Osburn Stratford User manual

READ AND KEEP THIS MANUAL FOR REFERENCE
45703A
Printed in Canada 05-03-2014
INSTALLATIONANDOPERATIONMANUAL
Stratford
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 USENVIRONMENTALPROTECTION
AGENCYPHASEIICERTIFIEDWOOD
FIREPLACE
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ListedtostandardsULC‐S610andUL127
byIntertekTestingServices
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www.osburn‐mfg.com
StoveBuilderInternationalInc.
250,ruedeCopenhague,St‐Augustin‐de‐Desmaures(Quebec)CanadaG3A2H3
Tel:(418)878‐3040Fax:(418)878‐3001
This manual is available for free download on the manufacturer’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.

Stratford Fireplace Installation and Operation Manual
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THANKYOUFORCHOOSINGTHISOSBURNWOODFIREPLACE
AsoneofNorthAmerica’slargestandmostrespectedwoodstoveandfireplacemanufacturers,
StoveBuilderInternationaltakesprideinthequalityandperformanceofallitsproducts.Wewant
tohelpyougetmaximumsatisfactionasyouusethisproduct.
Inthepagesthatfollowyouwillfindgeneraladviceonwoodheating,detailedinstructionsforsafe
andeffectiveinstallation,andguidanceonhowtogetthebestperformancefromthisfireplaceas
youbuildandmaintainfires,andmaintainyourwoodheatingsystem.
Werecommendthatourwoodburninghearthproductsbeinstalledandservicedbyprofessionals
whoarecertifiedintheUnitedStatesbyNFI(NationalFireplaceInstitute®)orinCanadabyWETT
(WoodEnergyTechnologyTransfer)orinQuebecbyAPC(AssociationdesProfessionnelsdu
Chauffage).
Congratulationsonmakingawisepurchase.
Ifthisfireplaceisnotproperlyinstalled,combustiblematerialsnearitmayoverheat.Toreduce
theriskoffire,followtheinstallationinstructionsinthismanualexactly.Contactlocalbuilding
orfireofficialsaboutrestrictionsandinstallationinspectionrequirementsinyourarea.
Pleasereadthisentiremanualbeforeyouinstallanduseyournewfireplace.Youmayneedto
getabuildingpermitfortheinstallationofthisfireplaceandthechimneythatitisconnectedto.
Consultyourmunicipalbuildingdepartmentorfiredepartmentbeforeinstallation.We
recommendthatyoualsoinformyourhomeinsurancecompanytofindoutiftheinstallation
willaffectyourpolicy.
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.
CAUTION:Donotattempttomodifyoraltertheconstructionofthefireplaceoritscomponents.
Anymodificationoralterationofconstructionmayvoidthewarranty,listingsandapprovalsofthis
system.Inthatcase,StoveBuilderInternational(SBI)willnotberesponsiblefordamages.Install
thefireplaceonlyasdescribedintheseinstructions.
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Tableofcontent
PART A - OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ...............................6
1Safety Information.....................................................................6
1.1Summary of Operation and Maintenance Cautions and Warnings......................... 6
2General Information...................................................................9
2.1Stratford Specifications .......................................................................................... 9
2.2Zone Heating and How to Make it Work for You .................................................. 12
2.3The Benefits of Low Emissions and High Efficiency............................................. 13
2.4The SBI Commitment to You and the Environment.............................................. 13
2.4.1What is Your New Fireplace Made Of?............................................................. 13
3Fuel ...........................................................................................14
3.1Materials That Should Not be Burned .................................................................. 14
3.2How to Prepare or Buy Good Firewood ............................................................... 14
3.2.1What is Good Firewood? .................................................................................. 14
3.2.2Tree Species..................................................................................................... 14
3.2.3Log Length........................................................................................................ 15
3.2.4Piece Size......................................................................................................... 16
3.2.5How to Dry Firewood ........................................................................................ 16
3.2.6Judging Firewood Moisture Content ................................................................. 17
3.3Manufactured Logs .............................................................................................. 17
4Operating Your Fireplace........................................................18
4.1The use of a fire screen ....................................................................................... 18
4.2Your First Fires..................................................................................................... 18
4.3Lighting Fires........................................................................................................ 18
4.3.1Conventional Fire Starting ................................................................................ 19
4.3.2The Top Down Fire ........................................................................................... 19
4.3.3Two Parallel Logs ............................................................................................. 20
4.3.4Using Fire Starters ............................................................................................ 20
4.4Maintaining Wood Fires ....................................................................................... 20
4.4.1General Advice ................................................................................................. 20
4.4.2Ash Removal .................................................................................................... 21
4.4.3Raking Charcoal ............................................................................................... 21
4.4.4Firing Each New Load Hot ................................................................................ 22
4.4.5Turning Down the Air Supply ............................................................................ 22

Stratford Fireplace Installation and Operation Manual
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4.4.6Building Different Fires for Different Needs....................................................... 23
5Maintaining Your Wood Heating System ..............................25
5.1Fireplace Maintenance......................................................................................... 25
5.1.1Plated Finish Maintenance................................................................................ 25
5.1.2Glass Door Cleaning......................................................................................... 25
5.1.3Door Adjustment ............................................................................................... 26
5.1.4Door Alignment ................................................................................................. 27
5.1.5Replacing the Door Gasket............................................................................... 29
5.1.6Replacing the Glass Gasket and/or the Glass .................................................. 30
5.1.7Cleaning and Painting the Fireplace ................................................................. 31
5.2Chimney and Chimney Liner Maintenance........................................................... 31
5.2.1Why Chimney Cleaning is Necessary ............................................................... 31
5.2.2How Often Should You Clean the Chimney? .................................................... 31
5.2.3Cleaning the Chimney....................................................................................... 32
5.2.4Fire Baffle Removal Prior to Cleaning the Chimney.......................................... 33
5.2.5Chimney Fire .................................................................................................... 33
PART B – INSTALLATION............................................................34
6Safety Information...................................................................34
6.1Summary of Installation Cautions and Warnings.................................................. 34
6.2Regulations Covering Fireplace Installation ......................................................... 35
6.3Fireplace Installation ............................................................................................ 36
6.3.1Locating the STRATFORD ............................................................................... 36
6.3.2Minimum Heart Extension Requirements.......................................................... 42
6.3.3Framing, Facing, Mantel, and Combustible Shelf ............................................. 43
7Clearances to Combustible Material......................................51
7.1Locating the Certification Label ............................................................................ 51
8The Venting System ................................................................52
8.1General ................................................................................................................ 52
8.2Suitable Chimneys ............................................................................................... 52
8.3Minimum Chimney Height .................................................................................... 52
8.4The Relationship Between the Chimney and the House ...................................... 52
8.4.1Why the chimney should penetrate the highest heated space.......................... 52
8.5Chimney Installation Notes................................................................................... 53
8.6Chimney Installation Instructions.......................................................................... 56

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8.6.1Examples of Typical Chimney Installation......................................................... 56
8.6.2Offset Chimney Installation ............................................................................... 61
8.7Angled Wall Radiation Shield ............................................................................... 65
8.8Chimney Support Installation ............................................................................... 65
8.8.1Universal Roof Support..................................................................................... 65
8.8.2Universal Offset Support................................................................................... 66
8.9Installation Instructions for Masonry Application .................................................. 66
8.10Supply of Combustion Air..................................................................................... 67
8.10.1Air Supply in Conventional Houses................................................................... 67
Appendix 1: Hot Air Ducting Installation....................................69
Appendix 2: Blower Maintenance or Replacement ...................74
Appendix 3: Installing the Door Overlay ....................................78
Appendix 4: Installing the Adapter for Fresh Air Kit.................79
Appendix 5: Installing the Fire Screen (AC01560).....................83
Appendix 6: Installation of Secondary Air Tubes and Baffle ...84
Appendix 7: Exploded Diagram and Parts List..........................89
OSBURN LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY .................................94
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REGISTERYOURWARRANTYONLINE
Toreceivefullwarrantycoverage,youwillneedtoshowevidenceof
thedateyoupurchasedyourstove.Keepyoursalesinvoice.Wealso
recommendthatyouregisteryourwarrantyonlineat:
http://www.osburn‐mfg.com/warranty‐registration.aspx
Registeringyourwarrantyonlinewillhelpustoquicklytrackthe
informationweneedaboutyourstove.


Stratford Fireplace Installation and Operation Manual
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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FIREPLACEOPERATION.
•USINGAFIREPLACEWITHCRACKEDORBROKENCOMPONENTS,SUCHASGLASSOR
FIREBRICKSORBAFFLESMAYPRODUCEANUNSAFECONDITIONANDMAYDAMAGETHE
FIREPLACE.
•OPERATEONLYWITHDOORFULLYCLOSEDORFULLYOPENWITHFIRESCREENINPLACE.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FIREPLACEHASBEENTESTEDFORUSEWITHANOPENDOORINCONJUNCTIONWITHA
FIRESCREEN(AC01560,SOLDSEPARATELY).THEDOORMAYBEOPENORFIRESCREEN
REMOVEDONLYDURINGLIGHTINGPROCEDURESORRELOADING.ALWAYSCLOSETHEDOOR
ORPUTBACKTHEFIRESCREENAFTERIGNITION.DONOTLEAVETHEFIREPLACE
UNATTENDEDWHENTHEDOORISOPENEDWITHORWITHOUTFIRESCREEN.
•DONOTINSTALLTHEFIREPLACEOUTDOORS.
•THEFIREPLACEANDCHIMNEY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
FIREPLACE.KEEPALLSUCHLIQUIDSORAEROSOLSWELLAWAYFROMTHEFIREPLACEWHILE
ITISINUSE.
•DONOTSTOREFUELWITHINHEATERMINIMUMINSTALLATIONCLEARANCES.
•BURNONLYSEASONEDNATURALFIREWOOD.

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•DONOTBURN:
oGARBAGEOFANYKIND,
oCOALORCHARCOAL,
oTREATED,PAINTEDORCOATEDWOOD,
oPLYWOODORPARTICLEBOARD,
oFINEPAPER,COLOREDPAPERORCARDBOARD,
oSALTWATERDRIFTWOOD,
oMANUFACTUREDLOGSCONTAININGWAXORCHEMICALADDITIVES,
oRAILROADTIESOR
oLIQUIDS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.
•THISFIREPLACEMUSTALWAYSBEUSEDWITHTHEORIGINALANDIRONS(SEEAPPENDIX7:
EXPLODEDDIAGRAMANDPARTSLISTFORREPLACEMENTPARTS).
•SOMEJURISDICTIONSINTHEUSAREQUIREASUPPLYOFOUTDOORCOMBUSTIONAIRFOR
THEFIREPLACE.INCANADA,ANOUTDOORAIRSUPPLYISNOTREQUIRED,IFACARBON
MONOXIDE(CO)DETECTOR/ALARMISLOCATEDINTHEROOMINWHICHTHEFIREPLACEIS
INSTALLED.THECODETECTORWILLPROVIDEWARNINGIFFORANYREASONTHEWOOD
FIREPLACEFAILSTOFUNCTIONCORRECTLY.IFYOUAREREQUIREDTOINSTALLAN
OUTDOORAIRSUPPLY,WERECOMMENDTHATYOUALSOINSTALLACODETECTOR/ALARM
TOPROVIDEWARNINGIFSMOKESPILLAGEFROMTHEFIREPLACEOCCURS.

CAUTION:KEEPCOMBUSTIBLEMATERIALSATLEAST48INCHESAWAYFROMTHEFRONTOF
THEFIREPLACEOPENING.
CAUTION:DONOTUSEAFIREPLACEINSERTANDOTHERPRODUCTSNOTSPECIFIEDFORUSE
WITHTHISFIREPLACE.
CAUTION: DONOTOBSTRUCTAIRINTLETS.THISFIREPLACENEEDSAIRFORITSGOOD
OPERATION.
CAUTION: DONOTBLOCKTHEHOTAIRVENTSTOTHEFIREPLACEASTHISWILLCAUSETHE
FIREPLACE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.

Stratford Fireplace Installation and Operation Manual
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WARNING:THISFIREPLACEHASNOTBEENTESTEDWITHANUNVENTEDORVENTEDGASLOG
SET.TOREDUCERISKOFFIREORINJURY,DONOTINSTALLANUNVENTEDGAS
LOGSETINTOTHISFIREPLACE.
CAUTION:DONOTINSTALLINAMOBILEHOME(CANADA)ORMANUFACTUREDHOME*
(USA).
* The US department of Housing and Urban Development describes
“manufactured homes” better known as “mobile home” as followed;
Buildings built on fixed wheels and those transported on temporary
wheels/axles and set on a permanent foundation.

PLEASENOTETHATTHEPICTURESSHOWNINTHISMANUAL
AREGENERICANDMAYNOTMATCHEXACTLYTHELOOKOF
YOURFIREPLACE.
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2GENERALINFORMATION
2.1 STRATFORDSPECIFICATIONS
FuelTypeCordwood
TestStandards(safety)ULC‐S610andUL127
TestStandard(emissions)EPAMethod28(40CFRPart60)
Heatingcapacityrange*500to2100sq.ft.(46.5to195m2)
Maximumheatoutput**
(EPAtestfuel)30,450BTU/h(8.9kW/h)
Maximumheatoutput**
(naturalhardwoodfuel)75,000BTU/h(22kW/h)
Optimumefficiency77%
ParticulateEmissions4.4g/h
ApproximateBurnTime*8to9hours
ShippingWeight417lb(189kg)
FireboxVolume2.5cu.ft.(0.071m3)
MaximumLogLength21"east‐west***
FlueOutletDiameter6"(150mm)diameter(vertical)
BaffleMaterialC‐Cast
MobilehomeapprovedNo

*Burntimeandheatingcapacitymayvarysubjecttolocationinhome,chimneydraft,chimney
diameter,locality,heatlossfactors,climate,fuelsandothervariables.
**TheEPAtestfuelisdimensionalDouglasfirpiecesstapledtogetherintocribswithairspaces
between.Wealsotestusingthesameprocedureexceptusingsplithardwoodfirewoodtoreflect
real‐worldheatoutput.Thisfireplaceisnotintendedtooperateatitspeakheatoutput
continuously.
***East‐west:throughthedooryouseethesidesofthelogs.

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2.2 ZONEHEATINGANDHOWTOMAKEITWORKFORYOU
YournewStratfordwoodfireplace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fireplace.Wholehousezoneheatingworksbestwhenthefireplace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fireplace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fireplace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fireplace,thesize,layoutandageofyourhomeandyourclimatezone.Three‐
seasonvacationhomescanusuallybeheatedwithsmallerfireplacesthanhousesthatareheated
allwinter.

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2.3 THEBENEFITSOFLOWEMISSIONSANDHIGHEFFICIENCY
ThelowsmokeemissionsproducedbythespecialfeaturesinsidetheStratfordfireboxmeanthat
yourhouseholdwillreleaseupto90percentlesssmokeintotheoutsideenvironmentthanifyou
usedanolderconventionalstove.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fireplacereleasesalltheheatenergyfromthewood
insteadofwastingitassmokeupthechimney.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fireplacecanonlyworkproperly
ifyourfuelisinthecorrectmoisturecontentrangeof15to20percent.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YOURNEWFIREPLACEMADEOF?
Thebodyofyourfireplace,whichismostofitsweight,iscarbonsteel.Shoulditeverbecome
necessarymanyyearsinthefuture,almosttheentirefireplacecanberecycledintonewproducts,
thuseliminatingtheneedtominenewmaterials.
Thepaintcoatingonyourfireplace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an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.
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.Disposal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.Disposalatalandfillisrecommended.
Thedoorglassisa5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

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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.

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
WARNING:DONOTPOKEORSTIRTHELOGSWHILETHEYAREBURNING.USEONLYFIRELOGS
THATHAVEBEENTESTEDFORUSEINFIREPLACES(SEEULC/ORD‐C127,
COMPOSITEFIRELOGS)ANDPRIORTOUSE,REFERTOFIRELOGWARNINGSAND
CAUTIONSMARKINGSONPACKAGING.
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fireplace,splittoarangeofsizesand
stackedintheopenuntilitsmoisturecontentisreducedto15to20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are
denserthansoftwoods.PeoplewholiveinthecoldestregionsofNorthAmericausuallyhaveonly
spruce,birchandpoplar,otherlow‐densityspeciestoburnandyettheycanheattheirhomes
successfully.

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Homeownerswithaccesstobothhardwoodandsoftwoodfuelsometimesusebothtypesfor
differentpurposes.Forexample,softerwoodsmakegoodfuelforrelativelymildweatherinspring
andfallbecausetheylightquicklyandproducelessheatSoftwoodsarenotasdenseas
hardwoodssoagivenvolumeofwoodcontainslessenergy.Usingsoftwoodsavoidsoverheating
thehouse,whichcanbeacommonproblemwithwoodheatinginmoderateweather.Harder
woodsarebestforcolderwinterweatherwhenmoreheatandlongerburncyclesaredesirable.
Notethathardwoodtreeslikeoak,maple,ashandbeechareslowergrowingandlongerlivedthan
softerwoodslikepoplarandbirch.Thatmakeshardwoodtreesmorevaluable.Theadvicethat
onlyhardwoodsaregoodtoburnisoutdated.Old,leakycastironstoves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thelessdesirabletreespeciesandgivetheforestabreakat
thesametime.
3.2.3 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makeloadingthefireplace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.
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3.2.4 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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fireplaces.
Continuallyburninggreenorunseasonedwoodproducesmorecreosoteandinvolveslackofheat
anddirtyglassdoor.SeeSection5:Maintainingyourwoodheatingsystemforconcernsabout
creosote.

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

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•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,andpoplar/aspencanbedryenoughtoburnafterbeingstacked
intheopenforonly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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between15and20%byweightandwill
allowyourfireplacetoproduceitshighestpossibleefficiency
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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.

Youcouldbuyawoodmoisturemetertotest
yourfirewood.

3.3 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,butbe
carefulburningtoomuchoftheselogsatthe
sametime.Startwithonemanufacturedlog
andseehowthefireplacereacts.Neveruse
morethantwomanufacturedlogsatatime.


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4OPERATINGYOURFIREPLACE
4.1 THEUSEOFAFIRESCREEN
Thisfireplacehasbeentestedforusewithanopendoorinconjunctionwithafirescreen
(AC01560,soldseparately).Makesurethefirescreenisproperlysecuredonthefireplacetoavoid
anyriskofsparksdamagingyourflooring.Whenthefirescreenisinuse,donotleavethe
fireplaceunattendedsothatyoucanrespondpromptlyintheeventofsmokespillageintothe
room.PotentialcausesofsmokespillagearedescribedinSection8:TheVentingSystemofthis
manual.SeeAppendix5:InstallingtheFireScreen(AC01560)forinstallationinstructions.
OPERATINGWITHTHEFIRESCREENINCREASESTHEPOSSIBILITYOFGENERATINGCARBON
MONOXIDE.CARBONMONOXIDEISANODOURLESSGASTHATISHIGHLYTOXICANDWHICH
CANCAUSEDEATHATHIGHCONCENTRATIONINAIR.
4.2 YOURFIRSTFIRES
Twothingswillhappenasyouburnyourfirstfewfires;thepaintcuresandtheinternal
componentsofthefireplace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fireplace,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fireplace.Oncethepaintsmell
disappears,yourfireplaceisreadyforseriousheating.
4.3 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chimney.Herearethreepopularand
effectivewaystostartwoodfires.

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4.3.1 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1”(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FIREPLACE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
4.3.2 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(2”to3”[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

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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.
4.3.3 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.
4.3.4 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.
4.4 MAINTAININGWOODFIRES
4.4.1 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.
Donotexpectsteadyheatoutputfromyourfireplace.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.Do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.