American Energy Systems Universal Doors - Manual (Page 15)

Version 1.0c 5
The door combustion air control allows the homeowner to adjust fuel burn rates. This adjustment
can dramatically improve the overall efficiency of the fireplace after the homeowner understands
and masters the use of these air controls. Too much air mixing with wood fuel can create a
condition known as over fire. The over fire condition is DANGEROUS. Learn and understand
how to prevent and control over firing from occurring in your fireplace. Too little air mixing with
wood fuel will cause the wood fuel to burn inefficiently. Repeated poor fuel burn will increase
the fireplace’s cost of operation dramatically. Proper air-fuel mixture is critical to obtaining
maximum heat with minimum operational and maintenance cost. Obtaining the proper air-fuel
mixture will take experimentation and experience in a specific application. If problems persist
with controlling a fireplace fire after installing Country Flame doors, contact Country Flame or its
local authorized dealer or any certified chimney sweep for assistance in mastering the controls of
a fireplace equipped with fireplace doors.
DOOR GLASS
Model 500 (black) fireplace door systems come standard with plain ceramic glass that has
been cut by Country Flame to ensure a proper fit. Model 400 and 500 (plated) door
systems come standard with etched glass. Optional etched glass is available from Country
Flame for all door systems. Should a customer want special designs or pictures on the
glass, please contact Country Flame direct to discuss custom etching. Otherwise, Country Flame
or its authorized dealers will be able to explain the standard (optional) glass etching patterns that
are available to choose from. Refer to Glass-Ceramic Specifications in this manual in the event
fireplace door glass ever needs to be replaced. NEVER use tempered glass or any other glass that
has not been specifically approved for high temperature applications. Improper glass, if used in
the fireplace door, can literally explode from the intense heat and become flying shrapnel.
Country Flame or its authorized dealer will be happy to assist in obtaining replacement glass for
any product. Refer to the maintenance section for more information on maintaining, cleaning, or
replacing door glass or associated gasket material.
CAUTION: Never attempt to clean hot glass and always use approved hearth glass cleaner.
AIR WASH SYSTEM
Each Country Flame Fireplace Door is manufactured with an air wash system installed.
This air wash system assists in reducing creosote buildup on the glass during operation.
This air wash system will not eliminate creosote buildup but it aids in reducing creosote
buildup. In addition, as the homeowner gains knowledge in fire building techniques, the
fireplace door system should assist in keeping the firebox hot which will further assist in the
reduction of creosote. Creosote is residue left in the smoke and represents unburned fuel. The
cleaner the fireplace is burning the cleaner the glass will stay during fireplace operation.
The air wash system makes it possible for the fire to pull air in and over the top of the door glass.
As this air is pulled in and down the glass, the smoke and combustion gasses are pushed back
towards the fire. As the air and combustion gasses combine, additional heat is released and
additional fireplace efficiency is achieved. The homeowner will need to experiment with the
amount of combustion air provided to the fire both through the fireplace door’s combustion air
control and air allowed into the fireplace through the fireplace door’s air wash system.
Obviously, a proper balance needs to be met between combustion air control operation and air
wash operation in order to minimize the creosote buildup on the inside of the fireplace glass. The
homeowner should be ever cautious to an over burn situation (too much fuel and combustion air)