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.
Note:
Wood burns most efficiently when the air for combustion is supplied from above the fire bed rather
than below.
The air supplied above the fire bed provides the oxygen necessary for the volatile gases (smoke),
given off by the wood as it heats, to combust. This ensures that the gases are burnt and used to heat
the stove instead of being wasted up the chimney or condensing and forming tarry deposits inside
the stove, in the flue or on the stove glass.
Running the stove with the primary air control open and the air wash control closed will provide
oxygen for the wood to burn on the fire bed but will not provide air for the volatile gases above the
fire bed to combust resulting in a smoky inefficient fire.
Ash Removal:
Only remove small amounts of ash from the firebox. When de-ashing, leave 30mm to 40mm depth
of ash in the bottom of the firebox for the best performance. Always use the gauntlets to open and
close the door. To empty the ashpan open the stove door with the gauntlets provided and insert the
ashpan tool into the front of the aspan at a 45 degree angle so that the tool slides easily into the
locating bracket, lift the ashpan out and empty into a non combustable container. Always keep the
aspan empty and don’t allow the ashes to build up below the grate as this will cause damage to the
grate.
Correct running temperatures for wood burning:
To get the best results from your stove it is recommended that a wood stove thermometer (available
from your stove dealer) be fitted to the flue pipe above the stove, at eye level if possible.
115 °C - 245°C (240°F – 475°F)
The flue gases should be in this temperature band for the safest, most efficient and most economical
operation of your stove.
Below 115°C (240°F)
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 fuel.
