Heartland 2603 User Manual

To Start a Coal Fire:
1. Use paper and dry wood kindling to start the fire.
2. Add small, compact pieces of hardwood when the kindling

is burning hot. Keep the primary damper controls fully

open to establish a hot fire quickly. The ash door also

may be opened during start-up to accelerate the initial

burn.

3. When a substantial bed of red embers is built up, start

adding coal – small amounts at a time. Keep the draft

control open.

4. Continue adding small amounts of coal until there is a

solid bed of burning coal. Do not add too much at one

time. Allow sufficient time between each small loading (at

least five to ten minutes), so that each loading has time

to ignite thoroughly before the next load is put in.

When a substantial bed of burning coals has been

established, fill the stove to the highest possible level,

no higher than the bottom of the firedoor – be careful not

to overload! A deep bed of coal will always burn more

satisfactorily than a shallow bed.

5. When most of the wood is burned and the coal is completely

ignited (usually five to ten minutes or less after filling the

stove), the draft control should be turned down to the

proper operating level. (If the ash door has been opened,

it must be closed to prevent overfiring, which can severely

damage the stove.)

Recharging the Fire

If the fire is burning hot and there is a deep bed of coals, add

coal a hand full at a time.
Allow enough time between each addition for the combustion

process to start. As the bank becomes larger, the amount of

coal added at a time can be increased.
If the coal bed is under 5” (12.7cm) before a recharge is

started, it may be necessary to add kindling wood to increase

the combustion level so that more coal can be added.

1. Coal never should be added unless there is a reasonably

hot fire. The coal bed should be bright and vigorous.

2. If the fire is burning hot and there is a deep bed of coals,

full loads of coal can be added at any time. However, if

there is not a deep bed of coals, it is best to add small

amounts of coal at first.

NOTE: When burning coal, the firedoor damper must

be kept open. The secondary air is required to aid in

burning off coal gases. The coal damper is not required

when burning wood and should be kept closed when

burning wood.
Coal grates are not to be used in upper (summer)

position. Do NOT fill firebox with coal higher than the

bottom of the firedoor opening.

Disposal of Ashes (wood and coal)

Do not remove the ash pan when the stove is hot. Carry

the ash pan with one hand on the handle in the upright

position and the other on the front handle to balance the pan.
Improper disposal of ashes is the most common cause of

wood stove related fires.
Empty the ash pan before ashes build up over the top.

Use Caution:

• don’t carry hot ashes through the house;
• even though the stove may be cool, the

ashes in the pan may still be hot;

• never place the ash pan on a combustible

floor;

• never leave the ashes near combustible

material or combustible liquids;

• always dispose of ashes in a closed metal

container with a tight fitting lid—if an

unexpected gust of wind fan the ashes, a

fire could result.