I understand stoves differ. Here are the instructions from the Hearthstone Clydesdale:
Burn Rate There are four basic burn rates: high burn, medium burn, low burn, and overnight burn. Each has its own purpose. High Burn Rate: We recommend a high burn rate once or twice a day to fully heat the stove and chimney; this also helps keep the amount of creosote in your stove and chimney to a minimum. After the fire is established and both the stove and chimney are hot, create a high burn for maximum heat output. Pull the primary air control out so that it’s fully open or almost fully open. Fully load the firebox with wood on a bed of hot coals or on an actively flaming fire. After you have attained a high burn rate, monitor the stove temperatures frequently to ensure that the stove is not over-fired. The surface temperature on top front of the insert (firebox body under grill) should not routinely exceed 600° Fahrenheit (316° Celsius). Once you understand how your insert burns and heats in your particular setting, you can easily create a high burn rate without risk to the stove or chimney. When your room’s temperature is comfortable, maintain your fire by loading smaller quantities of wood. Burning smaller amounts of wood at a high burn rate creates the least amount of creosote in your chimney, emits the lowest amount of pollutants, but provides shorter burn times. Medium to Medium Low Burn Rate: In general, you would usually create a medium to medium low burn rate, especially if your stove is left unattended periodically. Set the primary air control to a mid-range setting, appropriate to maintain a comfortable temperature in the heated area. This setting produces the most efficient overall burn. Low Burn Rate: Close the primary air control for a low burn rate. This setting provides the longest burn time. However, set a low burn rate only periodically. Over extended periods, a low burn rate promotes the accumulation of creosote. If you consistently maintain low burn rates, inspect your venting system frequently. Overnight Burn Rate: An overnight burn, as you might expect, allows you to keep an area heated while you sleep. To create an overnight burn, first ensure the stove and chimney is hot from an established fire. Next, pull the primary air control fully open, and then completely load the firebox with wood. Remember, larger pieces of wood burn longer. Allow the fire to burn intensely for 20 to 30 minutes. Finally, push the primary air control close to its lowest setting; the fire will settle into a lower burn rate with a small flame and more secondary gas ignition. The fire will now burn slowly and steadily. The longevity and intensity of the fire depends on the type, size and quality of the wood, the strength of the chimney draft, and other variables that vary from installation to installation. High draft installations or situations may require using a low burn rate setting. In the morning, you should find a bed of hot coals buried within the ashes. The insert should be warm to the touch but not hot. To restart the fire without relighting, simply stir and rake the ashes with a poker until the hot coals have come to the surface. Place a handful of kindling and a few small logs on the coals, close the door, and fully open the primary air control. The fire should re-ignite within 5 to 10 minutes. Once the fire is burning well, add a few larger logs, close the door, leave the primary air control fully open, and allow the fresh logs to ignite. Running a high burn rate at least once a day burns off accumulated creosote from within the insert and Hearthstone Clydesdale Fireplace Insert Model 8491 Page 25 of 33 venting system. Now, in the morning after an extended low burn rate, is a good time to create your daily high burn rate; run it for about 20 minutes or so. Not only does this hot fire promote a clean stove and chimney, it also helps keep the glass cleaner for easy viewing of the fire within. Once the fire is burning briskly, regulate the primary air control to a medium setting for a medium, to medium low burn rate.
