Kuma Stoves K-400, K-300 User Manual
Kuma Stoves
Kuma Stoves
Hayden, ID. USA
Models:
K-300 Fireplace Insert
K-400 Free-Standing Wood Stove
Installation and Operating Instructions
*SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS*
This manual describes the installation and
Operation of the KUMA model K-300/K-400 wood
stove/insert. Under specific test conditions, this
wood stove has been shown to meet the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s
emission limits for residential wood stoves.
Please read this entire manual before you install and use
your new wood stove. Failure to follow instructions may
result in property damage, bodily injury, or even death.
Contact Local building/fire official about codes and
restrictions in your area and to obtain a permit if necessary.
Section A- Stove Description and Compliance
This manual describes the installation and operation of the KUMA model K-300/
K-400 catalytic equipped wood stove. This heater meets the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency’s emission limits for wood stoves sold in the U.S. Under specific
test conditions this wood stove has been shown to deliver heat at rates ranging from
10,100 to 52,100 BTU/hr.
Section B– Tamper Warning
This wood stove contains a catalytic combustor, which needs periodic inspection
and replacement for proper operation. It is against the law to operate this wood stove in
a manner inconsistent with the operating instructions in this manual, or if the catalytic
element is deactivated or removed.
Section C- Catalyst Information
The combustor supplied with this wood stove is an Applied Ceramics FireCat
Combustor. Consult the catalytic combustor warranty supplied with this wood heater.
Warranty claims should be addressed to:
Applied Ceramics
Customer Service Department
5555 Pleasantdale Road
Doraville GA 30340
Should the combustor become ineffective or require replacement, please take
extreme care to package the combustor in foam rubber or other soft material so as not to
damage it. Part number KRP-CATS (2.5”x 7.5”x 3”x 16 cell).
Section D- Fuel Selection
This wood stove is designed to burn natural wood only. Higher efficiencies and
lower emissions generally result when burning air seasoned hardwoods, as compared to
softwoods or too green or freshly cut hardwoods.
DO NOT BURN: treated wood, coal, garbage, cardboard, solvents, colored
paper, trash, painted wood, rubber, plastic, sulfur, oil, metal foils, or flammable fluids.
Burning treated wood, garbage, solvents, colored paper, sulfur, oil, metal foils, or
trash may result in release of toxic fumes and may poison or render ineffective the
catalytic combustor. Burning coal, cardboard, or loose paper can produce soot or large
flakes of char or fly ash that can plug the combustor, cause smoke spillage into the
room, and rendering the combustor ineffective. Store fuel in a dry place. Do not place
fuel within space heater installation clearances or within the space required for ash
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Section E- Achieving and Maintaining
Catalyst Light-Off
Your KUMA stove is equipped with a by-pass plate that slides forward to allow
the draft to escape up the chimney when the rod is pulled all the way forward. This “bypasses” the combustor for the purpose of (1) starting a fire, and (2) refueling. This
section describes the position of the by-pass for 3 different burning situations.
1) START-UP: The by-pass rod would be pulled all the way out during start-up.
It will remain open long enough to achieve a medium to high burn rate (about 15-20
minutes). It will also be necessary to “crack” the door to allow extra air during start-up.
Check Operation Section ‘H’. Usually a normal fire start-up to produce a good coal bed
will produce sufficient temperatures to begin catalytic combustion.
2) NORMAL OPERATION: After the start-up temperature is reached, the by-pass
should be closed (pushed in). This begins the flow of smoke and gases through the
combustor. The combustor will begin generating. The by-pass is to remain closed
during normal operation.
3) REFUELING: The by-pass should be open (pulled out) during the refueling of
the stove. When refueling or rekindling a cool fire or a fire that has burned down to the
charcoal phase, operate the stove again at a medium to high burn rate (about 15-20
minutes) until a sufficient start-up temperature is reached.
Section F– Catalyst Monitoring
It is important to periodically monitor the operation of the catalytic combustor to
ensure that it is functioning properly, and to determine when it needs to be replaced. A
non-functioning combustor will result in a loss of heating efficiency, and an increase in
creosote and emissions. Following is a list of items that should be checked on a periodic
basis:
*Combustors should be visually inspected at least three times during the heating
season to determine if physical degradation has occurred. Actual removal of
the combustor is not recommended unless more detailed inspection is warranted
because of decreased performance. If any of these conditions exist, refer to
Catalyst Troubleshooting Section ‘G’ in this owner’s manual.
*You can get an indication of whether the catalyst is working by comparing the
amount of smoke leaving the chimney when the smoke is going through the
combustor and catalyst light-off has been achieved, to the amount of smoke
leaving the chimney when the smoke is not routed through the combustor (by pass mode).
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Section F- Catalyst Monitoring (continued..)
Step 1- Light stove in accordance with instructions in section ‘E’.
Step 2- With smoke routed in the by-pass mode, go outside and observe the
emissions leaving the chimney.
Step 3- Push in the by-pass mechanism and again observe the emissions leaving
the chimney.
Significantly more smoke should be seen when the exhaust is not routed through
the combustor (by-pass mode). Be careful not to confuse smoke with steam from wet
wood.
Section G- Catalyst Troubleshooting
SYMPTOM PROBLEM REMEDY
1. Stove doesn’t seem *By-pass open *Close by-pass
to get rid of smoke. *Old, cracked combustor *replace combustor
*Poisoned combustor *replace combustor
2. Smoke spills out the *Fly ash build-up *Clean combustor cells
door, or draft is slow by opening by-pass and
and inhibited. Blowing air through
combustors, thereby
removing fly ash.
Section H- Operation and Maintenance
*RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BUILDING AND MAINTAINING A FIRE:
CAUTION: HOT WHILE IN OPERATION. KEEP CHILDREN, CLOTHING
AND FURNITURE AWAY. CONTACT MAY CAUSE SKIN BURNS
1. Pull by-pass control out to open.
2. Start with tinder and small kindling. When starting a fire, stack the wood in a
‘criss-cross’ arrangement so as to allow the fuel plenty of air. Place smaller
chunks of wood on up to larger chunks until desired fire is reached.
3. Open air vent controls. Crack door open 1/2” to help establish start-up fire.
Close after start up is achieved. The door will need to remain cracked open
approximately 25-30 minutes (close door 10 minutes after you close by-pass).
4. Leave by-pass and air controls fully open until a medium to high burn rate is
achieved (about 15-20 minutes). After start-up, push by-pass control in.
Adjust the air controls at bottom to achieve the desired heat output. See
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