Vermont Casting 2170 - Manual (Page 21)

21
Dutchwest Seneca
2006063
increase over an approximate 30 minute period. The
probe temperature will peak during the first 2/3 of the
burn time and then fall after the volatiles have
burned off. To ensure continued operation of the
combustor, let the temperature approach 1000
°
F
(540
°
C) before reducing the air settings.
5. Close the primary air control to a medium setting, or
about 6:00 on the imaginary clock face referred to
on Page 18. The fire volume will diminish immedi-
ately, but the stove will continue to warm up. Main-
tain control of the fire using the primary air and
combustor air controls, and remember: reduce the
setting for a smaller fire, increase the setting for a
larger fire. Refer back to the air control settings chart
on Page 18 for recommended settings at different
burn rates.
DO NOT OVERFIRE THIS HEATER. Overfiring may
cause a house fire, or can result in permanent damage
to the stove and to the catalytic combustor. If an
exterior part of the stove or the chimney connector
glows, you are overfiring.
Reloading and Reviving a Wood Fire
When reloading, best results will be obtained if you first
de-ash the stove by stirring the fuel bed to allow ash to
fall through the grate into the ash pan.
Do not break the charcoal into very small pieces or
pound or compress the charcoal bed.
It is important that air can circulate through the charcoal
bed during the burn. Larger pieces of charcoal allow
more air to circulate under the wood and will result in
the fire reviving more quickly, and will also encourage
the stove to burn more cleanly.
Open the stove damper and wait at least fifteen sec-
onds for the draft to increase. Open the door slowly,
add the fuel, and then close the damper. Split wood will
fill the firebox more completely and reduce the fre-
quency of reloading.
Leave the stove damper open for a short time until the
probe temperature reaches 800
°
F (430
°
C), then close
it.
Sometimes the temperature will drop below 600
°
F
(316
°
C) after reloading, particularly if the loading door is
open a long time. Should the temperature drop below
this level, stimulate the fire by increasing the primary air
supply. Reduce the air supply when the temperature
has reached 800
°
F (430
°
C).
NOTE: If the charcoal bed is relatively thick and your
fuel is well-seasoned, it is possible to add fresh fuel and
close the damper immediately, and adjust the air control
for your desired heat output.
Remove and Store Ash Safely
Check the ash pan before reloading the stove. If the
ash level is close to the top, empty the pan. Before
replacing the ash pan, clear away any ash that has
spilled over the sides and back of the pan.
Empty the ash drawer regularly, typically everyone to
three days. The frequency will vary depending on how
hot you run your stove: the hotter the fire, the more
wood you burn, and the faster ash will accumulate.
Ash may contain hot coals and must be treated with
extreme care.
ST744
Fig. 28 Wear a heavy stove glove for protection when
removing ash.
Always Dispose of Ash in a Safe Manner
Ash should be removed frequently and placed outdoors
in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. The closed
container of ash should be placed on a noncombustible
floor or on the ground, well away from all combustible
materials, pending final disposal. If the ash is disposed
of by burial in soil or otherwise locally dispersed, it
should be retained in the closed container until all
cinders have thoroughly cooled. Wood ash may be
used as a garden fertilizer.
CAUTION: Never use a vacuum cleaner to remove ash
from the stove; always remove and dispose of the ash
properly.