Osburn 900 User manual

READANDKEEPTHISMANUALFORREFERENCE
45449A
PrintedinCanada06‐09‐2013
INSTALLATIONANDOPERATIONMANUAL
OSBURN900
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USENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTIONAGENCYPHASEII
CERTIFIEDWOODSTOVE
SafetytestedaccordingtoULCS627,
UL737andUL1482Standards
byIntertekTestingServices
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www.osburn‐mfg.com
StoveBuilderInternationalInc.
250,ruedeCopenhague,St‐Augustin‐de‐Desmoures(Quebec)CanadaG3A2H3
Tel:(418)878‐3040Fax:(418)878‐3001
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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.

Osburn900InstallationandOperationManual
2_______________________________________________________________________________
THANKYOUFORCHOOSINGTHISOSBURNWOODSTOVE
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stove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.
Whenthisstoveisnotproperlyinstalled,ahousefiremayresult.Toreducetheriskoffire,
followtheinstallationinstructions.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stove.Failuretofollow
instructionsmayresultinpropertydamage,bodilyinjury,orevendeath.Itisimportantthatyou
followtheinstallationsguidelinesexactly.
Youmayneedtoobtainabuildingpermitfortheinstallationofthisstoveandthechimneythat
itisconnectedto.Consultyourmunicipalbuildingdepartmentorfiredepartmentbefore
installationtodeterminetheneedtoobtainone.Werecommendthatyoualsoinformyour
homeinsurancecompanytofindoutiftheinstallationwillaffectyourpolicy.
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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.
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Osburn900InstallationandOperationManual
_______________________________________________________________________________3
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........................................................................7
2.1OSBURN900Specifications...................................................................................................7
2.2ZoneHeatingandHowtoMakeitWorkforYou..................................................................9
2.3TheBenefitsofLowEmissionsandHighEfficiency...............................................................9
2.4TheSBICommitmenttoYouandtheEnvironment............................................................10
2.4.1WhatisYourNewStoveMadeOf?..................................................................................10
3Fuel...............................................................................................11
3.1MaterialsThatShouldNotbeBurned.................................................................................11
3.2HowtoPrepareorBuyGoodFirewood..............................................................................11
3.2.1WhatisGoodFirewood?.................................................................................................11
3.2.2TreeSpecies.....................................................................................................................11
3.2.3LogLength........................................................................................................................12
3.2.4PieceSize..........................................................................................................................12
3.2.5HowtoDryFirewood.......................................................................................................13
3.2.6JudgingFirewoodMoistureContent...............................................................................14
3.3ManufacturedLogs..............................................................................................................14
4OperatingYourStove.....................................................................15
4.1Theuseofafirescreen........................................................................................................15
4.2YourFirstFires.....................................................................................................................15
4.3LightingFires........................................................................................................................15
4.3.1ConventionalFireStarting...............................................................................................16
4.3.2TheTopDownFire...........................................................................................................16
4.3.3TwoParallelLogs..............................................................................................................17
4.3.4UsingFireStarters............................................................................................................17
4.4MaintainingWoodFires......................................................................................................17
4.4.1GeneralAdvice.................................................................................................................17
4.4.2AshRemoval.....................................................................................................................18
4.4.3RakingCharcoal................................................................................................................18
4.4.4FiringEachNewLoadHot................................................................................................19
4.4.5TurningDowntheAirSupply...........................................................................................19
4.4.6BuildingDifferentFiresforDifferentNeeds....................................................................20

Osburn900InstallationandOperationManual
4_______________________________________________________________________________
5MaintainingYourWoodHeatingSystem.......................................22
5.1StoveMaintenance..............................................................................................................22
5.1.1CleaningDoorGlass.........................................................................................................22
5.1.2Dooradjustment..............................................................................................................23
5.1.3ReplacingtheDoorGasket...............................................................................................24
5.1.4ReplacingtheGlassGasketand/ortheGlass..................................................................24
5.1.5CleaningandPaintingtheStove......................................................................................25
5.2ChimneyandChimneyConnectorMaintenance.................................................................25
5.2.1WhyChimneyCleaningisNecessary...............................................................................25
5.2.2HowOftenShouldYouCleantheChimney?...................................................................25
5.2.3CleaningtheChimney......................................................................................................26
PARTB‐INSTALLATION........................................................................27
6SafetyInformation.........................................................................27
6.1SummaryofInstallationCautionsandWarnings................................................................27
6.2RegulationsCoveringStoveInstallation..............................................................................27
7ClearancestoCombustibleMaterial..............................................28
7.1Locationofthecertificationlabel........................................................................................28
7.2ClearancestoWallsandCeiling...........................................................................................28
7.3Floorprotector.....................................................................................................................31
7.4ReducingWallandCeilingClearancesSafely......................................................................32
7.4.1ShieldConstructionRules................................................................................................32
7.4.2TableofClearanceReductionPercentages.....................................................................34
8TheVentingSystem.......................................................................35
8.1General................................................................................................................................35
8.2SuitableChimneys...............................................................................................................35
8.2.1Factory‐builtMetalChimneys..........................................................................................35
8.2.2MasonryChimneys...........................................................................................................36
8.3MinimumChimneyHeight...................................................................................................36
8.4TheRelationshipBetweentheChimneyandtheHouse.....................................................37
8.4.1Whyinsidechimneysarepreferred.................................................................................37
8.4.2Whythechimneyshouldpenetratethehighestheatedspace.......................................37
8.5SupplyofCombustionAir....................................................................................................38
8.5.1AirSupplyinConventionalHouses..................................................................................38
8.6InstallingtheChimneyConnector.......................................................................................39
8.6.1InstallationofSingleWallChimneyConnector...............................................................39

Osburn900InstallationandOperationManual
_______________________________________________________________________________5
Appendix1:InstallingtheFreshAirKit(AC01331)................................42
Appendix2:InstallingtheFireScreen(AC01318).................................43
Appendix3:InstallationandUseofOptionalAirCirculationFanand
Thermodisc......................................................................44
Appendix4:ExplodedDiagramandPARTSLIST....................................46
OSBURNLIMITEDLIFETIMEWARRANTY...............................................48
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Osburn900InstallationandOperationManual
6_______________________________________________________________________________
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STOVEOPERATION.
•USINGASTOVEWITHCRACKEDORBROKENCOMPONENTS,SUCHASGLASSORFIREBRICKS
ORBAFFLESMAYPRODUCEANUNSAFECONDITIONANDMAYDAMAGETHESTOVE.
•OPENTHEAIRCONTROLFULLYBEFOREOPENINGFIRINGDOOR.
•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.
•THISSTOVEHASBEENTESTEDFORUSEWITHANOPENDOORINCONJUNCTIONWITHAFIRE
SCREEN(AC01318,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STOVEUNATTENDEDWHEN
THEDOORISOPENEDWITHORWITHOUTFIRESCREEN.
•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STOVE.KEEPALLSUCHLIQUIDSORAEROSOLSWELLAWAY
FROMTHESTOVEWHILEITISINUSE.
•DONOTSTOREFUELWITHINHEATERMINIMUMINSTALLATIONCLEARANCES.
•BURNONLYSEASONEDNATURALFIREWOOD.
•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,OR
oRAILROADTIES.

•DONOTELEVATETHEFIREBYUSINGAGRATEINTHISSTOVE.
•THISAPPLIANCESHOULDBEMAINTAINEDANDOPERATEDATALLTIMESINACCORDANCE
WITHTHESEINSTRUCTIONS.
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Osburn900InstallationandOperationManual
_______________________________________________________________________________7
2GENERALINFORMATION
2.1 OSBURN900SPECIFICATIONS
FuelTypeCordwood
TestStandards(safety)ULCS627,UL737andUL1482
TestStandard(emissions)EPAMethod28(40CFRPart60)
Heatingcapacityrange*250to1000sq.ft.(23,2to92,9m2)
Maximumheatoutput**
(EPAtestfuel)21800BTU/h(6,4kW/h)
Maximumheatoutput**
(naturalhardwoodfuel)40000BTU/h(11,7kW/h)
Optimumefficiency78,2%
TestStandard(efficiency)CSAB415.1
ApproximateBurnTime3to5hours
ShippingWeight276lb(125,2kg)
FireboxVolume1,3cu.ft.(0,037m3)
MaximumLogLength17"east‐west***
FlueOutletDiameter: 6"(150mm)diameter(vertical)
BaffleMaterialStainlesssteelandfirebrick
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*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stoveisnotintendedtooperateatitspeakheatoutputcontinuously.
***East‐west:throughthedooryouseethesidesofthelogs;north‐south:throughthedooryosee
theendsofthelogs.
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2.2 ZONEHEATINGANDHOWTOMAKEITWORKFORYOU
YournewOsburn900woodstove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.
Althoughthestove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stove,thesize,layoutandageofyourhomeandyourclimatezone.Three‐season
vacationhomescanusuallybeheatedwithsmallerstoves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theOsburn900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stovereleasesalltheheatenergyfromthewood

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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stovecanonlyworkproperlyif
yourfuelisinthecorrectmoisturecontentrangeof15to20percent.SeeSectionA3.0ofthis
manualforsuggestionsonpreparingfuelwoodandjudgingitsmoisture.
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2.4 THESBICOMMITMENTTOYOUANDTHEENVIRONMENT
TheSBIteamare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STOVEMADEOF?
Thebodyofyourstove,whichismostofitsweight,iscarbonsteel.Shoulditeverbecome
necessarymanyyearsinthefuture,almosttheentirestovecanberecycledintonewproducts,
thuseliminatingtheneedtominenewmaterials.
Thepaintcoatonyourstove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.
Lightweightfirebrickismadeofpumiceandcement.Pumiceisinfactvolcanicrock,anaturally
greenproductfoundintheNorthwestUnitedStates.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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.Disposalatalandfillis
recommended.
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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KEROSCENEORDIESELFUELTOSTARTAFIRE
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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stove,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.
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

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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about1”(25mm)shorterthanthefireboxsotheyfitineasily.Piecesthatare
evenslightlytoolongmakeloadingthestove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.
 

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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inserts.
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.
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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,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stovetoproduceitshighestpossibleefficiency

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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
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usecaution
inthenumberoftheselogsburnedatonetime.Startwithonemanufacturedlogandseehowthe
stovereacts.Youcanincreasethenumberoflogsburnedatatimetomakingsurethe
temperatureneverriseshigherthan475°F(246°C)onamagneticthermometerforinstallationon
singlewallstovepipesor900°F(482°C)onaprobethermometerforinstallationondoublewall
stovepipe.Thethermometershouldbeplacedabout18”(457mm)abovethestove.Higher
temperaturescanleadtooverheatanddamageyourstove.


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4OPERATINGYOURSTOVE
4.1 THEUSEOFAFIRESCREEN.
Thisstovehasbeentestedforusewithanopendoorinconjunctionwithafirescreen(AC01318,
soldseparately).Makesurethefirescreenisproperlysecuredonthestovetoavoidanyriskof
fire.Whenthefirescreenisused,itisimportantnottoleavethestoveunattendedtorespond
promptlyintheeventofsmokespillageintotheroom.Potentialcausesofsmokespillageare
describedinsectioneightofthismanual.SeeAppendix2:InstallingtheFireScreen(AC01318)for
installationinstructions.
OPERATINGWITHTHEFIRESCREENINCREASESPOSSIBILITIES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stove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stove,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stove.Oncethepaintsmell
disappears,yourstove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.If
yourventingsystemhaselbowsoranoutside
chimney,youmayneedtoleavethedoorclosedbut
unlatchedforafewminutesasthenewspaperignites
andheatinthechimneyproducessomedraft.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STOVEUNATTENDEDWHENTHEDOORISSLIGHTLYOPENEDDURING
IGNITION.ALWAYSCLOSETHEDOORAFTERIGNITION.
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.
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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.

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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stove.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.
Whenyouburnincycles,yourarelyneedtoopenthestove’sloadingdoorwhilethewoodis
flaming.Thisisanadvantagebecausethereismorechancethatsmokewillleakfromthestove
whenthedoorisopenedasafullfireisburning.Thisisespeciallytrueifthechimneyconnector
has90degreeelbowsandifthechimneyrunsuptheoutsidewallofthehouse.

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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.
4.4.2 ASHREMOVAL
Ashshouldberemovedfromthefireboxeverytwoorthreedaysoffulltimeheating.Donotlet
theashbuildupinthefireboxbecauseitwillinterferewithproperfiremanagement.
Thebesttimetoremoveashisafteranovernightfirewhenthestoveisrelativelycool,butthereis
stillsomechimneydrafttodrawtheashdustintothestoveandpreventitfromcomingintothe
room.
Afterasheshavebeenremovedfromthestove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shallnotbeplacedinthis
container.
NEVERSTOREASHESINDOORSORINANON‐METALICCONTAINERORONAWOODENDECK.
4.4.3 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.

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4.4.4 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,
•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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STOVE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stoveandthechimney,the
resultwillbeasurgeofheatfromthestove.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.
4.4.5 TURNINGDOWNTHEAIRSUPPLY
Oncethefirewood,fireboxandchimney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stove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stove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.

Osburn900InstallationandOperationManual
20______________________________________________________________________________
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4.4.6 BUILDINGDIFFERENTFIRESFORDIFFERENTNEEDS
Usingtheaircontrolisnottheonlywaytomatchthestove’sheatoutputtotheheatdemand.
YourhousewillneedfarlessheatinOctoberthaninJanuary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stovedownsomuchthatthefirewillbesmokyandinefficient.Herearesomesuggestionsfor
buildingfirestomatchdifferentheatdemand.
4.4.6.1 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3”to4”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stove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.
4.4.6.2 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.
4.4.6.3 HighOutputFiresforCold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yourbiggest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stove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.