Recommended Fuels, Burning Performance

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

8.RECOMMENDED FUELS

8.1Wood:- Burn only seasoned timber, with a moisture content of less than 20%. In most cases this would require drying cut wood for 12 to 18 months before use. Poor quality timber could cause low combustion efficiency, produce large amounts of harmful condensation, which could reduce the effectiveness of the airwash system, and ultimately the life of the stove Do not burn painted, impregnated wood or manufactured board products. The symptoms of poor performance related to wet wood include:-

•Difficulty getting a fire going and keeping it burning well,

•Smoky fires with little flame,

•Dirty glass,

•Rapid creosote build-up in the chimney,

•Low heat output,

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

To help avoid large build-ups of tars and creosote within the stove and the flue system, it is recommended to burn at high output for at least 30 minutes each day. The use of Stovax Protector chimney cleaner will also help to reduce this problem.

8.2Solid fuel:- Burn manufactured smokeless fuels, or anthracite, listed as suitable for use with closed heating stoves. Do not burn ‘petro-coke’ or other petroleum based fuels, as this will invalidate and product guarantee.

8.3Fuel consumption: -

Wood:- Approximately 1.8 kg per hour of fuel under ideal conditions with the Airwash control fully OPEN and the Primary air control fully CLOSED.

Solid Fuel:- Approximately 0.7 kg per hour of fuel under ideal conditions with the Airwash control fully CLOSED and the Primary air control fully OPEN.

If you require advice on suitable solid fuels contact your local Approved Coal Merchant. Details can be obtained by ringing the Solid Fuel Association advice line on Freephone 0800 600 000. Or their web site at www.solifuel.co.uk

9. BURNING PERFORMANCE

A number of factors can effect the performance of the Stockton stove. Some of these are listed.

Fuel Quality (Wood)

Use only seasoned wood with a moisture content of less than 20%. Symptoms of poor performance related to wet woods include: -

•difficulty getting a fire going and keeping it burning well,

•smoky fires with little flame,

•dirty glass,

•dirty firebricks

•rapid creosote build-up in the chimney,

•low heat output,

•Short burn times and blue/grey smoke from the chimney.

Fuel Quality (Solid Fuel)

Use only recommended solid fuels, which are approved for use with closed appliances. Symptoms of poor performance related to unsuitable fuels include: -

•difficulty getting a fire going and keeping it burning well,

•smoky fires with little flame,

•dirty glass,

•dirty firebricks

•short life span for grate, baffles and internal firebricks,

•permanent staining of glass.

Flue Draught

The chimney has two main functions, which are, to safely remove the smoke, gases and fumes from the house, and to provide a sufficient amount of draught (suction) in the Stockton stove to ensure that the fire is kept burning. Draught is caused by the rising hot air in the chimney when the Stockton stove is lit.

Symptoms of poor performance related to flue draught include: -

•excessive fuel consumption (high flue draught)

•poor burning control, 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 opened (low flue draught)