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3 FUEL
3.1 Materials That Should Not be Burned
GARBAGE OF ANY KIND,
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COAL OR CHARCOAL,
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TREATED, PAINTED OR COATED WOOD,
PLYWOOD OR PARTICLE BOARD,
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FINE PAPER, COLORED PAPER OR CARDBOARD,
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SALT WATER DRIFTWOOD,
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MANUFACTURED LOGS CONTAINING WAX OR CHEMICAL ADDITIVES,
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RAILROAD TIES,
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LIQUIDS SUCH AS KEROSENE OR DIESEL FUEL TO START A FIRE.
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3.2 How to Prepare or Buy Good Firewood
3.2.1 What is Good Firewood?
Good firewood has been cut to the correct length for the wood fire, split to a range of sizes and stacked in
the open until its moisture content is reduced to 11 to 16 per cent.
3.2.2 Tree Species
The tree species the firewood is produced from is less important than its moisture content. The main
difference in firewood from various tree species is the density of the wood. Hardwoods such as gums,
Manuka or ironbark are denser than softwoods. Hard wood will produce long-lasting coal beds combined to
more heat and longer burn cycles.
Old, leaky cast iron wood fires wouldn't hold a fire overnight unless they were fed large pieces of
hardwood. That is no longer true. You can successfully heat your home by using less wood and give the
forest a break at the same time.
3.2.3 Log Length
Logs should be cut about 25 mm shorter than the firebox so they fit in easily.
Pieces that are slightly too long make loading the wood fire very difficult. The
most common standard length of firewood is 400 mm.
The pieces should be a consistent length, with a maximum of 25 mm variation
from piece to piece.
3.2.4 Piece Size
Firewood dries more quickly when it is split. Large unsplit rounds can take years to dry enough to burn.
Even when dried, unsplit logs are difficult to ignite because they don't have the sharp edges where the
flames first catch. Logs as small as 75 mm should be split to encourage drying.
10
OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFORD CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD HEATER
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