New Buck Corporation 20 Room Heater manual Operating and Safety Hints, Helpful Hints

OPERATING AND SAFETY HINTS:

When preparing to refuel the heater, open the bypass damper (taking the heater out of catalytic mode) and wait for the smoke to clear out of the firebox before opening the door.

Burn only natural wood in your catalytic heater. You should not burn trash or garbage, artificial or paper logs, gift wrapping, treated or painted wood, nor should you start a fire with lighter fluid or chemical starter. These and other compositions may contain lead, zinc, or other elements that can coat the catalyst and reduce its activity.

GUIDE TO THE DIFFERENT BURNING QUALITIES OF WOOD

Type of	Ease of	Coaling	Amount of
Wood	Starting	Qualities	Sparks
Apple	Poor	Excellent	Few
Ash	Fair	Good	Few
Beech	Poor	Good	Few
Birch	Good	Excellent	Moderate
Cherry	Poor	Excellent	Few
Cedar	Excellent	Poor	Many
Elm	Fair	Good	Very Few
Hemlock	Good	Low	Many
Hickory	Fair	Excellent	Moderate
Locust	Poor	Excellent	Very Few
Maple	Poor	Excellent	Few
Oak	Poor	Excellent	Few
Pine	Excellent	Poor	Moderate

The Main Audubon Society recently charted the heat produced by a wood fire. They noted that the heat produced by a wood fire varies greatly with the kind of wood burned. Beech is considered the best wood for a fire. A cord of well-seasoned Beech will produce as much heat as 169 gallons of fuel oil; Sugar Maple and Red Oak produce as much heat as 166 gallons of fuel oil; followed by White Ash 154; American Elm 130; White Birch 124; and White Pine 94.

HELPFUL HINTS

CURING THE PAINT ON YOUR HEATER: During the first several firings, burn small fires to cure the paint and to prevent damage to the finish. It is a good idea to flip the toggle switch to “Manual” position during these first firings so the blower will run continuously. This will allow the paint to cure at a slower rate and creates a better overall finish.

CAUTION: Never remove ashes from your heater with the blower running.

TIPS ON FIRE BURNING

GREEN WOOD vs. SEASONED WOOD-Green wood has a high moisture content, and therefore requires a hotter ignition temperature. Seasoned wood-cut at least one year before use-allows for a quicker, prolonged burn and more complete combustion.

SPLIT WOOD vs. ROUND WOOD-Split wood burns easier and more rapidly, whether it’s seasoned or green. If used after starting a fire, it should be packed tightly to achieve a longer burn.

Round wood burns longer, but requires more effort to start. Inserting a round piece over a bed of red coals with the damper and drafts open will help it catch fire. Round wood should be used to accomplish an all-night burn.