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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 intervals. Always place at least three, and preferably more,
pieces on the fire at a time so that the heat radiated from one piece helps to ignite the pieces
next to it. Each load of wood should provide several hours of heating. The size of each load can
be matched to the amount of heat needed.
When you burn in cycles, you rarely need to open the wood fire's loading door while the wood is
flaming. This is an advantage because there is more chance that smoke will leak from the wood
fire when the door is opened as a full fire is burning. This is especially true if the flue connector
has 90 degree elbows and if the flue system runs up the outside wall of the house.
IF YOU MUST OPEN THE DOOR WHILE THE FUEL IS FLAMING, OPEN THE AIR CONTROL
FULLY FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN UNLATCH AND OPEN THE DOOR SLOWLY.
4.6.2
Ash Removal
Ash should be removed from the firebox every two or three days of full time heating. Do not let
the ash build up in the firebox because it will interfere with proper fire management.
The best time to remove ash is after an overnight fire when the wood fire is relatively cool, but there is still
some flue system draft to draw the ash dust into the wood fire and prevent it from coming into the room.
After ashes have been removed from the wood fire and placed in a tightly covered metal container,
they should be taken outside immediately. The closed container of ashes should be placed on a
non-combustible floor or on the ground well away from all combustible materials pending final
disposal. Ashes normally contain some live charcoal that can stay hot for several days. If the ashes
are disposed of by burial in soil or otherwise locally dispersed, they should be retained in the closed
container until all cinders have thoroughly cooled. Other waste shall not be placed in this container.
NEVER STORE ASHES INDOORS OR IN A NON-METALIC CONTAINER OR ON A WOODEN DECK.
4.6.3
Raking Charcoal
Rekindle the fire when you notice that the room temperature has fallen. You will find most of the
remaining charcoal at the back of the firebox, furthest from the door. Rake these coals towards
the door before loading. There are two reasons for this raking of the coals. First, it concentrates
them near where most of the combustion air enters the firebox and where they can ignite the new
load quickly, and second, the charcoal will not be smothered by the new load of wood. If you were
to simply spread the charcoal out, the new load will smoulder for a long time before igniting.
Remove ash first, and then rake charcoal towards the front of the firebox before loading so that
it will ignite the new load.
Installation and Operation Manual - Bistro
Page 23
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