Optima Installation and Operation Manual
18
4.3.4 Using Fire Starters
Many people like to use commercial fire starters instead of newspaper. Some of these starters are
made of sawdust and wax and others are specialized flammable solid chemicals. Follow the package
directions for use.
Gel starter may be used but only if there are no hot embers present. Use only in a cold firebox to start
a fire.
DO NOT USE FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS SUCH AS GASOLINE, NAPHTHA, FUEL OIL, MOTOR OIL,
OR AEROSOLS TO START OR REKINDLE THE FIRE.
4.4
Maintaining Wood Fires
4.4.1 General Advice
Wood heating with a space heater is very different than other forms of heating. There will be
variations in the temperature in different parts of the house and there will be variations in temperature
throughout the day and night. This is normal, and for experienced wood burners these are
advantages of zone heating with wood.
Do not expect steady heat output from your stove. It is normal for its surface temperature to rise after
a new load of wood is ignited and for its temperature to gradually decline as the fire progresses. This
rising and falling of temperature can be matched to your household routines. For example, the area
temperature can be cooler when you are active, such as when doing housework or cooking, and it
can be warmer when you are inactive, such as when reading or watching television.
Wood burns best in cycles. A cycle starts when a new load of wood is ignited by hot coals and ends
when that load has been consumed down to a bed of charcoal about the same size as it was when
the wood was loaded. Do not attempt to produce a steady heat output by placing a single log on the
fire at regular intervals. Always place at least three, and preferably more, pieces on the fire at a time
so that the heat radiated from one piece helps to ignite the pieces next to it. Each load of wood
should provide several hours of heating. The size of each load can be matched to the amount of heat
needed.
When you burn in cycles, you rarely need to open the stove’s loading door while the wood is flaming.
This is an advantage because there is more chance that smoke will leak from the stove when the
door is opened as a full fire is burning. This is especially true if the chimney connector has 90 degree
elbows and if the chimney runs up the outside wall of the house.
IF YOU MUST OPEN THE DOOR WHILE THE FUEL IS FLAMING, OPEN THE AIR CONTROL
FULLY FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN UNLATCH AND OPEN THE DOOR SLOWLY.
4.4.2 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 stove is relatively cool, but there is still
some chimney draft to draw the ash dust into the stove and prevent it from coming into the room.
After ashes have been removed from the stove 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.