48
English
3.0 USE
DT2010453-00
3.1 Fuel - Fig. 30
Use well-seasoned and dry wood with less than 20% moisture content.
Wood that is ready to burn must have been dried in the open air sheltered from rain or snow for at least 2 years after having been cut.
The lower the moisture content of the wood the higher its heating power. Freshly cut wood has 50% less heat value than dry wood.
Burning wood that is too wet means wasting most of the calories for evaporation of the water contained in it and, in particular, the walls
of the combustion chamber and the flue become fouled and encrusted thereby affecting efficiency.
The table below shows how the heating power decreases as the moisture content increases.
* Approximate values.
It is a good rule to purchase timber during the summer (June-July), since woods are cut down mostly in the autumn and you can therefore
be sure that the timber has already been seasoned for approximately 1 year.
Firewood can be classified in two qualities: “good” and “mediocre or poor".
This classification is according to the heat yield of the wood, the longest flame time it provides, its composition and density.
Good fuels
- Recommended timber comes from the family of broadleaf hardwoods: beech, hornbeam, oak, false acacia, ash, birch, maple, elm.
- All low-resin and close-grained woods (that is hard and heavy
timber) are most suitable, since they provide the stove with a
steady, continuous flame.
Mediocre or poor fuels
- Timber that is not recommended comes from the family of
conifers, willow, poplar and alder. These light soft woods are
resinous and therefore create more soot, few embers and
incandescent sparks, while requiring more frequent cleaning of the
flue and the fireplace.
- Another characteristic of softwood is that it gives a lively but short-
lived flame and the consumption is higher for the same heat
output.
Unsuitable fuels
- Never use wet wood, tarred wood or pellets.
- It is also best not to use: refuse (rubbish), waste paper; paper briquettes; plywood or chipboard; fibreboard; packaging materials; painted
wood or wood coated with synthetic material, plastic laminates, cardboard or milk cartons.
Under no circumstances use liquid fuel of any kind whatsoever.
All these materials or similar ones could be hazardous for the user, damage the fireplace, the flue connection and the flue, and,
last but not least, pollute the environment.
• Certain basic facts can be all-important for best performance and
getting the most out of your appliance. Please find below some
basic information intended to be of use with regard to the choice
of firewood, the adjustment of the dampers and proper operation
of the appliance.
• During operation, some parts of the appliance (door, handle,
dampers, surround) can reach high temperatures. Therefore
exercise great care and take all necessary precautions.
• When you need to add wood to the fireplace or to adjust the air
flow, use the glove or the hand protector provided.
DT2010055-00
Moisture content (W) Seasoning time
HEATING POWER OF THE WOOD (Beech)*
kWh/kg Kcal/kg kWh/dm
3
20 after 2 years 4 3400 2.9
30 after 1 year 3.4 2900 2.8
40 after 6 months 2.8 2410 2.7
To Next Page
Loading...
