GB
15
Lighting Instructions
Choosing fuel
All types of wood, such as birch, beech,
oak, elm, ash, conifers and fruit trees can
be used as fuel in the insert. 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
Fresh wood is about 50 per cent water.
Some of the water circulates 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 insert 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 wood pile 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.
Do NOT burn the following
Under no circumstances whatsoever may fossil fuels, pressure
impregnated wood, painted or glued wood, chipboard, plastic or colour
brochures be used as fuel. All these materials can create hydrochloric
acid and heavy metals that are damaging both to the environment 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.
Candles
Do not use old candle stubs as fuel. Melted wax runs down into the stove’s
damper system and makes the stove unusable. Repairs for this are very
expensive.
NOT TOO BIG FIRES
The firebox in your insert is relatively large. This is so that longer wood can
be burned. It is, however, prohibited to load it full of wood. Adding more
logs than recommended leads to flashover with oxygen deficiency, which
results in: sooted glass, too high an energy output that can damage the
inserts/surround, thick smoke and high flue gas temperatures that can
damage the chimney.
Recommended amount of wood for normal use is 1.8 kg/hour, with the
maximum permitted amount of 3 kg/hour, max 3 kg of wood per insertion
and covers lighting with a maximum of 2 pieces of chopped birchwood per
insertion 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 fireplace 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 insert can become damaged thus invalidating the warranty.
The glass may be come sooty with use, even if the insert is lit with dry wood
with a moisture content of 15 – 20%. Regular cleaning 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
abrasives or that are corrosive to printed or painted glass. These can
damage the glass/paint. Do not use cleaning products containing sodium
hydroxide because of their corrosive effect on sealing strips.
When the ash level in the ash box has reached the square holes, empty
the ash box. When emptying the ash box, ensure that there are no glowing
embers. Lift the grate and fold it back (see the illustration). The ash-
pan can then be lifted straight up. 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 can be cleaned using a wirebrush.
It is important from a combustion point of view to check gaskets, as worn
gaskets hinder combustion when the fireplace draws "extra air".
Painted parts of the insert 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 Contura touch-up paint. Contact your
dealer.
As there is a constant large flow of air through the insert’s surround, cold
room air is drawn in and hot air released, dust can collect in the surround’s
air intakes. Therefore, these should be regularly cleaned.
Parts located near the actual seat of the fire may require replacing.
Examples of such parts are the firebox panels and grate. The service life of
these parts depends on how much and how the insert is used.
FIREBOX MAINTENANCE