Fuel; Woodburning; Understanding Combustion - Heartland Oval 1902 Instructions D'installation Et D'opération

Understanding Combustion

Water: Up to half the weight of
freshly cut logs is water. After
proper seasoning only about 20%
of the weight is water. As the wood
is heated in the firebox, this water
boils off, consuming heat energy in
the wood, the more heat energy is
consumed. That is why wet wood
hisses and sizzles while dry wood
ignites and burns easily.
If this is your first fire, OR you have installed a replacement set of brick, read the procedure for break-in fires.

Woodburning

The firewood you use will make an important contribution to successful operation. You will achieve the best performance
and overall efficiency by burning firewood that has been split, stacked and air-dried undercover from rain for at least one
year. Burning improperly seasoned or "green" wood can be a frustrating experience leading to poor performance, smoky
fires and a build-up of creosote. Do not burn saltwater driftwood refuse, rubber tires, etc. Use of improper fuels can cause a
fire hazard and lead to a premature deterioration of the stove components, voiding the warranty. (See Fig. 7 Understanding
Combustion.)
Burn dry wood because:
• it gives up to 25% higher efficiency;
• it produces less creosote;
• it ignites faster and smokes less;
• valuable heat is lost in the fire as it dries out wet wood.
Smoke (or flame): As the wood
heats up above the boiling point
of water, it starts to smoke. The
hydrocarbon gases and tars that
make up the smoke are combustible
if the temperature is high enough and
oxygen is present. When the smoke
burns, it makes the bright flames that
are characteristic of a wood fire. If the
smoke does not burn, it will condense
in the chimney forming creosote or
exit the chimney as air pollution.
Figure 7
Break-in Fires for New Stoves
Proper seasoning ensures longer stove life.

Fuel

16
Charcoal: As the fire progresses and
most of the gases have vaporized,
charcoal remains. Charcoal is
almost 100% carbon and burns with
very little flame or smoke. Charcoal
is a good fuel that burns easily and
cleanly when enough oxygen is
present. Of the total energy content
of the wood you burn, about half is
in the form of smoke, and half is
charcoal.