Austro Flamm Dexter S3 2.0 User manual

Operating manual
Dexter S3 2.0 945065
www.austroflamm.com

Operating manual
06/07/2022
Version: 1.0
LEGAL NOTICES
Owner and publisher
AUSTROFLAMM GMBH
Austroflamm-Platz 1
A- 4631 Krenglbach
Tel: [phone] / 46 443
www.austroflamm.com
[email protected]
Edited by: Olivera Stojanovic
Illustrations: Konstruktion
Text: Technical department (Austroflamm)
Copyright
All Rights reserved. The contents of these instructions may be reproduced or distributed only with the
consent of the publisher! Printing, spelling and typographical errors reserved.

Operating manual Dexter S3 2.0 945065 Contents
3
Contents
1 General information ........................................................................................................................................... 5
1.1 Copyright.............................................................................................................................................. 5
2 Purpose of the manual ....................................................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Storing the manual .............................................................................................................................. 6
2.2 Structure of the manual....................................................................................................................... 6
2.3 Representations used.......................................................................................................................... 6
2.4 Version control..................................................................................................................................... 6
2.5 Abbreviations....................................................................................................................................... 7
3 Safety .................................................................................................................................................................... 8
3.1 Importance of the safety instructions................................................................................................ 8
3.2 Warning of sources of danger ........................................................................................................... 8
3.2.1 General safety instructions ................................................................................................................. 8
3.2.2 Special types of danger and personal protective equipment ....................................................... 9
4 Product overview ................................................................................................................................................ 10
4.1 Intended use ........................................................................................................................................ 10
4.2 Identification of the product............................................................................................................... 10
4.3 Energy label ......................................................................................................................................... 12
4.4 Positioning of the nameplates ........................................................................................................... 12
5 Technical data ..................................................................................................................................................... 13
5.1
Technical data according to Regulation (EU) 2015/1185 and delegated Regulation (EU)
2015/1186 ........................................................................................................................................... 13
5.2 General specifications......................................................................................................................... 15
5.3 Data for the chimney/flue dimensioning.......................................................................................... 15
6 Transport, handling and storage ...................................................................................................................... 16
6.1 Transportation...................................................................................................................................... 16
6.2 Storage.................................................................................................................................................. 16
7 Requirements at the installation location ....................................................................................................... 17
7.1 Safety distances to be observed........................................................................................................ 17
7.2 Combustion air .................................................................................................................................... 17
7.3 Chimney requirements ....................................................................................................................... 17
7.4 Floor load-bearing capacity ............................................................................................................... 18
7.5 Floor condition..................................................................................................................................... 18
7.6 Room of installation............................................................................................................................. 18
8 Fuel material/-quantity ...................................................................................................................................... 19
8.1 Fuel........................................................................................................................................................ 19
8.2 Fuel quantity......................................................................................................................................... 21
9 Installation............................................................................................................................................................ 22
9.1 Risks and dangers................................................................................................................................ 22
9.2 Execution .............................................................................................................................................. 22
9.2.1 Rearranging the flue pipe connection .............................................................................................. 22
9.2.2 Installing the air supply adapter ........................................................................................................ 25

Contents Operating manual Dexter S3 2.0 945065
4
9.2.3 Mounting the Keramott....................................................................................................................... 25
9.2.4 Installing the HMS................................................................................................................................ 26
9.2.5 Mounting the shadow joint ................................................................................................................ 26
9.2.6 Mounting the side boxes.................................................................................................................... 27
10 Settings................................................................................................................................................................. 28
10.1 Adjusting the door handle and the lock........................................................................................... 28
10.2 Adjusting the door .............................................................................................................................. 30
10.3 Tensioning the door spring................................................................................................................ 30
11 Commissioning.................................................................................................................................................... 32
11.1 Initial Commissioning.......................................................................................................................... 32
11.2 Balanced Flue Operation.................................................................................................................... 32
12 Operation............................................................................................................................................................. 33
12.1 Before heating up................................................................................................................................ 33
12.2 Making fire correctly............................................................................................................................ 33
12.3 Heating in the transition period......................................................................................................... 34
13 Maintenance ........................................................................................................................................................ 35
13.1 Changing the seal on the door.......................................................................................................... 35
14 Cleaning ............................................................................................................................................................... 36
14.1 Cleaning the stove, flue gas ducts and flue pipe ............................................................................ 36
14.2 Emptying the ash box ......................................................................................................................... 36
14.3 Cleaning the door window................................................................................................................. 37
14.4 Cleaning surfaces ................................................................................................................................ 37
15 Help....................................................................................................................................................................... 38
15.1 Firebox lining ....................................................................................................................................... 39
15.2 What to do in the event of a chimney fire......................................................................................... 39
15.3 What to do in the event of faults........................................................................................................ 39
16 Accessories .......................................................................................................................................................... 40
17 Spare parts........................................................................................................................................................... 41
18 Dismantling.......................................................................................................................................................... 45
18.1 Removing the door.............................................................................................................................. 45
19 Disposal................................................................................................................................................................ 46
20 Guarantee / warranty ......................................................................................................................................... 48
21 Data processing .................................................................................................................................................. 49
22 Start up log .......................................................................................................................................................... 50
23 Service Report ..................................................................................................................................................... 51

Operating manual Dexter S3 2.0 945065 EN 1 | General information
5
1 General information
You have decided in favor of an Austroflamm stove.
Congratulations on your decision and thank you for your trust.
Correct operation and care are essential for trouble-free operation and long service life.
The information in this manual is of a general nature. National and European standards, local and
building regulations, together with fire regulations must be complied with.
Read these instruction through carefully before installation and operation. No liability or warranty
claims apply for damage incurred by failure to follow this manual.
Please observe the instructions in the individual sections.
This manual is a component part of the stove. It includes all the important information for both the
dealer and the customer.
Personally hand over this manual to the owner of the stove together with an introduction to the system
(heating operations).
In the following list we give you an overview of which sections are important for whom:
Dealer End customer
Complete instructions General information [}on page 5]
Purpose of the manual [}on page 6]
Safety [}on page 8]
Product overview [}on page 10]
Technical data [}on page 13]
Requirements at the installation location [}on page 17]
Fuel material/-quantity [}on page 19]
Settings [}on page 28]
Commissioning [}on page 32]
Operation [}on page 33]
Maintenance [}on page 35]
Cleaning [}on page 36]
Help [}on page 38]
Accessories [}on page 40]
Spare parts [}on page 41]
Dismantling [}on page 45]
Disposal [}on page 46]
Guarantee / warranty [}on page 48]
Data processing [}on page 49]
Service Report [}on page 51]
1.1 Copyright
All Rights reserved. The contents of these instructions may be reproduced or distributed only with the
consent of the publisher! Printing, spelling and typographical errors reserved.

2 | Purpose of the manual EN Operating manual Dexter S3 2.0 945065
6
2 Purpose of the manual
This manual is a component part of the stove and is intended to contribute to the stove being safely in-
stalled and maintained.
TIP
Please read this manual before using the stove for the first time.
2.1 Storing the manual
Store this manual in case you need it. A current version of the manual can be found online at our
homepage www.austroflamm.com.
2.2 Structure of the manual
The table of contents can be found on page 3.
Illustrations in this manual may differ from the delivered product.
2.3 Representations used
The following representations are used in this manual:
Steps with mandatory adherence to the sequence
üPrerequisite
1) Step 1
2) Step 2
3) …..
ðIntermediate result / additional information
ðResult
Steps and bullet points without mandatory sequence
• ….
• ….
– ….
– ….
Cross-references
See Technical Data [}on page 13]
Useful tips
TIP
Fuel
Use only the recommended fuel!
2.4 Version control
We update our manuals on a continual basis. The current version can be found at our homepage
www.austroflamm.com.

Operating manual Dexter S3 2.0 945065 EN 2 | Purpose of the manual
7
2.5 Abbreviations
Abbreviation Meaning
HMS Heat Memory System
ST Stoves

3 | Safety EN Operating manual Dexter S3 2.0 945065
8
3 Safety
In this manual we give you numerous safety instructions for the safe operation of your stove. These in-
structions are characterized differently as follows, depending on their importance:
3.1 Importance of the safety instructions
NOTICE
Particular behaviour and/or activities that are required for safe working. Failure to follow this can result
in material damage.
CAUTION
Possible dangerous situation (light or minor injuries and material damage).
WARNING
Possibly imminent danger to life and health of persons (severe injuries or death).
DANGER
Immediately imminent danger to life and health of persons (severe injuries or death).
3.2 Warning of sources of danger
3.2.1 General safety instructions
• The information in this manual represents generally applicable standards and rules. National and
European standards, local and building regulations, together with fire regulations must also be
complied with.
• Before operating your stove, carefully read through the entire manual and observe the instructions
and warnings.
• Only approved transport aids with sufficient load-bearing capacity may be used to transport your
stove.
• Caution - varnish is not an anti-rust protection!
• Burn only the fuel listed and approved in the section.
• It is strictly forbidden to burn or introduce highly flammable or explosive substances, such as
empty aerosols and the like, into the firebox or to store them in the immediate vicinity of your stove
due to the risk of explosion.
• No loose or easily flammable items of clothing should be worn when laying the fire.
• Please note that placing non-heat-resistant objects on, or near, the stove is forbidden.
• Do not place any items of laundry on the stove to dry. Laundry racks or the like must be placed at a
sufficient distance from the stove. – (Fire hazard!)
• This stove is not a slow-burn fire.
• While your stove is in operation, it is forbidden to process highly flammable or explosive sub-
stances in the same room or in adjoining rooms.
• The stove must only be operated with the doors closed.
• The door and all the stove’s control devices must be closed when the stove is not in operation.

Operating manual Dexter S3 2.0 945065 EN 3 | Safety
9
• Please note that the surfaces of this stove heat up considerably during operation. We recommend
that you use the protective glove supplied to operate your stove.
• Please alert children to these dangers, and keep them away from the stove when it is operating.
DANGER
Danger of overheating
To prevent damage you must NEVER operate your stove with a greater quantity of fuel than the
quantity given in these instructions, either during its initial commissioning or every time you sub-
sequently light it up again!
• Your stove is not suitable for use as a ladder or a stand.
3.2.2 Special types of danger and personal protective equipment
For certain activities such as installation/dismantling, particular care must be taken that the following
safety equipment is worn:
Safety gloves
Safety shoes

4 | Product overview EN Operating manual Dexter S3 2.0 945065
10
4 Product overview
4.1 Intended use
The Austroflamm stove described in this manual is manufactured and tested with a type A1 self-closing
and locking door under EN test EN 13240.
NOTICE
Operation is only permissible with closed/bolted door.
4.2 Identification of the product
In the following illustrations we give an overview of the most important dimensions and the nameplate
positioning.
957
618
655
231
422
150
462
1523
125
250
172
987
862
545
93
Fig.1: Dimensions

Operating manual Dexter S3 2.0 945065 EN 4 | Product overview
11
1
Fig.2: Air control
1) Open (+) and closed (-) (primary/secondary air control-
ler)
a
b
b
Fig.3: Safety distances for corner set-up
a
b
b
c
Fig.4: Safety distances for wall set-up
Safety distances

4 | Product overview EN Operating manual Dexter S3 2.0 945065
12
4.3 Energy label
I I I
A+
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
2015/1186
6,0
kW
ENERGIA · ЕНЕРГИЯ · ΕΝΕΡΓΕΙΑ · ENERGIJA · ENERGY · ENERGIE · ENERGI
A++
A+
A+++
A++
A+
A-80%
A-60%
A-40%
A-20%
Austrof amm Dexter S3
Fig.5: Energy label
4.4 Positioning of the nameplates
Here we show where you can find the nameplate. You can find a copy of the nameplate of your stove
on the back of this manual.
Fig.6: Nameplate
The type label is located on the rear of the stove.

Operating manual Dexter S3 2.0 945065 EN 5 | Technical data
13
5 Technical data
As a type 1 stove, a connection to a chimney already occupied with other solid-fuel stoves and ovens is
possible provided that the chimney rating under DIN 4705 – part 3, does not contravene this.
5.1 Technical data according to Regulation (EU) 2015/1185 and delegated
Regulation (EU) 2015/1186
Contact details for the manufacturer or their authorized representative
Manufacturer: Austroflamm GmbH
Contact: -
Address: Austroflamm-Platz 1
4631 Krenglbach
Austria
Appliance details
Model identification(s): Dexter S3
Equivalent models: -
Test reports: DBI F 17/11/0528
Applied harmonized standards:
Other standards/technical specifications. Specifications: -
Indirect heating function: no
Direct heat output: 6.0 kW
Indirect heat output1: -
Properties for operation with the preferred fuel
Space heating annual use efficiency ηs: 70.0%
Energy efficiency index (EEI): 106
Particular precautions for assembly, installation or maintenance
Described in the individual sections of the operating manual.
Fuel Preferred
fuel
(only one)2:
Other suit-
able fuel(s)3:
ηs
[x%]:
Space heating emis-
sions at nominal heat ef-
ficiency (*)
Space heating emis-
sions at minimum
heat efficiency4 (*) (**)
PM OGC CO NOx PM OGC CO NOx
[x] mg/Nm³ (13% O2)5[x] mg/Nm³ (13%
O2)6
Log, moisture content ≤
25 %
yes no 70.0 22 15 611 110 - - - -
Compregnated laminated
wood,
Moisture content < 12 %
no no - - - - - - - - -
Other woody biomass no no - - - - - - - - -
Non-woody biomass no no - - - - - - - - -
Anthracite and dry steam
coal
no no - - - - - - - - -
Coking coal no no - - - - - - - - -
Semi-coke no no - - - - - - - - -
Bituminous coal no no - - - - - - - - -

5 | Technical data EN Operating manual Dexter S3 2.0 945065
14
Lignite briquettes no no - - - - - - - - -
Peat briquettes no no - - - - - - - - -
Briquettes made from a
mixture of fossil fuels
no no - - - - - - - - -
Other fossil fuels no no - - - - - - - - -
Briquettes made from a
mixture of biomass and
fossil fuels
no no - - - - - - - - -
Other mixture of biomass
and solid fuels
no no - - - - - - - - -
(*) PM = dust, OGC = organic gaseous connections, CO = carbon monoxide, NOx = nitrogen oxide
(**) Only required when using correction factors F(2) or F(3).
Properties for exclusive operation with the preferred fuels7
Specification Symbol Value Unit Specification Symbol Value Unit
Heat output Thermal efficiency (fuel efficiency) (based on the NCV)
Nominal heat effi-
ciency
Pnom 6.0 kW thermal efficiency (fuel ef-
ficiency) at nominal heat
efficiency
ηth,nom 80.0 %
Minimum heat
output (standard
value)
Pmin - kW thermal efficiency (fuel ef-
ficiency) at minimum heat
output (standard value)
ηth,min - %
Auxiliary power consumption Type of heat output/room temperature control
At nominal heat
efficiency
elmax -kW single-level heat output, no room temperature
control
yes
At minimum heat
output
elmin -kW two or more manually adjustable levels, no room
temperature control
no
In standby condi-
tion
elSB -kW Room temperature control with mechanical ther-
mostat
no
Pilot flame power requirement with electronic room temperature control no
Pilot flame power
requirement
(if present)
Ppilot - kW with electronic room temperature control and day-
time regulation
no
with electronic room temperature control and
weekday regulation
no
Other regulation options
(Multiple answers possible)
Room temperature control with presence detec-
tion
no
Room temperature control with open window de-
tection
no
with remote control option no
1 There is no entry for fireplaces without water-carrying components.
2 Values for annual use efficiency and emissions must be given here for the preferred fuel.
3 Values for annual use efficiency and emissions must be given here for all other suitable fuels.
4 Corresponds to partial load heat output as per EN 16510
5 Specification in mg/m³ for heated filter method (in compliance with Annexe III, number 4, letter a,
section i, point 1) or g/kg for measurement in dilution tunnel (in compliance with Annexe III, number 4,
letter a, section i, point 2 and 3.)

Operating manual Dexter S3 2.0 945065 EN 5 | Technical data
15
6 Specification mg/m³ for heated filter method (in compliance with Annexe III, number 4, letter a, sec-
tion i, point 1) or g/kg for measurement in dilution tunnel (in compliance with Annexe III, number 4, let-
ter a, section i, point 2 and 3.)
7 Specifications are made here for the preferred fuel only.
5.2 General specifications
Technical data Basic appliance
Steel cladding (STM) height [mm] 957
Steel cladding (STM) width [mm] 618
Steel cladding (STM) width [mm] 422
Weight of steel casing (STM) [kg] 165
Flue pipe outlet, diameter [mm] 150
Nominal heat efficiency [kW] as per EN test EN 13240 6
Heat output, minimum [kW] 3.5
Maximum heat output [kW] 8
Space heating capacity, at least (depending on the building insulation) [m³] 65
Maximum room-heating capacity (depending on the building insulation) [m³] 165
Minimum distance from non-flammable materials [mm] 50
Safety distances to combustible materials a [mm] 1100
Safety distances to combustible materials b [mm] (standard/corner installation) 600 / 150
Safety distances to combustible materials c [mm] 150
Max. amount of fuel to be deposited [kg] (wood) 1.4
5.3 Data for the chimney/flue dimensioning
Exhaust gas values for the multiple occupancy of the chimney (according to DIN 4705 Part 3) or rating of the
chimney (according to DIN 4705 Part 2)
Flue gas mass flow [g/s] 6
Flue gas temperature [°C] 290
Minimum feed pressure at nominal heat output [Pa] closed 12
at 0.8 times nominal heat output [Pa] 10

6 | Transport, handling and storage EN Operating manual Dexter S3 2.0 945065
16
6 Transport, handling and storage
6.1 Transportation
Fig.7: Crate
Immediately checked the goods delivered for complete-
ness and damage in transit.
Before installing the stove, check that all movable parts are
working. Any defects before the installation of the stove
must be reported.
Transport is with a crate. The crate facilitates transport of
the stove using a lifting truck or forklift.
Remove the crate and dispose of it appropriately.
6.2 Storage
The stove must be stored in a dry room/warehouse. Protect against dirt, heat and moisture.
The following illustrations are attached to the crate and must be observed:
• Fragile – always place upright – protect against moisture
and store dry.
• Remove and dispose of packing material in an environ-
mentally friendly manner.
• The crate can be disposed of in the separate collection
for packaging. Local disposal regulations must be ob-
served.

Operating manual Dexter S3 2.0 945065 EN 7 | Requirements at the installation location
17
7 Requirements at the installation location
7.1 Safety distances to be observed
a
b
b
c
Fig.8: Safety distances (view from above) -
wall set-up
Safety distances to be observed from combustible materials
(minimum distances – see also type plate).
a) 1100mm (at the front in the radiation area)
b) 600mm (at the sides in the radiation area)
c) 150mm (rear)
a
b
b
Fig.9: Safety distances (view from above) -
corner set-up
a) 1100mm (at the front in the radiation area)
b) 150mm (at the sides in the radiation area)
7.2 Combustion air
An adequate supply of combustion air must be provided during operation. With a modern very thick
building shell it can happen that the combustion air supply is not guaranteed for balanced flue opera-
tion or that the draft behavior is impaired. In this case an adequate supply of combustion air must be
provided. Your Austroflamm specialist dealer will be happy to advise you.
TIP
Ensure that combustion air openings are not closed!
7.3 Chimney requirements
When connecting the flue pipes to the chimney, national and/or local safety regulations must be com-
plied with. Your Austroflamm stove is fitted at the factory with a flue pipe outlet at the top (diameter
150 mm). The connection can, as described in these instructions, be rearranged to the bottom. When
connecting with other pipe diameters the approval of your responsible chimney sweep is required.
The flue pipe connection and flue pipe transitions must be sealed accordingly. Your Austroflamm spe-
cialist dealer knows the guidelines and will be happy to advise you. For your own safety the connection
of the flue pipe must be carried out by a technically competent person.

7 | Requirements at the installation location EN Operating manual Dexter S3 2.0 945065
18
7.4 Floor load-bearing capacity
Before installing, verify whether the load-bearing capacity of the substructure can withstand the weight
of your Austroflamm stove.
7.5 Floor condition
In the radiation area of the pane (in front of the stove), the floor must not be combustible.
7.6 Room of installation
Note that the room in which the stove is installed must have at least one door / one window leading to
the outside, or be directly connected to such a room. For balanced flue operation, other heating appli-
ances and extractor hoods must not be operated together with this heating appliance as part of the
room air system.

Operating manual Dexter S3 2.0 945065 EN 8 | Fuel material/-quantity
19
8 Fuel material/-quantity
8.1 Fuel
Wood
Many of our native types of wood can, after being appropriately dried, be burnt CO2-neutral in heat-
producing appliances. Wood stands out because it grows again, can be sustainably harvested, re-
quires little or no extra external energy to be invested in the fuel, and has a short journey from the pro-
ducer to the consumer, which provides an optimal climate balance.
The most common types of wood to use in the stove are beech, yoke elm, birch, larch, spruce and
pine. The most important criterion for burning in a heat-producing appliance is that the fuel has been
sufficiently dried through. For this purpose the prepared pieces of log should be stored for at least two
years. The legislator stipulates a maximum water content of 20%. That is still however a lot of water sit-
ting in the capillaries of the wood. A piece of firewood only becomes good when its water content
comes to a maximum of 12 to 13%. The differences in combustion behaviour are striking and clearly
detectable even by the layman.
Types of wood other than the ones referred to above are also suitable for burning. However each heat-
producing appliance should be checked for how their use affects combustion behaviour. Oak for ex-
ample burns with a rather shorter flame and more embers. Oakwood catches fire with greater diffi-
culty, and due to hardness of the wood it is not split as well (small) as other types of wood, which again
has a negative effect on combustion behaviour. It is however a good energy source, and, correctly pro-
cessed, also suitable as firewood.
Softwoods (fir, pine, spruce) should if possible be mixed with hardwood. Softwoods have a higher pro-
portion of tannin, which leads to more deposits in the heat-producing appliance, the connecting pipes
and the chimney. If only softwood is burnt, this can lead more quickly to a build-up of shining soot.
Mixing with hardwood (for example, beechwood) reduces this effect.
The size of your heat-producing appliance's combustion chamber will dictate whether your firewood is
25cm, 33cm or 50cm in length. 50cm pieces of log should preferably dry for somewhat longer (lain
down for three years or more), because wood is dried out mainly by the leakage of water from the ca-
pillaries - and that simply takes time. And the path from inside to outside in a 50cm-long piece of log is
twice as long as in a 25cm-long piece of log. The important thing is that the wood is well split. This
means that the circumference of a piece of log (once all sides are measured around the cutting point)
must be a maximum of 15-25cm. Pieces of wood cut to this size dry more easily - above all, however,
they give the fire (the temperature) a greater attack area and thus make it easier to evolve gas and thus
to burn. Also the quantity of fuel can be better measured out. Thanks to their outstanding levels of effi-
ciency, modern heat-producing appliances require just a fraction of the amount of wood of earlier
stoves. Here smaller pieces of log can be placed according to the manufacturer’s specifications - large
pieces of log often exceed the maximum specified quantity with just a single piece.
Not everyone has a hygrometer at home for determining the water content in wood, particularly when
good reliable units cost several hundred euros. However you can make a good estimate of how suit-
able your fuel is by carefully observing combustion behaviour. A “good” wood fire will only smoke
briefly in the ignition phase, hardly at all after that. It will burn with a light (yellow to orange-coloured)
long flame. Little residue will occur in the combustion chamber, most of it disappearing again when
the fire is fully developed. Another good criterion for assessing whether a piece of log is suitable for
combustion is its weight. Most manufacturers also specify the amount to be laid in kg/weight. Ex-
ample: a piece of beechwood 33cm in length with a circumference of approx. 20cm weighs approx.
1kg when it is suitable (dry enough) for burning. Therefore 25cm in length gives approx. 750
grammes, and 50 cm in length approx. 1.5kg.

8 | Fuel material/-quantity EN Operating manual Dexter S3 2.0 945065
20
Please observe at all times the maximum specified amount to be laid, even when putting on more
wood! Otherwise your fire will not provide the desired efficiency - but above all considerable damage
may be caused to your appliance, to gaskets and material and to the flue gas duct.
The wood may only be burnt untreated. NEVER burn treated woods, not even wood processed with
natural substances or organic glazes. Wood waste does not belong in the stove!
Wood briquettes
Many people like wood briquettes as a fuel because they require less storage space than wood, can
be stocked or sold in small quantities and - at least at first glance - make less work than wood. Within
the scope of production, the quality of briquettes is consistent. Wood briquettes do not need to be
stored for a long time to be dried out. Due to the raw material (unrefined chips) and the production
process they have an already defined residual moisture.
If wood briquettes are designated as a suitable fuel, then this still only applies to this fuel, NOT for
coal-, paper-, bark- or other pressed items, such as pellets.
In spite of various standardizations and many advertising promises, there are also considerable differ-
ences in quality in wood briquettes. But even with good fuel quality, combustion behaviour is different
from that of unrefined log. And not every wood briquette burns equally well in every stove. Before you
decide on a particular variety and perhaps even store this up in larger quantities, you should extens-
ively test the wood briquettes under various draft conditions. Most suppliers keep “test packages” for
this purpose that can be purchased at preferential prices to test out and compare with one another the
various types offered.
TIP
When burning wood briquettes, the maximum quantity specified in these instructions must also be
observed. The quantity must not be exceeded.
As the wood is pressed and thus has little spatial volume for the same weight, modern heat-producing
appliances with a low placement quantity often have “little fire heaps” occur, leading one to wonder
whether a fire can burn at all with so little fuel. Nevertheless you must never exceed the maximum
placement, because that would cause damage. Many wood briquettes change during the temperature
increase when burning, by “opening up”. This should not worry you as it is normal. When inserting
wood briquettes make sure that this expansion as far as possible does not press not in the direction of
the window, as otherwise this will get very dirty.
In principle you should not insert wood briquettes as one piece, but rather break them at the layer
thicknesses, which are usually visible in slices, and place smaller pieces in the combustion chamber,
not in an interlocking manner, but randomly. This way you will ensure that the combustion air reaches
more burning material and flows around it better. Wood briquettes require a stronger air current, an
expert eye and perhaps a bit more patience, until you get the knack of it. Since less volume is available
(although the same mass, it takes less space up), the fire is generally smaller and does not burn so high
and vivaciously as when burning log. When wood briquettes alone are burnt, this therefore generally
leads to haziness in the combustion chamber, as well as on the stove window. Not all areas of the com-
bustion chamber have the same temperature applied to them as when unrefined wood is burnt, which
is why these deposits occur. It may be that with one variety of wood briquettes more deposits occur,
whereas with another variety none at all. This suggests trying out various varieties to determine the
suitable fuel for your heat-producing appliance. If you would really like to use wood briquettes, but
don’t get on quite well with them, then it may also help to mix the fuel. That means: Burn wood bri-
quettes and unrefined log in the mixture ratio that achieves a good burning result for your heat-produ-
cing appliance.
Wood briquettes must also be stored dry. In general it can be said that pressed items with a hole in the
middle usually burn better. Soft wood briquettes are to be preferred and are often more suitable than
hard wood briquettes.