
Version: 10/09 Page 9
3. SENSIBLE WOOD BURNING
Proper wood burning
When dry wood is burned in a wood-burning stove the following process occurs (over a period of approx.
1 hour):
-After lighting the log starts to dry and heats up.
-After drying the temperature of wood rises to approx. 300–400°F (150-200°C) and is converted into
combustible gases/charcoal.
-As the wood is gasified a certain portion of the gases produced burn and are converted into carbon
dioxide and water. During this phase the temperature rises to around 1100-1500°F (600-800°C)
and a plentiful supply of air is required. If the air supply is accidentally reduced, the flames will be
smothered, but this will not stop the conversion of the wood into gas. The unburned gas will then
flow out into the chimney, causing a nuisance outdoors and build up of creosote.
-Next-charcoal will burn, which requires very little air supply. Finally, new wood must be laid on the
glowing charcoal cinders.
Warnings - It is extremely important to ensure that you do not overheat your
stove, as this can cause irreparable damage. This kind of damage is not covered
by the warranty. Extremely high combustion temperatures can occur when using
inappropriate fuel, such as kiln-dried wood, coal, pressure-treated wood, scrap
wood.
NEVER USE GASOLINE, GASOLINE-TYPE LANTERN FUEL, KEROSENE, CHARCOAL LIGHTER FLUID,
OR SIMILAR LIQUIDS TO START OR ‘FRESHEN UP’ A FIRE IN THIS HEATER. KEEP ALL SUCH
LIQUIDS WELL AWAY FROM THE HEATER WHILE IT IS IN USE.
HOT WHILE IN OPERATION. KEEP CHILDREN, CLOTHING AND FURNITURE AWAY. CONTACT
MAY CAUSE SKIN BURNS. DO NOT STORE SOLID FUEL WITHIN HEATER INSTALLATION
CLEARANCES OR WITHIN THE SPACE REQUIRED FOR FIRE LIGHTING AND ASH REMOVAL.
Incorrect wood burning
Too much air supplied to the combustion process causes an uncontrollable fire that will heat the entire
stove very rapidly to an extremely high temperature. This can happen if you fire with conditions that
produce an extra-strong draft in the chimney. Never fill the stove completely with wood. It is better to heat
a stove up slowly. This will prevent damage to welds and annealing of the iron. Overfilling the firebox
also substantially reduces the useful life of the vermiculite panels, as cracks are more easily caused. The
log size should be about 2” (5cm) less than the width of the firebox. Start slowly with a “normal” fire from
the bottom, and slowly build it up to a maximum of three logs.
Technical information on wood burning
1 kilo of dry wood is made up of 20% water, with the remaining 80% divided into 60% gas and 20%
charcoal. The 60% gas only contains around half the energy content of the wood, while the 20%
charcoal contains the other half. To achieve optimum combustion, the temperature must reach 1100-
1500°F (600-800°C).
Reload with a few pieces of wood at a time. If too much wood is placed on a layer of embers, the air
supplied will not be sufficient to attain the required temperature, and the gases will disappear out through
the chimney unburned. It is vital to supply air to the fire immediately after adding fuel, so there are flames
in the firebox, and the gases burn. Remember that three logs will burn just as quickly as one. The
quantity of firewood determines the heat emission - the more heat you require, the more wood you
should add at each refueling.