CLEANFLUE NI CUSTOMER INFORMATION

Wood Burning Guide

Lighting your fire the right way

Good burning and regular maintenance will give you the best performance, efficiency and service life from your stove and flue system. Always read the manufacturer’s operating instructions before use.

TRADITIONAL LIGHTING STEPS

1
Prepare the base
Crumple two tabloid-size pieces of newspaper into a loose ball about the size of a cricket ball, or use firelighters, and place them in the combustion chamber.
2
Add kindling
Place small pieces of dried kindling in a triangular shape over the newspaper, leaving air gaps. On larger appliances, place two small logs on either side so larger logs can later sit over well-alight kindling.

FIRELIGHTERKINDLINGFIREWOOD

UPSIDE-DOWN (TOP-DOWN) METHOD

The traditional method can allow heat to escape up the chimney before the appliance reaches temperature. A top-down fire warms the flue more quickly and reduces the need to open the appliance door to add fuel.

Once the well-ignited kindling has burned through, the flue should be warm and the logs below should catch and ignite cleanly.

Why use it?

Warms the flue quickly
Reduces smoke and emissions
Improves efficiency
Helps keep the glass cleaner
Produces less ash build-up in the flue

TOP-DOWN LIGHTING STEPS

1
Lay the logs
Place two small logs across the fire bed.
2
Build the first layer
Place five pieces of kindling across the logs, then four pieces at a 90-degree angle to form a lattice with gaps.
3
Complete the stack
Add another five pieces of kindling in the same direction as the bottom layer.
4
Set the controls
Set the appliance controls to the lighting position.
5
Light and close
Light the firelighters and close the appliance door. The fire should increase slowly, warming the flue gradually without excessive smoke.
6
Let it establish
Use the manufacturer’s air settings and leave the kindling until the appliance is warm and the logs close the primary air control. Add more logs only as required.

SAFE WOOD TYPES

Burn only dry, seasoned, untreated natural wood. The supplied guide recommends seasoning for 12–24 months and a moisture content below 20%.

Ash — excellent heat output; easy to split and burnBeech — high heat output; steady burnOak — very high heat output; long lastingBirch — easy to light; good flameMaple — good all-round firewoodHazel — burns well with good heatElm — season well; good heat output

IMPORTANT: Wet or unseasoned wood causes smoke, creosote build-up and poor efficiency.

USE DRY SEASONED WOOD

Use wood below 20% moisture. It burns hotter, produces less smoke and helps prevent soot build-up.

SWEEP REGULARLY

Sweep at least once a year; more often may be needed depending on the fuel and use.

CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM

Have a CO alarm fitted in the room where the appliance is installed.

AIR IS IMPORTANT

Provide adequate air. Stoves over 5kW, and homes built after 2008, may require additional ventilation.

LOCAL SUPPLIERS SHOWN IN THE SUPPLIED GUIDE

Woodcall: 07505 971390

Cedarwood Fuels: 07931 543121

IMPORTANTAlways follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions for your appliance and fuel. Keep this guidance for future reference.

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