Drolet DB04815 User manual

Installation and Operation Manual
BISTRO WOOD BURNING
COOKSTOVE
(DB04815 model)
Printed in Canada 45251A
2021-08-25
READ AND KEEP THIS MANUAL FOR REFERENCE
ENGLISH
Security test made according to
regulations ULC S627 and UL 1482
by an accredited laboratory.
MOBILE
HOME
CONTACT LOCAL BUILDING OR FIRE OFFICIALS ABOUT RESTRICTIONS AND INSTALLATION INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS
IN LOCAL AREA.
READ THIS ENTIRE MANUAL BEFORE INSTALLATION AND USE OF THIS WOOD STOVE. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS
COULD RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, BODILY INJURY OR EVEN DEATH.
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY: THIS UNIT IS NOT A CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL WOOD HEATER. THE PRIMARY USE
FOR THIS UNIT IS FOR COOKING OR BAKING.
ISO PAGE 1

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As one of North America’s
largest and most respected
wood stove and fireplace
manufacturers, Stove Builder
International takes pride in the
quality and performance of all
its products.
The following pages
provide general advice on
wood heating, detailed
instructions for safe and
effective installation, and
guidance on how to get the
best performance from this
cookstove.
It is highly recommended
that this cookstove be
installed and serviced by
professionals who are certified
in the United States by NFI
(National Fireplace Institute®)
or in Canada by WETT
(Wood Energy Technology
Transfer) or in Quebec
by APC (Association des
Professionnels du Chauffage).
Contact local building or fire
officials about restrictions
and installation inspection
requirements in your local
area.
A building permit might be
required for the installation
of this cookstove and
the chimney that it is
connected to. It is also highly
recommended to inform your
home insurance company.
Please read this entire manual
before installing and using this
cookstove.
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING
THIS WOOD BURNING COOKSTOVE.
If this cookstove is
not installed properly,
combustible materials
near it may overheat
and catch fire.
To reduce the
risk of fire, follow
the installation
instructions in this
manual.
ONLINE WARRANTY REGISTRATION
If the unit requires repairs during the warranty period, proof of purchase must be provided. The
purchase invoice must be kept. The date indicated on it establishes the warranty period. If it
can not be provided, the warranty period will be determined by the date of manufacture of the
product.
It is also highly recommended to register the warranty online at
https://www.drolet.ca/en/warranty/warranty-registration/
Registering the warranty will help to quickly find the information needed on the unit.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CERTIFICATION PLATE................................................................................................................ 6
PART A - OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE .............................................................................. 7
1. Safety Information ................................................................................................................. 7
2. General information ............................................................................................................... 9
2.1 Specifications ............................................................................................................... 9
2.2 Cookstove Dimensions ................................................................................................10
3. Cookstove operation ........................................................................................................... 12
3.1 Components use..........................................................................................................12
3.2 Gas path......................................................................................................................15
4. Combustibles....................................................................................................................... 16
4.1 Tree Species ................................................................................................................16
4.2 Log Length ..................................................................................................................17
4.3 Piece Size....................................................................................................................17
4.4 Drying Time .................................................................................................................17
5. Efcient wood combustion ................................................................................................. 18
5.1 General Advice.............................................................................................................18
5.2 First Use ......................................................................................................................19
5.3 Lighting Fires ...............................................................................................................19
5.4 Combustion Cycles ......................................................................................................20
5.5 Rekindling a Fire...........................................................................................................21
5.6 Air Intake Control .........................................................................................................21
6. Maintenance ........................................................................................................................ 23
6.1 Combustion Chamber...................................................................................................23
6.2 Removing ashes...........................................................................................................23
6.3 Grills and cast iron cooking surface ...............................................................................24
6.4 Cleaning and Painting...................................................................................................24
6.5 Refractory Materials and Baffle......................................................................................24
6.6 Glasses .......................................................................................................................25
6.7 Decorative Panels.........................................................................................................31
6.8 Optional Fresh Air Intake Kit Installation .........................................................................32
6.9 Air Tubes And Baffle Installation ....................................................................................33
6.10 Handles installation ......................................................................................................34
6.11 Mobile Home Installation...............................................................................................35
6.12 Exhaust System ...........................................................................................................35

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PART B - INSTALLATION.............................................................................................................37
7. General Information............................................................................................................. 37
7.1 Security .......................................................................................................................37
7.2 Regulations Governing the Installation of the Cookstove .................................................38
7.3 Cookstove Positioning ..................................................................................................38
7.4 Location of the Certification Label .................................................................................38
8. Clearances to Combustible Material .................................................................................. 39
8.1 Floor Protection ...........................................................................................................42
8.2 Clearances Reduction to the Walls and the Ceiling .........................................................43
8.3 Clearances for Shield Installation...................................................................................45
9. Evacuation System.............................................................................................................. 47
9.1 General Information ......................................................................................................47
9.2 Suitable Chimneys........................................................................................................47
9.3 Minimum Chimney Height .............................................................................................49
9.4 Chimney Location.........................................................................................................49
10. Installing the Chimney Connector....................................................................................... 51
10.1 Installation of Single Wall Chimney Connector ................................................................51
10.2 Installation of Double wall Chimney Connector ...............................................................53
11. Combustion Air .................................................................................................................... 54
11.1 Mobile home ................................................................................................................54
11.2 Conventional House .....................................................................................................55
12. Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................... 56
13. Parts List .............................................................................................................................. 57
Bistro Cooking Stove Limited Lifetime Warranty.......................................................................60
Dealer:
Installer:
Phone Number:
Serial Number:

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CERTIFICATION PLATE

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PART A - OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY: THIS UNIT IS NOT A CERTIFIED
RESIDENTIAL WOOD HEATER. THE PRIMARY USE FOR THIS UNIT IS FOR COOKING
OR BAKING.
1. Safety Information
• Operate only with doors fully closed. If door is left partly open, gas and flame may be drawn out of
the opening, creating risks from both fire and smoke.
• The cookstove is not designed to be used when the door is open. Open the door only to startup or
to reload the stove.
• Don’t leave unattended when the door is slightly open for startups. Always close the door after
ignition.
• HOT WHILE IN OPERATION, KEEP CHILDREN, CLOTHING AND FURNITURE AWAY.
CONTACT MAY CAUSE SKIN BURNS. GLOVES MAY BE NEEDED FOR COOKSTOVE
OPERATION.
• Using the cookstove with cracked or broken components, such as glass, firebricks or baffle may
produce an unsafe condition and may damage the cookstove.
• Open the air control fully before opening the combustion chamber door.
• Do not store fuel within cookstove minimum installation clearances.
• Do not store wood underneath the combustion chamber.
• Burn only seasoned natural firewood.
• Do not elevate the fire by using a grate.
• A smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector and a fire extinguisher should be installed in the
house. The location of the fire extinguisher should be known by all family members.
• Paint used on this appliance is not food grade (including the cast iron cooking surface). It is strongly
not recommanded to cook directly on the painted surfaces.
• Radiant heat coming from the stove glass can cause intense heat or burning sensations. It is
recommanded to cook on the cast iron cooking surface from the side of the appliance.
• During cooking, keep the oven door closed to keep a constant temperature.
• Make sure the ash drawer is in place when the cookstove is in use (when it gives off heat).

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• DO NOT USE CHEMICALS OR FLUIDS TO START THE FIRE.
• DO NOT BURN GARBAGE OR FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS SUCH AS GASOLINE, NAPHTHA,
FUEL OIL, ENGINE OIL, KEROSENE, CHARCOAL LIGHTER FUEL, SIMILAR LIQUIDS, OR
AEROSOLS TO START, REVIVE OR NEAR THE FIRE. KEEP ALL SUCH LIQUIDS WELL AWAY
FROM THE HEATER WHILE IT IS IN USE.
• This appliance should always be maintained and operated in accordance with these instructions.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including carbon monoxide,
which is known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other
reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65warnings.ca.gov

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2. General information
2.1 Specifications
Model Bistro woodburning cookstove (DB04815)
Fuel Type Dry Cordwood
Recommanded log length 16" (406 mm)
Maximum log length 20" (508 mm) east-west orientation1
Flue outlet diameter 6 in (150 mm)
Chimney diameter 6 in (150 mm)
Type of chimney UL 103 HT, ULC S629
Necessary flue draft 0,05" H2O (12 Pa)
Alcove installation Not approved
Mobile home installation2 Approved
Shipping weight 575 lb (261 kg)
American standards (security) UL 1482
Canadian standards (security) ULC S627
Oven dimensions (Wx D xH) 18" x 15-5/16" x 7-7/8"
457 mm x 177 mm x 381 mm
1East-west orientation: longitudinal side of logs visible; north-south orientation: end of logs visible.
2Mobile home (Canada) or prefabricated home (USA): The US department of Housing and urban development describes “prefabricated homes”
better known as “mobile homes” as follows; constructed buildings on fixed wheels and those transported on temporary wheels/axles installed on a
permanent foundation. In Canada, a mobile home is a dwelling which the assembly of each component is done or mostly done before moving it to a
location where it will be placed on foundations and connected to service facilities that meet the standards CAN/CSA-Z240 MH.

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2.2 Cookstove Dimensions
13 7/16"
342mm
26 7/8"
683mm
O6"
153mm
27"
686mm
23 7/8"
606mm
11 1/16"
280mm
20 1/16"
509mm
9 7/8"
251mm
29 5/16"
745mm
31 3/16"
792mm
32"
814mm
13 7/8"
353mm
20 7/16"
520mm
22 3/8"
568mm
26 3/8"
670mm
41 1/8"
1044mm
41 15/16"
1065mm
16 1/2"
419mm 7 7/16"
189mm
25 5/8"
651mm
Figure 1: Top view
13 7/16"
342mm
26 7/8"
683mm
O6"
153mm
27"
686mm
23 7/8"
606mm
11 1/16"
280mm
20 1/16"
509mm
9 7/8"
251mm
29 5/16"
745mm
31 3/16"
792mm
32"
814mm
13 7/8"
353mm
20 7/16"
520mm
22 3/8"
568mm
26 3/8"
670mm
41 1/8"
1044mm
41 15/16"
1065mm
16 1/2"
419mm 7 7/16"
189mm
25 5/8"
651mm
13 7/16"
342mm
26 7/8"
683mm
O6"
153mm
27"
686mm
23 7/8"
606mm
11 1/16"
280mm
20 1/16"
509mm
9 7/8"
251mm
29 5/16"
745mm
31 3/16"
792mm
32"
814mm
13 7/8"
353mm
20 7/16"
520mm
22 3/8"
568mm
26 3/8"
670mm
41 1/8"
1044mm
41 15/16"
1065mm
16 1/2"
419mm 7 7/16"
189mm
25 5/8"
651mm
Figure 2: Front view Figure 3: Side view

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2.2.1 Combustion Chamber Dimensions
17 1/2"
444mm
9"
228mm
21"
533mm 17 3/16"
437mm
11 7/8"
301mm
5/16"
7mm
3/16"
5mm
Figure 4: Door opening
17 1/2"
444mm
9"
228mm
21"
533mm
17 3/16"
437mm
11 7/8"
301mm
5/16"
7mm
3/16"
5mm
17 1/2"
444mm
9"
228mm
21"
533mm
17 3/16"
437mm
11 7/8"
301mm
5/16"
7mm
3/16"
5mm
Figure 5: Front view : Combustion chamber Figure 6: Side view : Combustion chamber

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3. Cookstove operation
3.1 Components use
Cooking with a wood-burning cookstove is an art that requires several attempts to get to know
and control the appliance. Many factors can influence how the cookstove will heat the oven and
the cooking surface. Among them, the type of fuel used and its quality, the size of the logs and
when to load before cooking. It is therefore recommended to do several tests to make the Bistro
your own.
AOven thermometer
BCombustion chamber
CAir control
DCast iron cooking suface
EStainless steel oven
FCooking grills
GAsh pan
FIGURE 4
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
Figure 7: Component Location
It is prohibited to put or store inside the required appliance clearances: alcohol,
gasoline, liquid fuel, flammable materials, ashes, paper and wood in the accessory
compartment.

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3.1.1 Oven
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 6
Figure 8: Oven door closed
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 6
Figure 9: Oven door open
The cooker has a stainless steel oven to cook or bake food. The panoramic glass of the oven
door allows you to watch your meal without having to open the door. During cooking, keep the
oven door closed to maintain a constant temperature.
The oven cooking temperature can be adjusted using the air intake control (see section "5.6
Air Intake Control") or by opening or closing the oven door. For even cooking, turn the kitchen
accessory used (plate, frying pan, dish, etc.) by 180 ° et half the cooking time.
A cooking grid is supplied with the cooker, allowing food to be cooked at center or bottom of
the oven.
The thermometer integrated in the oven door simplifies the temperature reading. The dial can
indicate temperatures ranging from 150°F to 750°F (Approximately 50°C to 400°C).
The ambient air inside the oven can vary by approximately 50°F between the hottest point and
the coldest point. Typically, the coldest spot is at the front left of the oven, near the doorknob,
and the hottest spot is at the rear right, completely opposite. The oven wall temperature is not
necessarily equal to room temperature. The thermometer indicates the ambient temperature at
a specific point in the oven, which is why the temperature indicated by the thermometer is for
reference only.

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3.1.2 Cast iron cooking surface
FIGURE 7
Figure 10: Cast iron cooking surface
It is not recommended to cook food directly on the cast iron top, as the paint used is
not food grade.
The cast iron cooking surface on the top of the range is designed to provide intense heat to allow
food to be cooked. It was designed to cook with kitchen accessories (frying pan, saucepan,
etc.). It is recommended to use heat resistant cast iron or aluminum accessories for best results.
The temperature of the cooking surface is not necessarily uniform.
The temperature of Cast iron top cooking can be adjusted with the air intake control.
To reduce the discomfort due to the heat coming from the combustion chamber, it is recommended
to cook on the side of the appliance.

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3.2 Gas path
FIGURE 8
Figure 11: Gas path
The gas path is in fact the circuit followed by the hot gases emitted by burning wood. This circuit
is used to heat the stainless steel oven and the cast iron cooking surface.
1. The primary air supply provided by the pilot feeds the wood combustion.
2. Wood burning in the combustion chamber gives off particles and hot gases heading upwards.
3. The secondary air supply from the tubes at the top of the combustion chamber burns a second
time gases and particles. This process makes the combustion cleaner and allows to regulate the
efficiency of the fire.
4. The gases burned twice are then guided by the baffle towards the front of the combustion chamber.
5. The gases then divide in two, passing through the ducts to the left and right of the oven and
joining between the oven and the cooking surface. This portion of the journey is the one that
allows for gases to transmit their heat to the oven and to the cooking surface. The path borrowed
by gases has an impact on heat distribution. For example, if the fire is further to the left in the
combustion chamber, the heat released may pass more through the ducts to the left of the device.
The temperature of the cast iron cooking surface may therefore vary according to the path taken
by the gases. On the other hand, the oven tends to keep a relatively uniform temperature thanks
to its insulation.
6. The gases finally escape through the chimney.

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4. Combustibles
Good firewood has been cut to the correct length for the stove, split to a range of sizes and
stacked in the open until its moisture content is down to 15% to 20%.
DO NOT BURN:
• GARBAGE;
• LAWN CLIPPINGS OR YARD WASTE;
• MATERIALS CONTAINING RUBBER, INCLUDING TIRES;
• MATERIALS CONTAINING PLASTIC;
•
WASTE PETROLEUM PRODUCTS, PAINTS OR PAINT THINNERS, OR ASPHALT
PRODUCTS;
• MATERIALS CONTAINING ASBESTOS;
• CONSTRUCTION OR DEMOLITION DEBRIS;
• RAILROAD TIES OR PRESSURE-TREATED WOOD;
• MANURE OR ANIMAL REMAINS;
•
SALT WATER DRIFTWOOD OR OTHER PREVIOUSLY SALT WATER SATURATED
MATERIALS;
• UNSEASONED WOOD; OR
•
PAPER PRODUCTS, CARDBOARD, PLYWOOD, OR PARTICLE BOARD. THE
PROHIBITION AGAINST BURNING THESE MATERIALS DOES NOT PROHIBIT
THE USE OF FIRE STARTERS MADE FROM PAPER, CARDBOARD, SAW DUST,
WAX AND SIMILAR SUBSTANCES FOR THE PURPOSE OF STARTING A FIRE
IN AN AFFECTED WOOD HEATER.
•
BURNING THESE MATERIALS MAY RESULT IN THE RELEASE OF TOXIC FUMES
OR RENDER THE HEATER INEFFECTIVE AND CAUSE SMOKE.
4.1 Tree Species
The tree species the firewood is produced from is less important than its moisture content. The
main difference in firewood from various tree species is the density of the wood. Hardwoods are
denser than softwoods.
Note that hardwood trees like oak, maple, ash and beech are slower growing and longer lived
than softer woods like poplar and birch. That makes hardwood trees more valuable. The advice
that only hardwoods are good to burn is outdated. Old, leaky cast iron stoves wouldn’t hold a
fire over e longer period of time unless they were fed large pieces of hardwood. That is no longer
true.

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4.2 Log Length
Logs should be cut at least 1" (25 mm) shorter than the firebox so they fit in
easily. Pieces that are even slightly too long makes loading the stove very
difficult. The most common standard length of firewood is 16" (400mm).
4.3 Piece Size
Firewood dries more quickly when it is split. Large unsplit rounds can take
years to dry enough to burn. Even when dried, unsplit logs are difficult to ignite because they
don’t have the sharp edges where the flames first catch.
Wood should be split to a range of sizes, from about 3" to 6" (75 mm to 150 mm) in cross
section. Having a range of sizes makes starting and rekindling fires much easier.
4.4 Drying Time
Firewood that is not dry enough to burn is
the cause of most complaints about wood
burning appliances. Continually burning green
or unseasoned wood produces more creosote
and involves lack of heat and dirty glass door.
Firewood with a moisture content between 15%
and 20% will allow the stove to produce its
optimal output.

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Here are some facts to consider in estimating drying time:
− Firewood bought from a dealer is rarely dry enough to burn, so it is advisable to buy the wood in
spring and dry it yourself;
− Drying happens faster in dry weather than in a damp climate;
− Drying happens faster in warm summer weather than in winter weather;
− Small pieces dry more quickly than large pieces;
− Split pieces dry more quickly than unsplit rounds;
− Softwoods like pine, spruce, poplar, and aspen take less time to dry than hardwoods. they can be
dry enough to burn after being stacked to air dry only for the summer months;
− Hardwoods like oak, maple and ash can take one, or even two years to dry fully, especially if the
pieces are big;
− Firewood dries more quickly when stacked outside in a location exposed to sun and wind; it takes
much longer to dry when stacked in a wood shed;
− Ready-to-burn wood with a moisture content of 15% to 20% will allow the appliance to achieve
its optimal use.
Use these guidelines to find out if the firewood is dry enough to burn:
− Cracks form at the ends of logs as they dry;
− The wood turns from white or cream colored to grey or yellow;
− Two pieces of wood struck together sounds hollow;
− Dry wood is much lighter in weight than wet wood;
− The face of a fresh cut feels warm and dry;
− The moisture content read by a moisture meter is between
15% to 20%.
5. Efficient wood combustion
5.1 General Advice
Wood burns best in cycles. A cycle starts when a new load of wood is ignited by hot coals and
ends when that load has been consumed down to a bed of charcoal about the same size as it
was when the wood was loaded. Trying to produce a steady fire by placing a single log at regular
intervals is not recommended. Always place at least three, and preferably more pieces on the
fire at a time so that the heat radiated from one piece helps to ignite the pieces next to it.
Prolonged and continuous use at a very low rate of combustion or with very wet
wood can cause highly flammable creosote to build up in the flue.
Burning in cycles means the stove door does not need to be opened while the wood is flaming.
This is an advantage since it is preventing smoke leaking from the stove when the door is opened
as a full fire is burning. This is especially true if the chimney is on the outside wall of the house.
If the door must be open while the fire is flaming, fully open the air control for a few
minutes then open the door slowly.

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5.2 First Use
Two things happen when burning the first few fires; the paint cures and the internal components are
conditioned. As the paint cures, some of the chemicals vaporize. The vapors are not poisonous,
but they smell bad. Fresh paint fumes can also trigger false alarms in smoke detectors. When
lighting the heater for the first few times, it may be wise to open doors and windows to ventilate
the house.
Burn two or three small fires to begin the curing and conditioning process. Then build bigger
and hotter fires until there is no longer paint smell from the stove. As hotter and hotter fires are
burned, more of the painted surfaces reach the curing temperature of the paint. The smell of
curing paint does not disappear until one or two very hot fires have been burned.
5.3 Lighting Fires
Each person cooking with wood develops its own favorite way to light fires. Regardless of the
method chosen, the goal should be to have a hot fire burning, quickly. A fire that ignites fast
produces less smoke and deposits less creosote in the chimney.
Consult the video using the following link to better visualize the ignition methods:
https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=Y7O0v-nw7QQ&ab_channel=SBI
Never use gasoline, gasoline-type lantern fuel (naphtha), fuel oil, motor oil, kerosene,
charcoal lighter fluid, or similar liquids or aerosols to start or ‘freshen up’ a fire in this
wood stove. Keep all such liquids well away from the stove while it is in use.
Here are three popular and effective ways to ignite wood fires.
5.3.1 Conventional Method
The conventional method to build a wood fire is to crumple 5 to 10
sheets of newspaper and place them in the firebox and hold them
in place with ten pieces of kindling wood. The kindling should be
placed on and behind the newspaper.
Then add two or three small pieces of firewood. Open the air
intake control completely and ignite the newspaper. Leave the door
slightly ajar.
Once the fire has ignited, the door can be closed with the air control
still fully open. When the kindling is almost completely burned,
standard firewood pieces can be added.
Do not leave the heater unattended when the door is slightly open. Always close and
latch the door after the fire ignites.
5.3.2 The Top Down Method
This method is the opposite of the conventional method and only works properly if well-seasoned
wood is used.
Place three or four small, split, dry logs in the firebox. Arrange the kindling wood on the logs in
two layers at right angles and place a dozen finely split kindling on the second row.

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It is possible to use ragged paper but it may not hold in place since it tends to roll while it is
burning. The best is to wrap a sheet on itself, grab the ends of the roll and make a knot. Use
four or five sheets of paper tied together and put them on top and around the kindling. Open the
air intake control completely, ignite the paper and close the door.
The top down fire method has two advantages over the traditional method: first, the fire does
not collapse on itself , and it is not necessary to add wood gradually since the combustion
chamber is full before the fire is lit.
5.3.3 Two Parallel Logs Method
Two spit logs are placed in the firebox with a few sheets of twisted newspapers in between the
logs. Fine kindling is added across the two logs and some larger kindling across those, log cabin
style. Newspaper is lit.
5.3.4 Using Fire Starters
Commercial fire starters can be used instead of a newspaper. Some of these starters are made
of sawdust and wax and others are made of specialized flammable solid chemicals. Always
follow the package directions when using. Gel starters can also be used, but only to light a fire,
in a cold combustion chamber without hot embers inside.
5.4 Combustion Cycles
Wood-burning cookstove don’t have a steady heat output. It is normal for the heat output to
increase after a new load of wood is ignited and to gradually decrease throughout the burning
cycle. This increasing and decreasing temperature can be matched with the household routines.
For example, add small pieces of wood for fast and intense cooking heat or bigger pieces for
long lasting heat to simmer a dish.
Wood burns best in cycles. A cycle starts when a new load of wood is ignited by hot coals and
ends when that load has been consumed down to a bed of charcoal about the same size as it
was when the wood was loaded.
Trying to produce a steady heat output by placing a single log on the fire at regular intervals is
not recommended. Always place at least three, and preferably more pieces on the fire at a time
so that the heat radiated from one piece helps to ignite the pieces next to it. Each load of wood
should provide several hours of heat. The size of each load may vary depending on the amount
of heat required.
Burning in cycles means the loading door does not need to be opened while the wood is flaming.
This is an advantage since it is preventing smoke leaking from the heater when the door is
opened as a full fire is burning. This is especially true if the chimney is on the outside wall of the
house.
If the door must be opened while the fire is flaming, fully open air control for a few minutes
then open the door slowly.