7
D. Keep a screen in front of the fireplace except
when tending the fire.
E. Keep combustible furniture/pillows at least
four feet from the opening.
F. Never leave the fire unattended.
G. Be extremely careful when adding wood and
handling fireplace tools.
H. Gas logs can be installed in the Stone Age
fireplace. Install and operate according to manu-
facturer’s instructions.
I. Do not alter this fireplace. Use only Stone
Age authorized equipment with this fireplace.
5.2 Selection of Wood
Use cured wood logs only. Scrap wood produces
sparks. Treated wood, coal, or woods dipped in
pine tar should not be used because they may leave
a combustible residue in the fireplace and chimney.
Use of seasoned wood is preferred.
The amount of heat available from logs will depend
on the type of wood, its dryness, quantity of wood
and the size of the logs. Ten pounds of twigs will
produce as much heat as a 10 pound log, but will
produce it much faster because the air supply is
more available.
5.3 Softwood vs. Hardwood
Wood is divided into two classes, hard and soft
woods. Each has a use in a fireplace and each has
advantages and disadvantages.
The hardwood category includes such woods as
oak, walnut, birch, elm and maple. Softwoods in-
clude pine, fir, cedar and spruce.
Selection of wood depends on the type of fire you
want. Softwoods are good to offset a morning chill
because the fire develops faster. Hardwoods are
preferable for a slower burning and uniform heat
output.
Softwoods contain a highly flammable resin that
will leave creosote soot in the chimney flu. This
often results in sparking. Burning softwood exclu-
sively will require more frequent inspection and
cleaning of the chimney.
Experienced fire builders often use small amounts
of softwood kindling and newspaper when starting
a split hardwood log fire.
5.4 Seasoned Wood
Most freshly cut “green” wood will not burn well
and will smoke. The pressure of moisture and resin
inside green wood will build under heat and ex-
plode as sparks. Therefore, it is recommended that
only seasoned wood be used in your fireplace.
Most wood requires 9 to 12 months of seasoning
and drying to reduce the moisture content enough
to produce good steady fires. Make sure that you
buy only seasoned wood, or if you buy green wood
(usually cheaper), store it properly to aid in the sea-
soning process. The following steps will assist in
the seasoning process.
A. Stack wood loosely to permit maximum air
circulation.
B. Do not stack wood on the ground. Use a
wood rack or stack on scrap lumber. Storage on
the ground will cause rotting and insect infiltra-
tion.
C. Cover wood stacks with a tarp so that it is not
excessively exposed to the elements such as snow
and rain.
D. Do not stack wood against the walls of your
home.
5.5 Building a Fire
A. Use the Stone Age grate (sold separately)
with your fireplace. This will contribute to good
air circulation around the wood, and keep the
wood out of the ash.
B. Close any window located near the fireplace
when first lighting the fire to reduce the possibil-
ity of smoking. It can be reopened once a draft
has been created through the chimney.
WARNING: Never use gasoline, gasoline-type
lantern fuel, kerosene, charcoal
lighter fluid or similar liquids to
start or “freshen up” a fire in the
fireplace. Keep all such liquids
well away from the fireplace
while it is in use.
