Simple Wood Moisture Test, Lighting a Fire

For recommended wood sizes, refer to the specifications.

Common Heating Values of Cordwood

Hardwoods	Million Btu/Cord		Softwoods	Million Btu/Cord
Birch	23.6		Douglas Fir	20.6
White Oak	28.3		Hemlock	17.1
Alder	17.6		Jack Pine	18.4
	Table	3.1

3.2.1 Simple Wood Moisture Test

Add one large piece of wood to the top of an established fire. If it starts to burn on three sides within one minute, it is dry and seasoned and right for burning. If it turns black and starts to burn in three minutes, it is damp. If it turns black and does not start burning until after five minutes, it is green and wet. If it hisses at any time, the wood is soaked and will not burn until excess moisture is boiled away.

3.3 Notes About First Firing

Before firing ensure that the room is well ventilated. Curing the paint is recommended to preserve the best quality finish. Heating the insert too intensely on the first fire will dull and lighten the colour on overheated areas, and cause smoke and odour to be emitted into the room. To cure the paint, the first two fires should be burned for only about twenty minutes each.

The paint curing process will produce a light fume with an unpleasant odour. Open windows. Leave the room if the smell is too intense. The fume is non-toxic and will disappear completely after the unit will have been used a few times at higher firing temperatures.

Allow the insert to get warm only, but not hot, i.e. 250o F (120o C) as measured by an insert top thermometer, then allow the insert to cool down. Light a third fire and burn it for about forty minutes to 450o F (230o C) or less. Once again cool the insert to room temperature, then operate it according to the following instructions. This extra care will result in a more durable, and uniform finish.

3.4Lighting A Fire

1.Place enough crumpled balls of newspaper or other paper into the insert to cover the bottom of the firebox.

2.Place small dry kindling on the crumpled paper.

3.Place larger dry kindling on top of the small kindling.

4.Open the draft control fully to the right (located on the right side of the faceplate, Figure 3.1)

5.Light a fire at the bottom of the crumpled paper and close the door. If the fire tends to go out, momentarily hold the door slightly ajar to fan the fire. As soon as the fire catches hold, close the door.

6.Ideally the large kindling should be burned until a thick bed of red embers is obtained. At that point, add cordwood fuel and continue to operate the draft control wide open until the fire is well