Napoleon Fireplaces NZ6000 manual Selecting Wood, Creosoteformation Andremoval

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CREOSOTEFORMATION ANDREMOVAL

When wood is burned slowly, it produces tar and other organic vapours which combine with expelled moisture to form creosote. These vapours condense in the relatively cooler chimney flue of a slow burning fire and when ig- nited, make an extremely hot fire. Check your chimney for creosote and soot build-up monthly until a safe frequency for cleaning is established (minimum once a year). If ac- cumulation is excessive, clean the chimney. You may want to call a professional chimney sweep to clean it. Both the chimney and the fireplace have to be cleaned at least once a year or as often as necessary.

SELECTING WOOD

Burn only dry, clean unpainted wood that has been sea- soned. It produces more heat and less soot or creosote. Freshly cut wood contains about 50% moisture while after proper seasoning only about 20% of the water remains. As wood is burned, this water boils off consuming energy that should be used in heating. The wetter the wood, the less heat is given off and the more creosote is produced. Dry firewood has cracks in the end grain.

Both hardwood and softwood burn equally well in this fire- place but hardwood, which is denser, will weigh more per cord and burn a little slower and longer.

Firewood should be split and stacked in a manner that air can get to all parts of it and covered in early spring to be ready for burning that fall.

W415-0594 / A / 02.15.07