Quadra-Fire 5100I-GD-B Owner's Manual - page 24
5100-I ACT WOOD INSERT
Page
September1,2008
R
438-0380D
Primary AirControl
Start-Up AirControl
Figure 24.1
warming your home and establishing the flue draft, not evapo-
ratingthemoistureoutofwet,unseasonedwood,resulting
inwastedheat.
TheaircontrolintherightsideofthegrilleiscalledtheStart-
Up Air Control; it is used during the kindling stage of burning.
It must be closed (pulled out) after the first 5 to 15 minutes.
1. Start-Up System
The combustion air enters at the rear of the firebox through
therearairtubes.ThisairsupplyiscontrolledbytheStart-
upAirControl.
2. Primary Air System
The primary air enters at the upper front of the firebox, near
thetopoftheglassdoor.Thispreheatedairsuppliesthe
necessary fresh oxygen to mix with the unburned gases,
helpingtocreatesecond,thirdandfourthcombustions.This
air is regulated by the Primary Air Control. For more primary
airpushcontrolin,forlessairpullcontrolout.
OPEN - PUSH IN CLOSE - PULL OUT
D. Air Controls
Fire Hazard.
• Do NOT operate with Start-Up Air Control in
openpositioninexcessof15minutes.
• Risk of extreme temperatures!
WARNING
Prolonged operation with Start-Up Air Control in open
positionmaycausecombustiblematerialsaround
appliancetoexceedsafetemperaturelimits.
Fire Hazard.
Keepcombustiblematerials,gasoline
and other flammable vapors and liquids
clearofappliance.
WARNING
• Do NOT store flammable materials in the appliance’s
vicinity.
• Do NOT use gasoline, lantern fuel, kerosene, charcoal
lighter fluid or similar liquids to start or “freshen up” a
fire in this heater.
• Keep all such liquids well away from the heater while it
isinuse.
• Combustiblematerialsmayignite.
NOTE:
• OperateapplianceonHighBurn15minutesadayto
keep air passages clean.
burn. For this reason, it is always best to burn dry, seasoned
firewood. When the wood isn’t dry, you must open the air
controlsandburnatahighburnsettingforalongertimeto
start it burning. The heat generated from the fire should be
2. Second Stage
Thenextstageofburning,thesecondarystage,istheperiod
when the wood gives off flammable gases which burn above
the fuel with bright flames. During this stage of burning it is
very important that the flames be maintained and not allowed
to go out. This will ensure the cleanest possible fire. If you
areadjustingforalowburnrate,youshouldclosedownthe
air to the point where you can still maintain some flame. If
the flames tend to go out, it is set too low for your burning
conditions.Theaircontrol,locatedinthecenterofthegrille
istheoneusedtoadjustforburnrates.Thisiscalledthe
Primary Air Control.
Figure 24.1.
3. Final Stage
T
he final stage of burning is the charcoal stage. This occurs
when the flammable gases have been mostly burned and
onlycharcoalremains.Thisisanaturallycleanportionof
the burn. The coals burn with hot blue flames.
Itisveryimportanttoreloadyourappliancewhileenough
livelyhotcoalsremaininordertoprovidetheamountofheat
needed to dry and rekindle the next load of wood. It is best
toopentheaircontrolsforashortwhilebefore reloading.
Thislivensupthecoalbed.Opendoorslowlysothatashor
smoke does not exit appliance through opening. You should
also break up any large chunks and distribute the coals so
thatthenewwoodislaidonhotcoals.
Air quality is important to all of us, and if we choose to use
woodtoheatourhomesweshoulddosoresponsibly.Todo
thisweneedtolearntoburnourstovesinthecleanestway
possible.Doingthiswillallowustocontinueusingourwood
stovesformanyyearstocome.