Lighting your Vitae Cassette Stove

Lighting your Heat Design Vitae Cassette Stove correctly ensures maximum efficiency, clean glass, and a long lifespan for the unit.

1. Preparation and Air Controls
   Before you strike a match, set your air controls to allow maximum oxygen for the initial burn:

• Primary Air Control: Located at the bottom right-hand side. Slide it back to open it fully (sliding forward decreases air).
• Secondary Air (Airwash) Control: Located at the top centre, just above the door. Slide it to the right (towards the wide side of the arrow) to open it fully.

2. Building the Fire (Top-Down Method)
   While the Heat Design manual suggests firelighters at the base, many experts recommend the “Top-Down” method for less smoke and cleaner glass:

• Base: Place two or three small, dry logs at the bottom.
• Middle: Layer kindling (dry sticks) in a crisscross pattern on top of the logs.
• Top: Place two firelighters on the very top of the kindling stack.

3. Lighting and Establishing

• Ignite: Light the firelighters at the top.
• The “Ajar” Phase: Close the door but leave it slightly ajar (on the first latch) for about 5 minutes. This creates a strong initial draught to warm the flue quickly. Never leave the stove unattended while the door is ajar.
• Seal the door: Once the fire is burning vigorously, close the door completely.

4. Adjusting for a Steady Burn
   Once the fire is well-established (usually after 15–20 minutes):

• Close the Primary Air: If you are burning wood, the primary air (bottom slider) should be fully closed.
• Regulate with Airwash: Use the top slider (Secondary Air) to control the flame intensity. Keeping this at least 25% open helps maintain the “Airwash” to keep the glass clear.

Quick Tips for Efficiency

• Fuel Quality: Only use wood with a moisture content below 20%. Wet wood causes “tarring” and blackens the glass.
• New Stoves: If your stove is new, run two or three small fires first to “cure” the paint. Expect a slight non-toxic smell during this process—keep windows open.
• Refuelling: Open the door slowly to prevent smoke from spilling into the room.