18 HE250 - Installation and Operation Manual
After the kindling fire has mostly burned, you can add standard firewood pieces until you have a fire of the
right size for the conditions.
CAUTION: PLACE THE WOOD LOGS FAR ENOUGH FROM THE GLASS TO ALLOW PROPER PRIMARY AIR
FLOW
4.3.2 The Top Down Fire
The top down fire starting method solves two problems with the conventional method: first, it does not
collapse and smother itself as it burns; and second, it is not necessary to build up the fire gradually because
the firebox is loaded before the fire is lit. A top down fire can provide up to two hours of heating or more.
The top down method only works properly if the wood is well-seasoned.
Start by placing three or four full-sized split pieces of dry firewood in the firebox. Next, place 4 or 5 more
finely split pieces of firewood (2” to 3” [50 mm to 75 mm] in dia.) on the base logs at right angles (log cabin
style). Now place about 10 pieces of finely split kindling on the second layer at right angles.
The fire is topped with about 5 sheets of newspaper. You can just bunch them up and stuff them in
between the kindling and the underside of the baffle. Or you can make newspaper knots by rolling up single
sheets corner to corner and tying a knot in them. The advantage of knots is that they don’t roll off the fire
as they burn. Light the newspaper and watch as the fire burns from top to bottom.
4.3.3 Two Parallel Logs
Place two spit logs in the firebox. Place a few sheets of twisted newspaper between the logs. Now place
some fine kindling across the two logs and some larger kindling across those, log cabin style. Light the
newspaper.
4.3.4 Using Fire Starters
Many people like to use commercial fire starters instead of newspaper. Some of these starters are made of
sawdust and wax and others are specialized flammable solid chemicals. Follow the package directions for
use.
Gel starter may be used but only if there are no hot embers present. Use only in a cold firebox to start a
fire.
DO NOT USE FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS SUCH AS GASOLINE, NAPHTHA, FUEL OIL, MOTOR OIL, OR AEROSOLS
TO START OR REKINDLE THE FIRE.
4.4 Maintaining Wood Fires
4.4.1 General Advice
Wood heating with a space heater is very different than other forms of heating. There will be variations in
the temperature in different parts of the house and there will be variations in temperature throughout the
day and night. This is normal, and for experienced wood burners these are advantages of zone heating with
wood.
Do not expect steady heat output from your fireplace. It is normal for its surface temperature to rise after a
new load of wood is ignited and for its temperature to gradually decline as the fire progresses. This rising
and falling of temperature can be matched to your household routines. For example, the area temperature
can be cooler when you are active, such as when doing housework or cooking, and it can be warmer when
you are inactive, such as when reading or watching television.
Wood burns best in cycles. A cycle starts when a new load of wood is ignited by hot coals and ends when
that load has been consumed down to a bed of charcoal about the same size as it was when the wood was
loaded. Do not attempt to produce a steady heat output by placing a single log on the fire at regular
To Next Page
Loading...
