Osburn INSPIRE 2000 User manual

Printed in Canada
CONTACT LOCAL BUILDING OR FIRE OFFICIALS ABOUT RESTRICTIONS AND INSTALLATION INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS IN
LOCAL AREA.
READ THIS ENTIRE MANUAL BEFORE INSTALLATION AND USE OF THIS WOOD FIRE. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS
COULD RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, BODILY INJURY OR EVEN DEATH.
READ AND KEEP THIS MANUAL FOR REFERENCE
45965A
2020-04-09
Installation and Operation Manual
INSPIRE 2000
(OB02041 Model)
Distributed by
My Fireplace Australia PTY Ltd
www.myfireplaceaustralia.com.au
20 Auto Way
Pakenham, Victoria 3810 AUSTRALIA
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]

We want to congratulate you
on your purchase and wish
to help you get maximum
satisfaction from your wood
fire. In the pages that follow,
we will give you advice on
wood heating and controlled
combustion as well as
technical specifications
regarding installation,
operation and maintenance of
the model you have chosen.
The instructions pertaining to
the installation of your wood
fire comply with AS/NZS
4012/4013 (1999) and AS/NZS
2918:2001 standards.
Please read this entire manual
before you install and use your
new wood fire. Failure to follow
instructions may result in
property damage, bodily injury,
or even death. It is important
that you follow the installation
guidelines exactly.
Consult your local city,
borough or shire council about
restrictions and installations
requirements in your area and
the need to obtain a permit.
KEEP THIS INSTRUCTION
MANUAL FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.
ONLINE WARRANTY REGISTRATION
If the unit requires repairs during the warranty period, proof of purchase must be provided. The
purchase invoice must be kept. The date indicated on it establishes the warranty period. If it
can not be provided, the warranty period will be determined by the date of manufacture of the
product.
It is also highly recommended to register the warranty online at
http://osburn-australia.com/warranty-registration.aspx
Registering the warranty will help to quickly find the information needed on the unit.
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING
THIS WOOD FIRE.
If this wood fire is not
installed properly, heat
sensitive materials
near it may overheat
and catch fire.
To reduce the
risk of fire, follow
the installation
instructions in this
manual.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART A - OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE .............................................................................. 5
1. Safety Information .................................................................................................................... 5
2. General Information.................................................................................................................. 6
2.1 Specifications .................................................................................................................. 6
2.2 Zone Heating and How to Make it Work for You ................................................................11
2.3 The Benefits of Low Emissions and High Efficiency ...........................................................11
2.4 The SBI Commitment to You and the Environment ............................................................11
3. Fuel ......................................................................................................................................... 12
3.1 How to Prepare or Buy Good Firewood ............................................................................13
4. Operating Your Wood fire....................................................................................................... 15
4.1 Cold Hand......................................................................................................................16
4.2 Using a Blower ...............................................................................................................16
4.3 Wood Storage in the Pedestal..........................................................................................17
5. Burning Wood Efficiently ....................................................................................................... 17
5.1 First Use.........................................................................................................................17
5.2 Lighting Fires..................................................................................................................18
5.3 Maintaining Wood Fires ...................................................................................................19
5.4 Building Different Fires for Different Needs........................................................................21
6. Maintenance ........................................................................................................................... 23
6.1 Wood fire .......................................................................................................................23
6.2 Glass Door .....................................................................................................................24
6.3 Door ..............................................................................................................................26
6.4 Chimney Maintenance .....................................................................................................29
PART B - INSTALLATION............................................................................................................ 30
7. Safety Information and Standards......................................................................................... 30
7.1 Regulations Covering Wood fire Installation ......................................................................30
8. Clearances to Combustible Material ..................................................................................... 31
8.1 Certification Label ...........................................................................................................31
8.2 Clearances to Walls and Ceiling .......................................................................................31
8.3 Floor Protector ...............................................................................................................32
8.4 Reducing Wall and Ceiling Clearances Safely ....................................................................32
9. The Venting System................................................................................................................ 34
9.1 General .........................................................................................................................34
9.2 Suitable Chimneys ..........................................................................................................34
9.3 Minimum Flue Height.......................................................................................................35
9.4 The Relationship Between the Chimney and the House .....................................................36
9.5 Installing the Flue Connector ...........................................................................................37

Appendix 1. Base Installation .................................................................................................. 39
Appendix 2. Decorative Panels Installation ............................................................................ 40
Appendix 3. Optional Fresh Air Intake Kit Installation............................................................ 41
Appendix 4. Optional Blower and Thermodisc Installation.................................................... 42
Appendix 5. Air Tubes and Baffle Installation ......................................................................... 43
Appendix 6. Exploded Diagram and Parts List....................................................................... 45

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Installation and Operation Manual - Inspire 2000
PART A - OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
1. Safety Information
• Operate only with the door fully closed. If the door is left partly open, gas and flame may be drawn
out of the opening, creating risks from both fire and smoke.
• HOT WHILE IN OPERATION, KEEP CHILDREN, CLOTHING AND FURNITURE AWAY.
CONTACT MAY CAUSE SKIN BURNS. GLOVES MAY BE NEEDED FOR THE WOOD FIRE
OPERATION.
• Using a wood fire with cracked or broken components, such as glass, firebricks or baffle may
produce an unsafe condition and may damage the wood fire.
• Open the air control fully before opening the loading door.
• NEVER USE GASOLINE, LANTERN FUEL (NAPHTHA), FUEL OIL, MOTOR OIL, KEROSENE,
CHARCOAL LIGHTER FLUID, OR SIMILAR LIQUIDS OR AEROSOLS TO START A FIRE IN
THIS WOOD FIRE. KEEP ALL SUCH LIQUIDS OR AEROSOLS WELL AWAY FROM THE WOOD
FIRE WHILE IT IS IN USE.
• Do not store fuel within heater minimum installation clearances.
• Burn only seasoned natural firewood.
• This wood heater needs periodic inspection and repair for proper operation. It is against federal
regulations to operate this wood heater in a manner inconsistent with operating instructions in this
manual.
• This appliance should always be maintained and operated in accordance with these instructions.
• Do not elevate the fire by using a grate.
• A smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector and a fire extinguisher should be installed in the
house. The location of the fire extinguisher should be known by all family members.

Page 6 Installation and Operation Manual - Inspire 2000
2. General Information
2.1 Specifications
Combustible Wood
Heating capacity1195 m2
Average peak power– hardwood (Australia) 10.9 kW
Average efficiency – hardwood (Australia) 64 %
Average emissions – hardwood (Australia) 1.1 g/kg
Burn Time16 to 8 hours
Color Metallic black
Flue Spigot Diameter 150 mm
Flue system Triple skin flue system with Deco-Mesh or liner
Minimum Flue Height (from floor protector) 4.6 meters
Maximum Log Length 508 mm sideways2
Log loading Sideways
Firebox Volume 0,055 m3
Baffle Material C-Cast
1 Burn time and heating capacity may vary subject to location in home, ue system draft, ue system diameter, locality, heat loss factors, climate,
fuels and other variables.
2 Sideways: through the door you see the sides of the logs.

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Installation and Operation Manual - Inspire 2000
Dimensions
2.1.1 Wood Fire Dimensions Without a Base
14"
354mm
6 3/8"
163mm
27 7/8"
708mm
Ø
6"
150mm
Figure 1: Top view
27 3/8"
695mm
9 1/2"
241mm
20 1/4"
514mm
24 1/4"
616mm
19 5/8"
498mm
22 7/8"
579mm
23 1/2"
597mm
20 1/8"
511mm
Figure 2: Front view Figure 3: Side view

Page 8 Installation and Operation Manual - Inspire 2000
2.1.2 Wood Fire Dimensions With Steel Base
14"
354mm
6 3/8"
163mm
27 7/8"
708mm
Ø
6"
150mm
9 1/2"
241mm
20 1/4"
514mm
12 1/4"
312mm
21 7/8"
554mm
27 3/8"
695mm
Figure 4: Top view Figure 5: Front view
39 1/2"
1005mm
19 3/4"
501mm
38 1/2"
978mm
16 1/4"
414mm
12 1/4"
312mm
16 1/8"
411mm
Figure 6: Side view Figure 7: Side view

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Installation and Operation Manual - Inspire 2000
2.1.3 Wood Fire Dimensions With Soapstone Base
14"
354mm
6 3/8"
163mm
27 7/8"
708mm
Ø
6"
150mm
12 1/8"
309mm
22 1/2"
571mm
27 1/4"
691mm
Figure 8: Top view Figure 9: Front view
39 5/8"
1005mm
19 7/8"
505mm
38 7/8"
988mm
16 1/8"
408mm
12 1/8"
308mm
17 7/8"
453mm
Figure 10: Side view Figure 11: Side view

Page 10 Installation and Operation Manual - Inspire 2000
2.1.4 Combustion Chamber Dimensions
8 1/4"
211 mm 20"
508 mm
21"
535 mm
Figure 12: Door opening Figure 13: Front view - Combustion chamber
13 3/4"
348mm
16 7/8"
429mm
11 7/8"
303mm
3/8"
10mm
3/16"
5mm
Figure 14: Side view - Combustion chamber

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Installation and Operation Manual - Inspire 2000
2.2 Zone Heating and How to Make it Work for You
Your new Inspire 2000 wood fire is a space heater, which means it is intended to heat the area
it is installed in, as well as spaces that connect to that area, although to a lower temperature.
This is called zone heating and it is an increasingly popular way to heat homes or spaces within
homes.
Zone heating can be used to supplement another heating system by heating a particular space
within a home, such as a basement family room or an addition that lacks another heat source.
Houses of moderate size and relatively new construction can be heated with a properly sized
and located wood fire. Whole house zone heating works best when the wood fire is located in
the part of the house where the family spends most of its time. This is normally the main living
area where the kitchen, dining and living rooms are located. By locating the wood fire in this
area, you will get the maximum benefit of the heat it produces and will achieve the highest
possible heating efficiency and comfort. The space where you spend most of your time will be
warmest, while bedrooms and basement (if there is one) will stay cooler. In this way, you will
burn less wood than with other forms of heating.
Although the wood fire may be able to heat the main living areas of your house to an adequate
temperature, we strongly recommend that you also have a conventional oil, gas or electric
heating system to provide backup heating.
Your success with zone heating will depend on several factors, including the correct sizing and
location of the wood fire, the size, layout and age of your home and your climate zone. Three-
season vacation homes can usually be heated with smaller wood fires than houses that are
heated all winter.
2.3 The Benefits of Low Emissions and High Efficiency
The low smoke emissions produced by the special features inside this wood fire firebox mean
that the household will release up to 90% less smoke into the outside environment than if an
older conventional wood fire was used. But there is more to the emission control technologies
than protecting the environment.
The smoke released from wood when it is heated contains about half of the energy content
of the fuel. By burning the wood completely, this wood fire releases all the heat energy from
the wood instead of wasting it as smoke up the chimney. Also, the features inside the firebox
allow control of the air supply meaning controlling the heat output, while maintaining clean and
efficient flaming combustion, which boosts the efficient delivery of heat to the home.
The emission control and advanced combustion features of this wood fire can only work properly if the
fuel used is in the correct moisture content range of 15% to 20%. See section «3. Fuel» of this manual
for suggestions on preparing fuelwood and judging its moisture.
2.4 The SBI Commitment to You and the Environment
The SBI team is committed to protecting the environment, so we do everything we can to use
only materials in our products that will have no lasting negative impact on the environment.
2.4.1 What is This Wood fire Made Of?
The body of this wood fire, which is most of its weight, is carbon steel.

Page 12 Installation and Operation Manual - Inspire 2000
Should it ever become necessary many years in the future, almost the entire wood fire can be
recycled into new products, thus eliminating the need to mine new materials.
The paint coating on the wood fire is very thin. Its VOC content (Volatile Organic Compounds)
is very low. VOCs can be responsible for smog, so all the paint used during the manufacturing
process meets the latest air quality requirements regarding VOC reduction or elimination.
The air tubes are stainless steel, which can also be recycled.
The C-Cast baffle is made of aluminosilicate fibre material that is compressed with a binder
to form a rigid board. C-Cast can withstand temperatures above 2,000 °F. It is not considered
hazardous waste. Disposal at a landfill is recommended.
The firebrick is mainly composed of silicon dioxide, also known as silica, a product processed
from a mined mineral. It is most commonly found in nature in the form of sand and clay. Disposal
at a landfill is recommended.
The door and glass gaskets are fibreglass which is spun from melted sand. Black gaskets have
been dipped into a solvent-free solution. Disposal at a landfill is recommended.
The door glass is a 4 mm thick ceramic material that contains no toxic chemicals. It is made
of natural raw materials such as sand and quartz that are combined in such a way to form a
high temperature glass. Ceramic glass cannot be recycled in the same way as normal glass,
so it should not be disposed of with your regular household products. Disposal at a landfill is
recommended.
3. Fuel
MATERIALS THAT SHOULD NOT BE BURNED
- GARBAGE;
- LAWN CLIPPINGS OR YARD WASTE;
- MATERIALS CONTAINING RUBBER, INCLUDING TIRES;
- MATERIALS CONTAINING PLASTIC;
- WASTE PETROLEUM PRODUCTS, PAINTS OR PAINT THINNERS, OR ASPHALT
PRODUCTS;
- MATERIALS CONTAINING ASBESTOS;
- CONSTRUCTION OR DEMOLITION DEBRIS;
- RAILROAD TIES OR PRESSURE-TREATED WOOD;
- MANURE OR ANIMAL REMAINS;
- SALT WATER DRIFTWOOD OR OTHER PREVIOUSLY SALT WATER SATURATED
MATERIALS;
- UNSEASONED WOOD; OR
- PAPER PRODUCTS, CARDBOARD, PLYWOOD, OR PARTICLEBOARD. THE PROHIBITION
AGAINST BURNING THESE MATERIALS DOES NOT PROHIBIT THE USE OF FIRE
STARTERS MADE FROM PAPER, CARDBOARD, SAW DUST, WAX AND SIMILAR
SUBSTANCES FOR THE PURPOSE OF STARTING A FIRE IN AN AFFECTED WOOD
HEATER.
BURNING THESE MATERIALS MAY RESULT IN RELEASE OF TOXIC FUMES OR RENDER
THE HEATER INEFFECTIVE AND CAUSE SMOKE.

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Installation and Operation Manual - Inspire 2000
3.1 How to Prepare or Buy Good Firewood
3.1.1 What is Good Firewood?
Good firewood has been cut to the correct length for the wood fire, split to a range of sizes and
stacked in the open until its moisture content is down to 15% to 20%.
3.1.2 Tree Species
The tree species the firewood is produced from is less important than its moisture content. The
main difference in firewood from various tree species is the density of the wood. Hardwoods
such as gums, Manuka or ironbark are denser than softwoods. Hard wood will produce long-
lasting coal beds combined with more heat and longer burn cycles.
Old, leaky cast iron wood fires wouldn’t hold a fire overnight unless they were fed large pieces
of hardwood. That is no longer true. You can successfully heat your home by using less wood
and give the forest a break at the same time.
3.1.3 Log Length
Logs should be cut at least 1" (25 mm) shorter than the firebox so they fit
in easily. Pieces that are even slightly too long makes loading the wood fire
very difficult. The most common standard length of firewood is 16" (400
mm).
The pieces should be a consistent length, with a maximum of 1" (25 mm)
variation from piece to piece.
3.1.4 Piece Size
Firewood dries more quickly when it is split. Large unsplit rounds can take years to dry enough
to burn. Even when dried, unsplit logs are difficult to ignite because they don’t have the sharp
edges where the flames first catch. Logs as small as 3" (75 mm) should be split to encourage
drying.
Wood should be split to a range of sizes, from about 3" to 6" (75 mm to 150 mm) in cross
section. Having a range of sizes makes starting and rekindling fires much easier. Often, the
firewood purchased from commercial suppliers is not split small enough to fuel the fire. It is
sometimes advisable to resplit the wood before stacking to air dry.
3.1.5 How to Dry Firewood
Firewood that is not dry enough to burn is the cause of most complaints about wood wood fires.
Continually burning green or unseasoned wood produces more creosote and involves lack of
heat and dirty glass door.

Page 14 Installation and Operation Manual - Inspire 2000
Here are some things to consider in estimating drying time:
− Firewood takes a long time to dry;
− Firewood bought from a dealer is rarely dry enough
to burn, so it is advisable to buy the wood in spring
and dry it yourself;
− Drying happens faster in dry weather than in damp,
maritime climates;
− Drying happens faster in warm summer weather
than in winter weather;
− Small pieces dry more quickly than large pieces;
− Split pieces dry more quickly than unsplit rounds;
− Softwoods take less time to dry than hardwoods;
− Softwoods like pine, spruce, poplar, and aspen can be dry enough to burn after being stacked to
air dry only for the summer months;
− Hardwoods like oak, maple and ash can take one, or even two years to dry fully, especially if the
pieces are big;
− Firewood dries more quickly when stacked outside in a location exposed to sun and wind; it takes
much longer to dry when stacked in a wood shed;
− Firewood that is ready to burn has a moisture content between 15% and 20% and will allow the
wood fire to produce its highest possible efficiency.
3.1.6 Judging Firewood Moisture Content
Use these guidelines to find out if the firewood is dry enough to burn:
− Cracks form at the ends of logs as they dry,
− As it dries in the sun, the wood turns from white or cream
colored to grey or yellow,
− Bang two pieces of wood together; seasoned wood sounds
hollow and wet wood sounds dull,
− Dry wood is much lighter in weight than wet wood,
− Split a piece, and if the fresh face feels warm and dry it is dry
enough to burn; if it feels damp, it is too wet,
− Burn a piece; wet wood hisses and sizzles in the fire and dry wood does not.
− A wood moisture meter can be bought to test the firewood.
3.1.7 Manufactured Logs
Do not burn manufactured logs made of wax impregnated sawdust or
logs with any chemical additives. Manufactured logs made of 100%
compressed sawdust can be burned with caution in the number of
these logs burned at once. Start with one manufactured log and see
how the wood fire reacts. Never use more than two manufactured
logs.

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Installation and Operation Manual - Inspire 2000
4. Operating Your Wood fire
NEVER OVERFIRE YOUR WOOD FIRE. IF ANY PART OF THE WOOD FIRE STARTS TO GLOW
RED, OVER FIRING IS HAPPENING. READJUST THE AIR INTAKE CONTROL AT A LOWER
SETTING.
NEVER LOAD YOUR WOOD FIRE UP TO THE BAFFLE. ALWAYS LEAVE 5 TO 10 CENTIMETERS
TO ALLOW PROPER COMBUSTION THROUGH SECONDARY AIR OPENINGS (NEVER PUT
WOOD ABOVE THE FIREBRICK LINING ON THE FIREBOX). THIS WILL ALSO PREVENT
OVERFIRING OF YOUR WOOD FIRE.
SHOULD THERE BE SOME SOOT OR CREOSOTE FIRE IN YOUR FLUE SYSTEM, CLOSE THE
AIR CONTROL COMPLETELY. IMMEDIATELY CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
This wood heater has a manufacturer-set minimum low burn rate that must not be
altered. It is against federal regulations to alter this setting or otherwise operate this
wood heater in a manner inconsistent with operating instructions in this manual.
Before using the wood fire, the following steps should be followed :
• Install the minimalist, the steel or the soapstone base. (see «Appendix 1. Base Installation» ),
• Install the decorative panels (see «Appendix 2. Decorative Panels Installation»)
The following steps are optional
• Install the fresh air intake (see «Appendix 3. Optional Fresh Air Intake Kit Installation»)
• Install the blower and the thermodisc (See «Appendix 4. Optional Blower and Thermodisc Installation»)
• Fold the cold hand support.
13
2
Figure 15: Cold hand support

Page 16 Installation and Operation Manual - Inspire 2000
4.1 Cold Hand
The cold hand is a handle, supplied with the wood fire, which allows to open the door and avoid
burns. To open, insert the cold hand into the opening on the right side of the wood fire. Pull on
the cold hand to open the door. Push to close the door. The cold hand should not remain on the
wood fire when it is in use.
Figure 16: Right hand side opening Figure 17: Pull to open
4.2 Using a Blower
It is possible to install a blower on this wood fire. The
blower is optional and is sold separatly. See «Appendix 6.
Exploded Diagram and Parts List» for genuine part number.
The blower is installed on the back of the wood fire to
increase airflow through the heat exchanger and improve
hot air circulation in the room. When used regularly, the
blower can provide a small increase in efficiency, up to 2%.
However, the use of a blower should not be used as a way
to gain more output from a wood fire that is undersized for
the space it is intended to heat.
Figure 18: Air flow with a blower
Ensure the blower cord is not in contact
with any surface of the wood fire to prevent
electrical shock or fire damage. Do not run
cord beneath the wood fire.

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Installation and Operation Manual - Inspire 2000
The blower has a rheostat that can be adjusted in three different
positions; either from high (HI) to low (LO) or closed (OFF).
Allow the wood fire to reach operating temperature
(approximately one hour) before turning on the blower, since
increased airflow from the blower will remove heat and affect
the start up combustion efficiency.
The blower can also be equipped with a heat sensor, sold
seperatly. When the blower is ON, it will start automatically
when the wood fire is hot enough and it will stop when the
wood fire has cooled down. Therefore, the blower speed
control can be left at the desired setting.
OFF
HI
LO
Figure 19: Blower rheostat
4.3 Wood Storage in the Pedestal
This wood fire has been certified to store logs
in the pedestal provided that the following
requirements are met:
• The logs must not exceed the inside edge (A)
of the pedestal.
• The heat shield baffle (B) under the firebox
must never be removed.
• No combustible material can be placed above
the heat shield baffle (B).
A
B
Figure 20: Wood storage underneath the wood fire
5. Burning Wood Efficiently
5.1 First Use
Two things will happen when burning the first few fires; the paint cures and the internal
components of the wood fire are conditioned.
As the paint cures, some of the chemicals vaporize. The vapors are not poisonous, but they do
smell bad. Fresh paint fumes can also cause false alarms in smoke detectors.
So, when lighting the wood fire, be prepared by opening doors or windows to ventilate the
house. Burn one or two small fires to begin the curing and conditioning process. Then build
bigger and hotter fires until there is no longer paint smell from the wood fire.

Page 18 Installation and Operation Manual - Inspire 2000
As hotter and hotter fires are burnt, more of the painted surfaces reach the curing temperature
of the paint. The smell of curing paint does not disappear until one or two very hot fires have
been burnt.
5.2 Lighting Fires
Each person heating with wood develops its own favourite way to light fires. Whichever method
is chosen, the goal should be to get a hot fire burning, quickly. A fire that ignites fast produces
less smoke and deposits less creosote in the chimney. Here are three popular and effective ways
to ignite wood fires.
5.2.1 Conventional Method
The conventional method to build a wood fire is to bunch up 5 to 10
sheets of newspaper and place them in the firebox. Next, a dozen
pieces of fine kindling are placed on the newspaper. This kindling
should be very thin; less than 1 inch thick (25 mm). Then, larger
kindling pieces are placed on the fine kindling. The air control fully
open, the newspaper is lit. With a tall and straight venting system
the door can be closed immediately and the fire will ignite. Once
the fire has ignited, the door can be closed with the air control still
fully open. When the kindling is almost completely burned, standard
firewood pieces can be added until the fire is the right size for the
weather.
DO NOT LEAVE THE WOOD FIRE UNATTENDED WHEN THE DOOR IS SLIGHTLY OPENED.
ALWAYS CLOSE AND LATCH THE DOOR AFTER THE FIRE IGNITES.
5.2.2 The Top Down Method
The top down method solves two problems encountered when using the conventional method:
first, the fire does not collapse on itself and smother as it burns; and second, it is not necessary
to build up the fire gradually since the firebox is loaded before the fire is lit. A top down fire can
burn for two hours or more. The top down method works properly only if well-seasoned wood
is used.
Three or four full-sized split pieces of dry firewood are placed in the firebox. Then, 4 or 5 more
finely split pieces of firewood (2" to 3" [50 mm to 75 mm] in diameter) are placed on the top of
the logs at right angles (log cabin style). Next, a dozen finely split kindling are placed on the
second layer at right angles.
The fire is topped with 5 sheets of newspaper, stuffed in between the kindling, under the baffle.
Knots can be made in the newspaper by rolling up single sheets corner to corner and tying a
knot in them. The advantage of knots is that they don’t roll off the fire as they burn. Newspaper
is lit and the fire burns from top to bottom.

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Installation and Operation Manual - Inspire 2000
5.2.3 Two Parallel Logs Method
Two spit logs are placed in the firebox with a few sheets of twisted newspapers in between the
logs. Fine kindling is added across the two logs and some larger kindling across those, log cabin
style. Newspaper is lit.
5.2.4 Using Fire Starters
Commercial fire starters can be used instead of a newspaper. Some of these starters are made
of sawdust and wax and others are made of specialized flammable solid chemicals. Always
follow the package directions when using. Gel starters can also be used, but only to light a fire,
in a cold combustion chamber without hot embers inside.
5.3 Maintaining Wood Fires
5.3.1 General Advice
Wood heating with a space heater is very different than other forms of heating. There will be
temperature variations in different parts of the house and there will be temperature variations
throughout day and night. This is normal, and for experienced wood burners these are advantages
of zone heating wood burning.
Wood wood fires don’t have a steady heat output. It is normal for the temperature to rise after
a new load of wood is ignited and for its temperature to gradually decrease throughout the
burning cycle. This increasing and decreasing temperature can be matched with the household
routines. For example, the temperature in the area can be cooler when the household is active,
and it can be warmer when it is inactive.
Wood burns best in cycles. A cycle starts when a new load of wood is ignited by hot coals and
ends when that load has been consumed down to a bed of charcoal about the same size as it
was when the wood was loaded. Trying to produce a steady heat output by placing a single log
on the fire at regular intervals is not recommended. Always place at least three, and preferably
more pieces on the fire at a time so that the heat radiated from one piece helps to ignite the
pieces next to it. Each load of wood should provide several hours of heating. The size of each
load may vary depending on the amount of heat required.
Burning in cycles means the wood fire door does not need to be opened while the wood is
flaming. This is an advantage since it is preventing smoke leaking from the wood fire when the
door is opened as a full fire is burning. This is especially true if the chimney is on the outside
wall of the house.
5.3.2 Ash Removal
If the door must be opened while the fire is flaming, fully open air control for a few
minutes then open the door slowly.
Never use gasoline, gasoline-type lantern fuel
(naphtha), fuel oil, motor oil, kerosene, charcoal
lighter fluid, or similar liquids or aerosols to start
or ‘freshen up’ a fire in this wood wood fire.

Page 20 Installation and Operation Manual - Inspire 2000
Ash should be removed from the firebox every two to three days of full time heating. Ash should
not accumulate excessively in the firebox since it will affect the proper operation of the wood
fire.
The best time to remove ash is in the morning, after an overnight fire when the wood fire is
relatively cold, but there is still a little chimney draft to draw the ash dust into the wood fire and
prevent going out into the room.
Ashes should be placed in a tightly covered metal container. The container must be placed on a
non-combustible floor or on the ground well away from all combustible materials.
Ashes can contain hot embers that can stay hot for several days. If the ashes are disposed of
by burial in soil or otherwise locally dispersed, they should be kept in a closed metal container
until they are completely cooled. No other waste should be placed in this container.
5.3.3 Raking Charcoal
When the room temperature is cooler, it is time to reload the wood fire. Remove the ashes first,
then rake charcoal towards the front of the firebox before reloading. Most of the remaining
charcoal will be at the back of the firebox, furthest from the door. Rake the coals towards the
door before loading.
Raking the coals is useful for two reasons. First, it brings them near where most of the combustion
air enters the firebox. This will ignite the new load quickly. Secondly, the charcoal will not be
smothered by the new load of wood. When the embers are simply spread inside the combustion
chamber, the new load smoulder for a long time before igniting.
5.3.4 Firing Each New Load Hot
Place the new load of wood on and behind the charcoal. Close the door and open the air control
fully until the firebox is full of flames, the wood has charred to black and its edges are glowing
red. Firing each load of wood hot accomplishes the following things:
− Removes surface moisture from the wood,
− Creates a layer of char on the wood, which slows down the smoke release,
− Heats the firebox components so they reflect heat back to the fire, and
− Heats the chimney so it can produce strong, steady draft for the rest of the cycle.
Although it is important to fire each new load hot, do not allow the fire to burn at full intensity
for more than a few minutes.
NEVER STORE ASHES INDOORS OR IN A NON-METALLIC CONTAINER
OR ON A WOODEN DECK.
CENDRES
ASHES