Osburn Soho Installation and Operation Manual
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4.3.2
ASH REMOVAL
Ash should be removed from the firebox every two or three days of full time heating. Do not let
the ash build up in the firebox because it will interfere with proper fire management.
The best time to remove ash is after an overnight fire when the wood fire is relatively cool, but
there is still some flue system draft to draw the ash dust into the wood fire and prevent it from
coming into the room.
After ashes have been removed from the wood fire and placed in a tightly covered metal
container, they should be taken outside immediately. The closed container of ashes should be
placed on a non-combustible floor or on the ground well away from all combustible materials
pending final disposal. Ashes normally contain some live charcoal that can stay hot for several
days. If the ashes are disposed of by burial in soil or otherwise locally dispersed, they should be
retained in the closed container until all cinders have thoroughly cooled. Other waste shall not be
placed in this container.
NEVER STORE ASHES INDOORS OR IN A NON-METALIC CONTAINER OR ON A WOODEN DECK.
4.3.3
RAKING CHARCOAL
Rekindle the fire when you notice that the room temperature has fallen. You will find most of the
remaining charcoal at the back of the firebox, furthest from the door. Rake these coals towards
the door before loading. There are two reasons for this raking of the coals. First, it concentrates
them near where most of the combustion air enters the firebox and where they can ignite the new
load quickly, and second, the charcoal will not be smothered by the new load of wood. If you were
to simply spread the charcoal out, the new load will smoulder for a long time before igniting.
Remove ash first, and then rake charcoal towards the front of the firebox before loading so that it
will ignite the new load.
4.3.4
FIRING EACH NEW LOAD HOT
Place the new load of wood on and behind the charcoal and not too close to the glass. Close the
door and open the air control fully. Leave the air control fully open until the firebox is full of
flames, the wood has charred to black and its edges are glowing red. Firing each load of wood hot
accomplishes a few things:
•
drives the surface moisture from the wood,
•
creates a layer of char on the wood, which slows down its release of smoke,
•
heats the firebox components so they reflect heat back to the fire, and
•
heats the flue system so it can produce strong, steady draft for the rest of the cycle.
