3
NOTE: DIAGRAMS & ILLUSTRATIONS ARE NOT TO SCALE.NOTE: DIAGRAMS & ILLUSTRATIONS ARE NOT TO SCALE.
LENNOX HEARTH PRODUCTS • ESTATE™ SERIES WOOD-BURNING FIREPLACES • MODELS EST-36/42/50 • CARE AND OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS

Wood Fuel Pointers

Wood is a wonderful renewable fuel source.
Normally it burns clean, leaving only a minimum
of waste ash, provides comforting heat and can
provide a variety of aromas and visual images.
You will want to know which woods are best for
use. Sometimes you may want a quick, short
fire to offset a morning chill. Soft woods are
preferable in this case. Other times you would
want more slow burning and a uniform heat
output. Hardwoods are preferable for this use.
The amount of heat available from the logs will
be about equal on a weight basis. However,
logs are generally not weighed so the amount
of heat will depend on:
1. The type of wood used.
2. How dry it is.
3. How many logs you put in.
4. The size of the logs.
The last statement means that one big log weigh-
ing 10 pounds has as much heating potential
as 10 pounds of twigs. However, air cannot get
at the solid log to feed the fire so the solid log
will burn slowly. While you would get the same
amount of heat out of either fire, the smaller the
pieces of wood and the more air space around
them, the faster the fire will burn.

DISPOSAL OF ASHES

Ashes should be placed in a metal container with
a tight fitting lid. The closed container of ashes
should be placed on a noncombustible floor or
on the ground, well away from all combustible
materials, pending final disposal. If the ashes
are to be disposed of by burial in soil or other
wise locally dispersed, they should be retained
in the closed container until all cinders have
thoroughly cooled.

SOFTWOOD vs. HARDWOOD

Softwoods contain about 15 percent highly
flammable resin which generates creosote soot
in the chimney ue. Burning softwood exclu-
sively may not be as desirable nor as safe as
burning denser hardwoods. Many experienced
fire-builders use small amounts of softwood
kindling and newspaper in conjunction with
starting a fire with split hardwood logs. Here
are some guidelines to remember:
1. Softwoods produce fast warming and shorter
fires. Hardwoods burn less vigorously, have
shorter flames and produce steady, glowing
coals.
2. As a general rule, denser woods contain more
potential heat per pound. Most softwoods offer
moderate heat value per pound.
A face cord is the same height and length as a
standard cord but the depth is only the length
of the logs (12, 18 or 24 inches). A face cord
can contain as little as 25% of the wood found
in a standard cord.
If you buy by the ton, remember that wood
becomes lighter as it dries. When buying green
or wet wood, ask for some extra poundage to
allow for the extra water you will be getting.
9. When comparing woods of the same moisture
content and same species, we find most woods
have approximately the same heating potential
per pound.
4'
4'
8'
Standard
Cord of
Wood
Figure 1

FUELS

Never Use Coal in Your Fireplace

Your fireplace system is not designed to be
used with coal derivative products. The com-
bustion process of certain types of coal can
deposit corrosive materials in the fireplace and
chimney system which can lead to premature
product failure. Never use coal as a fuel in this
fireplace system.

Gas Logs

If your fireplace system was installed with a gas
line, you may wish to install one of two types
of gas log sets.
This fireplace has been tested and approved for
use with a decorative gas appliance incorporat-
ing an automatic shut-off device and complying
with the Standard for Decorative Gas Appliances
for installation in vented fireplaces, ANSI Z21.60
(1991). Decorative gas appliances may be
installed in these fireplaces. Installation must
be in accordance with the national Fuel Gas
Code, ANSI Z223.1 for compliance with the
revised U.L. 127 Standard.
3. Different woods vary widely in flame heights,
flame intensities, smoke characteristics and in
sparking. Most hardwoods do not spark.
4. Most freshly cut “green” wood will not burn
well and will smoke. Green wood can be from
10 to 40 percent less efficient than air-dried
seasoned wood.
5. Moisture and resin found inside unseasoned
wood cells will build up pressure under heat
and explode as sparks.
6. Most wood needs to be seasoned 9 to 12
months to reduce the moisture content and
produce good steady res. When moisture
content is reduced from 60 to 20%, the gain
in heat potential is nearly 7%.
7. Proper storage of wood, especially during
seasoning, is essential. We recommend that you:
a. Never store wood on the ground. This will
cause rotting and insect infiltration. Raise
wood on flat rock or scrap wood.
b. Stack wood loosely to allow air circulation.
c. Store wood where it will not be excessively
exposed to weather, such as under a tarp or
under a roof.
d. Do not stack wood directly against the
walls of your home.
8. Be a knowledgeable wood buyer. There is a
difference in cord sizes. A standard cord stack
of logs is 4 ft. high by 8 ft. long by 4 ft. deep or
the equivalent of this cubic footage, (Figure 1 ).
These fireplaces have been tested and approved
to ANSI/IAS/AGA Z21.11.2 for use with an un-
vented gas appliance having a maximum rating
of 40,000 BTU and complies with the Standard
for Factory-Built Fireplaces, U.L. 127, when
installed with unvented gas log sets.
Prior to installing any gas log set, (Vented or
Unvented) refer to the fireplace installation
instructions for verification of mantle heights
and placement of combustible materials around
the firebox opening. NEvER INSTALL AN UN-
vENTED GAS LOG SET WITH A BTU RATING
GREATER THAN 40,000 BTU. Vented gas log
sets do not have restrictions placed upon their
BTU rating.
CAUTION
When using a decorative gas appli-ance, the fireplace damper must be set to the fully open position.