Superior MICAELA Installation, Use And Maintenance Instructions page 37

7.1 Fundamental rules for use
Although different installations may vary, some important information can be helpful in avoiding the emission of
polluting smoke and fumes.
The size of the pieces of fuel to be burnt significantly influences the control of emissions from heating appliances; a
larger surface area of fuel actually assists the burning process and the same is true of the dryness of the fuel, ease
of thermal decomposition and the release of gas. Extremely small pieces of wood should be used when lighting
the fire. If large pieces are used the fire will only begin to burn slowly. When tending the stove it is also necessary
to take care that the firebox is not too full when getting the fire going. Once the fire is well established, it is better to
add small quantities of fuel at frequent intervals rather than large amounts less often. An adequate supply of air is
equally important, especially when the fire is first lit. Combustion should be regulated by the measured supply of
fuel and air.
Indicators of efficient combustion:
no visible smoke is coming out of the fire;
the ashes are grey or white in colour;
there is little soot in the fire or the smoke stack;
fuel consumption is modest.
Fundamental principles for ecological wood-burning:
use only dry wood;
ensure a high temperature in the combustion chamber, if possible whenever the fire is being stoked;
maintain an adequate air supply while the fire is burning;
do not overload the combustion chamber when lighting the fire.
Indicators of poor combustion:
emission of very thick smoke;
smoke that is yellow or dark grey in colour;
unpleasant smell, due to polluting substances;
very dark ashes;
chimney pot that is black at the top;
high fuel consumption.
7.2 Fuel
The following fuels may be used: wood (beech or birch) also in the form of wood Brickettes, according to regulation
DIN 51731, size group HP2.
Only use these materials as fuel. Never use damp wood or wood containing pitch.
Waste (rubbish), painted wood or wood covered with synthetic substances must not be used as these could
damage the stove, the smoke stack and, not least, the natural environment.
The characteristics of the wood or fuel used (dampness; size; density) influence the quality of combustion. For this
reason it is important to know about the different types of wood. We report some relevant information below.
Firewood is usually subdivided into two types: hardwood and softwood.
The characteristics of hardwood are solid, heavy wood, providing the fire with a sustained and persistent flame.
Softwood is a less dense and lighter weight wood, which gives the fire a flame which is lively but of short duration,
and which for the same level of output requires a higher level of consumption. Another characteristic of any type of
softwood is that it may be resinous, thus creating various combustion problems. For example: thick soot; few
embers; red hot particles; sudden sharp cracking sounds; the need to clean the stove and the smoke stack more
frequently.
HARDWOOD
Wild maple
Laurel
Birch *
White hornbeam
Black hornbeam
Turkey oak
Cherry
Beech
Ash
Holm oak
Laburnam
*Not always regarded as a HARDWOOD
Wild cherry
Hazel
Walnut
Olive
Siberian elm *
Pear
Wild peach
Plane
Wild thorn
False acacia
Roverella
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SOFTWOOD
Ailanthus
Bagolaro
Carob
Chestnut
Cypress
Cornelian cherry
Mulberry
Neapolitan Alder
Black alder
Manna ash
Cypress poplar
Aspen
Salicone
Common elder
Lime
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