Using the Best Firewood Best practices for ensuring that your firewood is properly cured and ready to burn effectively and efficiently. NEVER assume that cord wood delivered to your residence has been properly seasoned simply because it was advertised as being so Procure your cordwood at least 12 months in advance of when you expect to start operating your appliance Stack and split wood on pallets or by some other means to elevate it above the ground. Wood stored in log form can hold moisture for years Cover the top of it using a tarp or some other means and leave the sides open for air movement The moisture level can be checked by splitting a piece of wood in half lengthwise and taking readings with a moisture meter at 2 or 3 different places within the fresh split. 15-20% is ideal. Store the wood pile as far away from the house as practical and only bring in enough wood for 1-2 days’ worth of burning to help mitigate insects from entering your home Catalytic Combustor Appliances and More Appliances equipped with a catalytic combustor (and some tips for those that do not have one!) Care should be taken not to burn anything but firewood Fire starters are acceptable and white paper with black print to start a fire. Never use cardboard, paper with colored in or waxy coatings Never use any type of accelerant including gasoline, kerosene, etc Be certain the catalyst has reached operating temperature prior to engaging the bypass damper (if equipped). Once the catalyst is operational always burn the appliance with the bypass damper engaged. DO NOT make it a practice to consistently burn with the bypass door open. This will lead to inefficient burning, significantly shorter burn times, and much dirtier than normal connector pipes and flues. This can also lead to creosote buildup within the system, which is a potential fire hazard Never leave the door open other than when you are first starting a fire. This could lead to over-firing your stove; leading to damage, warping, and possible whole stove replacement much sooner than the appliance’s lifetime should be. Most wood stove are meant to be operated with the door close. Also DO NOT leave the ash pan door...
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