Archgard 10-1800P - Manual (Page 26)

Chalet 1800 26
5. Before opening your door to reload, open draft fully for approximately 10 to 15 seconds until fire has
been reestablished. This will minimize any smoking.
All fuel burning appliances consume oxygen during operation. It is important that you supply a source of
fresh air to your unit while burning.
Ignore the fire until you notice the room, space or house cooling off. A new load cools the firebox, so it
needs to be heated up again. Then add the right amount of wood to suit the conditions. Wood burns best in
cycles. A cycle starts when wood is placed on and behind a raked coal bed. A cycle ends when the load is
reduced to the same sized coal bed.
We recommend that when you first fire up your Chalet 1800, you leave a door and/or window open in or-
der to vent the smoke that may be created from the unit’s paint curing. The paint will smell a little for the
first burn or two as it cures.
TROUBLESHOOTING
The most common factors for poor draft are:
a) Air supply/House depressurization
b) Environmental conditions
c) Cold chimneys
d) Poor chimney/connector installation/ design and maintenance
a) Air supply / House depressurization – Inside the home, household appliances such as clothes dryers,
bathroom fan, central vacuums, forced-air furnaces, etc, compete for air, resulting in air starvation to
the fire. This creates a condition known as negative pressure. When a negative pressure situation is
experienced, the combustion gases can be drawn from the chimney and into the house. This condition
is commonly referred to as down-drafting. Increased amounts of insulation, vinyl windows and extra
caulking in various places can all keep heat in but may also make a home more airtight. Seal the leaks
that are high in the house because the house acts as a chimney and as hot air leaves the house at the
ceiling level, more air comes in at lower levels to make up for the air that leaves. Make sure there is
adequate air for the appliance in the house.
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.
c) Cold Chimney Temperature - Avoid cold chimney temperatures by burning a hot fire for the first fifteen
to forty minutes, being careful not to over-fire the stove. Where possible, install a thermometer on or in
the flue pipe so temperatures can be monitored.
d) Chimney Installation and Maintenance - Avoid using too many elbows or long horizontal runs. Too
short a chimney can cause difficult start-up, dirty glass, smoking when door is open, and even re-
duced heat output. Too tall a chimney may prompt excessive draft, which can result in very short burn
times and excessive heat output. If in doubt, contact a chimney expert and/or chimney manufacturer
for help. Clean chimney, rain caps and especially the spark arrestor regularly, to prevent creosote
build-up, which will significantly reduce chimney draw.