Yeoman YMMB manual Burning tips

USER INSTRUCTIONS

6.Burning tips

6.1Fuel Quality (Wood)

Use wood with a moisture content of less than 20%. Seasoned logs have the bark beginning to lift and peel away and cracks radiating from the centre. They feel lighter than fresh cut wood of a similar size and sound hollow when struck against each other. Logs should not feel damp or have moss or fungal growths.

Symptoms related to wet wood:

—Difficulty starting and keeping a fire burning well.

—Smoke and small flames.

—Dirty glass and/or Firebricks.

—Rapid creosote build-up in the chimney.

—Low heat output.

—Short burn times, excessive fuel consumption and blue/ grey smoke from the chimney.

Burn at a high temperature for a short period each day to avoid large build-ups of tars and creosotes within the appliance and the flue system.

Use Yeoman Protector chimney cleaner to reduce this problem.

6.2Fuel Quality (Solid Fuel)

Use recommended solid fuels approved for use with closed appliances.

Symptoms related to unsuitable fuels include:

—Difficulty starting and keeping a fire burning well.

—Smoke and small flames.

—Dirty glass and/or fire bricks.

—Short life span for grate, baffle and internal firebricks.

—Permanent staining of glass.

6.3Air inlets puffing smoke

Combustion gases can build up in the firebox and ignite as small explosions, causing smoke to puff out of the air inlets and other openings. This occurs if the air controls are shut soon after adding new fuel to a very hot fire. Stop by opening the air controls to increase combustion air and burning rate.

CAUTION: Shutting down a hot appliance shortly after refuelling, and before the fire is established, could result in poor combustion. This may lead to a build up of unburned gases which could ignite noisily and, in extreme circumstances, cause a small explosion and may damage the appliance. Always maintain flames in the firebox when there is new fuel in the appliance - This is particularly important when burning solid mineral fuels.

6.4Flue Draught

The chimney has two main functions:

1)To safely remove the smoke, gases and fumes from the house.

2)To provide a sufficient amount of draught (suction) in the appliance ensuring the fire keeps burning.

Draught is caused by the rising hot air in the chimney when the appliance is lit.

Symptoms of poor performance related to flue draught include:

—Excessive fuel consumption (high flue draught).

—Poor burning control and/or overheating (high flue draught).

—Wind noise from air controls (high flue draught).

—Difficulty getting a fire going and keeping it burning well (low flue draught).

—Low heat output (low flue draught).

—Smoke entering room when doors are opened (low flue draught).

The construction, position, size and height of the chimney all affect the performance of the flue draught.

Other factors effecting the flue draught include:

—Nearby trees or buildings causing turbulence.

—Outside temperature.

—Outside weather conditions.

—Incorrect additional ventilation to building.

—Blocked flue or chimney.

For advice on the correction of persistent flue problems consult a qualified heating engineer before continuing to use the appliance.

6.5Weather conditions

The weather conditions outside the building can effect the burning performance of the appliance. These could include:

Weather Conditions	Problem	Effect
Windy days	Buildings/obstacles	Smoky appliance
	cause turbulent air
	around chimney
Calm days	Oversized chimney	Smoky appliance
Damp / Rainy days	Flue temperature	Lighting and
	not hot enough /	burning problems
	rain water inside
	chimney

To reduce these problems:

—Use good quality kindling wood to start the fire.

—Burn initially at a high temperature for a short period.

—Fit a rain cowl to the chimney.

Your installer should advise you on possible solutions.

If the appliance emits smoke into the room continuously:

—Close the air controls and allow the appliance to go out.

—Ventilate the room to clear the fumes.

Do not re-light the appliance until the problem is solved.

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