Osburn OB01111 - Manual (Page 27)

27
MAINTAINING THE FIRE
Your Osburn stove will work best if a thick bed of hot embers is maintained in the
bottom of the firebox, and a minimum of two large pieces of seasoned fuel are added.
Combustion efficiency is largely related to establishing a hot ember bed, and hot
firebox temperatures. The quicker the stove and fuel get up to operating temperature,
the better. A small intense fire is preferred to a large smouldering fire, both to improve
combustion efficiency and to reduce the amount of creosote emitted. The best
performance will be obtained by adding relatively small amounts of fuel to a well
established ember bed, and then operating with the air inlet control open long enough
to achieve a hot fire. Cordwood should be placed with air in between individual pieces.
Use a poker to make an air channel in the embers below the wood, this will allow air to
flow under the wood for a more efficient burn.
Extended burn times can be accomplished by first operating the stove on a full load
with the air inlet controls wide open. Once the fire is well established, and the moisture
has been driven out of the wood, reduce the air control to a low setting. The unit
should then burn cleanly without smoldering. If the fire smolders without flame,
re-establish a hotter fire before moving the air control to the low setting. A yellow flame
burning in the top of the firebox is a good indication of a clean efficiently burning fire.
Refuelling technique is important for good performance. The best efficiency and
performance from your stove can be achieved by adding partial loads of fuel and
allowing them to get up to operating temperature before adding additional fuel. Adding
a large amount of fuel at one time will increase the time required to get the fuel up to
its ignition temperature, and an extended time to reach optimal performance. When
refueling, open the air control or hold the door partially open 1” (25 mm) or less long
enough (less than 5 minutes) so that the fire has well established flames. When
refuelling, care is required to ensure that fuel or embers do not fall out of the door
opening. The unit will burn at about 2.0 to 2.5 lb/hr (.9 to 1.1kg/hr) at its minimum
setting; approximately 20 to 25 lbs (9 to 11.3kg) of wood are required for an extended
burn.
In order to achieve an optimum efficiency from your unit, we suggest that you operate it
with the air control completely closed. Make sure that you have a good fire going and
an adequate ember bed before you completely close the air control. Use a chimney
thermometer if necessary. Closing the air control too soon will lower combustion
efficiency and may cause the fire to die out. The addition of a blower (if not already
included) is highly recommended to maximize your unit’s efficiency.