©
EUROHEAT
DISTRIBUTORS (H.B.S) LTD. April. 2011
Instructions Part Number IN1176 Ed B
6
Because coals suitable for inserts have so little vaporizing content they are virtually trouble free fuels to use, but
if you are using one of the manufactured smokeless coals take care to ensure the ash pan is checked regularly
because some of them have a very high ash content; this is especially important if you change “brands” because
the ash contents can vary dramatically.
Always riddle the grate before putting on loadings of coal to give the initial release of gases sufficient air with
which to burn; failure to do so may allow the insert and flue to fill with gases ready to ignite.
A insert is very much safer than an open fire, but if you have children or infirm people in the house please ensure
it is suitably guarded, and consideration should also be given to accidental contact with the insert if you are
entertaining with a busy house full of guests. If you have a remotely operated insert please ensure you keep the
remote operating handset well away from the insert, children and dogs.
Choice Of Fuels
Wood
All wood will burn slightly differently, but the most important differences between woods is their moisture
content. Until the moisture has been driven off from the wood it will remain below its combustion temperature.
When the outer skin has dried 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 mix with the products of combustion to form creosote and other undesirable substances
which will eat away the fabric of the flue, and eventually build up to block the flue. At any time this build up of
tar will 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 between 18 months and 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
insert 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.
Please note that HETAS Ltd Appliances Approval only covers the use of wood logs on this appliance. HETAS Ltd
Approval does not cover the use of other fuels either alone or mixed with the wood logs, nor does it cover
instructions for the use of other fuels.
Smokeless Coal
(also known as solid mineral fuel)
We recommend burning deep mined anthracite, a natural hard coal which is classified as being a smokeless fuel;
specifying the sizes of “large nuts” will give most visually attractive and efficient burning. Smaller sizes than
this will tend to choke the air flow too easily making long burning times without attention problematic. 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 inserts. The difficulties and dangers associated with
burning ordinary bituminous coal (house coal) with its relatively high volatile content make it totally unsuitable
and potentially dangerous for burning in any insert.
Lignite
(also known as solid mineral fuel)
Lignite is obtainable in briquette form and is best described as young coal. It behaves very much like coal and
should be burned as smokeless manufactured coal.
Peat
Peat burns very well, but it is bulky and its distinct aroma will pervade your home and everything in it, but
otherwise peat can be burned as wood.
DO NOT BURN
petroleum based fuels such as petro-coke, they may seriously damage your insert. The manufacturers
of other blended coal 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 chrome steel grate.
