Hearth and Home Technologies MONTANA 42 EN - Manual (Page 29)

Outdoor Lifestyles by Hearth & Home Technologies Inc. • Montana US-CAN • 4039-156 Rev P• 10/12 29
Diagnostics and Problem Solving
10
Troubleshooting
I can’t get a good fire going. What am I doing wrong?
Diagnostic Questions Possible Causes of Condition Solutions
Is the damper open? • No draft Open damper.
Is there enough paper/starter? • Insufficient heat to ignite kindling Use more paper/starter.
Is there enough kindling?
Is the kindling dry?
• Insufficient heat to ignite fuel Use more dry kindling.
Is there enough or too much
wood? Is it too large? Is it dry
enough?
• Insufficient heat to establish draft Use small split wood that is well seasoned (split, covered on
top at least 6 months, preferably a year).
• Insufficient air passage
• Insufficient surface area
• Ignition temperature high due to moisture
Are there adequate air spaces
between fuel pieces?
• Insufficient combustion air and exposed
surface area
Arrange kindling and wood for air movement.
Is the chimney pre-warmed? • Exposed, cold chimney down drafting Use lighted rolled newspaper at throat or flue opening to
start upward movement.
Does the kindling, wood not
ignite?
• Condition, amount, arrangement of kindling
and fuel
Use more, drier, well-spaced kindling and fuel.
Does the kindling ignite, but the
fuel doesn’t?
• Amount of kindling Use more kindling; use smaller, dry wood.
• Condition of fuel
Does the fuel ignite, but not burn
well?
• Condition of fuel Use well-seasoned wood and sufficient amount; turn
exhaust fans off; open window slightly. Perform Simplified
House Pressure Test.
• Draft problem
I don’t get enough/any heat from the fireplace. What can I do about it?
Diagnostic Questions Possible Causes of Condition Solutions
How much wood is used for fire? • Insufficient fuel Make larger fires.
How well seasoned is the wood? • Condition of fuel Burn seasoned wood: covered on top, split and stacked for
9 months to 2 years.
How much heat output do you
expect?
• Unrealistic expectations Explanation of decorative nature of fireplace; suggestion of
approved fireplace insert.
The fireplace burns the wood too fast. What can I do?
Diagnostic Questions Possible Causes of Condition Solutions
Do you have glass doors? • Need to slow air intake Add glass doors.
What is the condition of the
wood?
• Extremely dry wood Mix in less seasoned wood after fire established.