©
EUROHEAT
DISTRIBUTORS (H.B.S) LTD. Nov 2004
9
E & OE Instructions Part number IN1011 Ed.3
Choices of Fuel
Wood
All wood will burn, and whilst various tables tabulate the calorific values of the wood obtained from
different tree species, the most important difference between woods is their moisture content. Until
the moisture has been driven off from the wood it will remain below its combustion temperature,
and even when the outer skin is dry and beginning to burn, much of this heat energy will be wasted
having to boil off the water remaining in the core of the wood. Copious amounts of water vapour,
in all but the most insulated flue, will condense, and mixing with the products of combustion, form
creosote and other undesirable substances which will eat away the fabric of the flue, build up to
eventually block the flue and will at any time be capable of causing a "chimney fire".
The advice to burn only "dry" wood is sometimes confusing because the atmospheric moisture will
prevent wood ever becoming "dry". It is acceptable to burn wood with a moisture content of less than
20%, which can be achieved by splitting the wood, stacking it so as to allow air to circulate within
the stack and storing it under cover for 18 months -30 months, depending on prevailing climatic
conditions. The use of a wood moisture content meter will confirm the amount of water remaining
in the wood easily. The practice of drying wood by the stove should be discouraged, firstly because
it should be unnecessary, and secondly because stored wood will invariably become the home to
many varieties of insects, many of whom enjoy eating wood. To introduce them into your house and
encourage them with heat and time to make new homes in your furniture and structural timbers is
not recommended.
Coal
We recommend burning deep mined anthracite, a natural hard coal which is classified as being a
smokeless fuel; specifying a size above "beans" will prove to be the most visually attractive and
efficient burning. Various manufactured smokeless coals are available giving differing burning
characteristics and the manufacturers or your coal merchant will advise you as to their suitability for
stoves. The difficulties associated with burning ordinary bituminous coal make it totally unsuitable
for reliable burning in any stove.
DO NOT BURN
petroleum based fuels such as petro-coke, they may seriously damage your stove.
The manufacturer of other blended products, containing a proportion of petro-coke, should be
approached to confirm the suitability of the product for use within an enclosed appliance that does
not have a grate system containing chrome steel.
Lignite
Lignite is obtainable in briquette form and is the mid point of wood being transformed into coal. It
behaves very much like wood and should be burned as wood, although setting the
thermostatic
damper
just off its minimum setting will keep the fire bed alive.
Peat
Peat is a very good fuel, although very bulky, and burns very well. It should be treated as for wood.
