Owner`s manual

35 
3.5 MAINTAINING THE FIRE 
Once the wood has been consumed (or partially consumed) and you have obtained a 
good bed of embers, you should reload the unit. In order to do so, open the air control to 
its maximum for approximately 15 seconds prior to opening the stove door.  Then, 
proceed by opening the door very slowly. Open it by 2” to 4” (52 to 104 mm) for 10 to 15 
seconds before opening it completely. This procedure will increase the draft and thus 
eliminate the smoke which is stagnant in a state of slow combustion in the stove. Then, 
bring the red embers to the front of the stove and reload the unit. Depending on the 
type of wood you burn and the strength of the draft in your flue, you may have to 
leave the air control open to its maximum for more than 15 seconds to avoid 
smoke spillage before you reload the stove. 
Your E.P.A Drolet stove will work best if a thick bed of hot embers is maintained 
in the bottom of the firebox and a minimum of two large pieces of seasoned fuel 
are added. Combustion efficiency is largely related to establishing a hot ember 
bed, and hot firebox temperatures. The quicker the stove and chimney (flue) get 
up to normal operating temperatures, the better. A small intense fire is preferred 
to a large smouldering fire, both to improve combustion efficiency and to reduce 
the amount of creosote build-up. The best performance will be obtained by 
adding relatively small amounts of fuel to a well established ember bed, and then 
operating with the air inlet control open long enough to achieve a hot fire. The 
wood should be placed with air in between individual pieces. Use a poker to 
make an air channel in the embers below the wood. This will allow air to flow 
under the wood for a more efficient burn. 
In order to achieve an optimum efficiency from your unit, we suggest that you 
operate it with the air control completely closed. Make sure that you have a good 
fire going and an adequate ember bed before you completely close the air 
control. Use a chimney thermometer if necessary. Closing the air control too 
soon will lower combustion efficiency and may cause the fire to die out. The 
addition of a blower (if not already included) is highly recommended to maximize 
your unit’s efficiency. 
3.6 FAN (BLOWER) OPERATION 
If you have purchased and installed and optional fan (blower), allow the stove to reach 
operating temperature (approximately one hour), before turning on the fan. The 
increased airflow from the fan will cool the firebox and affect the start-up combustion 
efficiency if the fan is turned on too quick. 
CAUTIONS:
 ENSURE THAT THE FAN’S OR THERMODISC’S POWER CORD ARE NOT IN CONTACT WITH ANY 
SURFACE OF THE STOVE TO PREVENT ELECTRICAL SHOCK OR FIRE DAMAGE. DO NOT RUN 
ANY POWER CORD BENEATH THE STOVE. 










