3. FUNCTIONING
3.1. Combustion
Wood burners and inserts are intermittent combustion appliances. This means that they should be lit, loaded
with an approximate weight of fuel as recommended by the manufacturer for each model, followed by a full
combustion cycle and fuel reloads after each combustion cycle.
Good combustion is necessary for optimum performance and a better view of the flames through the glass.
Guidelines:
- Maintain a high and constant temperature in the fireplace. Accordingly, the fireplace door must be closed at
all times and opened only to load firewood, which must be done as quickly as possible. Keeping the door open
will cause the stove to cool down, it will worsen the combustion and make lighting of the new wood more
difficult.
- Do not take a long time when loading firewood and wait for the end of the combustion cycle, when the
flames of the previous load disappear.
A full combustion cycle comprises the following:
1. A short period after reloading when the wood begins to heat up without flames. The time until the flame
lights is an indication of the fireplace temperature. If you wait too long to reload firewood, the temperature
falls too low and the new load of firewood does not light well. This has a negative effect on combustion and
dirties the glass.
2. The temperature of the firewood increases rapidly, and it begins to break up, emitting gas that ignites if the
fireplace temperature is appropriate. The fireplace temperature begins to increase as the fuel emits more gas
and the flames increase.
3. After a certain period of time, which varies depending on the type of firewood, the maximum temperature
value is reached, and the gases emitted from the firewood decrease slowly along with the volume of the
flames.
When the firewood gas emission is complete, the flame goes out and the firewood turns to burning embers, that
is the moment to add wood into the stove.
- The fuel load should have the approximate weight recommended by the manufacturer for each model.
Preferably in one or two pieces.
- Avoid overloading with firewood that is too thin as this can cause poor combustion. The firewood emits an
excessive amount of gas very quickly and the air supply is insufficient. Although there is a large volume of flames,
combustion it is not good, and the glass tends to get dirty. There is a danger of reaching excessive temperatures
that threaten the integrity of the wood burner and user safety.
- Select the firewood to achieve the desired type of operation. Thin firewood should be used to get higher
thermal power, use it after lighting the fire for a faster response as you need more heat.
Use thick wood for a slower combustion when you have less need for heat or for overnight maintenance,
always preceded by a cycle of more power with thinner firewood, when the appliance temperature is already
high. If necessary, when starting the fire, burn a combination of thin and thick firewood.
-When the wood burner is in operation, the door should always be closed. When you open the door to reload, do
so slowly to avoid the smoke inside the fireplace from blowing out into the room.
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