DutchWest CDW247001 Mode D'emploi page 8

CDW247001
IMPORTANT
Helpful Hints
1. What is the correct way to start a fire?
a. You will need small pieces of dry wood (kindling)
and paper. Use only newspaper or paper that has
not been coated or had unknown materials glued
or applied to it. Never use coated (typically adver-
tising flyers) or colored paper.
b. Open the door of the wood stove.
c. Crumple several pieces of paper and place them
in the center of the firebox and directly on to the
firebricks of the wood stove. Never use a grate to
elevate the fire.
d. Place small pieces of dry wood kindling) over the
paper in a teepee manner. This allows for good
air circulation, which is critical for good combus-
tion.
e. Light the crumpled paper in 2 or 3 locations:
NOTE: It is important to heat the air in the stove-
pipe for draft to start.
f. Fully open the air control of the wood stove and
close the door until it is slightly open, allowing
for much needed air to be introduced into the fire
box. Never leave the door fully open as sparks
from the kindling may occur causing injury or
property damage. As the fire begins to burn the
kindling, some additional kindling may be needed
to sustain the fire. DO NOT add more paper after
the fire has started.
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
adding small pieces of seasoned (dry) firewood,
keeping 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) firewood 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.
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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
considered dry seasoned wood. Hardwoods are
generally from slow growth trees (Example: Oak and
fir) Softwoods 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 starting 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 in-
crease with time and patience. Some of the reasons
for poor stove performance 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.
7. Is it normal for soot to cover the glass at the
beginning 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 temper-
ature 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
process.
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-pres-
sure day (clear and cool) generally creates a bet-
ter draft in the chimney than a low-pressure day
(overcast and damp). Inside the home, normal
household appliances, such as clothes dryers
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