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32198A February 15, 2002 32198A February 15, 2002
Cape Cod Wood Stove
R
OPERATION
WOOD SELECTION AND STORAGE
WARNING ! DO NOT LEAVE THE FIRE UNAT-
TENDED WHEN THE DOOR IS UNLATCHED
OR WHEN USING FIRESCREEN. CARELESSLY
PLACED FIREWOOD COULD FALL OUT OF
THE FIREBOX CREATING A FIRE HAZARD TO
YOUR HOME.
WARNING
ALWAYS OPERATE THIS APPLIANCE WITH
THE DOOR CLOSED AND LATCHED EXCEPT
DURING START-UP AND RE-FUELING OR WHEN
USING THE FIRESCREEN.
Burn only dry seasoned wood! This will not
only minimize the creation of creosote formation, but
also provide the most efcient heat output. Even dry
wood contains at least 15% moisture by weight and
should be burned hot enough to keep the chimney hot
for as long as it takes to maintain particulate (smoke)
burning. It is a waste of energy to burn unseasoned
wood of any variety.
Dead wood lying on the forest oor should be
considered wet, and requires full seasoning time.
Standing dead wood can be considered to be about
two-thirds seasoned. To tell if wood is dry enough to
burn, check the ends of the logs. If there are cracks
radiating in all directions from the center, it is dry. If
your wood sizzles in the re, even though the surface
is dry, it may not be fully cured. Splitting wood
before it is stored reduces drying time. Wood should
be stacked so that both ends of each piece are exposed
to air, since more drying occurs through the cut ends
than the sides. This is true even with wood that has
been split. Store wood under cover, such as in
a shed, or covered with a tarp, plastic, tar paper,
sheets of scrap plywood, etc., as uncovered wood
can absorb water from rain or snow, delaying the
seasoning process.
The next stage of burning, the secondary stage, is
the period when the wood gives off ammable gases
which burn above the fuel with bright ames. During
this stage of burning it is very important that the ames
be maintained and not allowed to go out. This will
insure the cleanest possible re. 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
ame. If the ames tend to go out, the stove is set
too low for your burning conditions. The primary air
control slide in the center of the stove, beneath the
ashcatcher, is the one used to adjust burn rates.
The nal stage of burning is the charcoal stage.
This occurs when the flammable gases have been
mostly burned and only charcoal remains. This is a
naturally clean portion of the burn. The coals burn
with hot blue ames. It is very important to reload
your stove while enough 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 controls for a short while before reloading.
This livens up the coal bed. Open the door slowly to
prevent ash or smoke from exiting. You should also
break up any large chunks and distribute the coals so
that the new wood is laid on hot coals.
Following these standards for operation and
maintenance is a responsible action for the choice to
heat your home with wood. In addition, you will also
extend the life of your wood stove for many years of
use and enjoyment.
BURNING PROCESS, CONT.
CAUTION! DO NOT STORE WOOD CLOSER
THAN THE REQUIRED CLEARANCE TO COM-
BUSTIBLES OF THE STOVE OR WITHIN THE
SPACE REQUIRED FOR CHARGING AND ASH
REMOVAL