Справочник Пользователя для Vermont Casting 2477CE

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Creosote is a by-product of low-temperature stove 
operation, weak draft, or both. It is a tar that results 
when unburned gases condense inside the flue sys-
tem at temperatures below 143° C (290˚ F). Creosote 
is volatile and can generate a chimney fire. All of the 
installation characteristics that adversely affect chimney 
draft also promote creosote condensation. Conse-
quently, you can minimize creosote accumulation with 
an effective chimney design and the use of operational 
techniques that encourage good draft and complete 
combustion.

Inspect your chimney frequently and clean it whenever 
accumulation exceeds 1/4”.

Backpuffing is a condition that results when the draft is 
too weak to pull flue gases out of the chimney system 
as fast as the fire generates them. Volatile gases build 
up within the firebox until reaching a density and tem-
perature at which they ignite. With this ignition, you may 
hear a muffled popping sound and see a bit of smoke 
forced out of the stove. 
This condition is most likely to occur in the Spring or 
Fall when moderate outdoor temperatures and low 
intensity fires produce weak draft. If your stove back-
puffs, open the damper to let the smoke rise to the flue 
more quickly. Also, open the air inlets to induce a livelier 
fire and speed airflow through the stove. Avoid large 
loads of firewood at one time. You should always see 
lively, dancing flames in the firebox; a lazy, smoky fire is 
inefficient and will promote draft problems.

An easy way to determine whether your chimney draft 
is strong enough is to close the stove damper, wait a 
few minutes to let the airflow stabilize, and then test 
whether you can vary the strength of the fire by swing-
ing the air control open and closed. Results here are 
not instant; you may need to wait a few minutes for a 
change in the air control setting to have an effect on 
the fire. If there is no change, the draft is not yet strong 
enough to let you close the damper. You will need to 
open it for a while longer and manage the fire with the 
air inlet until the draft strengthens. 
Keep a record of your operating habits and relate them 
to their effects on the stove’s function.  You’ll be reward-
ed with safe and efficient performance. 

Good draft also depends on a sufficient supply of air 
to the stove. The chimney can’t pull in more air than is 
available to it. Sluggish draft can be caused by a house 
that is tight enough to prevent the ready flow of air to 
the stove, or by competition between the stove and 
other appliances that vent indoor air to the outside; i.e., 
exhaust fans for range hoods, clothes dryers, bathroom 
fans, etc. 
If the chimney draws well when all such equipment is 
turned off (or sealed, in the case of fireplaces and/or 
other stoves), you need to be attentive in timing the use 
of the other appliances. If you need to crack a nearby 
window or door to enable the chimney to pull well, you 
should install an outside-air intake to bring combustion 
air into the room.

In many cases, local or national codes require the 
installion of permanently open air vents, particularly 
with larger appliances (i.e. above 5 kW). Refer to these 
codes to determine specific requirements for your 
installation.

Woodburning is more an art than a science. Art includes 
technique; and since installations, homes, and fuel vary, 
the stove operator must also vary technique, (mostly 
timing), to achieve satisfying results. Over time, you 
will become familiar with the features of your particular 
installation; you will be able to identify cause and effect 
in a variety of seasonal circumstances, and adapt your 
operating habits to changing conditions.