Contura 750, Installation Instructions Manual, Page: 27 / 28

GB
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Lighting Instructions
All types of wood, such as birch,
beech, oak, elm, ash, conifers and
fruit trees can be used as fuel
in the stove. Different types of
trees have different densities, the
greater the density of the wood
the greater the energy value. Oak,
beech and birch have the highest
density.
The wood’s moisture content
When the stove is new
Maintaining the stove
Do NOT burn the following
Not too big fires
Fresh wood is about 50 per cent water. Some of the water circu-
lates freely between the fibres and some of the water is bound
in the cells. The wood must always be dried so that the free
water evaporates. The timber is ready for use when the moisture
content has fallen below 20%. If wood with a higher moisture
content is lit, a large part of the energy content of the wood is
used boiling off the water. If the wood is damp, the combustion
is also poor, layers of soot and tar build up in the chimney and
could, at worst, lead to a chimney fire. In addition, it causes the
glass of the stove to soot and may cause discomfort to those
living nearby.
To ensure thoroughly dry wood, the wood should be cut in the
winter and stored, well aired, under a roof. Never cover the
woodpile with a tarpaulin to the ground. The tarpaulin will then
act as a sealed cover and the wood will be prevented from drying.
Always store a small amount of wood indoors for several days
before use, so that the surface moisture has time to evaporate.
When new, the stove may emit an odour due to excess paint and
oil coating that may remain on the panels. The odour will disap-
pear completely after several fires.
The glass may become sooty with use, even if the stove is lit with
dry wood with a moisture content of 15 – 20%. Regular clean-
ing with dry paper is usually sufficient to keep it clean. If the
soot has been on the glass for a prolonged period use a cleaning
agent or a special soot removal agent to remove it. Such agents
can be purchased from regular hardware stores or from your
local stove dealer. Never use cleaning agents that contain any
abrasives, these can damage the glass.
• When emptying the ash-pan, ensure that there are no glowing
embers. The ash must be stored in a fireproof container with a
lid for at least one week before being disposed of.
• The grate and other cast iron components in the firebox can be
cleaned using a wire brush.
• It is important from a combustion point of view to check gas-
kets, as worn gaskets hinder combustion when the stove draws
“extra air”.
• Painted parts on the stove can be cleaned using a damp cloth,
with a small amount of detergent, if necessary. Damage to
painted parts, e.g. small scratches, can be rectified with Con-
tura touch-up paint. Contact your dealer.
• As there is a constant large flow of air through the stove, as
cold room air is drawn in and hot air released, dust can collect
behind and under the stove. Therefore, the areas under and
behind the stove should be regularly cleaned.
• Parts located near the actual seat of the fire may require
replacing. Examples of such parts are the hearth surround and
grate. The service life of these parts depends on how much and
how the stove is used.
Under no circumstances may pressure impregnated wood,
painted or glued wood, chipboard, plastic or colour brochures be
used as fuel in a hearth. All these materials can create hydrochlo-
ric acid and heavy metals that are damaging both to the environ-
ment and the hearth. Hydrochloric acid can also attack the steel
in the chimney or the mortar in a stone built chimney.
Also avoid using bark, woodchips or other extremely finely
chopped wood except for lighting. Fuel of this type causes
flashover resulting in too high output.
Fires should not be too big. Large fires are uneconomical and
they give off high flue gas temperatures that can damage the
stove and the environment. Recommended amount of wood for
normal use is 1.3 kg/hour, with the maximum permitted amount
of 2.4 kg/hour and covers lighting with chopped birch wood or
other broad leaf wood with a moisture content of about 18%.
When lighting with the same wood amounts as above but with,
for example, conifer wood, higher fireplace temperatures are
achieved. The service life of the stove can be cut short if the fire
is left at full combustion for long periods, and if the maximum
permitted amount of wood is exceeded, parts in the stove can
become damaged thus annulling the warranty.
Choosing fuel
Hearth plate glass must
be discarded as waste
material together with
pottery and porcelain