Handling Fuel - SCAN 65-1 Assembly And Instruction Manual

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2.
3.
4.
Fire starters
Wood types Kg Dry wood/m3
Hornbeam 640
Beech/Oak 580
Ash 570
Maple 540
Birch 510
Pine 480
Fir 390
Poplar 380
Calorific value of the wood
I N S T R U C T I O N S F O R H E AT I N G
Compared to beech
110%
100%
98%
93%
88%
83%
67%
65%

Handling fuel

Selecting wood/fuel
You can use any type of wood as fuel. However harder woods, such
as beech or ash, are generally better for heating, as they burn more
evenly and create less ash. Other woods, such as maple, birch and
spruce, are excellent alternatives.
Preparation
The best fuel is obtained where the tree has been felled and the wood
sawn and split before May 1st. Remember to cut the wood to match
the size of the combustion chamber. We recommend a diameter of
6-10 cm. The length should be about 6 cm shorter than that of the
combustion chamber to leave enough space for air to circulate. If the
diameter of the wood is greater than the above, it should be split
down its length. Wood that has been split dries faster.
Storing
You need to store the sawn and split wood in a dry place for 1-2 years
before it will be dry enough to burn. Wood dries faster if you stack
it in an airy place. Before using it, it is a good idea to store the wood
for a few days at room temperature. Remember that wood absorbs
moisture from the air during autumn and winter.
Moisture
To avoid problematic impact on the environment and to ensure opti-
mum operating economy, the wood should be perfectly dry before it
can be used as fuel. Maximum wood moisture content should not
exceed 20%. A moisture content of 15-18% will deliver best efficiency.
An easy way of checking wood moisture content is to knock the ends
of the two pieces of wood together. If the wood is moist, the sound
will be slightly muffled.
If you use wood that is too damp, most of the heat it produces will
be used up in evaporating the water. The stove will accordingly not
increase in temperature, nor emit heat to the room as a result. This is
obviously poor economy, and it will cause soot build-up on the glass
pane, in the stove and in the chimney. Operation using moist wood
also pollutes the environment.
Understanding the terms used to designate
quantities of wood
Various terms are used to designate quantities of wood. Before you
buy wood, it makes sense to familiarize yourself with these terms.
There are various brochures, in public libraries for example, that cover
this topic.
Use of the following as fuel is illegal
Painted, pressure impregnated, or glued wood, or sea driftwood. Nor
should you ever burn chipboard, plastics, or treated paper. These
contain substances which are hazardous to human health, to the
environment, your stove, and your chimney. In short – make sure you
only use proper wood.
Calorific value of the wood
The various woods have different calorific values. In other words,
for certain species of wood, you will need to use a greater quantity
to achieve the same heating performance. This Instruction Manual
assumes that you will be using beech, which has a very high calorific
value and is also the easiest wood to buy. If you use oak or beech as
fuel, you need to bear in mind that these woods have a greater calori-
fic value than, say, birch. To avoid any risk of damage to the stove, you
should therefore make sure you use less fuel in these cases.
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