10
EXTENDED BURNING
Loading a large amount of wood into the stove all at once will reduce the temperature inside the stove.
If the temperature is too low, the gases given off from the wood will be too cool to combust resulting in
a lot of smoke covering the inside of the stove, including the glass, with soot. To combat this problem
it is a good idea to increase the temperature of the stove before loading by further opening the air
inlets. Load the wood and leave the air controls open until the moisture is driven out of the wood and
the stove is back up to an efficient operating temperature. The air inlets can then be reduced to hold
the temperature steady. When loading wood, make sure that the end grain of the wood is pointing
away from the glass otherwise the moisture and gases coming from the end grain of the wood will dirty
the glass.
TYPES OF WOOD FOR FUEL
For best results use well seasoned hardwood such as Oak, Ash or Beech. Allow wood to dry out under
cover in well-ventilated conditions for at least twelve months. Ideally moisture content should be
between 15% - 20%. Wood is ready for burning when radial cracks appear in the end of the logs.
Burning wood that is not seasoned will result in tar being deposited in the stove, on the glass and in the
flue ways. This build up of tar is a hazard and if it ignites may cause a chimney fire. Resinous softwood
burns well and gives a high output for short periods but is not as efficient and does not last as long as
hardwood.
PEAT
Peat is a fuel conveniently available in some areas and should be burned in the same manner as
wood.
LIGHTING AND CONTROLLING THE FIRE
Before lighting the fire for the first time ensure that the grate is open and the baffle, side and back bricks
are in position. Burning without either will result in the stove castings overheating and being damaged.
Open the air wash control and the primary air control fully. Place some tightly rolled paper on top of
some crumpled paper on the base towards the back of the stove. On top of this, place some small
pieces of wood and on top of that a few small pieces of mineral fuel. Light the crumpled paper and
close the door. Once the fire becomes established and the fuel is burning, more fuel can be added.
When the stove is hot and the fuel is no longer producing smoke, the air wash control can be reduced.
The burning rate of the fire can now be controlled with the spinner. As air from the spinner flows up
through the grate it will cool the grate bars preventing them from overheating and becoming damaged.
Reducing the spinner air inlet and introducing air only from the air wash will allow the fuel to burn but
the grate will not be cooled resulting in damage to the grate bars. When controlling the fire, the spinner
should be altered gradually. Reducing the primary air dramatically and all at once on a hot stove will
cause the fuel to clinker and will result in a build up of gases and smoke which could ignite with a bang
the moment air is reintroduced.
EXTENDED BURNING
Before adding a large amount of fuel, the grate should be de-ashed and the ash pan emptied. Add the
fuel, sloping it from the front coal bar up to the back of the stove to the level of the top of the back
brick. Open the primary air inlet and let the fire burn for a period on high rate in order to get the stove
back up to temperature and drive off the moisture and gases in the fuel. If a lot of smoke is produced
on reloading, the airwash control can be opened further to keep the smoke back from the glass. As the fire
SOLID MINERAL FUEL BURNING
The above text should be used as a guide only. The ideal operation of your stove
depends on a number of factors, which vary with each installation, and so gaining
experience operating your stove is the only way to learn its best operation.
11
DOOR HANDLE ADJUSTMENT
gets back up to temperature, reduce the airwash control and reduce the primary air inlet to suit the
burning rate. The exact setting of the air controls depends on a number of variables including: the flue
draught, the fuel used and the installation and so the best settings for your stove can only be
learned by experience.
ASH REMOVAL
The level of ash should not be allowed to build up to the level of he grate. If the level of ash becomes
too high the air through the grate will become restricted causing the grate bars to overheat and
preventing the fuel from burning efficiently.
MINERAL FUELS
Ordinary bituminous house coal is not recommended and must not be burned in smoke control areas.
Burning bituminous house coal will result in a sooty stove and chimney, and the stove glass will require
cleaning regularly. There are numerous natural anthracites and manufactured smokeless fuels that will
burn cleanly and have more reliable burning characteristics. A list of these fuels and their suitability is
produced by HETAS (www.hetas.co.uk). Consult your local fuel merchant to find out what is available
in your area. Petro-coke should not be used as it burns very hot and may damage the stove castings.
CLEANING THE STOVE
The stove should only be cleaned when it is cold. The exterior can be dusted with a firm brush. Do not
use a cloth, as this will drag on the paint finish leaving lint on the surface. From time to time it may be
necessary to renovate the exterior by repainting. High temperature stove paints in aerosol form are
available from your stove dealer. Do not use this form of paint until the stove is cold and always read
the instructions on the container before starting to paint. The door glass is made of a special heat
resistant ceramic and may be cleaned when cold with proprietary glass cleaning liquids and a dry cloth.
SHUTTING DOWN THE STOVE (LONG TERM)
The following procedure should be followed if the stove is not to be used for a long period, summertime
for instance. Remove all the ashes from the grate and ash pan and use a vacuum cleaner nozzle to
clean ash from the base of the stove. Remove the baffle and brush the flue ways. Close the door and
open the air inlet fully. This action will allow air to circulate through the flue ways and help to avoid
corrosion and condensation.
TO ADJUST THE DOOR HANDLE
Nut to be turned anti-clock wise to adjust the handle. Make sure the nut is then tightened again, once
the adjustment has been made.
Fig. 7 - Adjusting the Door Handle
