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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Monica and Morsø Win Design Award

 













The Morsø 7600, designed by Monica Ritterband, has won the prestigious Red Dot international design award 2010
.

What have Apple, Audi, BMW, B&O and Monica Ritterband got in common?
Answer: They have all won what is probably the design world’s most prestigious award: the “Red Dot Design Award”, which each year sees entries from several thousand companies from around 60 countries.

This year’s award in the “Product Design” category was won by the Danish wood-burning stove, the Morsø 7600, designed by Monica Ritterband.

When voting, the Red Dot jury put particular emphasis on quality, functionality, user friendliness and, above all, innovation. Monica Ritterband’s new Morsø 7600 wood-burning stove was in a league of its own with its circular shape, round feminine transitions, enormous glass window combined with indestructible cast iron. These unique design elements give the stove a personal style with a soft, organic touch.

The stove, which bears the Nordic Swan eco-label, is based on the convection principle and offers fantastically clean and effective combustion. It is both logical and easy to use, as the stove’s air intake – and therefore combustion and heat – controlled by a single handle.

The Morsø 7600 is already a huge sales success in Europe, the USA, Japan and South Africa. In the USA it was launched at the famous HPBA fair, where it was nominated for “The Vesta Award”, wood-burning stoves’ equivalent of the Oscars.

Morsø’s wood-burning stoves are marketed across the country via selected fireplace centres. The Morsø 7600 is available in four versions: on a base with drawer, with feet and drawer, on a pedestal and wall-mounted. All four versions have won the award and the title “The Red Dot Design award 2010”.

Monica Ritterband’s reaction to the good news:
“Oops, now the bar’s been raised – it’s something else to live up to in the future… And yes, I’m secretly cheering! ”



Burn a wood stove efficiently
  1.22.2010



News From Morso
12.20.09
Morsø also has a well-deserved reputation for fine Scandinavian design.

According to Ty Miller of Heat Wave, the Morsø retailer in Boulder, Colorado, "Most of our Morsø customers are attracted to it because of the styling. It's a more modern look. Then they also get the added warmth and efficiency as a bonus. A lot of people would rather get something they can feel good about in terms of the environment. In addition, it's competitively priced compared to other stoves with the contemporary, European styling."

Heat Wave: Heat Wave Stove and Spa is a local family-owned business serving Boulder for 20 years. With a philosophy of providing top quality products and excellent service, they offer stoves, fireplaces, spas, grills, and more. For more information visit www.heatwavestoveandspa.com or call 303-442-7980

Click here to view the European styled contemporary Morsø stove line: http://www.morsoeusa.com/Contemporary-stoves-486.aspx

The Environment has for many years been an important concern for Morsø; the way we produce stoves to how we dispose of waste, to how we choose sub-suppliers and how package the final product. Our stoves are constructed in high grade cast iron using 98 % recycled iron. All other materials used are also carefully vetted for environmental impact. All materials used in our products carry the independent approval of the Nordic Swan Eco-label*,  Recycled cast iron using 98% recycled material.  Ceramic glass , Ceramic rope gasket.  Paint – non carcinogenic and CFC free,  Recycled packaging, 80% of the power used during production comes from renewable energy sources, 69% from wind power (wind turbines), 11% from combined Heat & Power (waste bio fuel and bio gas)



Tips From Morso 02.09.09

The glass in my stove is full of soot - what could be wrong?
Soot will appear on the glass if the combustion temperature is too low or if the lighting period is too short. When lighting the stove a lot of air must be supplied to warm up the chimney. Open the riddling grate and the air controls. If necessary, open the door a bit to supply as much air as possible. When the kindling have turned into embers, dry wood is supplied. Plenty of air must still be supplied. Close the riddling grate and primary air supply when the blue/purple flames have disappeared. The combustion is now exclusively controlled by the secondary air controls. Moreover, the combustion temperature is increased by supplying more secondary air and at the same time by keeping the riddling grate and primary air control closed. Besides, wet wood or poor draft conditions might cause sooty glass. Ask your Chimney sweep to measure the draft in your chimney.

How do I remove dirt from the door glass?

Remove the baffle and clean it up with a nozzle or a Morsø Ash Clean. The Ash Clean is also suitable for cleaning the rest of the stove. Note that the stove must be cold when cleaned up. The surface will be kept well if vacuum cleaned with a soft nozzle. If necessary wipe the stove with a moist cloth, but only when the stove is completely cold. Be careful when choosing cleaning materials as the paint may be damaged by acid.

How often should the stove be cleaned for soot and ashes?

The stove needs to be cleaned up at least once a year. But naturally depending on how much the stove is used. The baffle is removed from the stove and cleaned up – using a nozzle or a Morsø Ash Cleaner. The Ash Cleaner is also suitable for cleaning the rest of the stove. Note that the stove must be cold when cleaned up.
 

How do I clean the inside of the stove?
Remove the baffle and clean it up with a nozzle or a Morsø Ash Clean. The Ash Clean is also suitable for cleaning the rest of the stove. Note that the stove must be cold when cleaned up. The surface will be kept well if vacuum cleaned with a soft nozzle. If necessary wipe the stove with a moist cloth, but only when the stove is completely cold. Be careful when choosing cleaning materials as the paint may be damaged by acid. 
 

What should I use to clean the inside of my stove?
You can use the Morsø Ash clean to remove soot and ashes. The ashcan must be emptied 2 or 3 times a week in an ash bucket where the ashes are to be kept until they are free from embers. The ashes cannot be used as fertilization.
 

How do I clean the surface of a Senotherm painted stove?
The surface will be kept well if vacuum cleaned with a soft nozzle. If necessary wipe the stove with a moist cloth, but only when the stove is completely cold. Be careful when choosing cleaning materials as the paint may be damaged by acid. If necessary, use mild detergent or brown soap. The painted surface may in the course of time get a grey tinge; but the stove can easily be freshened up with a special heat-resistant Senotherm spray-paint, which can be bought from your dealer. The stove must dry 24 hours before being used again. Some fumes will be given off by the paint. Ventilate the room during this phase
 

How do I clean the surface of an enameled stove?
Wipe the stove with a moist cloth, but only when the stove is cold. Use a distilled water with a mild detergent or brown soap. Remember to remove the soap before lighting the stove. Enamel is a strong material that does not change appearance unless the stove has been exposed to different kinds of bumps and strokes.


Tips For Hearthstone Stoves 01.01.09


Are optional remote controls available for HearthStone gas products?

Remote controls are available for all our current models and most of our older models. Remotes are available that will turn the units on or off, as well as thermostatic remotes that allows you to set a specific temperature. You can maintain that temperature by placing the remote in a specific location anywhere in the room. In the Euro Collection models, remote controls are included. 

Can I burn coal?

No. Coal burns at extremely high temperatures that can damage your stove. Also, as coal burns it forms "clinkers" which will clog up the ash grate and fill the firebox. Coal emits sulfur compounds, which will permanently etch the ceramic glass.

Can I burn driftwood or artificial logs in my HearthStone woodstove?

No. Driftwood is extremely corrosive and should always be avoided. Artificial logs produce extremely high heat for short periods of time and are messy.

Can I cook on this stove?

We don’t recommend cooking on your stove. If you do decide to, you want to be careful to place the pot on the stone and to lift it off - or use a trivet, or a soapstone tile. Sliding the pot around the top of your HearthStone stove will scratch the stone. Additionally, the stone will be stained by any food, liquid or grease that spills. You want to monitor your cooking carefully, as boiling could be a problem. The surface temperature of HearthStone stoves usually ranges from 300º-400º. This may not be hot enough to fry an egg quickly, but is certainly warm enough to cook soups, stews and a nice pot of hot apple cider.

Can I install a stove in my bedroom?

Most building codes allow woodstoves to be installed in bedrooms. Gas stoves are usually required to be Direct-Vent models. Most codes do not allow Vent-Free stoves over 10,000 BTUs to be installed in bedrooms. Check with your local building inspector for requirements and limitations in your area.

Can I install gas logs in my old woodstove?

No. Gas-fired stoves need much more air to burn properly than woodstoves. A woodstove is tested to burn properly and safely based on its specified purpose. Any modification, such as installing gas-fired logs, not only nullifies that listing, it may result in improper performance and possibly a very dangerous situation. The only time you can modify a stove in any manner is when it is according to the instructions for that particular model. 

Can I put different stones in my HearthStone stove, if I choose to do so?

All currently sold HearthStone cast and stone woodstoves are sold with soapstone as the only option. The stone is an integral component of the stove, and only soapstone can withstand the temperatures achieved, and the thermal stress resulting when burning wood. The only HearthStone woodstove sold with interchangeable stone was the Starlet (no longer available). However, all HearthStone cast and stone gas-fired stoves are available in different stone varieties.

Can I visit your manufacturing facility in Vermont?

You are welcome to visit us any time. We are located in Morrisville, Vermont, on Stafford Avenue near the intersection of Routes 100 and 15 just 10 miles past Stowe. We are open Monday — Friday, 8:30 — 5:00 ET.

Do HearthStone stoves have catalytic combustors? (How does a non-catalytic combustor work? What are the advantages over catalytic?)

Since 1988, all woodstoves are required to pass very strict clean-air standards. In the early years, the only way we knew how to build stoves that would satisfy those standards was to add a catalytic combustor (similar to the catalytic converter in your car). As time went on, non-catalytic technology was developed that not only meets, but also surpasses the federal limits.

HearthStone stoves are non-catalytic; they have a series of secondary air tubes under the baffle in the top of the firebox. These tubes draw a precise amount of heated air, inject it into the fire and actually cause any particles, and gas in the smoke to burn. Consequently, while you enjoy the benefit of more heat out of less wood, your HearthStone stove is helping to keep our environment clean.

There is a lot of debate over the question "Which is better, catalytic or non-catalytic?" Both will produce clean, efficient burns. Our preference is non-catalytic for three main reasons:

  1. A non-catalytic stove burns the same throughout its entire lifetime. Catalytic combustors need constant maintenance and replacement about every 5 years. While their initial emission numbers are a bit better than the non-cats, by the time that combustor wears out those numbers are far below. Non-catalytic stoves produce the same, consistant emission numbers over the lifetime of the stove without the maintenance and expense of replacement combustors.
  2. A non-catalytic stove is easier to operate. There is one simple air control. If you want more heat, give it more air, if you want less heat give it less air. Catalytic stoves add a bypass damper that is used whenever the door is opened or new wood has been added to the fire. Flue gas and combustor temperatures must be monitored to know when it is appropriate to close the damper.
  3. A non-catalytic stove produces a much prettier fire. Catalytic stoves tend to have a slow lazy burn. Non-cats tend to have a more active fire.

Do your gas stoves require (household) electricity to operate?

No. Our gas stoves have a thermopile built into the pilot light system that generates enough electricity (millivolts) to operate the stove and the wall thermostat. A blower for the stove will need electricity but you will find that HearthStone stoves heat very well without the blower. Also, there is no fear of damaging the stove if the blower is not used.

How do I care for the finish of my stove?

HearthStone stoves requires very little maintenance. Once the break-in procedures have been followed, the only tip is to be careful of scratching. If you use a steamer on the top, be sure to lift it off; don’t slide it across the stone - you can also purchase a trivet, or soapstone tile from your local HearthStone dealer to place under the steamer. If something does spill on the stone, it will usually "cook" itself out over time as the stove is heated. Cast iron is also extremely low maintenance. Matte black stoves may need some touch up paint after a few years; enameled stoves will usually clean up with any window cleaner. Please remember that the enamel finish is like glass and can chip if it is hit. Porcelain touch up kits are available if necessary.

How do I childproof my stove?

Most children will feel the heat as they approach a stove and will stay away from the heat; however accidents can happen. If you are concerned, ask your HearthStone dealer about screen shields to protect your children from the stove.

How do I prevent smoke from entering the room when I open the door of my woodstove?

Open the the primary air control to its maximum setting, or open the door a crack, count to five, and then open the door slowly. This reduces the possibility of the door drawing the smoke into your room.

How long will a soapstone woodstove last?

With proper care and use, a soapstone stone will last a lifetime. Stone and cast iron are two of the most durable materials on earth. Each stove is designed to withstand the constant heating cycles associated with burning wood. Soapstone will age with use, including changes in hue that add to the beauty of the stove. Small fractures may appear on a stone's surface, or edges, but they generally do not affect performance or safety. Here are a few suggestions to ensure the life of your stove:

  • Follow the break-in procedures outlined in your Owner’s Manual very carefully.
  • Do not over-fire your stove. Make sure the ash pan door is closed during operation and the other door gaskets are in good shape.
  • Do not burn coal, wood soaked in fuel, driftwood or treated wood.
  • Do not burn liguid fuels, trash, coated paper, or plastic.

What are the EPA numbers all about?

Wood smoke is often full of unburnt wood particles and other by-products of combustion. Test labs can measure the amount of particulate in the smoke. Prior to 1988 when the government started regulating woodstoves, the best data available shows the average stove produced about 70-80 grams per hour of this particulate. By 1992 the EPA Phase II required all non-catalytic stoves to produce less than 7.4 grams per hour and 4.0 grams per hour if the stove used a catalytic combustor. Catalytic requirements are more stringent because the effectiveness of the catalytist degrades over its life expectancy; non-catalytic stoves have consistent emissions for the life of the stove. Consequently, the two stove types average out to be the same. Currently, all HearthStone stoves are non-catalytic and not only surpass the non-catalytic standards; they also surpass the standard for catalytic stoves. All HearthStone stoves test less than 4 grams particulate emissions per hour. Our Homestead model tested at an amazing 1.9 grams per hour - one of the cleanest burning woodstoves available.


Vermont Castings wood stoves