Hearth and Home Technologies PMH Indoor Fireplace User Manual


 
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Page 18 7004-187F September 1, 2008
Yosemite Wood Stove
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 3 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.
As you face the stove, the air control on the right (furthest
back) 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. See Figure 19A on page 19.
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 front air control closest
to the front of the stove is the one used to adjust the stove
for burn rates. This is called the Primary Air Control. See
Figure 19A on page 19.
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