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Familiarising yourself with the ins and outs
(and your fuel economy)

Even the best stove needs your input, if you want to heat your home efficiently and, at the same time, protect the environment from harmful particles. Ultimately, it is a matter of how you use the stove – and of course, what you fuel it with. You can do both yourself and the environment a big favour by following these seven recommendations:


• Choose a stove which complies with the strictest requirements on particle emissions.
 
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Make sure your chimney is the correct size in relation to the stove. A good chimney draw is essential for optimum combustion.
 
• Never burn waste, cardboard packaging, printed matter or wood that has been painted or in some other way treated.
 
• Make sure the wood is clean and dry. Moisture Content of max 16-20% gives the best and cleanest combustion (and also less soot on the glass).
 
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Never overfill the stove and avoid using oversized pieces of fuel.
 
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Oxygen is extremely important for maintaining clean combustion and good fuel economy. Before the wood carbonizes (reaches the charcoal stage) always provide adequate oxygen.
 
• Never fully close the primary air immediately after adding fresh fuel. When extended burn periods are required, always ensure the fire is well established with a good bed of glowing coals in the firebox before closing the primary air.