FMI MASONRY FIREBOX MM33 - Manual (Page 31)

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Second Lighting – Start the fire slowly and gradually
as you did with the first lighting, but this time you can
burn up to ten pounds of firewood, probably four to
five logs that are 3" in diameter. With the second light-
ing you can let the fire burn two hours – no more.
After First and Second Lighting – When the fireplace
has been properly cured with 1st and 2nd lighting,
you will be able to add a full fuel load to the fire-
place which is about 10 to 15 pounds of firewood at
any given time. Consider that this typical fuel load is
three to four dry hardwood logs that are about 6" ) to
8" in diameter.
Without a grate for your firewood to rest on, you can-
not get the air flow you need under the fire which
makes for a hotter, more satisfying fire.
Do not “over burn” – Always remember, your Grand
Meridian fireplace is an elegant addition to your home.
It is not an indoor incinerator! If you start to use the
fireplace and begin a routine of “over burning,” you
can permanently and unalterably damage the unit.
Under no circumstances should you be burning
household trash, including chemicals and combus-
tibles, cardboard boxes, your office papers, scrap
lumber or stray branches from your yard, particularly
pine.
WaRnInG: Burning of above mentioned
materials will cause an unsafe condition and
will void your warranty!
sTaRTInG a FIRe and BasIC oPeRaTIon
Before starting a fire in your fireplace, open the damp-
er to its’ fully open position. Crumple some paper and
place it on the log grate. Use some soft, dry wood as
kindling and put it on top of the paper. Place some
small logs or split logs atop the paper and kindling.
Finish off the fuel load with a couple of hardwood
logs or split logs – oak or hickory. Check to see that
you’re stacking the logs so that they will fall inside
the grate as they burn.
To get the most out of your wood, it is recommend-
ed that you let it set and completely dry out for nine
months to a year.
When you are satisfied with the arrangement of your
wood load, light the paper which in turn will ignite the
operation and maintenance guidlines
Continued
kindling, then the softer wood and finally, the harder
wood logs. As the fire burns, you can carefully lay ad-
ditional logs on the flame, but make sure you place
them gently without forcing them into the opening.
annUal FIRePlaCe MaInTenanCe
Your fireplace and chimney require seasonal and
monthly tune-ups”. Like any piece of well-built equip-
ment, the Grand Meridian Fireplace and chimney
needs routine maintenance.
The manufacturer recommends that inspection of
the fireplace and chimney take place on a monthly
basis during the heating season. Start at the top,
looking for birds’ nests, leaves or any other obstruc-
tions. Also check the spark arrestor, for creosote or
soot build-up. Twice a year, you will want to clean the
firebox and chimney yourself or hire a professional
chimney sweep to do the job for you. If you elect to
do it yourself, use a plastic, wood or steel brush for
the inside of the chimney.
For the spark arrestor, scrub with a wire brush. To
dismantle the chimney cap for cleaning of the flue,
unscrew the four screws that hold it in place. For
cleaning access from below, open the damper in the
firebox. It is best to use a flexible handle chimney
cleaning brush made especially for the job.
If your fireplace system has any offset chimney sec-
tions, start cleaning with the flexible brush from the
top of the section downward to the elbow. Then clean
from the firebox up to the offset/return section.
Be sure that you have covered the floor of the fire-
place and out to the hearth with a damp sheet that
has been taped securely in place. When all the soot
has settled, remove the sheet and vacuum up – don’t
sweep the excess soot.
Good old-fashioned “elbow grease” is enough to re-
move the extraneous matter from the inside of the
firebox and chimney. Never use any chemical clean-
ers as their residue could introduce a fire hazard af-
ter the task is completed.
Outside Inspection – During your once a month in-
spection of the firebox and chimney, make it a point
to also check the outside of the chimney, the metal