Lighting Fires; Conventional Fire Starting; The Top Down Fire - Osburn 2200 Installation And Operation Manual

2200 Installation and Operation Manual
burn hotter and hotter fires, more of the painted surfaces reach the curing temperature of the
paint. The smell of curing paint does not disappear until you have burned one or two very hot
fires.
Burn one or two small fires to begin the curing and conditioning process. Then build bigger and
hotter fires until there is no longer any paint smell from the stove. Once the paint smell
disappears, your stove is ready for serious heating.
4.2 LIGHTING FIRES
Each person who heats with wood develops their own favorite way to light fires. Whatever
method you choose, your goal should be to get a hot fire burning quickly. A fire that starts fast
produces less smoke and deposits less creosote in the chimney. Here are three popular and
effective ways to start wood fires.
4.2.1 CONVENTIONAL FIRE STARTING
The conventional way to build a wood fire is to bunch
up 5 to 10 sheets of plain newspaper and place them
in the firebox. Next, place 10 or so pieces of fine
kindling on the newspaper. This kindling should be
very thin; less than 1" (25 mm). Next, place some
larger kindling pieces on the fine kindling. Open the
air control fully and light the newspaper. If you have
a tall, straight venting system you should be able to
close the door immediately and the fire will ignite. If
your venting system has elbows or an outside
chimney, you may need to leave the door closed but
unlatched for a few minutes as the newspaper ignites
and heat in the chimney produces some draft. Once
the fire has ignited, close the door and leave the air
A conventional kindling fire with paper
control fully open.
under finely split wood.
DO NOT LEAVE THE STOVE UNATTENDED WHEN THE DOOR IS SLIGHTLY OPENED DURING
IGNITION. ALWAYS CLOSE THE DOOR AFTER IGNITION.
After the kindling fire has mostly burned, you can add standard firewood pieces until you have a
fire of the right size for the conditions.
4.2.2 THE TOP DOWN FIRE
The top down fire starting method solves two problems with the conventional method: first, it
does not collapse and smother itself as it burns; and second, it is not necessary to build up the fire
gradually because the firebox is loaded before the fire is lit. A top down fire can provide up to two
hours of heating or more. The top down method only works properly if the wood is well‐seasoned.
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