Osburn OB01151 - Manual (Page 24)

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3.5 Maintaining The Fire
Your Osburn insert 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
insert and fuel get up to operating temperature, the better. A small intense fire is preferred to a
large smoldering fire, both to improve combustion efficiency and to reduce the amount of creosote
emitted. The best performance will be achieved 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 insert 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 lower 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 lower setting. A yellow flame burning in the top of the firebox is a good indication of
a clean efficiently burning fire.
Refueling technique is important for good performance. The best efficiency and performance from
your insert 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
refueling, care is required to ensure that fuel or embers do not fall out of the door opening.
3.6 Fan Operation
1. The fan in your wood insert is heat-activated. The insert needs to be hot before the fan
starts working. This may take up to one hour, depending on how hot the fire is.
N OTE : E NSURE T HE F AN C ORD I S N OT I N C ONTACT W ITH A NY S URFACE O F T HE I NSERT T O
P REVENT E LECTRICAL S HOCK O R F IRE D AMAGE . D O N OT R UN C ORD B ENEATH T HE I NSERT
.
2. You may shut the fan OFF using the variable speed control knob located on the left side
of the fan assembly.