Osburn OB02401 - Manual (Page 26)

26
Common Heating Values of Cordwood
Hardwoods Million Btu/Cord Softwoods Million Btu/Cord
Birch 23.6 Douglas Fir 20.6
White Oak 28.3 Hemlock 17.1
Alder 17.6 Jack Pine 18.4
3.2.1 Simple wood moisture test
Add one large piece of wood to the top of an established fire. If it starts to burn on three sides
within one minute, it is dry and seasoned and right for burning. If it turns black and starts to burn
in three minutes, it is damp. If it turns black and does not start burning until after five minutes, it
is green and wet. If it hisses at any time the wood is soaked and will not burn until excess
moisture is boiled away.
3.3
Notes about first firing
Before firing ensure that the room is well ventilated. Curing the paint is recommended to
preserve the best quality finish. Heating the insert too intensely on the first fire will dull and
lighten the colour on overheated areas, and cause smoke and odour to be emitted into the room.
To cure the paint, the first two fires should be burned for only about twenty minutes each.
Allow the insert to get warm only, but not hot, i.e. 250
o
F (120
o
C) as measured by an insert top
thermometer, then allow the insert to cool down. Light a third fire and burn it for about forty
minutes to 450
o
F (230
o
C) or less. Once again cool the insert to room temperature, then
operate it according to the following instructions. This extra care will result in a more durable,
and uniform finish.
3.4 Lighting a fire
1.
Place enough crumpled balls of newspaper or other paper into the insert to cover the bottom of the
firebox.
2. Place small dry kindling on the crumpled paper.
3. Place larger dry kindling on top of the small kindling.
4. Open the draft control fully to the right (located on the right side of the faceplate, Figure 3.1)
5. Light a fire at the bottom of the crumpled paper and close the door. If the fire tends to go out,
momentarily hold the door slightly ajar to fan the fire. As soon as the fire catches hold, close the
door.