Ireland. The most popular include Phurnacite, Taybrite,
Ancit and Homefire.
Your local fuel merchant will be able to advise you on
the best types of coals suitable for multi fuel stoves,
as well as natural mineral fuel alternatives such as
anthracites which burn cleanly. The following fuel
merchant’s website also has good descriptions of the
comparative benefits that the brands listed above
have to offer –
www.coalproducts.co.uk
.
You can also find out more by visiting the Hetas
website
www.hetas.co.uk
.
PROHIBITED FUELS
Never use your stove like an incinerator. Burning
prohibited ‘fuels’ in a Smoke Control Area is illegal.
Burning the following materials could also damage
your stove and flue system, rendering the product
warranties on the stove and flue system components
void.
• Petroleum Coke
Never burn petroleum coke as this
burns at a very high temperature and its continued
use will almost certainly cause irreparable damage to
components such as the grate, baffle plate and fire
bars.
• Bituminous House Coal
is not recommended
because it produces excessive soot deposits, which is
not good for the environment, and thus considerably
increases the need for frequent cleaning of the stove
and flue system.
• Household Rubbish
Printed matter (excluding very
small amounts of newspaper for starting the fire),
plastic, rubber, lacquered or impregnated wood,
plywood, chipboard and household rubbish, such as
milk cartons, should also be avoided. During
combustion some of these materials may develop
substances which could be hazardous to your health
and be harmful to the environment.
• Flammable Liquids
Never use methylated spirits,
petrol or other highly inflammable liquids for
lighting the fire as these could cause an explosion
in the confined spaces of the fire chamber.
UNDERSTANDING HOW
DIFFERENT FUELS BURN
Wood and solid or mineral fuels (multi fuels) burn in
different ways and you will need to understand these
differences if you are a newcomer to wood burners
and multi fuel stoves.
Putting it simply, mineral fuels, such as coal or
smokeless nuggets, need a flow of combustion air
through the bottom grate which is known as Primary
Air, whereas wood fuel works much better when its
combustion air is taken from above the grate. This
source of air is known as Secondary Air. Wood always
8
burns best on a bed of its own embers and the ashes
shouldn’t need to be riddled. Again mineral fuels
differ because they need combustion air from below
the grate therefore needs to be riddled to keep the air
passage clear.
See the section below to help you understand how
to control the different types of combustion air that
wood and mineral fuels need.
Your new stove can burn very well, or very poorly,
depending on how you light the fire, how you refuel
the fire, and, of course, the type and quality of the
fuel that you are burning. A log moisture meter is a
cost-effective investment if you want to maximise the
efficiency of your stove and wood fuel.
Wear protective gloves when loading a burning stove
and place the fuel precisely where you want it in the
fire chamber by using heat-resistant tongs. Always
open the stove door gently to avoid unnecessary air
turbulence which could cause fly ash or small lighted
embers to be drawn from the fire chamber and
beyond the protective hearth.
The stove is
not
designed to be operated with the
door left open continuously – this will reduce its
operating efficiency and it will consume more fuel
very quickly and produce less heat.
CONTROLLING THE COMBUSTION AIR
Your Graphite Inset stove has two simple air controls:
1 Primary Air Control
This is the large control knob
in the centre at the base of the stove. Primary Air is
required when burning mineral fuels (and to quickly
aid the supply of air during the initial combustion of
wood). Turn it anti-clockwise to open and add air.
2 Secondary Air Control
This is the silver control
knob on the right hand side of the stove – pull it out
to open the air supply. Secondary air is needed when
burning wood and is not needed when burning
mineral fuels (unless it is to maximise the air supply to
aid the initial combustion).
