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EC95 11
FIGURE 10 -
OPENING AND CLOSING
FUEL FEED DOOR
FIRETENDING
Firetending is the occasional poking or stirring of the burning fuel bed to ensure airflow through the fire and adding new
wood as needed. With experience, you should determine how often fire tending is required to maintain the desired heat
output of the heater. To ensure safe and satisfactory performance of the heater, the following rules should be observed.
1. KEEP THE FEED DOOR AND ASH DOORS CLOSED EXCEPT WHEN TENDING THE FIRE OR REMOVING
ASHES. Operating the heater with the doors open can cause the heater to overheat and will increase the possibility
of smoke, ash or sparks escaping the heater and damaging the dwelling or its contents.
2. NEVER OPEN THE FEED DOOR WITHOUT FIRST TURNING THE THERMOSTAT TO “”HI” FOR AT LEAST
30 SECONDS.
3. ADD ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS OF FRESH WOOD TO THE HEATER AT EACH REFUELING. Adding large
amounts of fresh wood can cause an accumulation of gases above the fire that can cause backpuffing. Backpuffing
can occur whenever concentrated gasses accumulate over the fire bed and then catch fire quickly. This may cause
smoke and flame to be expelled from the heater during fire tending but under rare conditions, backpuffing can be
severe enough to break apart poorly connected chimney connector pipes. If backpuffing is experienced, see COR
RECTION OF OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS section of this manual. This is an abnormal condition and a potential
hazard. Determine and correct the cause.
4. TURN THERMOSTAT TO “HI” FOR 15 MINUTES AFTER ADDING FRESH WOOD TO A FIRE. This allows the
gases to be driven off and shortens the length of time the dense smoke is likely to deposit creosote on the chimney
walls.
5. DO NOT TAMPER WITH THE INTERNAL THERMOSTAT MECHANISM. The thermostat has been designed and
calibrated to provide continuous control of the fire for safety and efficiency. Thermostat adjustments are made with
the thermostat control knob only. (See figure 9.)
6. PREPARE THE HEATER TO HOLD FIRE ALL NIGHT BY LOADING IT WITH WELL DRIED WOOD AT LEAST AN
HOUR BEFORE BEDTIME. Burn the heater at the normal rate for this hour, then turn it back to a slower burn just
before going to bed. This procedure will help drive excess moisture and gases out of wood and minimize creosote
buildup during the night. This procedure also minimizes the likelihood of backpuffing.
7. DO NOT OVERFIRE THE HEATER. If any part of the heater or chimney connector becomes red hot turn the
thermostat to low and keep the ash and feed doors closed until the heater cools.
WOOD FACTS
The small amounts of wood used in daily fire tending should be kept in a noncombustible container at least 36 inches
from the heater.
Two wood characteristics largely determine the amount of heat energy per cord. The first is moisture content. Wood
must be dry before it will burn properly. When first cut, its moisture content is high so wood burns poorly and encour-
ages the formation of creosote. It should be cut and stored in a dry place several months, preferably a year before it is
used. Splitting the wood before it is stored reduces its drying time and exposing both ends to the air aids in drying.
After wood has been stored from six to twelve months, it will be dried to a moisture content of 15 to 25 percent. This
drying results in more even burning and will minimize the buildup of creosote in your chimney.