Troubleshooting guide

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WHEAT - No Standard exists for Wheat used as Fuel. Inspect fuel before buying.
Wheat is a small grain and burns in a similar manner as corn. It forms a clinker in the
Burn Pot that tends to stick to the sides of the pot. The clinker may need to be pushed into
the Ash Pan using a long narrow screwdriver. Slide the Screwdriver through the fingers
of the Coal Rake to push the Clinker.
Since Wheat is a small lightweight grain, more residue will blow out of the Burn Pot as it
burns. If an excessive amount seems to be blowing out of the pot, adjust the damper by
closing it a small amount at a time.
RYE - No Standard exists for Rye used as Fuel. Inspect fuel before buying.
Rye is a small grain and burns in a similar manner as corn. It forms a clinker in the Burn
Pot that tends to stick to the sides of the pot. The clinker may need to be pushed into the
Ash Pan using a long narrow screwdriver. Slide the Screwdriver through the fingers of
the Coal Rake to push the Clinker.
Rye is also a small lightweight grain; more residue will blow out of the Burn Pot as it
burns. If an excessive amount seems to be blowing out of the pot, adjust the damper by
closing it a small amount at a time.
The St. Croix Clinker Theory.
Some manufacturers of Multi-Fuel stoves use complicated stirring mechanisms to break
up the clinker in the burn pot. We feel that is a mistake.
We believe that Grain doesn’t burn as well when it is disturbed in the burn pot. Stirring
the fuel around in the burn pot does prevent the clinker from forming, but it also lowers
the temperature in the burn pot. This in turn leads to incomplete combustion, a dirty burn,
and more maintenance to remove black build up in the stove and vent system and wasted
fuel. Grain needs high temperatures and proper airflow in the burn pot to burn properly.
That energy (high temperature) is stored in the clinker that is being formed in the burn
pot. It glows red-hot and provides the heat needed to ignite the grain that is being fed into
the burn pot. When the clinker is broken up that constant source of energy is lost and now
it becomes more difficult to burn these fuels. When grain is not burning properly it tends
to stick together and form a clump in the burn pot. It is impossible for air to flow through
this clump and soon the pot will overload and the fire goes out. This is where some
manufacturers use the stirring mechanism to break up the clump of fuel to maintain
proper airflow or others use large burn pots to handle this problem (Smaller burn pots are
better). The truth is neither is needed. The St. Croix Multi-Fuel Burn System allows the
fuel to be burned efficiently and completely in a relatively small burn pot. Very little
unburned residue ends up in the ash pan.