Vermont Castings Encore 2550C User manual
0956
Encore Cover
2/01
Homeowner’s
Installation and
Operating Manual
30003842 5/11 Rev. 10
For use in Europe
2
Encore®Woodburning Stove
30003842
Congratulations on your choice of a Vermont Castings Encore. With this purchase you have made a commitment to
make the hearth a place of warmth, beauty, and comfort in your home. At MHSC, we share that joy and appreciation
for the hearth. You may be assured that your cast-iron Vermont Castings stove has been made with the utmost care
and will provide you with many years of service.
As you become acquainted with your new stove or replace, you will nd that its visual appearance is matched by its
functionality, due to cast iron’s unique capability to absorb and radiate heat.
Also, MHSC units are among the cleanest-burning wood stoves and replaces available today. As an owner of a
Vermont Castings stove, you make a strong statement for pollution-free energy. Clean burning, however, depends on
both the manufacturer and the operator. Please read this manual carefully to understand how to properly operate and
maintain your stove or replace.
At MHSC, we are equally committed to your satisfaction as a customer. That is why we maintain an exclusive network
of the nest dealers in the industry. Our dealers are chosen for their expertise and dedication to customer service.
They are factory-trained and knowledgeable about every MHSC product. Feel free to contact your Authorized Vermont
Castings Dealer anytime you have a particular question about your stove or its performance.
This manual contains valuable instructions on the installation and operation of your Vermont Castings stove. It also
contains useful information on maintenance and assembly of this product. We urge you to read the manual thoroughly
and to keep it as a reference.
Sincerely,
All of us at MHSC
This manual describes the installation, operation, and
maintenance of the Vermont Castings Encore Model
2550CE catalytic-equipped wood burning heater. This
heater meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agen-
cy’s emission limits for wood heaters sold on or after
July 1, 1990. Under specic test conditions this heater
has been shown to deliver heat up to 10.1 kW (34,500
BTU/hr).
The Encore Model #2550CE has been tested to cur-
rent standards. The test standards are UL-1482 and
ANUL-737 for the United States, and EN13240:2001
+ A2:2004 for Europe. The Encore is listed for burning
wood. Do not burn other fuels. The Encore is listed
and approved for use in mobile homes in the United
States only when installed with Vermont Castings Mo-
bile Home Kit #3251.
We recommend that you hire a professional installer
install your stove, or to advise you on the installation
should you attempt to install it yourself.
Please read this entire manual before you install and
use your new stove. Failure to follow instructions may
result in property damage, bodily injury, or even death.
Specications ....................................... 3
Installation ............................................ 4
Assembly ............................................ 12
Operation ............................................ 13
Draft Management .............................. 19
Maintenance ....................................... 21
Appendix: Catalytic Combustor .......... 27
Replacement Parts ............................. 28
Warranty ............................................. 31
Warming Shelves
#1560 Classic Black #1558 Vt. Classic Green
#1553 Brown Majolica #1565 Bordeaux
#1555 Biscuit #1567 Midnight Blue
#1557 Ebony
# 0127 Sparkscreen
# 0173 Rear Heat Shield
# 3257 Outside Air Adapter
# 3251 Mobile Home Kit
# 0191 Heat shields for the chimney connector
- Matching porcelain stovepipe
3
Encore®Woodburning Stove
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51 mm
(2")
640 mm
(2556M")
Top exit
flue collar
height
685 mm (27”)
660 mm
(25(6")
470 mm
(1856O")
190 mm
(76")
685 mm (27")
570 mm (2256O")
390 mm
(1556O")
130 mm
(5")
75 mm (2(6")
595 mm
(236")
135 mm
(556M")
380 mm
(15")
610 mm
(24")
83 mm
(356M")
690 mm (27")
545 mm
(216")
460 mm (18")
Encore 2550 EU
dimensions
8/06
Encore dimensions.
Drawings Not to Scale
Nominal heat out put ............10.1 kW (34,500 BTU/hr)1
Minimum ue draught ......................12 Pa (0.048” WG)
Mean ue gas temp ..............................339° C (642° F)
Efciency (Space heating) ......................................75%
Area heated ................... Up to 175 sq. m (1900 sq. ft.)1
Fuel size/type .................... 457-510 mm (18-20”) wood
Flue mass gas ow ............................................. 8.3 g/s
CO Emissions (@ 13% O2)............................1600 ppm
Loading .....................................................Front and top
Chimney connector:
for 8” ue collar ....................... 203 mm (8”) diameter
for 6” ue collar ....................... 152 mm (6”) diameter
Chimney ue size:
for 8” ue collar .......................203 mm (8”) minimum
for 6” ue collar .......................152 mm (6”) minimum
Flue exit position........................ Reversible, top or rear
Primary air ... Manually set, thermostatically maintained
Secondary air .........................................Self-regulating
Ash handling system ..................... Removable ash pan
Glass panel.......................... High-temperature ceramic
Weight ................................................ 159 kg (350 lbs.)
Width (leg-to-leg) ..................................... 685 mm (27”)
Depth (leg-to-leg)..................................... 380 mm (15”)
Height to top of ue collar, 152 or 203 mm (6” or 8”)
Top exit .............................................. 640 mm (25¹⁄₄”)
Rear exit ............................................ 675 mm (26¹⁄₂”)
1. This value can vary depending on how the stove
is operated, the type and moisture content of the fuel
used, as well as the design, construction and climatic
location of your home. Figures shown are based on
nominal fuel consumption obtained under laboratory
conditions and on average efciencies.
4
Encore®Woodburning Stove
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Before you begin an installation, be sure that:
• Your stove and chimney connector will be far
enough from combustible materials to meet all
clearance requirements.
• The oor protector is large enough and is con-
structed properly to meet all requirements.
• You have all necessary permits from local au-
thorities.
Your local building ofcial is the nal authority for ap-
proving your installation as safe and determining that it
meets local and state codes.
The metal label permanently attached to the back of
every Vermont Castings’ stove indicates the stove has
been tested to current standards. The test standard
is EN13240:2001 + A2:2004 for Europe. Clearance
and installation information also is printed on the label.
When the stove is installed according to the information
both on the label and in this manual, local authorities
in most cases will accept the label as evidence that the
installation meets codes and can be approved.
However, codes vary in different countries. Before
starting the installation, review your plans with the local
building authority. Your local dealer can provide any ad-
ditional information needed.
In some modern, super-insulated homes, there is
inadequate air for combustion because of insufcient
air inltration into the building. Such air enters a home
through unsealed cracks and openings. Exhaust fans
for kitchen or bath can compete with the stove for avail-
able air and compound the problem.
When poor draft is caused by a low inltration rate,
opening a ground oor window on the windward side
of the house and in the vicinity of the stove will usually
alleviate the problem.
For appliances with power outputs above 5 kW, a
permanently open air vent is required by Section 2 of
Document J. Air inlet grilles should be positioned so
that they will not be blocked. Refer to local and national
codes for recommended congurations.
Pressure variations within the house do not affect a
stove equipped with an outside air supply, and im-
proved stove performance often results. An Outside Air
Adapter Kit for the Encore is available from your local
Vermont Castings dealer.
Altitude affects chimney performance. When using a
6” ue collar on the Encore, refer to Figure 2 for sug-
gested chimney heights at various altitudes. Chimney
height should be measured from the ue collar to the
top of the chimney. The recommended minimum chim-
ney height is 4.9 m (16’).
30
25
20
15
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000
Height
Altitude
ST491
Defiant
chimney height
11/2/00 djt
ST491
Chimney height requirements for Encore when
equipped with a 152 mm (6”) chimney.
5
Encore®Woodburning Stove
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You must connect the Encore to a code-approved
masonry chimney with a ue liner, to a relined masonry
chimney that meets local codes, or to a prefabricated
metal chimney. (Fig. 3) The chimney and chimney con-
nector must be in good condition and kept clean.
ST241
chimney types
12/13/99 djt
ST241
A tile-lined
masonry
chimney
A prefabricated double-
wall insulated chimney
Approved chimney types.
An inspection of the chimney must conrm that it has
a lining. Do not use an unlined chimney. The chimney
should have no cracks, loose mortar, other signs of
deterioration, and blockage. Repair any defects before
the chimney is used with your stove.
Unused openings in an existing masonry chimney must
be sealed with masonry to the thickness of the chimney
wall, and the chimney liner should be repaired. Open-
ings sealed with pie plates or wallpaper are a hazard
and should be sealed with mortar or refractory cement.
In the event of a chimney re, ames and smoke may
be forced out of these unused thimbles.
The chimney should be thoroughly cleaned before use.
A newly-built masonry chimney must conform to the
standards of your local building code or, in the absence
of a local code, to a recognized national code. Masonry
chimneys must be lined, either with code-approved
masonry or pre-cast refractory tiles, stainless steel
pipe, or a code-approved, “poured-in-place” liner. The
chimney’s clean-out door must seal tightly.
These should be an internal diameter of 150 mm (6”)
and be of the twin wall insulated construction that has
been approved for solid fuel use (e.g. Rite Vent ICS of
ICID Lite Chimney Systems). Diameters over 200 mm
(8”) are not recommended due to the large cross-sec-
tion causing excessive cooling of the ue gases.
An Encore with an 203 mm (8”) ue collar is approved
for venting into a masonry chimney with a nominal ue
size of 203 x 203 mm (8” x 8”) or 203 x 305 mm ( 8”
x 12”), and into a round ue with nominal ue size of
203 mm (8”). An Encore with a 152 mm (6”) ue collar
is approved for venting into a masonry chimney with a
nominal ue size of 203 x 203 mm (8” x 8”), and into a
round ue with nominal ue of 152 mm (6”).
Whatever the ue collar size, an Encore may be vented
into larger chimneys as well. However, chimneys
with liners larger than 203 x 305 mm (8” x 12”) may
experience rapid cooling of smoke and reduction in
draft, especially if the chimneys are located outside the
home. These large chimneys may need to be insulated
or have their ues relined for proper stove performance.
Accessories to help make the connection between
stainless steel chimney liners and your Encore are
available through your local dealer.
A chimney connector is the double-wall or single-wall
pipe that connects the stove to the chimney. The chim-
ney itself is the masonry or prefabricated structure that
encloses the ue. Chimney connectors are used only to
connect the stove to the chimney, as in Figure 5.
Connector pipes should meet the requirements of the
building regulations. This can be achieved by the use
connecting uepipes included in the following catego-
ries:
a) Vitreous enamelled steel pipe complying with BS
6999: 1989 (1996);
b) Pipes made from stainless steel as descirbed in BS
EN 1008-1:1995 grades 1.4401, 1.4404, 1.4432 or
1.4436 with ue wall thickness of at least 1 mm;
c) Mild steel uepipes complying with BS 1449: Part 1:
1991, with a ue wall thickness of at least 3 mm;
d) Cast iron uepipes complying with BS 41: 1973
(1998).
If you use an existing masonry chimney, it must be
inspected to ensure it is in a safe condition before the
stove is installed. Your local professional chimney
sweep, building inspector, or re department ofcial will
be able to inspect the chimney or provide a referral to
someone who can.
The ue and chimney design must meet requirement
J2, Part J of the building regulations 2000 (Combustion
Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems).
6
Encore®Woodburning Stove
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Flue Pipes with a spigot and socket joint should be
tted with the socket facing upwards, to contain con-
densates and moisture within the ue. Joints should be
made gas tight using proprietary jointing accessories,
or, where appropriate, by packing joint with noncombus-
tible rope and re cement.
Double-wall connectors must be tested and listed for
use with solid-fuel burning appliances. Single-wall con-
nectors should be made of 24 gauge or heavier steel.
Do not use galvanized connector; it cannot withstand
the high temperatures that can be reached by smoke
and exhaust gases, and may release toxic fumes under
high heat. The connector may be 152 mm (6”) or 203
mm (8”) in diameter.
If possible, do not pass the chimney connector through
a combustible wall or ceiling. If passage through a com-
bustible wall is unavoidable, refer to the section on Wall
Pass-Throughs. Do not pass the connector through an
attic, a closet or similar concealed space. The whole
connector should be exposed and accessible for in-
spection and cleaning.
In horizontal runs of chimney connector, maintain a dis-
tance of 610 mm (24”) from the ceiling. Keep it as short
and direct as possible, with no more than two 90° turns.
Slope horizontal runs of connector upward 6 mm per
metere (1/4” per foot) going from the stove toward the
chimney. The recommended maximum length of a hori-
zontal run is 914 mm (36”), and the total length should
be no longer than 2.4 m (8’). In cathedral ceiling instal-
lations, extend the prefabricated chimney downward to
within 2.4 m (8’) of the stove.
Information on assembling and installing double-wall
connectors is provided by the manufacturer of the
double-wall pipe. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
exactly as you assemble the connector and attach it to
the stove and chimney. Using chimneys and connectors
from the same manufacturer makes the assembly and
installation straightforward.
For installations using double-wall connectors,
minimum clearances must conform to the listed clear-
ances in the clearance chart on Page 14.
If the Encore is equipped with the 203 mm (8”) ue
collar, an oval-to-round adapter will be needed. Double-
wall oval-to-round adapters are available from some
manufacturers. Your local dealer can help you select
the right connector.
• Begin assembly at the ue collar of the stove. Insert
the rst crimped end into the stove’s ue collar, and
keep each crimped end pointing toward the stove.
(Fig. 4) Using the holes in the ue collar as guides,
drill 3 mm (1/8”) holes in the bottom of the rst sec-
tion of chimney connector and secure it to the ue
collar with three #10 x 1/2” sheet metal screws.
• Secure each joint between sections of chimney
connector, including
telescoping joints, with at
least three (3) sheet metal
screws. The pre-drilled
holes in the top of each
section of chimney con-
nector serve as guides
when you drill 3 mm (1/8)
holes in the bottom of the
next section.
• Secure the chimney con-
nector to the chimney.
Instructions for various
installations follow.
• Be sure the installed stove
and chimney connector are correct distances from
nearby combustible materials.
Special slip pipes and thimble sleeves that form
telescoping joints between sections of chimney con-
nector are available to simplify installations. They often
eliminate the need to cut individual connector sections.
Consult your local dealer about these special pieces.
Follow the installation instructions of the chimney
manufacturer exactly as you install the chimney. The
manufacturer of the chimney will supply the acces-
sories to support the chimney, either from the roof of
the house, at the ceiling of the room where the stove is
installed, or from an exterior wall.
Special adapters are available from your local dealer
to make the connection between the prefabricated
chimney and the chimney connector. The top of such
adapters attaches directly to the chimney or to the
chimney’s ceiling support package, while the bottom of
the adapter is screwed to the chimney connector.
These adapters are designed so the top end will t
outside the inner wall of the chimney, and the bottom
end will t inside the rst section of chimney connector.
When assembled in this way, any soot or creosote fall-
ing from the inner walls of the chimney will stay inside
the chimney connector.
ST242
Chimney connector
12/13/99 djt
the crimped end
of the connector points
toward stove.
7
Encore®Woodburning Stove
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ST492
Defiant
freestanding
installation
11/00
Chimney
Elbow
Slip Pipe
Standard
Connector
Oval to
Round Adapter
Flue Collar
Thimble
Flue Liner
Flue
ST492
Chimney connection in a freestanding masonry instal-
lation.
Both freestanding masonry chimneys and replace
masonry chimneys may be used for your installation.
If the chimney connector must pass through a combus-
tible wall to reach the chimney, follow the recommenda-
tions in the Wall Pass-Through section that follows.
The opening through the chimney wall to the ue
(the “breech”) must be lined with either a ceramic or
metal cylinder, called the “thimble”, which is cemented
securely in place. Most chimney breeches incorporate
thimbles, but the t must be snug and the joint between
the thimble and the chimney wall must be cemented
rmly.
A special piece called the “thimble sleeve,” slightly
smaller in diameter than standard connectors and
most thimbles, will facilitate the removal of the chimney
connector system for inspection and cleaning. Thimble
sleeves should be available from your local dealer.
To install a thimble sleeve, slide it into the breech until
it is ush with the inner ue wall. Do not extend it into
the actual ue passage, as this could interfere with the
draft.
ST243
thinble connection
12/13/99 djt
Thimble Sleeve
Chimney Connector Flue
Keep
sleeve
end ush
with ue
tile
ST243
The thimble, made of either ceramic or metal, must be
cemented securely in place.
The thimble sleeve should protrude 1-2” (25-50mm) into
the room. (Fig. 6) Use furnace cement and thin gasket-
ing to seal the sleeve in place in the thimble. Secure
the chimney connector to the outer end of the sleeve
with sheet metal screws.
Without a thimble, a suitable length of chimney con-
nector can be extended through the breech to the inner
face of the ue liner, and cemented securely in place.
Additional pieces of connector are then attached with
sheet metal screws.
The chimney connector may be connected to the
chimney above the replace opening or through the
replace.
The Encore may be connected to a chimney above
a replace opening. (Fig. 7) In such installations, the
stove is positioned on the hearth in front of the replace
and the chimney connector rises from the stove top and
then angles ninety degrees back into the chimney. The
chimney liner should extend to the point at which the
chimney connector enters the chimney.
If the chimney connector from your installation enters
the chimney above a replace, follow all the guidelines
mentioned above for freestanding installations. In addi-
tion, give special consideration to the following points:
• Check the clearance between the stove and the
chimney connector, and any combustible trim or the
mantel. Use the necessary combination of mantel, trim,
and connector heat shields to achieve the required
clearances.
• Check the clearance between the chimney con-
nector and the ceiling. If no heat shields are used, the
clearance should be at least 610 mm (24”). To nd out
how much this clearance may be reduced with heat
shields, refer to the clearance chart on Page 12.
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Encore®Woodburning Stove
30003842
• The replace damper must be sealed to prevent
room air from escaping up the ue. However, it must be
possible to re-open the damper to inspect or clean the
chimney.
* Check
These Clear-
ances
ST244
Plymouth
fplc over mantel
12/99
*
*
Chimney
Connector Shields
Mantel
Seal this off
ST244
In this installation, the chimney connector is attached
to the chimney above the replace opening.
If your replace opening height is at least 675 mm (26¹⁄₂"),
you may install an Encore through the opening using a
“positive connection” kit, available from your local dealer.
These positive connection kits ensure a tight t between
the stove ue collar and the chimney ue. (Fig. 8)
Fireplace installations, whether connected to the ue
above or through the replace opening, have special
clearance requirements to adjacent trim and the mantel.
You’ll nd the required safe clearances for Encore re-
place installations on Page 11.
Floor protection requirements also apply to replace
installations. This information is on Page 9.
Whenever possible, design your installation so the con-
nector does not pass through a combustible wall. If you
are considering a wall pass-through in your installation,
check with your building inspector before you begin.
Also, check with the chimney connector manufacturer
for any specic requirements.
Accessories are available for use as wall pass-
throughs. If using one of these, make sure it has been
tested and listed for use as a wall pass-through.
ST245
fireplace
flex connector
12/99
Flexible Connector
Mantel Shield
Fireplace Adapter
Kit “Positive Con-
nection”
ST245
In this installation, the chimney connector enters the
repalce opening and then connects to the chimney.
Figure 9 shows one method of passing a connector
through a wall. All combustible material in the wall is cut
away to provide the required 457 mm (18”) clearance
for the connector. The resulting space must remain
empty. A ush-mounted sheet metal cover may be used
on one side only. If covers must be used on both sides,
each cover must be mounted on noncombustible spac-
ers at least 25 mm (1”) clear of the wall.
Your local dealer or your local building inspector can
provide details for other approved methods of passing
a chimney connector through a combustible wall in your
area.
T
ST494
steel
wall pass thru
11/00
457 mm (18”) clear
space all around
the pipe
ST494
An approved wall pass-through.
9
Encore®Woodburning Stove
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Do not assume that your replace hearth is completely
noncombustible.
Many replace hearths do not meet the “completely
noncombustible” requirement because the brick or
concrete in front of the replace opening is supported
by heavy wood framing. (Fig. 11) Because heat passes
through brick or concrete readily, it can easily pass
through to the wood. As a result, such replace hearths
can be a re hazard and are considered a combustible
oor.
Keep in mind, also, that many raised hearths will extend
less than the required clearance from the front of the
heater when it is installed. In such cases, sufcient
oor protection as described above must be added in
front of the hearth to satisfy the minimum oor protector
requirement from the front of the stove: 406 mm (16”)
from the front.
ST247
Rear exit floor dgrm
12/14/99 djt
Wood framing requires pro-
tection from radiant heat ST247e
Combustible supporting timbers may lie beneath
replace hearths, requiring additional oor protection.
Hearth rugs do not satisfy the requirements for oor
protection.
Both a stove and its chimney connector radiate heat in
all directions when operating, and dangerous overheat-
ing of nearby combustible materials can occur if they
are too close to the heat. A safe installation requires
that adequate clearance be maintained between the
hot stove and its connector and nearby combustibles.
Clearance is the distance between either your stove
(measured from the bottom edge of the stove’s top
plate) or chimney connector, and nearby walls, oors,
the ceiling, and any other xed combustible surface.
Your stove has special clearance requirements that
have been established after careful research and test-
ing to both US and European standards. These clear-
This appliance must be installed on to hearth that
meets the requirements of Part J of the Building Regu-
lations 2000 (Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage
Systems). This can be achieved by ensuring that the
hearth is constructed and sized in accordance with the
guidelines included in section 2 of approved document
‘J’. The size and clearances of the hearth are as fol-
lows:
The constructed hearth should be constructed in ac-
cordance with the recommendations in document J,
and should be of minimum width 840 mm and minimum
depth 840 mm (if a free standing hearth b) above) or
a minimum projection of 150 mm from the jamb (if a
recessed hearth a) above).
Unless the stove
hearth is completely
noncombustible, the
bottom heat shield
should be installed to
provide radiant protec-
tion for framing which
may be below the
hearth. (Fig. 11)
Costructional Hearth
Dimensions as below
At least
300 mm
At least 150 mm
or to a suitable
heat resistant wall
At least
150 mm
Hearth Surface
Free of Com-
bustible Material
Perimeter should be
clearly marked e.g.
edge of superimposed
hearth
Perimeter should be
clearly marked e.g.
edge of superimposed
hearth
Appliance
Doors
Appliance
Doors
ST912
Noncombustible hearth surface dimensions.
10
Encore®Woodburning Stove
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ance requirements must be strictly observed.
In addition, furnishings and other combustible materials
must be kept away from the stove as well. In general, a
distance of 1219 mm (48”) must be maintained between
the stove and moveable combustible items such as dry-
ing clothes, furniture, newspapers, rewood, etc. Keep-
ing those clearance areas empty assures that nearby
surfaces and objects will not overheat.
Clearances to timber framed (studded) walls are in-
cluded below. There are no specic minimum clearanc-
es to solid noncombustible surfaces (e.g. the sides and
rear of Inglenook re openings constructed from solid
masonry) other than to allow safe access to the controls
of the stove. For this reason minimum side clearances
of 125 mm, and a minimum rear clearance of 50 mm
are recommended.
The minimum thickness of solid noncombustible
materials is specied in section 2 of Document ‘J’, in
relation to the clearance of the appliance from the sur-
face. As a general rule, the thickness of solid noncom-
bustible material forming the recess of a replace is a
minimum of 200 mm.
C\,
ST486a
Defiant EU
Clearance
Diagrams
10/06
A
B
ST486a
Minimum clearances.
Single wall connecting uepipes can reach extremely
high temperatures; therefore, clearances from the con-
necting uepipe (chimney connector) must comply with
the requirements of Part J of Building Regulations 2000
(Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems).
This can be achieved by following the recommenda-
tions of Approved Document ‘J’. These are as shown in
Figure 13.
11
Encore®Woodburning Stove
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34
FLUEPIPECLEARANCES
D
at least
3 x D
at least
3 x D
at least
1.5 x D
at least 1.5
x D
Air space of at least 12 mm
between noncombustible shield
and combustible material
Fluepipe
at least
1.5 x D
at least
1.5 x D
at least 3 x D Dat least
1.5 x D
ST911
Connecting uepipe clearances.
12
Encore®Woodburning Stove
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Cast iron stoves are heavy, and it will take two to four
people to move your Encore into position.
Wipe the protective
coating of oil from
the griddle with a
clean dry rag or a
paper towel.
Install the handle
on the griddle.
First, place the
griddle upside
down at the edge
of a at surface and
assemble the handle as shown.
With the handle pointing 45° from its nal position,
tighten the nut as far as possible with the pliers. Move
the handle to its nal position while still holding the nut
with the pliers.
The Bottom Heat Shield is required in most in-
stallations. Refer to Floor Protection, Page 9, for further
details. The bottom heat shield comes with the ash pan
heat shield.
1. Remove the four 10-24 x 1/2” button socket cap
bolts from the corners of the ash drop on the stove
bottom.
2. Screw the four (4) 1¹⁄₄" spacers into the holes from
which you removed the bolts, nger-tight. Partially
insert a bolt into each spacer. Do not tighten.
3. Align the bottom heat shield against the bolted
spacers with the stepped side toward the rear of the
stove.
4. Pass all four bolts through the large end of the key-
holes. Pull the shield forward to engage the smaller
ends of the keyhole slots. (Fig. 23)
5.
Attach the heat shield sides by passing the slots over
the bolt heads. Tighten the hex bolts. (Fig. 23)
Lift the stove slightly so there is no weight on the leg
while making the adjustment.
Reverse the ue collar by removing the two (2) screws
that attach it to the back of the stove. Be sure the gas-
ket around the ue collar opening is in position when
you screw the collar back onto the stove.
1. Remove the two (2) Phillips pan head screws from
the ash door.
2. Insert the screws through the ash door heat shield
(from the painted side), place the 5/16” spacers over
the screws, and carefully thread them back into the
original holes. The curved lip should be upward,
under the ashlip of the stove.
3. Tighten securely.
ST633
Encore
Bottom Heat Shield
2/01
ST633
Use four (4) spacers to attach the bottom heat shield.
ST516
Attach
griddle handle
11/17/00 djt
ST516
Attach the griddle handle.
ST634
Encore
ashdoor shield
2/01
Spacers ST634
Use spacers and screws to position the ashdoor heat
shield.
The primary air thermostat handle is the smaller of the
two black handles. Secure the handle to the stub on
the right side of the stove with an 8-32 x 2” slot head
machine screw.
Use the 1/4” -20 x 3” screw to attach the damper handle
to the damper stub on the left side.
The white removable insert handle opens and closes the
front doors. Remove after each use so it won’t get hot.
Store it in the handle holder installed behind the right
front leg. Assemble the handle by passing the 86 mm
(3³⁄₈") screw through the ceramic shaft and into the bright
metal nub. Tighten carefully until snug.
13
Encore®Woodburning Stove
30003842
ST540
Assembly
handle
11/00
ST540
Assemble the front door handle.
Two controls regulate the performance of the Encore: a
supplies oxygen for the re, and a
directs air ow within the stove to activate and
deactivate the catalytic combustor.
Symbols cast into the stove are reminders of the correct
directions for opening and closing the controls. The
symbols assume that you are facing the front of the
stove.
ST633
Encore
controls
2/01
Griddle Handle
Damper Handle
Air Control
Lever
Door Handle
Holder (Be-
hind leg)
Ashdoor
Handle
Andirons ST636
The Encore controls are conveniently located and
easy to operate.
Door Handle
The , located on the right side
of the stove, controls the amount of incoming air for
starting, maintaining, and reviving a re.
More air entering the stove makes the re burn hotter
and faster, while less air prolongs the burn at a lower
heat level. High and low settings appear in Figure 20.
For the greatest air supply and maximum heat output
(but the shortest burn time), move the lever toward the
front of the stove. For a re that will last longer with less
heat, move the lever toward the rear of the stove.
The Encore’s air control system also features an
automatic thermostat to ensure an even heat output
at whatever manual setting you select. The thermostat
senses the heating and cooling of the stove surface
and adjusts the air shutter accordingly.
The on the left side of the stove opens
and closes the damper to direct air ow within the
stove.
The damper is when the handle points to the
back of the stove, enabling smoke to pass directly into
the chimney. The damper must be open when starting
or reviving a re, and whenever the griddle or doors are
opened.
ST635
Encore
Install thermostat
handle
2/01
ST635
Attach thermostat handle.
ST637
encore
Air control
2/01
ST637
The handle may be positioned anywhere between the
two extremes for different heat levels.
14
Encore®Woodburning Stove
30003842
The damper is when the handle points .
Smoke from the re is directed through the catalytic
combustion system where it can be further burned for
greater efciency, before passing up the chimney.
ST638
Encore
damper control
2/01
Open
(Updraft Mode)
Closed
(Catalytic Mode)
ST638
The damper is either open or closed. There are no
intermediate positions.
The Encore’s griddle lifts for convenient top-loading of
logs, and is the easiest way to regularly add fuel.
In addition, however, the front doors open for adding an
occasional log to a re.
To open the front doors, insert the handle into the door
latch stub and turn it to the left and up. (Fig. 23)
ST639
Encore
griddle open
3/1/01 djt
Handle
Quadrants
ST639
the Encore’s hinged griddle makes it easy to top-load
wood.
To reduce the risk of breaking the glass, avoid striking
the glass or slamming the doors.
When not using the door handle, store it in the holder
behind the right front leg of the stove.
ST544
door open
11/00
Clockwise to
OPEN
Counterclockwise
to CLOSE
ST544
To open the front doors, turn the handle clockwise.
The inner surfaces of the
panels are kept at a higher temperature than the outer
surface. This design, along with a preheated ‘airwash,’
makes clear re viewing possible at most levels of
operation.
Your stove has andirons to keep logs away from the
glass panels. The andirons are essential to maintain
clear reviewing, and should be left permanently in
place. Since the andirons may slightly hinder refueling
through the front doors, most stove owners will prefer
the convenience of top loading through the griddle.
The Encore is designed to burn natural wood only; do
not burn fuels other than that for which it was designed.
You’ll enjoy the best results when burning wood that
has been adequately air-dried. Avoid burning “green”
wood that has not been properly seasoned, or cord-
wood dried more than two years.
; they often contain chemicals and
metals that can damage the catalytic combustor. The
wood should be 400-500 mm (18-20”) in length.
The best hardwood fuels include oak, maple, beech,
ash, and hickory that has been split, stacked, and air-
dried outside under cover for at least one year.
If hardwood is not available, you can burn softwoods
which include tamarack, yellow pine, white pine, East-
ern red cedar, r, and redwood. These too should be
properly dried.
To close them, always close the left door rst. Turn the
handle in the right door to the left and up (to the open
position) and close it. Finally, push on the door as you
turn the handle to the right and down. The doors will
draw in slightly, and the handle should offer some resis-
tance as you turn it to the closed position.
15
Encore®Woodburning Stove
30003842
ST523
Intrepid
temp readings
11/00
ST523
Take temperature readings with the thermometer
located in the middle of the griddle.
Store wood under cover to keep it dry. The longer it is
stored, the better heating and reviewing performance
you will enjoy. Even for short-term storage, however,
keep wood a safe distance from the heater and keep
it out of the areas around the heater used for refueling
and ash removal.
An optional surface thermometer lets you know when
to adjust the air control, when to refuel, and when your
catalyst is operating properly. (Fig. 24)
For example, when the thermometer registers at least
230° C (450° F) after start-up you know the stove is
hot enough to begin catalytic combustion and it may
be time to close the damper. Note that the stove will
warm up much sooner than the chimney, though; a
warm chimney is the key to easy, effective stove opera-
tion. Please review the draft management information
on Page 23 to see how the size, type, and location of
your chimney will affect your stove operation. When
thermometer readings drop below 175° C (350° F) it’s
time to adjust the air control for a higher burn rate or to
reload the stove. A temperature reading over 385° C
(750° F) is a sign to cut back on the air supply to slow
the burn rate.
Use the following temperature ranges as a guide to
operation:
• Readings in the 175-260° C (350-500° F) range
indicate low to medium heat output.
• 260-315° C (500-600° F) readings indicate me-
dium heat output.
• Readings of 315-400° C (600-750° F) indicate
high heat output. Operating your Encore continuously at
griddle temperatures of 385° C (750° F) or higher may
damage the cast iron or enamel nish.
No single air control setting will t every situation. Each
installation will differ depending on the quality of the
fuel, the amount of heat desired, and how long you wish
the re to burn; outdoor air temperature and pressure
also affect draft.
The control setting also depends on your particular
installation’s “draft,” or the force that moves air from the
stove up through the chimney. Draft is affected by such
things as the length, type, and location of the chimney,
local geography, nearby obstructions, and other factors.
Refer to Page 23 for details on how the installation af-
fects performance.
Too much draft may cause excessive temperatures in
the Encore, and could even damage the combustor.
On the other hand, too little draft can cause backpufng
into the room and/or the “plugging” of the chimney or
combustor.
How do you know if your draft is excessively high or
low? Symptoms of too much draft include an uncontrol-
lable burn or a glowing-red stove part. A sign of inad-
equate draft is smoke leaking into the room through the
stove or chimney connector joints, low heat, and dirty
glass.
In some newer homes that are well-insulated and
weather-tight, poor draft may result from insufcient air
in the house. In such instances, an open window near
the stove on the windward side of the house will provide
the fresh air needed.
In some areas provisions for outside combustion air
are required. Refer to section 2 of Document J which
requires an outside air vent for appliances with power
outputs over 5 kW. Always refer to national and local
codes to determine your specic requirements.
Your Encore will accept a duct to deliver outside air for
combustion.
When rst using the stove, keep track of the air control
settings. You will quickly nd that a specic setting will
give you a xed amount of heat. It may take a week or
two to determine the amount of heat and the length of
burn you should expect from various settings.
Most installations do not require a large amount of
combustion air, especially if adequate draft is available.
Use the following air control settings as a starting point
to help determine the best settings for your installation.
Each is described as a fraction of the total distance the
lever may be moved from right to left.
Low From far right to 1/3
the distance to left
Medium From 1/3 to 2/3 the distance
to left
High From 2/3 the distance
to left to far left
16
Encore®Woodburning Stove
30003842
An Encore leaves the factory with the combustor in-
stalled.
In the United States, it is against the law to operate this
wood heater in a manner inconsistent with operating
instructions in this manual, or if the catalytic combustor
is deactivated or removed. The components of the cata-
lytic combustion system in your Encore work together to
produce optimum conditions for secondary combustion.
When the damper is closed, smoke travels through
the catalytic element, which causes ignition of smoke
at temperatures of 260-315° C (500-600° F), half the
temperature normally required for unaided secondary
combustion.
The catalytic element is a ceramic “honeycomb” coated
with the catalytic material. The element is located in the
secondary combustion chamber, molded from a special
high-temperature insulating refractory material. The
chamber provides the correct environment necessary
for secondary combustion of the fuel (smoke).
Closing the damper exposes the smoke to the combus-
tor. If the combustor is at least 316° C (600° F), it will
begin to burn the smoke.
Closing the stove damper may also reduce the draft,
so to avoid putting out the re or deactivating the
combustor, close the damper only when a re is well-
established. When starting a re, wait until the re is
well established and there is an ember bed of at least
76-102 mm (3-4”) before closing the damper.
Never kindle a re with colored paper or paper that
has colored ink or a glossy surface, and never burn
treated wood, garbage, solvents, or trash. All of these
may poison the catalyst and prevent it from operating
properly. Never burn cardboard or loose paper except
for kindling purposes. Never burn coal; doing so can
produce soot or large akes of char or y ash that can
coat the combustor and cause smoke to spill into the
room. Coal smoke also can poison the catalyst so that it
won’t operate properly.
In general, the re must be sufciently well-established
to ensure that catalytic activity is initiated. When rst
starting a re, a medium- to high- ring rate must be
maintained until the stove, catalyst, and fuel are all
stabilized at the proper operating temperatures.
Even though it is possible for the re to get quite hot
within a few minutes after a re is started, the combus-
tor may stop working or the re may go out if the re
is allowed to die down immediately as a result of the
damper being closed. Once the combustor starts work-
ing, heat generated by burning the smoke will keep it
working.
To determine whether the combustor is operating, ob-
serve the amount of smoke leaving the chimney when
the damper is activated and when it is not. This proce-
dure is described on Page 27.
Avoid using a full charge of very dry wood in the re-
box. This may result in continuous very high tempera-
tures in the secondary combustion area and damage
the combustor. Wood which has been split, and stored
under cover for more than 18 months may be consid-
ered very dry. Also, do not use a full load of dry slab
wood or scrap wood. For long burns, use a mix of dry
and moderately dry wood.
Cast iron is extremely strong, but it can be broken with
a sharp blow from a hammer or from the thermal shock
of rapid and extreme temperature change.
The cast plates expand and contract with changes in
temperature. When you rst begin using your Encore,
minimize thermal stress by allowing the plates to adjust
gradually during three or four initial break-in res follow-
ing Steps 1-3 below.
Burn only solid wood in the Encore, and burn it directly
on the grate. Do not elevate the fuel. Do not burn coal
or other fuels.
1. Open the stove damper, and open the primary air
control fully.
2. Place several sheets of crumpled newspaper in the
stove. use glossy advertisements or col-
ored paper, as they can poison the catalyst. Place
on the paper six or eight pieces of dry kindling split
to a nger-width size, and on the kindling lay two or
three larger sticks of split dry wood approximately
25-51 mm (1-2”) in diameter.
ST263
starting a fire
12/99
ST263
Start re with newspaper and dry kindling.
17
Encore®Woodburning Stove
30003842
Never use gasoline-type lantern fuel, kerosene, char-
coal lighter uid, or similar liquids to start or “freshen
up” a re. Keep all such liquids well away from the
Encore while it is in use.
3. Light the newspaper and close the door. Gradually
build up the re by adding a few 76-127mm (3-5”) di-
ameter splits. If this is one of the rst few “break-in”
res, let the re burn brightly, and then let it die out.
During the break-in res, do not let the stove get hot-
ter than 260° C (500° F) as measured on an optional
stove-top thermometer. Adjust the air control lever as
necessary to control the re.
Some odor from the stove’s hot metal, the paint, and
the cement is normal for the rst few res.
Some chimneys need to be “primed,” or
warmed up, before they will draw sufciently to start
a re. To correct this situation, roll up a couple pieces
of newspaper, place them on top of the kindling and
toward the back of the stove, light them, and close
the doors. This will encourage smoke to rise rapidly,
encouraging a good draft.
Once the draft is established, open the front door and
light the rest of the fuel from the bottom. Do not light
the main bed of fuel until the chimney begins drawing,
and repeat the procedure as often as necessary if the
initial attempt is unsuccessful.
4. If your Encore has been broken-in previously using
Steps 1-3, continue to build the re gradually. Add
larger wood with a diameter of 76-102 mm (3-4”).
Continue adding split logs of this size to the briskly-
burning re until there is a glowing ember bed at
least 76 mm (3”) deep. A good ember bed is neces-
sary for proper functioning of the catalytic system
and may take an hour or more to establish.
Stove installations vary, and the operating
guidance given here is only a starting point. The draft
management information on Page 25 will explain in
detail how the features of your installation may help or
hinder good draft.
When reloading, best results will be achieved if you rst
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, resulting in the
re reviving more quickly.
ST264
good fire
12/99
ST265
Add larger pieces of wood as the re begins to burn
well.
ST264a
add wood fire
11/00
ST264a
Add full-size logs when the kindling has burned down
to a bed of embers.
5. Close the damper when the griddle temperature
reaches 230° C (450° F).
6. Adjust the air control for your desired heat output.
For best results when refueling, wear stove gloves to
protect your hands, add fuel while the stove still has
plenty of glowing embers to re-kindle the re, and
include some smaller pieces of wood in the new fuel
load to help the stove regain its operating temperature
quickly. Use this sequence as a guide to successful
refueling.
Door handles can be hot. A glove has been in-
cluded with your stove.We recommend using this glove
whenver operating door or damper controls and espe-
cially when operating the top griddle.
1. Open the damper.
2. De-ash the stove as described above. Open the
front doors and check the level of ash in the ash
pan. Empty the pan if necessary and replace it in the
stove. Close the front doors.
3. Open the griddle, load the wood (smaller pieces
rst), and close the griddle.
4. Close the damper.
5. When the surface temperature reaches 230° C
(450°F), adjust the air control for the amount of heat
you desire.
If the remaining charcoal bed is relatively thick
and if your fuel is well seasoned, it is possible to add
18
Encore®Woodburning Stove
30003842
fresh fuel (smaller pieces rst), close the door and
damper, and reset the primary air thermostat for the
desired heat output.
• Remove the ash pan, making sure to keep it level.
• To keep the cover from sliding off and to keep ash
from falling on the oor, do not tilt the ash pan for-
ward.
If the stove is in operation, close the ash door while
disposing of the ash.
• Properly dispose of the ash in a metal container with
a tight-tting lid. Store the container outdoors away
from all combustible material.
• Return the ash pan to its original position in the
stove, and close and latch the ash door.
• Do not operate the stove with the ash door open.
This will result in over-ring, and could cause dam-
age to the stove, void the warranty, or even lead to a
house re.
Empty the ash pan regularly, typically every one to
three days. The frequency will vary depending on how
you operate your Encore: ash will accumulate faster at
higher heat outputs.
Remove ash frequently and place it outdoors in a
metal container with a tight-tting lid. Place the closed
container of ash on a noncombustible oor or on the
ground, well away from all combustible materials, pend-
ing nal disposal. If the ash is disposed of by burial in
soil or otherwise locally dispersed, it should be kept in
the closed container until all cinders have thoroughly
cooled.
You can use wood ash as a garden fertilizer.
Never use your household or shop vacuum
cleaner to remove ash from the stove; always remove
and dispose of the ash properly.
ST545
ashdoor
11/00
ST545
Turn the handle to the ash pan compartment clock-
wise to open and counterclockwise to close.
Open
Close
ST566
Remove
Ashpan
12/00
ST566
Be sure the cover is securely attached before remov-
ing the ash pan.
Overring may
cause a house re, or can result in permanent dam-
age to the stove and to the catalytic combustor. If
any part of the Encore glows, you are overring.
You should remove ash before it reaches the top of the
ash pan. Check the level at least once a day. Every few
days, clear any ash from the outer edges of the rebox.
Most of the ash will fall through the grate. Slice or stir
the ash with a shovel or poker so that it falls through the
grate slots.
Check the level of ash in the ash pan
before reloading the stove. If the ash level is close to
the top edge of the pan, empty the pan according to this
procedure:
• Open the damper.
• Open the griddle or front doors, and use a shovel or
poker to stir excess ash through the ash slots in the
grate down into the ash pan.
• Close the griddle or doors, and unlatch the ash door.
It will pivot, swinging the ash pan out of the stove.
• Slide the cover onto the pan, making sure it is se-
curely closed. (Fig. 28)
19
Encore®Woodburning Stove
30003842
A stove is part of a system, which includes the chimney,
the operator, the fuel, and the home. The other parts of
the system will affect how well the stove works. When
there is a good match between all the parts, the system
works well.
Wood stove or insert operation depends on natural
(unforced) draft. Natural draft occurs when the smoke
is hotter (and therefore lighter) than the outdoor air at
the top of the chimney. The bigger the temperature
difference, the stronger the draft. As the smoke rises
from the chimney it provides suction or ‘draw’ that pulls
air into the stove for combustion. A slow, lazy re with
the stove’s air inlets fully open indicates a weak draft.
A brisk re, supported only by air entering the stove
through the normal inlets, indicates a good draft. The
stove’s air inlets are passive; they regulate how much
air can enter the stove, but they don’t move air into it.
Depending on the features of your installation - steel or
masonry chimney, inside or outside the house, matched
to the stove’s outlet or oversized - your system may
warm up quickly, or it may take a while to warm up and
operate well. With an ‘airtight’ stove or insert, one which
restricts the amount of air getting into the rebox, the
chimney must keep the smoke warm all the way to the
outdoors. Some chimneys do this better than others.
Here’s a list of features and their effects.
Masonry is a traditional material for chimneys, but it
can perform poorly when it serves an ‘airtight’ stove.
Masonry is a very effective ‘heat sink’ - it absorbs a lot
of heat. It can cool the smoke enough to diminish draft.
The bigger the chimney, the longer it takes to warm up.
It’s often very difcult to warm up an outdoor masonry
chimney, especially an oversized one, and keep it warm
enough to maintain an adequate draft.
Most factory-made steel chimneys have a layer of
insulation around the inner ue. This insulation keeps
the smoke warm. The insulation is less dense than ma-
sonry, so a steel chimney warms up more quickly than
a masonry chimney. Steel doesn’t have the good looks
of masonry, but it performs much better.
Because the chimney must keep the smoke warm, it’s
best to locate it inside the house. This uses the house
as insulation for the ue and allows some heat release
into the home. An indoor chimney won’t lose its heat
to the outdoors, so it takes less heat from the stove to
heat it up and keep it warm.
The inside size of a chimney for an ‘airtight’ stove
should match the size of the stove’s ue outlet. When
a chimney serves an airtight, more is not better; in fact,
it can be a disadvantage. Hot gases lose heat through
expansion; if we vent a stove with a 152 mm 96”) ue
collar {181 sq cm (28 sq. in.) area} into a 254 x 254 mm
(10” x 10”) ue, the gases expand to over three times
their original size. This cools the gases, which weak-
ens draft strength. If an oversized ue is also outside
the house, the heat it absorbs gets transferred to the
outdoor air and the ue usually stays cool.
It’s common for a masonry ue, especially one serving
a replace, to be oversized for the stove. It can take
quite a while to warm up such a ue, and the results
can be disappointing. The best solution to an oversized
ue is an insulated steel chimney liner, the same diam-
eter as the stove or insert’s ue outlet; the liner keeps
the smoke warm, and the result is a stronger draft. An
uninsulated liner is a second choice - the liner keeps
the smoke restricted to its original size, but the smoke
still must warm up the air around the liner. This makes
the warm-up process take longer.
Every turn the smoke must take as it travels to the
chimney top will slow it down. The ideal pipe and chim-
ney layout is straight up from the stove, to a completely
straight chimney. If you’re starting from scratch, use this
layout if possible. If the stovepipe must elbow to enter a
chimney, locate the thimble about midway between the
stove top and the ceiling. This achieves several goals:
it lets the smoke speed up before it must turn, it leaves
some pipe in the room for heat transfer, and it gives you
long-term exibility for installing a different stove without
relocating the thimble.
There should be no more than 2.4 m (8’) of single-wall
stove pipe between the stove and a chimney; longer
runs can cool the smoke enough to cause draft and
creosote problems. Use double-wall stove pipe for long
runs.
Each ‘airtight’ stove requires its own ue. If an airtight
stove is vented to a ue that also serves an open re-
place, or a leakier stove, it’s easier for the chimney draft
to pull air in through those channels than it is to pull air
through the airtight, and performance suffers. Imagine
a vacuum cleaner with a hole in the hose to see the ef-
fect here. In some cases the other appliance can even
cause a negative draft through the airtight, and result in
a dangerous draft reversal.
20
Encore®Woodburning Stove
30003842
Creosote is a by-product of slow wood-burning. It’s an
organic tar that can condense in the ue if it’s dense in
the smoke, and slow-moving, and cools off to less than
143° C (290° F). Condensed creosote is volatile, and
can generate chimney res if it gets hot enough. All the
features that affect chimney draft also affect creosote
condensation - so use whatever combination of installa-
tion features and operational steps will encourage good
draft and minimize creosote production.
Because letting the smoke cool off and slow down is
one of the keys to creosote production, it makes sense
to line a chimney to match the stove’s outlet size, for
safety reasons as well as performance. Consult a quali-
ed installer and check local and national codes for
recommended chimney size.
Even the best stove installation will not perform well
with poor fuel. The best fuel is hardwood that has air-
dried 12-18 months. Softwood burns, but not as long as
hardwood. Fairly ‘green’ wood has a good amount of
moisture in it; it will burn, but some of the heat potential
is used to drive the remaining moisture off the wood.
This reduces the amount that reaches your home and
can contribute to a creosote problem. There are mois-
ture meters available for rewood; you can also judge
your wood by its appearance and weight. If you get it
green, lift a piece and get a sense of its weight; it can
lose a third or more of its weight as it dries. Also look at
the ends of a log; as it dries it shrinks and often cracks.
The more weathered and cracked a piece is, the drier
it is.
Dry wood burns readily with a good chimney draft. But
with modern stoves, especially catalytic ones, the wood
can be too dry. While extra-dry wood has little creosote
in it, the remainder can ‘gas out’ from the wood quickly
and densely enough to overload the catalytic burner.
If you hear a rumbling or roaring noise, like a propane
torch, from the stove, that is a sign the catalyst is seri-
ously overring. The catalyst is a platinum lm on a
ceramic base; the metal can get to higher temperatures
than the ceramic can take, and overring the catalyst
can break it. Dry wood can also burn out faster than
you want. If your dry wood burns out too quickly or
overloads the catalyst you can mix in greener wood to
slow the re down.
Back-pufng results when the re produces volatile
gases faster than the chimney draft pulls them out of
the rebox. The gases back up in the rebox till they’re
dense enough and hot enough to ignite. If your stove
back-puffs, you should open the damper to let the
smoke rise to the ue more quickly, let more air into the
rebox, and avoid big loads of rewood. You should
always see lively, dancing ames in the rebox; a lazy,
smoky re is inefcient, can lead to back-pufng, and
can contribute to creosote buildup in the chimney.
An easy way to test your chimney draft is to close the
stove’s damper, wait a few minutes to let the airow
stabilize, then see whether you can vary the strength
of the re by swinging the air control open and closed.
Results are not always instant; you may need to wait
a few minutes for a change in the air control setting to
have an effect on the re. If there’s no change, then the
draft isn’t strong enough yet to let you close the damper,
and you’ll need to open it for a while longer and manage
the re with the air inlet until the draft strengthens. If you
keep track of your burning habits and relate them to their
effects on the stove’s operation, you’ll be rewarded with
good performance and a safe system.
In many cases, local or national codes require the
installation of permanently open air vents, particularly
with larger appliances (i.e. above 5 kW). Refer to these
codes to determine specic requirements for your
installation.
Good draft also depends on a supply of air to the stove;
a chimney can’t pull in more air than is available to it.
Sluggish draft results when a house is tight enough to
prevent the ready ow of air to the stove, or by competi-
tion between the stove and other equipment that sends
indoor air outside - especially power-driven equipment
like range hoods, clothes dryers, etc. If the chimney
draws well with all other equipment turned off (or
sealed, in the case of replaces and/or other stoves),
then you simply need to be careful with timing the use
of the other gear. If you need to crack a nearby window
or door to enable the chimney to pull well, that’s a sign
that you should install an outside-air intake to bring
combustion air directly to the stove. For most of our
stoves we carry adapters to attach to the stove to con-
nect an air duct for outdoor combustion air.
Wood-burning is an art rather than a science. Once the
stove and chimney system are in place, you can only
vary your technique, mostly your timing, to achieve
good results. If you keep track of your burning habits
and relate them to their effects on the stove’s operation,
you’ll be rewarded with good performance and a safe
system.
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