Vogelzang VG820E - Manual (Page 15)

VGZ-010 / 20120105.0 VG820E HEARTWOOD™ /
Page 15
SERVICE HINTS
CREOSOTE – Formation and Need for
Removal
CAUTION: RISK OF FIRE When wood is burned
slowly, it produces tar and other organic vapors,
which combine with expelled moisture to form
creosote. The creosote vapors condense in the
relatively cool chimney flue of a slow-burning
fire. As a result, creosote residue accumulates
on the flue lining. When ignited this creosote
makes an extremely hot fire.
The chimney connector and chimney should
be inspected at least once every two months
during the heating season to determine if a
creosote buildup has occurred.
If creosote has accumulated (3mm or more)
it should be removed to reduce the risk of a
chimney fire.
Failure to remove creosote may result in ignition
and may cause a house/building fire. Creosote may be
removed using a chimney brush or other commonly
available materials from your local hardware retailer.
Chimney fires burn very hot. If the unit or chimney
connector should glow red, reduce the fire by clos-
ing the inlet air control and immediately call the fire
department.
CAUTION: A CHIMNEY FIRE MAY CAUSE IGNI-
TION OF WALL STUDS OR RAFTERS WHICH
WERE ASSUMED TO BE A SAFE DISTANCE
FROM THE CHIMNEY. IF A CHIMNEY FIRE
HAS OCCURRED, HAVE YOUR CHIMNEY IN-
SPECTED BY A QUALIFIED EXPERT BEFORE
USING AGAIN.
A fire in the firebox may be smothered by pouring
a large quantity of coarse salt, baking soda, or cool
ashes on top of the fire.
Preventing Creosote Buildup
1. Creosote will inevitably form in your chimney and
connector pipe. Following these steps will help
reduce the rate of build up.
2. BURN ONLY SEASONED WOOD that has dried
for at least one year. (<20% humidity by weight)
3. Burn hardwood rather than softwood. Hardwood
is denser or heavier wood and burns hotter.
4. Do not attempt to burn (or mix in) green or wet
wood. The use of green or wet wood will cause a
rapid build up of creosote. Wood that hisses, sizzles
and blackens without igniting in five minutes must
be considered too wet to burn.
5. Do not attempt to extend the burn time by using
wet wood. Not only does burning wet wood rapidly
build up creosote, but it reduces the heat output by
up to 25 percent.
6. Burn the stove with the air inlet control wide open
for 10-15 minutes every time fresh wood is loaded
into the stove. Do not load more than ¼ to ½ of the
fuel capacity at one time. Loading too much wood
at once will cause excessive smoke which contains
creosote. Mature fires or coals produce very little
creosote-producing smoke.
7. Burn with the air control open for several minutes
at numerous intervals throughout the day, being
careful not to over fire the unit. Following this pro-
cess will help to warm the chimney and reduce the
amount of creosote forming condensation within the
chimney.
8. Establish a routine for the handling of fuel, firing,
and operating the stove. Check daily for creosote
build up until experience shows how often you need
to clean for safe operation. Be aware that the hotter
the fire, the less creosote is deposited and weekly
cleanings may be necessary in mild weather even
though monthly cleanings may be enough in the
colder months.
WARNING: IN CASE OF CHIMNEY FIRE
(1) CLOSE AIR INLET CONTROL AND FLUE
PIPE DAMPER. (2) GET OUT OF THE HOUSE
(3) CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Chimney Draft
The chimney is critical to the proper operation of
the stove. It is the chimney that creates draft; THE
STOVE DOES NOT AND CANNOT CREATE DRAFT.
The chimney provides two vital functions for proper
stove operation. First, it is the passage to exhaust
smoke and hot gases created in the combustion pro-
cess. Secondly, it supplies the draft (or pressure) to
bring oxygen to the fire to sustain combustion. Draft is
the natural movement of air or gases through a chimney.
Chimney draft comes from the natural tendency for
hot (less dense) air to rise. As the hot air rises within
the chimney it creates a lower pressure at the bottom
of the chimney to which the stove is connected. The
higher pressure air outside the stove then rushes into
the stove where the lower air pressure level exists, thus
bringing oxygen to the fire. This constant flow of air is
referred to as the draft. Many factors or combination
of factors can act together to build or impede the draft.
Without the correct amount of draft, the stove will not
operate properly.
If there is excessive draft, an unsafe condition will
arise with too much air being drawn into the stove and
creating an excessively hot fire. This could cause over
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