American Energy Systems Catalytic BBF - Manual (Page 27)

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1
The probe thermometer is used to determine when to close the catalytic bypass rod.
2 The probe thermometer displays the temperature measured above the front combustion exhaust and over the
catalyst combustor inside the firebox.
3
NOTE: A PROBE THERMOMETER IS NOT AFFECTED WHEN A BLOWER (OPTIONAL ON SOME
MODELS) IS ENGAGED.
4
Any blower that is operating on a specific model will NOT influence temperatures in the firebox or catalyst
regardless of the impact on the probe thermometer.
WOOD FUEL REQUIREMENTS
1 Country Flame’s catalytic stove models have been approved for use only with natural dry forest cut
wood. Burning unapproved materials will damage or destroy the catalytic combustor and invalidates
the Country Flame warranty.
2 Do not burn pressed logs or particleboard or any other construction material, as the bonding agents or
kiln-dried wood can damage the catalytic combustor.
3 Uncured or green wood will cause creosote buildup in the chimney, plug the catalyst, and provide
little in the way of heat.
4 Well-seasoned wood will improve the heat output of the stove. Fresh cut wood can contain over 80%
moisture and this moisture content should be reduced to less than 20% moisture before the cut wood
is considered “fuel.”
5 “Seasoning” wood is the most appropriate and lowest cost method of reducing moisture content in cut
wood. Ideally, cut wood’s moisture content should be somewhere between 11 to 20%. Moisture
meters are available for checking cut wood moisture content but other methods can be used to
determine or ensure appropriate wood moisture content.
6 Softwoods should be seasoned from six to eighteen months. Hardwoods should be seasoned from 12
to 24 months. Logs that are 5” or greater in diameter need to be split in half, logs that are 8” or
greater in diameter need to be split in thirds, and logs that are 12” or greater in diameter need to be
split in fourths. Even trees that are found in forests and have been felled or broke off for several years
will still require splitting and seasoning before they are used.
7 Store wood in uniformly stacked rows with walking space between each row. Store the wood
elevated off the ground. All of this allows for good air circulation around the stack. Do not stack cut
wood against a building or against any wall.
REMEMBER: Wood is one critical element of a complete stove heating system. Failure to select a proper grade of wood
fuel, failure to store wood fuel properly, or failure to maintain wood fuel in a dry state will lead to reduced stove
efficiency and increased maintenance and operational costs
CHIMNEY
Chimneys come in two basic varieties:
a) Masonry, as shown in FIGURE 16.
b) Factory Built, as shown in FIGURE 17
NOTE: Refer to the Chimney appendix for detailed information on chimney construction and venting techniques.
Whether masonry or factory built, chimneys are used to ensure proper venting in order to remove combustion exhaust
gases from the stove to the air outside the home. A chimney uses the fact that hot gases are light and therefore rise up
through the chimney thereby creating a DRAFT. Chimney draft is dependent on many factors. Three important factors
are: a) the height of the chimney, b) the quality of the chimney construction (no leaks), and c) a properly dimensioned
chimney when compared to the stove being connected to the chimney.