Break in fires for Mansfield

[mikeathens]

OK, don't everyone jump and and kill me at once. I KNOW this topic has to have been visited at some point...

So, I have a new Mansfield. The manual only talks about one break in fire. So far, I've built two. First one brought top stone up to just under 200. Second one brought it up to around 250. When is it "safe" to let 'er rip?

Also, what's the deal with that cotton-batting looking stuff on top of the air tubes? Just wondering. Looks like a nice ash trap that's going to be a pain to clean.

Edit: Yes, I did a search and didn't find my answer.

 

[Todd]

Do one more at about 400 and you should be good to go. Check your mortar seams between the soapstone panels inside the firebox. Sometimes there is moisture in there and they bubble, pop and leave a gap where extra air can sneak in. I did 3 breakin fires, 100, 300, 400, then I let her rip.

 

[jtp10181]

That cotton looking stuff is a fiber ceramic insulation. It keeps the area below the tubes as hot as possible to get good secondary burn. Make sure it is back all the way and sealing the gaps left to right. Also you want it to be laying nice and flat. Yes it will collect ash over time but if you remove the tubes and the blanket once a year when you do a full chimney cleaning that will be good enough.

 

[Highbeam]

Bummer on the cotton. My heritage doesn't have that and I eliminated the phoenix in part because of that cotton batt.

 

[jtp10181]

Bummer on the cotton. My heritage doesn't have that and I eliminated the phoenix in part because of that cotton batt.

Every single Quad unit has a fiber ceramic blanket on top of the baffle board. It has never caused any problems and will last at a minimum of 5-10 years if cared for.

 

[swestall]

By now you are done, but hey, its a heck of a stove isn't it?
All the best of this one for you and the family Mike.
SW