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200-XK-I06-201217
This is below the condensation point of wood gases and may cause the build-up of tar in
the chimney, dirty the stove glass and result in the inefficient burning of the fuel.
Above 245°C
Too hot. Heat will be wasted up the chimney. Excess heat may damage the stove or
ignite any existing accumulation of tar resulting in a chimney fire.
EXTENDED BURNING
Loading a large amount of wood into the stove all at once will reduce the temperature
inside the stove. If the temperature is too low, the gases given off from the wood will be
too low to combust resulting in a lot of smoke covering the inside of the stove, including
the glass, with soot. To combat this problem it is a good idea to increase the
temperature of the stove before loading by further opening the air inlets. Load the
wood and leave the air controls open until the moisture is driven out of the wood and
the stove is back up to an efficient operating temperature. The air inlets can then be
reduced to hold the temperature of the stove. Loading the stove little and often will
help keep the stove temperature steady. When loading wood, make sure that the end
grain of the wood in the stove is pointing away from the glass, otherwise the moisture
and gases coming from the end grain of the wood will dirty the glass.
TYPES OF WOOD FOR FUEL
For best results use well-seasoned hardwood such as Oak, Ash or Beech. Allow wood to
dry out under cover in well-ventilated conditions for at least twelve months. As a rough
guide wood is ready for burning when radial cracks appear in the end of logs. Properly
dry wood means it should have a moisture content of between15%-20% which can only
be accurately measured using a moisture meter. Burning wood that is not seasoned will
result in tar being deposited in the stove, on the glass and in the flueways. This build-up
of tar is a hazard and if it ignites may cause a chimney fire. Resinous softwood burns
well and gives a high output for short periods but is not as efficient and does not last as
long as hardwood.
RE-FUELLING
Adding a 'little fuel often' is the best re-fuelling method to keep smoke to a minimum.
Our tests have shown that burning logs not longer than 20cm and with a width or
diameter of no more than 12cm will produce the optimum smoke free performance.
PEAT
Peat is a fuel conveniently available in some areas and should be burned in the same
manner as wood.
SOLID MINERAL FUEL BURNING
LIGHTING AND CONTROLLING THE FIRE
Before lighting the fire for the first time ensure that the baffle, the riddling grate and the
side and back bricks are in position. Burning without either will result in the stove
castings overheating and being damaged.