Rekindling A Fire; Removing Ashes - Empire Comfort Systems Gateway 1700 Mode D'emploi

Wood burns best in cycles. A cycle starts when a new load of wood is ignited by hot coals and
ends when that load has been consumed down to a bed of charcoal about the same size as it
was when the wood was loaded.
Trying to produce a steady heat output by placing a single log on the fire at regular intervals
is not recommended. Always place at least three, and preferably more pieces on the fire at a
time so that the heat radiated from one piece helps to ignite the pieces next to it. Each load of
wood should provide several hours of heating. The size of each load may vary depending on the
amount of heat required.
Burning in cycles means the loading door does not need to be opened while the wood is flaming.
This is an advantage since it is preventing smoke leaking from the heater when the door is
opened as a full fire is burning. This is especially true if the chimney is on the outside wall of the
house.
If the door must be opened while the fire is flaming, fully open air control for a few
minutes then open the door slowly.
5.4

Rekindling a Fire

When the temperature of the room is lower and all that remains is embers, it is time to reload.
Remove excess ash from the front of the firebox and bring the ashes forward. Place a new load
of wood on, and at the back of the embers. Open the air control completely and close the door.
Raking the coals is useful for two reasons. First, it brings them near where most of the combustion
air enters the firebox. This will ignite the new load quickly. Secondly, the charcoal will not be
smothered by the new load of wood. When the embers are simply spread inside the combustion
chamber, the new load smoulder for a long time before igniting.
Close the air control only when the firebox is full of bright turbulent flames, the wood is charred,
and its edges are glowing.
The heater should not be left unattended during ignition and the fire should not burn at full
intensity for more than a few minutes.
When lighting a new load, the appliance produces a heat surge. This heat surge is pleasant when
the room temperature is cool but can be unpleasant when the room is already warm. Therefore,
it is best to let each load of wood burn completely so that the room cools down before putting
a load of wood back on.
5.5

Removing Ashes

Ash should be removed from the firebox every two to three days of full time heating. Ash should
not accumulate excessively in the firebox since it will affect the proper operation of the appliance.
Page 21