Combustion Cycles - Osburn STRATFORD II OB04007 Installation And Operation Manual

Use four or five sheets of paper tied together and put them on top and around the kindling. Open
the air intake control completely, ignite the paper and close the door.
The top down fire method has two advantages over the traditional method: first, the fire does
not collapse on itself, and it is not necessary to add wood gradually since the combustion
chamber is full before the fire is lit.
The following load orientation is the one who will give the best performance for this fireplace.
The figure below is for reference only. The quantity and size of the logs may vary.
5.2.3 Two Parallel Logs Method
Two spit logs are placed in the firebox with a few sheets of twisted newspapers in between the
logs. Fine kindling is added across the two logs and some larger kindling across those, log cabin
style. Newspaper is lit.
5.2.4 Using Fire Starters
Commercial fire starters can be used instead of a newspaper. Some of these starters are made
of sawdust and wax and others are made of specialized flammable solid chemicals. Always
follow the package directions when using.
Gel starters can also be used, but only to light a fire, in a cold combustion chamber without hot
embers inside.
5.3

Combustion Cycles

Wood heating with a space heater is very different than other forms of heating. There will be
temperature variations in different parts of the house and there will be temperature variations
throughout day and night. This is normal, and for experienced wood burners these are advantages
of zone heating wood burning.
Wood heaters don't have a steady heat output. It is normal for the temperature to rise after
a new load of wood is ignited and for its temperature to gradually decrease throughout the
burning cycle.
This increasing and decreasing temperature can be matched with the household routines. For
example, the temperature in the area can be cooler when the household is active, and it can be
warmer when it is inactive.
Installation and Operation Manual - Stratford II Page 19