Maintenance; Efficient Economical Use Of Wood; Creosote - Formation & Need For Removal - Stanley Errigal Installation And Operating Instructions Manual

WARNING: DO NOT CLEAN STOVE WHEN HOT.
To ensure that the Errigal Woodburning Range will
operate safely and with maximum efficiency, the
entire installation must be properly maintained.
During periods of use, the range, chimney connec-
tors, joints and the main flue itself must be kept
clean and in good working condition. You can clean
the connectors manually. Use an approved chimney
cleaner to clear creosote deposit and repeat as
often as necessary. If you use only seasoned hard-
woods, then only occasional chimney cleaning will
be necessary.
During the off-season the range may be stored in a
dry, covered area, but before storing it, remove the
ashes and thoroughly clean out the fire chamber
and oven flues. Touch up the black Senotherm fin-
ish as required with similar heat-resistant finish. If
such are not readily available apply a suitable oil to
prevent rust spots, so your Stanley will stay in good
condition until you need it again.

EFFICIENT ECONOMICAL USE OF WOOD

Wood combustion occurs in three stages. First the
moisture is evaporated (converted to steam), then
the volatiles are distilled and finally the fixed carbon
(charcoal) is burned. All stages of combustion can
occur at the same time, such as when fresh fuel is
added to the glowing embers.
Moisture must be evaporated and dispersed before
wood will burn. Consequently, wood should be cut
and dried for a period of several months (preferably
a year) before it is used. The moisture content of
some trees may be as high as 100%, i.e. equal in
volume to the wood itself. After dry storage over six
to ten months the moisture content will usually range
from 15% to 25%. Splitting the wood prior to stor-
age reduces drying time and this results in more
even burning. It minimises condensation of the
water vapour and volatile distillates, that in turn cre-
ates creosote deposits in chimney flues.
It is apparent that greater efficiency and safety will
ensure from burning moderate quantities of dry
wood in a hot fire than using green or wet wood that
only smoulders.
The Errigal Woodburning Range ensures that air
enters the fire chamber over and around the sides of
the fire. This assures complete combustion which in
turn minimises heat losses up the flue and reduces
the amount of unburned gasses and distillates to the
flue. If you have no alternative but to use soft wood,
like elder, spruce or pine, or when green wood has

MAINTENANCE

to be used, then the result will be low heat and the
formation of much creosote. In these conditions the
fire must receive plenty of draught which will help to
prevent creosote forming. The Errigal Woodburning
Range is sealed to prevent air leaks at the joints,
consequently, wood will burn evenly by day and
overnight, because of the control you can exercise
over the rate of burning.
Cut your wood to size: 406mm (16") logs, which will
fit the Errigal Woodburning Range fire chamber.
The longer the logs the better and more enduring
the fire will be.
Hardwoods are best for heat. These include: Beech,
Cherry, Ash, Oak, Hickory, Hard (Sugar) Maple,
Birch, Larch (Tamarack) and Elm. Elm is hard to
split but is fine for a slow burning fire, and like all
other woods, it is all the better for seasoning. Your
hardwood ashes will benefit the garden; they contain
valuable minerals including carbon, potash, phos-
phorus, copper, manganese etc. reference to the
characteristics of wood are quoted from NFPA No.
H8- I, 1974 (U.S.A).
CREOSOTE- Formation and Need for Removal
When wood is burned slowly, it produces tar and
other organic vapours, which combine with expelled
moisture to form creosote. The creosote vapours
condense in the relatively cool chimney flue of a
slow-burning fire.
accumulates on the flue lining. When ignited this
creosote makes an extremely hot fire. We suggest
the chimney connector and chimney should be
inspected at least twice monthly during the heating
season to determine if a creosote build-up has
occurred. If creosote has accumulated it should be
removed to reduce the risk of a chimney fire.
Inspect the chimney connector frequently. Tap the
connector with your finger when the pipe is cool. If
you hear a dull echo, the pipe may need cleaning.
Disassemble the chimney connector and clean the
sections. Replace corroded pipe sections. The
fitting of a slip-joint in the stove pipe makes the
dismantling easy for cleaning and inspection of
chimney and stove.
When inspecting a masonry chimney, start at the
clean-out door, normally found in the basement, at
the base of the chimney, or on the outside. If your
chimney does not have a clean-out door it must be
inspected and cleaned by removing stove from
chimney.
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As a result, creosote residue