GB
15
Lighting Instructions
Choosing fuel
All types of wood, such as birch, beech,
oak, elm, ash, conifers and fruit trees can
be used as fuel in the insert. Different
types of trees have different densities,
the greater the density of the wood the
greater the energy value. Oak, beech and
birch have the highest density.
The wood’s moisture content
Fresh wood is about 50 per cent water.
Some of the water circulates freely
between the fibres and some of the water
is bound in the cells. The wood must
always be dried so that the free water
evaporates. The timber is ready for use when the moisture content has
fallen below 20 %. If wood with a higher moisture content is lit, a large part
of the energy content of the wood is used boiling off the water. If the wood
is damp, the combustion is also poor, layers of soot and tar build up in the
chimney and could, at worst, lead to a chimney fire.
In addition, it causes the glass of the insert to soot and may cause
discomfort to those living nearby. To ensure thoroughly dry wood, the wood
should be cut in the winter and stored, well aired, under a roof. Never cover
the wood pile with a tarpaulin to the ground. The tarpaulin will then act as
a sealed cover and the wood will be prevented from drying. Always store
a small amount of wood indoors for several days before use, so that the
surface moisture has time to evaporate.
Do NOT burn the following
Under no circumstances whatsoever may fossil fuels, pressure
impregnated wood, painted or glued wood, chipboard, plastic or colour
brochures be used as fuel. All these materials can create hydrochloric
acid and heavy metals that are damaging both to the environment and the
hearth. Hydrochloric acid can also attack the steel in the chimney or the
mortar in a stone built chimney. Also avoid using bark, woodchips or other
extremely finely chopped wood except for lighting. Fuel of this type causes
flashover resulting in too high output.
NOT TOO BIG FIRES
The firebox in your insert is relatively large. This is so that longer wood can
be burned. It is, however, prohibited to load it full of wood. Adding more
logs than recommended leads to flashover with oxygen deficiency, which
results in: sooted glass, too high an energy output that can damage the
inserts/surround, thick smoke and high flue gas temperatures that can
damage the chimney.
Recommended amount of wood for normal use is 1.8 kg/hour, with the
maximum permitted amount of 3 kg/hour, max 3 kg of wood per insertion
and covers lighting with a maximum of 2 pieces of chopped birchwood per
insertion or other broad leaf wood with a moisture content of about 18%.
When lighting with the same wood amounts as above but with, for example,
conifer wood, higher fireplace temperatures are achieved. The service life
of the fireplace can be cut short if the fire is left at full combustion for
long periods, and if the maximum permitted amount of wood is exceeded,
parts in the insert can become damaged thus invalidating the warranty.
FIREBOX MAINTENANCE
The glass may be come sooty with use, even if the insert is lit with dry
wood with a moisture content of 15 – 20%. Regular cleaning with dry
paper is usually sufficient to keep it clean. If the soot has been on the
glass for a prolonged period use a cleaning agent or a special soot
removal agent to remove it. Such agents can be purchased from regular
hardware stores or from your local stove dealer. Never use cleaning
agents that contain any abrasives, these can damage the glass. When
emptying the ash-pan, ensure that there are no glowing embers. Lift the
grate using the supplied handle and fold it back (see the illustration).
The ash-pan can then be lifted straight up. The ash must be stored in a
fireproof container with a lid for at least a week before being disposed
of. The grate and other cast iron components can be cleaned using a
wirebrush. It is important from a combustion point of view to check
gaskets, as worn gaskets hinder combustion when the fireplace draws
”extra air”. Painted parts on the insert can be cleaned using a damp
cloth, with a small amount of detergent, if necessary. Damage to painted
parts, e.g. small scratches, can be rectified with Contura touch-up paint.
Contact your dealer. As there is a constant large flow of air through
the Insert’s surround, cold room air is drawn in and hot air released,
dust can collect in the surround’s air intakes. Therefore, these should
be regularly cleaned. Parts located near the actual seat of the fire may
require replacing. Examples of such parts are the firebox panels and
grate. The service life of these parts depends on how much and how the
insert is used.
