22
4.
Wet or green wood will tend to cause the fire to smolder, producing large amounts of creosote.
Creosote build-up could result in a chimney fire. This wood will also prove difficult to keep burning
properly, and fires will tend to go out. Green wood produces very little heat, and sometimes causes
customers to think that the insert does not work. If you must burn wet wood, use only small
amounts mixed with dry wood.
5.
Decayed wood or low density wood has very little energy content or heating value, and will not
burn satisfactorily for long periods of time.
An example of the energy values of some common wood fuels is given in Table 3.2 for recommended wood
sizes, refer to the specifications.
Common Heating Values of Cordwood
Hardwoods
Million Btu/Cord
Softwoods
Million Btu/Cord
Birch 23.6
Douglas
Fir
20.6
White Oak
28.3
Hemlock
17.1
Alder 17.6
Jack
Pine
18.4
Table 3.2
3.2.1 Simple Wood Moisture Test
Add one large piece of wood to the top of an established fire. If it starts to burn on three sides within
one minute, it is dry and seasoned and right for burning. If it turns black and starts to burn in three
minutes, it is damp. If it turns black and does not start burning until after five minutes, it is green and
wet. If it hisses at any time, the wood is soaked and will not burn until excess moisture is boiled away.
3.3 Notes About First Firing
Before firing, ensure that the room is well ventilated. Curing the paint is recommended to preserve the
best quality finish. Heating the insert too intensely on the first fire will dull and lighten the color on
overheated areas, and cause smoke and odors to be emitted into the room. To cure the paint, the first
two fires should be burned for only about twenty minutes each.
The paint curing process will produce a light fume with an unpleasant odour. Open windows. Leave the
room if the smell is too intense.
The fume is non-toxic and will disappear completely after the unit
will have been used a few times at higher firing temperatures.
Allow the insert to get warm only, but not hot, i.e. 250
o
F (120
o
C) as measured by an insert top
thermometer, then allow the insert to cool down. Light a third fire and burn it for about forty minutes to
450
o
F (230
o
C) or less. Once again cool the insert to room temperature, and then operate it according to
the following instructions. This extra care will result in a more durable, and uniform finish.
