea-
soned wood, however if it happens, you must open the
SlideAirControlandburnthereplaceatahighburn
setting for a longer time to start it burning.
Kindling or 1st stage:
It helps to know a little about the actual process of burning
inordertounderstandwhatgoesoninsideareplace.
Therststageofburningiscalledthekindlingstage.
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) and will not get any hotter until the water is
evaporated. This process takes heat from the coals and
tendstocoolthereplace.
2nd stage:
The next stage of burning, the secondary stage, is the
periodwhenthewoodgivesoffammablegaseswhich
burnabovethefuelwithbrightames.Duringthisstage
ofburningitisveryimportantthattheamesbemain-
tained and not allowed to go out. This will ensure the
cleanestpossiblere.Ifyouareadjustingyourreplace
for a low burn rate, you should close down the air to the
pointwhereyoucanstillmaintainsomeame.Ifthe
amestendtogoout,thereplaceissettoolowforyour
burning conditions.
Final stage:
Thenalstageofburningisthecharcoalstage.This
occurswhen theammablegaseshave beenmostly
burned and only charcoal remains. This is a naturally
clean portion of the burn. The coals burn with hot blue
ames.
Itisveryimportanttoreloadyourreplacewhileenough
lively hot coals remain in order to provide the amount of
heat needed to dry and rekindle the next load of wood.
It is best to open the air control for a short while before
reloading.Thislivensupthecoalbed.Opendoorslowly
sothat ashor smokedoes notexitreplacethrough
opening. You should also break up any large chunks and
distribute the coals so that the new wood is laid evenly
on hot coals.
Fireplace operation does require air. Do not take air from
other fuel burning appliances which can result in improper
venting (smoking) or air dilution. Always provide adequate
makeup air.
CAUTION
M. Automatic Combustion Control (ACC)
Typically,whenyoubuildare,youneedtoopenthe
controlstogivetheremoreairsothewoodwillgetgoing.
You then have to go back to the unit and shut it down so
itdoesn’toverreandburnupyourwoodtooquickly.
With the Automatic Combustion Control system, you can
setthereplacetohigh(allthewaytotheright),start
yourre,and thenmovetheSlideAir Controltotheir
desiredburnlevel.Thereplacewillautomaticallygoto
thatlevelafterthereisfullyestablished.Thisallows
forlessinteractionwiththerebythehomeownerand
moreefcientuseoffuelwhilemaintainingthedesired
heat output.
IMPORTANT! As you move the control rod to the
right, about three-fourths of the way you will feel
some resistance. You must move past that resistance
approximately 3/4 in. (19mm) to fully engage the
Automatic Combustion Control (ACC) sytstem
NOTE: Close controls when not burning.
THE DECORATIVE FASCIA MUST BE REMOVABLE
ON YOUR FIREPLACE IN ORDER TO SERVICE THE
AUTOMATIC COMBUSTION CONTROL SYSTEM.
Figure 50.1 Operating the ACC Controls
*Slide Air Control
Slide LEFT to Stop
Stopto1/8in.-1/2in.open
Stopto1/2in.-1-1/2in.open
All the way to RIGHT
Slide Air Control
Left-Close Right-Open
CLOSE
OPEN
Outside Air Knob
Low
Position
Meet
Resistance
ACC Fully
Engaged