Hints on operating a solid-fuel burner for best results

Press, 12 June 1984, Page 25

Hints on operating a solid-fuel burner for best results

(From “Enjoy Warmth in Safety” — a brochure produced by the New Zealand Insurance Council.) Did you know that slowburning stoves and their flues must operate at a much higher temperature than an open fire? To work efficiently they must come up to temperature quickly, and must remain reasonably hot during use. If too low a temperature is maintained, there will be a build-up of corrosive acid, smut, and-or creosote in the flue. That means you will have to clean it frequently to maintain a draught, and to avoid the risk of a flue or chimney fire — especially when creosote deposits are present. The flue is a very important part of the design of

your fire, and must not be allowed to be over-cooled. However, flues installed in existing chimneys must be ventilated to some extent, or excessive temperatures will create a very real risk of fire. To minimise creosote formation, burn “hot” fires regularly. “Hot” fires involve more frequent loading of smaller amounts of fuel with good air supply, rather than infrequent loadings of large amounts of fuel with relatively less air supply. Many authorities now recommend burning fuel in short, brisk firings, where the heat of the combustion itself reduces the amount of creosote produced, and where the resulting hightemperature flue products tend to dry out any residual

creosote on the chimney walls. Where it is not practical to continually fire an appliance in this manner, at least one episode of such firing is recommended on a daily basis. Under no circumstances should manufactured logs, gasoline, coal oil, motor oil, machine oil, lighter fluid or other flammable liquid be used for starting a fire. The safest way of igniting solid fuel is to use kindling, wood shavings, wood chips or newspapers. Some “dos” and “don’ts”: • Avoid treated timber. ® Do not burn rubbish or artificial logs in a woodburning stove. ® Dispose of ashes in a covered, metal container outside the house. ® Clean and inspect all chimneys regularly.