© EUROHEAT DISTRIBUTORS (H.B.S) LTD. Jan. 2011
Instructions Part Number IN1145 Ed A
8
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.
Smokeless Coal
We recommend burning deep mined anthracite, a natural hard coal which is classified as being a smokeless
fuel; specifying the sizes of “small nuts” or “large nuts” (preferably 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 stoves.
House Coal
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 stove.
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. However it is not classified as a smokeless 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 stove. 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. Most manufactured coal contains some petroleum based coke
ingredients. Before burning them please confirm there suitability with the coal
manufacturer.
Bituminous
House Coal
