OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
ADVANCED LIGHTING METHOD
Lighting intensoFuego using this method, has it's advantages :
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- Faster to light than other wood stoves without it.
(firewood lights up in seconds, not minutes),
- The chamber reaches the maximum operating temperature earlier. (greater efficiency, cleaner from the start, and more heat released),
- Matches and lighters replaced by a small liquid gas torch for speed and efficient ignition of the iF system,
- Simple and inexpensive,
- Safe and reproducible.
Scroll down to view instructional video
NOTE:
Is it really necessary to use a torch?
Although not required, we definitely recommend it over any other way of ignition, with or without intensoFuego. A torch is quicker and a more efficient means of igniting the fuel than are matches, lighters, or other incendiary devices. Our goal is avoid start-up smoke and reach clean operating temperature as soon as possible.
(* we don't recommend allowing a child to handle matches or ignite a stove without adult supervision!)
The iF 30:20:20:30 METHOD: Step-by-step igniting instructions: (video)
(This is our original ignition method and was devised specifically for our system. We don’t recommend it be used in a stove not equiped with intensoFuego but it may work equally well.)
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The first suggestion, of great importance, is to always select dry or seasoned firewood, kindling, and newspaper (or other easy to ignite fuel, ie. egg carton, cardboard, etc) especially for the ignition load.
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NOTE:
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before loading, check that the primary air is adjusted to the fully open position.
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leave a layer of ash from the previous fire to insulate and aid in the new fire.
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cardboard, egg carton, or other paper can substitute for the newspaper
1- Load the dry fuel in the following order:
-30% base layer of wadded newspaper (3-5 sheets) placed along both sides and towards the rear, avoiding the center in front of the iF tube.
-20% dry kindling covering the paper and filling the center space between paper.
-20% medium sized branches or split logs.
-30% larger limbs or split logs to fill the remaining space remaining on top.
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2- Now, ignite the torch, and immediately insert the flame into the rear center space focusing it on the iF tube, not the paper. Hold it there for 5 seconds to warm the iF tube. Then quickly rotate it towards the paper on right and left to ignite it as far back as you can (unless it ignited while warming the iF tube, then this won’t be necessary).
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3 - Quickly withdraw the torch, turning it off while closing the door. BUT don’t seal it at this time.
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4 - At this point you will wait nearby and observe the fire. Almost immediately the characteristic roar of intensoFuego will be heard. In about 1-2 mins (maybe less) the larger pieces will begin burning. The iF tube will be glowing red-hot. Seal the door at this time. (Remember to keep the air wide open, see below - IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING PRIMARY/MAIN AIR)
IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING PRIMARY/MAIN AIR:
Keep the primary/main air in the wide open position during the first load of firewood. AFTER the second loading the primary air can be adjusted to approximately 50%. Since there are differences in stoves, including the primary air delivery systems of each, experimentation will be necessary to get a feel for the behavior of your stove. However, complete closure of primary air should, in all cases, be avoided - unless you are not planning on reloading more fuel becuase the fire will become starved of oxygen, die, and begin smoldering. The system will cease to function properly, if at all, and require re-fueling with kindling to restore it to it’s operating state.
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Reloading:
The best time to reload is before the coals from the previous load extinguish and the temperature of the burner drops considerably. This is where a temperature guage can come in handy but is not required. Important is that the temperature doesn't fluxtuate a great deal and that the reloaded fuel ignites into flame within the a few minutes at most. We recommend opening up the primary air after reloading until adequate combustion is underway, before adjusting primary air lower.
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Trouble shooting:
Some stoves (on occassion) will not draft well early in the start-up and users may experience the annoying leak of a small amount of smoke out the door. Unfortunately, this is quite common even without the intensFuego.
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Some common causes:
Normal stove performance, total height of flue, angles in flue, gradient differences of outside vs inside temperatures, chamber volume, humidity of the fuel, etc.
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Soluctions:
If you have experienced this problem prior to installing, tell your service technician of your concern BEFORE he installs intensoFuego. It was designed and tested to be adjustable for such circumstances, but only if need be. If once installed, and after attempting the following proceedures, speak with the service technician. He can un-install and make these adjustements but will likely charge you for his time and the hastle. (a minor reduction in performance may or may not be noticed. Thus, this adjustment is not standard proceedure without a history of such a problem.)
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Actions to try before calling a technician:
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use the driest fuels possible, especially when igniting.
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load and ignite the fire precisely as outlined in the instructions above.
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ensure adequate paper and especially dry kindling are used.
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when igniting, use a torch and work quickly, get the flame as far to the center rear near the iF tube as possible and warm the iF tube a few seconds before igniting the paper, only then concern yourself with igniting the paper on either side of the chamber.
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if after practicing with these steps you are still repeatedly having a lot of back smoke, you may need to call the technician for the re-install and adjustment proceedure.
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If you have any questions be sure to contact us.
