Osburn Stratford CFOB04006 Product guide

READ AND KEEP THIS MANUAL FOR REFERENCE
45824A
Printed in Canada 22-02-2016
OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
FOR ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD INBUILT
Stratford CF
(OB0 006 model)
Distributed by:
Glen Dimplex Australasia
www.glendimplex.com.au
NEW ZEALAND
38 Harris Road, East Tamaki, Auckland
Ph: 09 27 8265 Fax [phone]
Email: [email protected]o.nz
www.glendimplex.com.au
For servicing your heater call: 0 800 666 282
AUSTRALIA
Unit 1, 21 Lionel Road
Mount Waverley, Victoria 31 9
Ph: 1 300 55 155 Fax [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
For servicing your heater call: 1 300 55 155
This manual is available for free download on the distributer’s web site. It is a copyrighted document.
Re-sale is strictly prohibited. The manufacturer may update this manual from time to time and cannot be
responsible for problems, injuries, or damages arising out of the use of information contained in any manual
obtained from unauthorized sources.

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OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFOR CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOO HEATER
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING THIS WOOD INBUILT
We want to congratulate you on your purchase and wish to help you get maximum satisfaction from your
wood inbuilt. 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 inbuilt comply with
AS/NZS 4012/4013 and AS/NZS 2918 standards.
Please read this entire manual before you install and use your new wood inbuilt. Failure to follow
instructions may result in property damage, bodily injury, or even death. It is important that you follow
the installations 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.
This heating unit is designed to serve as a supplementary heat source. We recommend that a primary
heat source also be available in the home. The manufacturer cannot be responsible for costs associated
with the use of another heating system.
KEEP THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PICTURES SHOWN IN THIS MANUAL ARE GENERIC
AND MAY NOT MATCH EXACTLY THE LOOK OF YOUR ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD
INBUILT.

OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFOR CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOO HEATER 3
Table of content
PART A - OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ........................................ 5
1 Safety Information .............................................................................. 5
1.1 Summary of Operation and Maintenance Cautions and Warnings .....................................................5
2 General Information............................................................................ 6
2.1 Stratford CF Specifications ...................................................................................................................6
2.2 Zone Heating and How to Make it Work for You .................................................................................8
2.3 The Benefits of Low Emissions and High Efficiency .............................................................................9
2.4 Osburn’s Commitment to You and the Environment ..........................................................................9
2.4.1 What is Your New Zero clearance wood inbuilt Made Of? ..............................................................9
3 Fuel .................................................................................................... 10
3.1 Materials That Should Not be Burned ...............................................................................................10
3.2 How to Prepare or Buy Good Firewood .............................................................................................10
3.2.1 What is Good Firewood? ................................................................................................................10
3.2.2 Tree Species ....................................................................................................................................10
3.2.3 Log Length ......................................................................................................................................10
3.2.4 Piece Size ........................................................................................................................................10
3.2.5 How to ry Firewood .....................................................................................................................11
3.2.6 Judging Firewood Moisture Content ..............................................................................................12
3.3 Manufactured Logs ............................................................................................................................12
4 Operating Your Zero clearance wood inbuilt................................. 13
4.1 Your First Fires....................................................................................................................................13
4.2 Lighting Fires ......................................................................................................................................13
4.2.1 Conventional Fire Starting ..............................................................................................................13
4.2.2 The Top own Fire .........................................................................................................................14
4.2.3 Two Parallel Logs ............................................................................................................................14
4.2.4 Using Fire Starters ..........................................................................................................................14
4.3 Maintaining Wood Fires .....................................................................................................................14
4.3.1 General Advice ...............................................................................................................................14
4.3.2 Ash Removal ...................................................................................................................................15
4.3.3 Raking Charcoal ..............................................................................................................................15
4.3.4 Firing Each New Load Hot...............................................................................................................15
4.3.5 Turning own the Air Supply .........................................................................................................16
4.3.6 Building ifferent Fires for ifferent Needs ..................................................................................16
5 Maintaining Your Wood Heating System........................................ 19
5.1 Zero clearance wood inbuilt Maintenance ........................................................................................19
5.1.1 Plated Finish Maintenance .............................................................................................................19
5.1.2 Glass oor Cleaning ........................................................................................................................19
5.1.3 oor Adjustment ............................................................................................................................20

OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFOR CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOO HEATER
5.1.4 oor Alignment ..............................................................................................................................21
5.1.5 Replacing the oor Gasket .............................................................................................................22
5.1.6 Replacing the Glass or the Glass Gasket ........................................................................................23
5.1.7 Cleaning and Painting the Zero clearance wood inbuilt ................................................................25
5.2 Flue and Flue Liner Maintenance .......................................................................................................25
5.2.1 Why Flue System Cleaning is Necessary ........................................................................................25
5.2.2 How Often Should You Clean the Flue System? .............................................................................25
5.2.3 Cleaning the Flue System ...............................................................................................................26
5.2.4 Fire Baffle Removal Prior to Cleaning the Flue system ..................................................................26
5.2.5 Flue system Fire ..............................................................................................................................27
PART B – INSTALLATION..................................................................... 27
6 Safety Information ............................................................................ 27
6.1 Summary of Installation Cautions and Warnings ..............................................................................27
6.2 Regulations Covering Zero Clearance Wood Inbuilt Installation .......................................................28
6.3 Zero clearance wood inbuilt Installation ...........................................................................................29
6.3.1 Locating the Stratford CF ................................................................................................................29
6.3.2 Installing the Mandatory Fresh Air intake Kit ................................................................................30
6.3.3 Heat istribution Systems Installation (AC01389 or AC01339) .....................................................34
7 Clearances to Heat-Sensitive Materials.......................................... 40
7.1 Positioning the Unit ...........................................................................................................................40
7.2 Minimum Clearances to Combustibles, and Floor Protector ............................................................43
7.3 Location of the Certification Label .....................................................................................................47
8 The Flue System ............................................................................... 48
8.1 General ...............................................................................................................................................48
8.2 Minimum Flue System Height ............................................................................................................48
8.3 Suitable Flue systems .........................................................................................................................49
8.4 The Relationship Between the Flue system and the House ..............................................................49
8.4.1 Why the Flue system Should Penetrate the Highest Heated Space ..............................................49
8.5 Required Supply of Combustion Air ...................................................................................................49
Appendix 1: Optional Forced Air Distribution Kit (AC01339)............ 50
Appendix 2: Optional 240V Fan for Hot Air Gravity Distribution Kit -
Modern Style (AC01387) ................................................. 51
Appendix 3: Optional Finishing Trim Installation (VA10FL02).......... 52
Appendix 4: Optional Fire Screen Installation (AC01364) ................. 53
Appendix 5: Installation of Secondary Air Tubes and Baffle ............54
Appendix 6: Refractory slabs Replacement........................................ 58
Appendix 7: Exploded Diagram and Parts List................................... 60

OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFOR CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOO HEATER 5
PART A - OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
Please see Part B for installation instructions.
1SAFETY INFORMATION
1.1 Summary of Operation and Maintenance Cautions and Warnings
• HOT WHILE IN OPERATION, KEEP CHILDREN, CLOTHING AND FURNITURE AWAY. CONTACT MAY
CAUSE SKIN BURNS. GLOVES MAY BE NEEDED FOR ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD INBUILT OPERATION.
• USING A ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD INBUILT WITH CRACKED OR BROKEN COMPONENTS, SUCH AS
GLASS OR FIREBRICKS OR BAFFLES MAY PRODUCE AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND MAY DAMAGE THE
ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD INBUILT.
• OPERATE ONLY WITH DOOR FULLY CLOSED. IF DOOR IS LEFT PARTLY OPEN, GAS AND FLAME MAY BE
DRAWN OUT OF THE OPENING, CREATING RISKS FROM BOTH FIRE AND SMOKE.
• OPEN THE AIR CONTROL FULLY BEFORE OPENING THE LOADING DOOR.
• THIS ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD INBUILT IS NOT DESIGNED TO BE USED WITH THE DOOR OPEN. THE
DOOR MAY BE OPEN ONLY DURING LIGHTING PROCEDURES OR RELOADING. DO NOT LEAVE THE ZERO
CLEARANCE WOOD INBUILT UNATTENDED WHEN THE DOOR IS SLIGHTLY OPENED DURING IGNITION.
ALWAYS CLOSE THE DOOR AFTER IGNITION.
• DO NOT INSTALL THE ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD INBUILT OUTDOORS.
• THE ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD INBUILT AND FLUE SYSTEM MUST BE IN AN ENCLOSURE UP TO THE
ATTIC.
• 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 ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD
INBUILT. KEEP ALL SUCH LIQUIDS OR AEROSOLS WELL AWAY FROM THE ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD
INBUILT WHILE IT IS IN USE.
• DO NOT STORE FUEL WITHIN HEATER MINIMUM INSTALLATION CLEARANCES.
• BURN SEASONED HARDWOOD ONLY.
• DO NOT BURN:
o GARBAGE OF ANY KIND,
o COAL OR CHARCOAL,
o TREATED, PAINTED OR COATED WOOD,
o PLYWOOD OR PARTICLE BOARD,
o FINE PAPER, COLORED PAPER OR
CARDBOARD,
o SALT WATER DRIFTWOOD,
o MANUFACTURED LOGS CONTAINING WAX OR
CHEMICAL ADDITIVES,
o RAILROAD TIES OR
o LIQUIDS SUCH AS KEROSCENE OR DIESEL FUEL
TO START A FIRE.
• THIS APPLIANCE SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AND OPERATED AT ALL TIMES IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
• DO NOT ELEVATE THE FIRE BY MEANS OF GRATES, AND IRONS OR OTHER MEANS.
CAUTION: DO NOT OBSTRUCT AIR INLETS. THIS ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD INBUILT NEEDS AIR FOR ITS
GOOD OPERATION.
CAUTION: DO NOT BLOCK THE HOT AIR VENTS TO THE ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD INBUILT AS THIS WILL
CAUSE THE ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD INBUILT TO OVERHEAT.
WARNING: DO NOT USE MATERIALS OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED IN THE REPLACEMENT PARTS
SECTION DURING INSTALLATION AS THEY MAY BE SAFETY HAZARDS AND A FIRE COULD
RESULT.

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OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFOR CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOO HEATER
2 GENERAL INFORMATION
2.1 Stratford CF Specifications
Model # OB04006
Color Metallic black
Combustible Hardwood
Recommended heating area* 240 m
2
Test Standards (safety) AS/NZS 2918
Test Standard (emissions) AS/NZS 4012 & 4013
Average efficiency – hardwood*** 69%
Average emissions – hardwood 0.9 g/kg
Optimum efficiency – hardwood*** 73.9%
Average peak power - hardwood 11.4 kW
Maximum average power - hardwood 9.1 kW
Burn Time* 5 to 6 hours
Flue Spigot iameter 150 mm
Flue system : Triple skin flue system
Minimum Flue Height (from floor protector) 4.6 meters
Steel thickness (top) 3 mm
Ceramic glass thickness 5 mm
Maximum Log Length 450 mm
Log loading Sideways**
Firebox Volume 0,071 m
3
Shipping Weight 195 kg
Appliance Weight 170 kg
Baffle Material C-cast
Burn time and heating capacity may vary subject to location in home, flue system draft, flue system
diameter, locality, heat loss factors, climate, fuels and other variables.
Sideways: through the door you see the sides of the logs.
*** Performance obtained with optional forced air kit (AC01339) installed and operating.

OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFOR CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOO HEATER 7

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OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFOR CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOO HEATER
2.2 Zone Heating and How to Make it Work for You
Your new Stratford CF zero clearance wood inbuilt 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, 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
zero clearance wood inbuilt. Whole house zone heating works best when the zero clearance wood inbuilt 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 zero clearance wood inbuilt 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 zero clearance wood inbuilt 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 zero clearance wood inbuilt, the size, layout and age of your home and your climate zone. Three-season
vacation homes can usually be heated with smaller zero clearance wood inbuilts than houses that are
heated all winter.

OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFOR CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOO HEATER 9
2.3 The Benefits of Low Emissions and High Efficiency
The low smoke emissions produced by the special features inside the Stratford CF firebox mean that your
household will release up to 90 percent less smoke into the outside environment than if you used an older
conventional zero clearance wood inbuilt. 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, your zero clearance wood inbuilt releases all the heat energy from the wood
instead of wasting it as smoke up the flue system. Also, the features inside the firebox allow you to reduce
the air supply to control heat output, while maintaining clean and efficient flaming combustion, which
boosts the efficient delivery of heat to your home.
The emission control and advanced combustion features of your zero clearance wood inbuilt can only work
properly if your fuel is in the correct moisture content range of 11 to 16 percent. See Section 3: Fuel of this
manual for suggestions on preparing fuelwood and judging its moisture.
2. Osburn’s Commitment to You and the Environment
The Osburn 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. .1 What is Your New Zero clearance wood inbuilt Made Of?
The body of your wood inbuilt, which is most of its weight, is carbon steel. Should it ever become necessary
many years in the future, almost the entire wood inbuilt can be recycled into new products, thus
eliminating the need to mine new materials.
The paint coating on your wood inbuilt is very thin. Its VOC content (Volatile Organic Components) is very
low. VOCs can be responsible for smog, so all the paint used during the manufacturing process meets the
latest air quality requirements with regards to VOC reduction or elimination.
The air tubes are stainless steel, which can also be recycled.
The C-Cast baffle is made of an aluminosilicate fibre material that is compressed with a binder to form a
rigid board. C-Cast can withstand temperatures above 1 093 °C (2,000 °F.) It is not considered hazardous
waste. isposal at a landfill is recommended.
Moulded refractory bricks are 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. isposal at a
landfill is recommended. The steel mesh contained in some refractory bricks can be recycled.
The door and glass gaskets are fibreglass which is spun from melted sand. Black gaskets have been dipped
into a solvent-free solution. isposal at a landfill is recommended.
The door glass is a 5 mm thick ceramic material that contains no toxic chemicals. It is basically made of raw
earth materials such as sand and quartz that are combined in such a way to form a glass at high
temperatures. Ceramic glass will not re-melt in the same way as normal glass, so it should not be recycled
with your regular household products. isposal at a landfill is recommended.

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OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFOR CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOO HEATER
3FUEL
3.1 Materials That Should Not be Burned
• GARBAGE OF ANY KIND,
• COAL OR CHARCOAL,
• TREATED, PAINTED OR COATED WOOD,
• PLYWOOD OR PARTICLE BOARD,
• FINE PAPER, COLORED PAPER OR CARDBOARD,
• SALT WATER DRIFTWOOD,
• MANUFACTURED LOGS CONTAINING WAX OR CHEMICAL ADDITIVES,
• RAILROAD TIES,
• LIQUIDS SUCH AS KEROSENE OR DIESEL FUEL TO START A FIRE.
3.2 How to Prepare or Buy Good Firewood
3.2.1 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 reduced to 11 to 16 per cent.
3.2.2 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 to
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.
3.2.3 Log Length
Logs should be cut about 25 mm shorter than the firebox so they fit in easily.
Pieces that are slightly too long make loading the wood fire very difficult. The
most common standard length of firewood is 400 mm.
The pieces should be a consistent length, with a maximum of 25 mm variation
from piece to piece.
3.2. 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 75 mm should be split to encourage drying.

OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFOR CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOO HEATER 11
Wood should be split to a range of sizes, from about 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 finely enough for convenient stoking. It is sometimes advisable to resplit the wood
before stacking to dry.
3.2.5 How to Dry Firewood
Firewood that is not dry enough to burn is the cause
of most complaints about wood fires. The
complaints usually involve a lack of heat and dirty
door glass.
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
• hardwoods like gums, Manuka and ironbark can take one, or even two years to dry fully, especially if the
pieces are big
• firewood dries more quickly when stacked in the open where it is 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 11 and 16 % by weight and will allow
your wood fire to produce its highest possible efficiency

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OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFOR CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOO HEATER
3.2.6 Judging Firewood Moisture Content
You can find out if some firewood is dry enough to burn by using these guidelines:
• cracks form at the ends of logs as they dry
• as it dries in the sun, the wood turns from white or cream coloured 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.
You could buy a wood moisture meter to test your
firewood.
3.3 Manufactured Logs
o 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, but use caution in the number of
these logs burned at one time. Start with one manufactured log and
see how the wood inbuilt reacts. You can increase the number of logs
burned at a time to making sure the temperature never rises higher
than 246 °C on a magnetic thermometer for installation on wood
inbuilt flue. The thermometer should be placed about 450 mm above
the wood inbuilt. Higher temperatures can lead to overheat and
damage your wood inbuilt.

OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFOR CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOO HEATER 13
OPERATING YOUR ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD INBUILT
• NEVER OVERFIRE YOUR WOOD INBUILT. IF ANY PART OF THE WOOD INBUILT STARTS TO GLOW RED,
OVER FIRING IS HAPPENING. READJUST THE AIR INTAKE CONTROL AT A LOWER SETTING.
• NEVER LOAD YOUR WOOD INBUILT 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
INBUILT.
• SHOULD THERE BE A SOOT OR CREOSOTE FIRE IN YOUR FLUE SYSTEM, CLOSE THE AIR CONTROL
COMPLETELY. IMMEDIATELY CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
.1 Your First Fires
Two things will happen as you burn your first few fires; the paint cures and the internal components of the
zero clearance wood inbuilt 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 you first light your zero
clearance wood inbuilt, be prepared by opening doors and/or windows to ventilate the house. As you burn
hotter and hotter fires, more of the painted surfaces reach the curing temperature of the paint. The smell
of curing paint does not disappear until you have burned one or two very hot fires.
Burn one or two small fires to begin the curing and conditioning process. Then build bigger and hotter fires
until there is no longer any paint smell from the zero clearance wood inbuilt. Once the paint smell
disappears, your zero clearance wood inbuilt is ready for serious heating.
.2 Lighting Fires
Each person who heats with wood develops their own favorite way to light fires. Whatever method you
choose, your goal should be to get a hot fire burning quickly. A fire that starts fast produces less smoke and
deposits less creosote in the flue system. Here are three popular and effective ways to start wood fires.
.2.1 Conventional Fire Starting
The conventional way to build a wood fire is to bunch
up 5 to 10 sheets of plain newspaper and place them
in the firebox. Next, place 10 or so pieces of fine
kindling on the newspaper. This kindling should be
very thin; less than 25 mm. Next, place some larger
kindling pieces on the fine kindling. Open the air
control fully and light the newspaper. If you have a
tall, straight venting system you should be able to
close the door immediately and the fire will ignite.
Once the fire has ignited, close the door and leave the
air control fully open.
A conventional kindling fire with paper
under finely split wood.
DO NOT LEAVE THE ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD INBUILT UNATTENDED WHEN THE DOOR IS SLIGHTLY
OPENED. ALWAYS CLOSE AND LATCH THE DOOR AFTER THE FIRE IGNITES.
After the kindling fire has mostly burned, you can add standard firewood pieces until you have a fire of the
right size for the conditions.
CAUTION: PLACE THE WOOD LOGS FAR ENOUGH FROM THE GLASS TO ALLOW PROPER PRIMARY AIR
FLOW

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OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFOR CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOO HEATER
.2.2 The Top Down Fire
The top down fire starting method solves two problems with the conventional method: first, it does not
collapse and smother itself as it burns; and second, it is not necessary to build up the fire gradually because
the firebox is loaded before the fire is lit. A top down fire can provide up to two hours of heating or more.
The top down method only works properly if the wood is well-seasoned.
Start by placing three or four full-sized split pieces of dry firewood in the firebox. Next, place 4 or 5 more
finely split pieces of firewood (50 mm to 75 mm in dia.) on the base logs at right angles (log cabin style).
Now place about 10 pieces of finely split kindling on the second layer at right angles.
The fire is topped with about 5 sheets of newspaper. You can just bunch them up and stuff them in
between the kindling and the underside of the baffle. Or you can make newspaper knots 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. Light the newspaper and watch as the fire burns from top to bottom.
.2.3 Two Parallel Logs
Place two spit logs in the firebox. Place a few sheets of twisted newspaper between the logs. Now place
some fine kindling across the two logs and some larger kindling across those, log cabin style. Light the
newspaper.
.2. Using Fire Starters
Many people like to use commercial fire starters instead of newspaper. Some of these starters are made of
sawdust and wax and others are specialized flammable solid chemicals. Follow the package directions for
use.
Gel starter may be used but only if there are no hot embers present. Use only in a cold firebox to start a
fire.
DO NOT USE FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS SUCH AS GASOLINE, NAPHTHA, FUEL OIL, MOTOR OIL, OR AEROSOLS
TO START OR REKINDLE THE FIRE.
.3 Maintaining Wood Fires
.3.1 General Advice
Wood heating with a space heater is very different than other forms of heating. There will be variations in
the temperature in different parts of the house and there will be variations in temperature throughout the
day and night. This is normal, and for experienced wood burners these are advantages of zone heating with
wood.
o not expect steady heat output from your zero clearance wood inbuilt. It is normal for its surface
temperature to rise after a new load of wood is ignited and for its temperature to gradually decline as the
fire progresses. This rising and falling of temperature can be matched to your household routines. For
example, the area temperature can be cooler when you are active, such as when doing housework or
cooking, and it can be warmer when you are inactive, such as when reading or watching television.
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. o not attempt to produce a steady heat output by placing a single log on the fire at regular
intervals. 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 can be matched to the amount of heat needed.

OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFOR CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOO HEATER 15
When you burn in cycles, you rarely need to open the zero clearance wood inbuilt’s loading door while the
wood is flaming. This is an advantage because there is more chance that smoke will leak from the zero
clearance wood inbuilt when the door is opened as a full fire is burning.
IF YOU MUST OPEN THE DOOR WHILE THE FUEL IS FLAMING, OPEN THE AIR CONTROL FULLY FOR A FEW
MINUTES, THEN UNLATCH AND OPEN THE DOOR SLOWLY.
.3.2 Ash Removal
Ash should be removed from the firebox every two or three days of full time heating. o not let the ash
build up in the firebox because it will interfere with proper fire management. Ash should be cleared or
removed when build up reaches the level of the door opening.
The best time to remove ash is after an overnight fire when the zero clearance wood inbuilt is relatively
cool, but there is still some flue system draft to draw the ash dust into the zero clearance wood inbuilt and
prevent it from coming into the room.
After ashes have been removed from the zero clearance wood inbuilt and placed in a tightly covered metal
container, they should be taken outside immediately. The closed container of ashes should be placed on a
non-combustible floor or on the ground well away from all combustible materials pending final disposal.
Ashes normally contain some live charcoal that can stay hot for several days. If the ashes are disposed of by
burial in soil or otherwise locally dispersed, they should be retained in the closed container until all cinders
have thoroughly cooled. Other waste should not be placed in this container.
NEVER STORE ASHES INDOORS OR IN A NON-METALIC CONTAINER OR ON A WOODEN DECK.
.3.3 Raking Charcoal
Rekindle the fire when you notice that the room temperature has fallen. You will find most of the remaining
charcoal at the back of the firebox, furthest from the door. Rake these coals towards the door before
loading. There are two reasons for this raking of the coals. First, it concentrates them near where most of
the combustion air enters the firebox and where they can ignite the new load quickly, and second, the
charcoal will not be smothered by the new load of wood. If you were to simply spread the charcoal out, the
new load will smoulder for a long time before igniting.
Remove ash first, and then rake charcoal towards the front of the firebox before loading so that it will ignite
the new load.
.3. Firing Each New Load Hot
Place the new load of wood on and behind the charcoal, and not too close to the glass. Close the door and
open the air control fully. Leave the air control fully open 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 a few things:
• drives the surface moisture from the wood,
• creates a layer of char on the wood, which slows down its release of smoke,

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OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFOR CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOO HEATER
• heats the firebox components so they reflect heat back to the fire, and
• heats the flue system so it can produce strong, steady draft for the rest of the cycle.
Although it is important to fire each new load hot to prepare for a clean burn, do not allow the fire to burn
at full intensity for more than a few minutes.
DO NOT LEAVE THE ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD INBUILT UNATTENDED WHILE A NEW LOAD IS BEING FIRED
HOT.
DO NOT OVERFIRE.
When you burn a new load of wood hot to heat up the wood, the zero clearance wood inbuilt and the flue
system, the result will be a surge of heat from the zero clearance wood inbuilt. This heat surge is welcome
when the room temperature is a little lower than desirable, but not welcome if the space is already warm.
Therefore, allow each load of wood to burn down so that the space begins to cool off a little before loading.
Letting the space cool before loading is one of the secrets to clean burning and effective zone heating.
.3.5 Turning Down the Air Supply
Once the firewood, firebox and flue system are hot, you can begin to reduce the air supply for a steady
burn.
As you reduce the air supply to the fire, two important things happen. First, the firing rate slows down to
spread the heat energy in the fuel over a longer period of time. Second, the flow rate of exhaust through
the zero clearance wood inbuilt and flue pipe slows down, which gives more time for the transfer of heat
from the exhaust. You will notice that as you reduce the air setting, the flames slow down. This is your
indication that the zero clearance wood inbuilt is burning at its peak efficiency.
If the flames get small and almost
disappear when you turn down
the air, you have turned down the
air too early, or your firewood is
wetter than it should be. With
good fuel and correct air control
use, the flames should slow down,
but should stay large and steady,
even as the air supply is reduced.
.3.6 Building Different Fires for Different Needs
Using the air control is not the only way to match the zero clearance wood inbuilt’s heat output to the heat
demand. Your house will need far less heat in January than in May to be kept at a comfortable temperature.
If you fill the firebox full in fall weather, you will either overheat the space or turn the zero clearance wood
inbuilt down so much that the fire will be smoky and inefficient. Here are some suggestions for building
fires to match different heat demand.

OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFOR CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOO HEATER 17
4.3.6.1 Small Fires to Take the Chill Off the House
To build a small fire that will produce a low heat output, use small pieces of firewood and load them
crisscross in the firebox. The pieces should be only 76 mm to 102 mm in diameter. After raking the coals,
you can lay two pieces parallel to each other corner to corner in the firebox and lay two more across them
in the other direction. Open the air control fully and only reduce the air after the wood is fully flaming. This
kind of fire is good for mild weather when you are around to tend the zero clearance wood inbuilt and
should provide enough heat for four hours or more. Small fires like this are a good time to use softer wood
species so there will be less chance of overheating the house.
4.3.6.2 Long Lasting Low Output Fires
Sometimes you will want to build a fire to last up to eight hours, but don’t need intense heat. In this case
use soft wood species and place the logs compactly in the firebox so the pieces are packed tightly together.
You will need to fire the load hot for long enough to fully char the log surfaces before you can turn the air
down. Make sure the fire is flaming brightly before leaving the fire to burn.
4.3.6.3 High Output Fires for Col Weather
When the heat demand is high during cold weather, you’ll need a fire that burns steadily and brightly. This
is the time to use larger pieces of hardwood fuel if you have it. Put the biggest pieces at the back of the
firebox and place the rest of the pieces compactly. A densely built fire like this will produce the longest burn
your zero clearance wood inbuilt is capable of.
You will need to be cautious when building fires like this because if the air is turned down too much, the fire
could smoulder. Make sure the wood is flaming brightly before leaving the fire to burn.
4.3.6.4 Maximum Burn Cycle Times
The burn cycle time is the period between loading wood on a coal bed and the consumption of that wood
back to a coal bed of the same size. The flaming phase of the fire lasts for roughly the first half of the burn
cycle and the second half is the coal bed phase during which there is little or no flame. The length of burn
you can expect from your zero clearance wood inbuilt, including both the flaming and coal bed phases, will
be affected by a number of things, such as:
•
firebox size,
• the amount of wood loaded,
• the species of wood you burn,
• the wood moisture content,
•
the size of the space to be heated,
• the climate zone you live in, and
• the time of year.

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OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFOR CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOO HEATER
The table below provides a very general indication of the maximum burn cycle times you are likely to
experience, based on firebox volume.
FIREBOX VOLUME
MAXIMUM
BURN TIME
< 0.042 cubic meter
3 to 5 hours
0.042 m
3
to 0.056 m
3
5 to 6 hours
0.056 m
3
to 0.07
1 m
3
6 to 8 hours
0.071 m
3
to 0.085 m
3
8 to 9 hours
> 0.085 m
3
9 to 10 hours
Long burn times are not necessarily an indication of efficient zero clearance wood inbuilt operation. When
you are home during the day and able to tend the fire, it is preferable to build a smaller fire that might
provide three or four hours of heating than to fully load the firebox for a much longer burn. Shorter burn
cycles make it easier to match the heat output of the zero clearance wood inbuilt to the heat demand of
the space.
4.3.6.5 How to place the logs
In fireboxes that are roughly square, wood can be loaded so that looking through the glass door you see the
ends of the logs (north-south) or the sides of the logs (east-west).
East-west loads that are built compactly break down slowly when heated, but the amount of wood you can
load is limited because if you put in too many pieces, one may fall against the glass. East-west loads are
excellent for long, low output fires for relatively mild weather.
North-south loads break down more quickly, but much more wood can be loaded at a time. This makes
north-south loading good for high output, long lasting fires for cold weather.

OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFOR CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOO HEATER 19
5MAINTAINING YOUR WOOD HEATING SYSTEM
5.1 Zero clearance wood inbuilt Maintenance
Your new zero clearance wood inbuilt will give many years of reliable service if you use and maintain it
correctly. Some of the internal components of the firebox, such as firebricks, baffles and air tubes, will wear
over time under intense heat. You should always replace defective parts with original parts (see Appendix
7: Exploded Diagram and Parts List). Firing each load hot to begin a cycle as described above will not cause
premature deterioration of the zero clearance wood inbuilt. However, letting the zero clearance wood
inbuilt run with the air control fully open for the entire burn cycles can cause damage over time. The hotter
you run the zero clearance wood inbuilt throughout burn cycles, the more quickly its components will
deteriorate. For that reason, never leave the zero clearance wood inbuilt unattended while a new load is
being fired hot.
5.1.1 Plated Finish Maintenance
If your appliance has a plated finish, use a metal polish and a soft cloth to clean it. o not use abrasives
such as steel wool, steel pads or an abrasive cleaner for they may scratch the finish.
5.1.2 Glass Door Cleaning
Under normal conditions, your door glass should stay relatively clear. If your firewood is dry enough and
you follow the operating instructions in this manual, a whitish, dusty deposit will form on the inside of the
glass after a week or so of use. This is normal and can be easily removed when the zero clearance wood
inbuilt is cool by wiping with a damp cloth or paper towel and then drying. Never try to clean the glass
when the zero clearance wood inbuilt is hot.
In spring and fall when the zero clearance wood inbuilt is run at lower temperatures, you may see some
light brown stains forming, especially at the lower corners of the glass. This indicates that the fire has been
smoky and some of the smoke has condensed on the glass. When the weather is mild, you may find that
letting the fire go out is better than trying to maintain a continuous fire. Use the technique described above
for building a fire to take the chill off the house.
If you do get brown stains on the glass you can remove them with special cleaners for wood heater glass
doors. Do not use abrasives to clean your zero clearance wood inbuilt’s door glass.
The deposits that form on the glass are the best indication of the quality of your fuel and how well you are
doing in operating the zero clearance wood inbuilt. Your goal should be clear glass with no brown stains. If
you continue to see brown stains on the glass, something about your fuel and operating procedure needs to
be changed. Stains on the glass indicate incomplete combustion of the wood, which also means more
smoke emissions and faster formation of creosote in the flue system.
If you see brown streaks coming from the edge of the glass, it is time to replace the gasket around the glass.
Visit your zero clearance wood inbuilt retailer to get the self-adhesive glass gasket and follow the
instructions below for installation.
Do not abuse the glass door by striking or slamming shut. Do not use the zero clearance wood inbuilt if
the glass is broken.

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OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFOR CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOO HEATER
5.1.3 Door Adjustment
In order for your zero clearance wood inbuilt to burn at its best efficiency, the door must provide a perfect
seal with the firebox. Therefore, the gasket should be inspected periodically to check for a good seal. The
gasket seal may be improved with a simple latch mechanism adjustment. To adjust:
1. Open the door and locate the upper and lower locking systems to the right of the zero clearance wood
inbuilt.
2. Using an Allen key, turn the adjustment screw counter clockwise to increase the pressure between the
door frame and the heater opening. To reduce the pressure, in the case of a new gasket for example,
turn the adjustment screw clockwise.