Chilli Penguin Chilli Billie, Installation And Operating Manual

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WOOD
Wood needs to be seasoned (cut and stored for at least one year after cutting) or kiln
dried prior to burning in the stove with a moisture content of less that 25%. As a fuel
it gives a good flame and a reasonably high heat output, the burn rate is high and will
vary considerably depending on size and species.
• The size of wood logs will vary but a size guideline is given in the tech spec
• Wood requires combustion air to be directed down onto it (down draught) to burn
most efficiently
• The secondary combustion air supply on your stove provides the air necessary for
burning off the volatile gases
• It is important to burn wood in complete loads, this will ensure all the wood in the
load is at the same stage of combustion as much as possible. By doing this the
firebox temperature will stay in the gas burning stage for longer making the stove
more efficient and cleaner burning
• It is not advised to try and keep a wood fire in overnight. When the air controls are
put on a low setting, logs can smoulder and burn inefficiently, releasing harmful
emissions into the atmosphere
Tips for identifying dry wood
1) Visible cracks at the end of the log
2) Bang two logs together, they will sound hollow
3) Wood moisture content measuring devices are available, less than 25% is ideal
There are 3 stages in the burning of wood
stage 1
Drying out. When a piece of wood enters the firebox it will stay below the boiling point of
water (100°C) until all the moisture has been driven out. Between 150 – 200°C wood begins
to give off volatile gases, some of these will burn while others will mix with the carbon dioxide
and water vapour and be carried out the chimney as smoke.
stage 2
In the second stage of combustion temperatures must reach 600°C for the gases to start
burning off. This will only occur with the right amount of air and heat leading to higher
efficiencies. These gases burn as a yellow flame above the wood.
stage 3
Charcoal is left once all the gases have been burnt off. The charcoal contains at least half
of the wood’s heat potential, at this stage the fire will burn more slowly and without flame
requiring less air.