3.2.4 Building a Fire
To start a fire, place several crumpled up balls of newspaper in the firebox. Place small dry
pieces of kindling on top of the paper, criss-crossing the kindling so that there are air spaces
in between. Keep the fuel far back enough so that air can get underneath. Open the air
controls fully and light the newspaper. Once the newspaper and the kindling is well ignited,
close the door. Once the kindling fire is well established, cordwood can be added. (See
Primary Air Combustion Control section for proper operation of the air controls.)
The unit will burn best with 2-3 pieces of cordwood spaced 1 to 2 inches apart and allowing
air to get under the fuel. Criss-crossing or arranging the fuel so that air can get underneath,
will help the fire to get started easily. The unit should be operated with the air control fully
open long enough to get the cordwood well ignited
3.2.5 Maintaining the Fire
Once the wood has been consumed (or partially consumed) and you have obtained a good bed
of embers, you should reload the unit. In order to do so, open the air control to its maximum
for approximately 15 seconds prior to opening the fireplace door. Then, proceed by opening
the door very slowly. Open it by 2" to 4" (52 to 104 mm) for 10 seconds before opening it
completely. This procedure will increase the draft and thus eliminate the smoke which is
stagnant in a state of slow combustion in the fireplace. Then, bring the red embers to the front
of the stove and reload the unit.
Your OSBURN
STRATFORD
fireplace will work best if a thick bed of hot embers is
maintained in the bottom of the firebox, and a minimum of two large pieces of seasoned fuel
are added. Combustion efficiency is largely related to establishing a hot ember bed, and hot
firebox temperatures. The quicker the fireplace and chimney (flue) get up to normal operating
temperatures, the better. A small intense fire is preferred to a large smouldering fire, both to
improve combustion efficiency and to reduce the amount of creosote build-up. The best
performance will be obtained by adding relatively small amounts of fuel to a well established
ember bed, and then operating with the air inlet control open long enough to achieve a hot
fire. Use a poker to make an air channel in the embers below the wood. This will allow air to
flow under the wood for a more efficient burn. Once you have reached the desired
temperature, the primary air can be set to a medium setting. You know you have reached the
desired temperature when, closing the primary air control, you can see a flame at the top of
the firebox. The benefit of this technique will be cleaner glass, less creosoting, greater
efficiency and the most pleasing fire for your enjoyment.
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