Vermont Castings WR2500X02 Guide Du Propriétaire page 11

g. Once the kindling has started to burn, add some
of the smaller pieces of seasoned (dry) firewood.
notE: Adding large pieces at the early stages
will only serve to smother the fire. Continue add-
ing small pieces of seasoned (dry) firewood, keep-
ing the door slightly open until each piece starts to
ignite. Remember to always open the door slowly
when placing wood into the fire.
h. Once the wood has started to ignite and the smoke
has reduced, close the wood stove door fully. The
reduction of smoke is a good indication that the draft
in the chimney has started and good combustion is
now possible. Larger pieces of seasoned (dry) fire-
wood can now be added when there is sufficient
space in the firebox. Adjust the air control setting to
desired setting.
i. notE: The lower the air control setting the longer
the burn time of your firewood.
2. What type of wood is best to use as firewood?
Dry seasoned hardwood should be used. Avoid green
unseasoned wood. Green wood, besides burning
at only 60 percent of the fuel value of dry seasoned
wood, will deposit creosote on the inside of your stove
and along the inside of your chimney.
3. What does dry seasoned wood mean, and what is
considered hardwood?
Wood that has been dried for a period of one year in
a well-ventilated and sheltered area would be consid-
ered dry seasoned wood. Hardwoods are generally
from slow growth trees (Example: Oak and fir) Soft-
woods are generally from fast growth trees. (Example:
Pine and spruce).
4. Will following the above listed steps for starting a
fire result in perfect results all the time?
The quick answer is most of the time. There are many
variables that may affect your success rate when start-
ing a fire. Most of those variables and how to deal with
them will be learned through experience. Your ability
to start a good fire will significantly increase with time
and patience. Some of the reasons for poor stove per-
formance will be covered next.
5. Why can't I get the fire lit?
Damp or wet wood and poor draft are the main rea-
sons for poor results in starting a fire. Always use dry
seasoned wood for your fire. Even wood dried for two
years will be difficult to ignite, if it has become wet.
6. Why is there always a large quantity of thick black
smoke present in the firebox?
A large quantity of thick black smoke in the firebox, is
a good indication that the draft is poor.
30005129
Windsor High Efficiency Wood Insert
7. Is it normal for soot to cover the glass at the begin-
ning of a fire?
Your stove has been built with an air wash system that
will help keep the glass clear when the firebox has
reached a good operating temperature and has a good
draft. Cold firebox temperature and poor draft cause
sooting of the glass. Once the firebox temperature and
the draft increases, the soot will burn off.
8. What is draft?
Draft is the ability of the chimney to exhaust draw by-
products produced during the normal combustion pro-
cess.
9. What can cause a poor draft?
The most common factors for poor draft are:
a. Atmospheric pressure and air supply
b. Environmental conditions
c. Cold chimney temperature
d. Poor chimney installation and maintenance
a. Atmospheric Pressure and Air Supply
Atmospheric pressure affecting the draft from a
chimney can be either outside the home, inside the
home or both. Outside the home, a high-pressure
day (clear and cool) generally creates a better draft
in the chimney than a low-pressure day (overcast
and damp). Inside the home, normal household
appliances, such as clothes dryers and forced air
furnaces compete for air resulting in inadequate
amounts of air available to fuel a fire and create a
condition known as negative pressure. Under ex-
treme conditions of negative pressure the combus-
tion by-products can be drawn from the chimney
and into the house. This condition is commonly re-
ferred to as down drafting. There are several factors
that impact the amount of air available in the home.
Increased amounts of insulation vinyl windows, ex-
tra caulking in various places and door seals can all
keep heat in but may also make a home too airtight.
If you are in doubt about whether or not there is suf-
ficient air in your home for your stove, curtail using
those appliances known to consume the air where
possible, or open a window or door to allow air to
enter the home.
b. Environmental Conditions
High trees, low lying house location such as in a
valley, tall buildings or structures surrounding your
house and windy conditions can cause poor draft or
down drafting.
11