Osburn Matrix Installation and Operation Manual
12 ______________________________________________________________________________
3
FUEL
3.1
MATERIALS THAT SHOULD NOT BE BURNED
•
GARBAGE OF ANY KIND,
•
COAL OR CHARCOAL,
•
TREATED, PAINTED OR COATED WOOD,
•
PLYWOOD OR PARTICLE BOARD,
•
FINE PAPER, COLORED PAPER OR CARDBOARD,
•
SALT WATER DRIFTWOOD
•
MANUFACTURED LOGS CONTAINING WAX OR CHEMICAL ADDITIVES
•
RAILROAD TIES
•
LIQUIDS SUCH AS KEROSCENE OR DIESEL FUEL TO START A FIRE
3.2
HOW TO PREPARE OR BUY GOOD FIREWOOD
3.2.1
WHAT IS GOOD FIREWOOD?
Good firewood has been cut to the correct length for the wood fire, split to a range of sizes and
stacked in the open until its moisture content is reduced to 15 to 20 per cent.
3.2.2
TREE SPECIES
The tree species the firewood is produced from is less important than its moisture content. The
main difference in firewood from various tree species is the density of the wood. Hardwoods such
as gums, Manuka or ironbark are denser than softwoods. Hard wood will produce long-lasting coal
beds combined to more heat and longer burn cycles.
Old, leaky cast iron wood fires wouldn’t hold a fire overnight unless they were fed large pieces of
hardwood. That is no longer true. You can successfully heat your home by using less wood and
give the forest a break at the same time.
