Outdoor Furnace: Get Ready for Fall Startup Time
Don't Miss Any Critical Steps...
Use This Checklist!
Tools you will need:
- Stepladder
- Cleaning Brushes (only if the chimney wasn't cleaned in Spring)
Supplies you will need:
- Liquid Armor Water Treatment (available HERE)
- Door seal fire rope/caulk (if due for replacement every 2-4 years - available HERE)
- Water sample kit (included with every gallon of water treatment)
- Firewood/match
Fall Startup Procedure:
1.) Observe all safety precautions
2.) Ensure that the installation has been completed properly.
3.) Ensure that all fittings are properly tightened.
4.) If the boiler was not properly cleaned in the Spring, do so now (and please remember to do this in the SPRING next year!). Remove all ash and creosote. Brush out the chimney and deflector plate. Brush out heat exchange tubes (Afterburner or gasification models only).
5.) Make sure the boiler is completely full of water. Verify this with your water level indicator, AND by filling the boiler until water flows out of the vent tube on the roof.
6.) Treat the boiler water with Liquid Armor water treatment. Follow the steps for water treatment HERE.
7.) To VERIFY that your investment is protected, send a water sample to our lab for a FREE water analysis EVERY 12 MONTHS!. Follow the steps for the FREE water test HERE.
8.) Open all valves. Allow 5 minutes for the water to fill the pump and system.
9.) Turn on the power and make sure the pump is running. Never operate a boiler without the pump circulating water 24/7.
10.) Make sure the fan switch is operational. Turn the fan switch to the ON position.
11.) Your outdoor boiler water temperature is controlled to the pre-set factory standards. Adjustment is not normally needed.
The temperature controller will automatically control the blower to maintain the water temperature between the preset range. We recommend the range of 160F to 180F for traditional boilers and 172F to 182F for Afterburner or Gasification models
12.) Build a small fire in the primary firebox changer, and allow the temperature to slowly rise. If possible, use only charcoal from previously burned wood, otherwise, you should expect to see considerable moisture condensation inside the boiler. This is the moisture from your wood that is condensing on the boiler walls and tubes while the water jacket water is below 140F.
When the water jacket temp rises above 140F, condensation will be minimal. Do not worry, this condensation is normal - your boiler is not leaking. But to avoid this, use charcoal from previously burned wood that has already had the moisture burned off.
Remember that even the most seasoned firewood still has roughly 20% moisture and that is a lot of water that will normally exit the boiler harmlessly in the form of steam once the boiler is above 140F.
13.) When the boiler reaches 170F, the boiler is ready to be filled to capacity for normal operation.
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Free Water Testing
One of the most important steps in prolonging the life of your outdoor wood burner is to ensure that the water in your boiler is not corroding the steel. Water starts to eat holes in steel immediately upon contact (through rust corrosion) unless properly treated. We test your outdoor boiler water for free! Get your wood boiler water treatment now!
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