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FUEL MAINTENANCE
PAGE 15
BURN RECOMMENDED FUEL
This appliance is approved for use with untreated natural
dry wood only (see Important Warnings, page 2, #8). Do
not burn particleboard scraps or pressed logs using
bonding agents because they can produce conditions
which will deteriorate metal. Green or uncured wood does
not work well as fuel, and can cause increased creosote
buildups. The value of green wood as a source of heat is
limited. Do not overload or use kindling wood or mill ends
as primary fuel as this may cause overfiring. Overfiring is
a condition where excessive temperatures are reached,
beyond the design capabilities of the stove. The damage
that occurs from overfiring is not covered under the stove
warranty.
WARNING: BURNING IMPROPER FUEL (I.E. CHAR-
COAL) CAN RESULT IN CARBON MONOXIDE POI-
SONING WHICH MAY LEAD TO DEATH!
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING – EARLY SIGNS
OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING RESEMBLE
THE FLU WITH HEADACHES, DIZZINESS, OR NAU-
SEA. IF YOU HAVE THESE SIGNS, GET FRESH AIR
AT ONCE! HAVE THE HEATER INSPECTED BY A
QUALIFIED SERVICE TECHNICIAN. SOME PEOPLE
ARE MORE AFFECTED BY CARBON MONOXIDE
THAN OTHERS. THESE INCLUDE PREGNANT
WOMEN, PEOPLE WITH HEART OR LUNG DISEASE
OR ANEMIA, THOSE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF
ALCOHOL, AND THOSE AT HIGH ALTITUDES.
WHY SEASONED WOOD?
The key to the success of a good fire that produces heat
from a woodstove is the wood. It needs to be well-seasoned
natural wood.
What does “Well-Seasoned” mean? When a tree is cut
down, the wood is green, full of sap and moisture. This
moisture content can exceed 80%, which must be reduced
to less than 20%. Wood properly seasoned is then capable
of generating the heat the stove was designed to provide.
Green wood does not burn easily. Attempting to burn green
wood often results in a lot of smoke and very little fire. Time
is the most important factor in seasoning wood. Ideally the
moisture content should be reduced to 11-20%, although
very few of us will be able to check that figure. There are
several steps that should be taken to ensure that that you
come close to these figures.
SEASONING GUIDE
Softwoods – 6 months to 18 months
Hardwoods – 12 months to 24 months
Logs that are 5” (127 mm) diameter across or larger should
be split in half, three pieces if over 8 inches (203 mm), and
four pieces when over a foot (305 mm) across. If the tree
fell 2 to 4 years ago, it still needs to be cut, split, and sea-
soned for 6 to 24 months depending on the wood.
WOOD STORAGE
Wood to be seasoned should be stacked in an area open
enough to ensure good air circulation on both sides – leav-
ing adequate space between woodpiles to walk comfort-
able. Do not stack wood against a wall or building. It helps
to elevate the woodpiles off the ground (two 2 x 4’s running
lengthwise beneath the woodpile works well). This allows
air to flow under the bottom logs. Wood that is kept out-
doors, either covered with a tarp, or not covered at all, will
not burn well until it has been in an enclose space for one to
two months.
MAINTENANCE
SMALL AREA PAINT TOUCH-UP
The stove body is painted with a quality high-temperature
stove paint. Use only model TSPK-B Stove Paint, Catalog
# 70K99. Do not touch-up your stove with any other paint.
Using one small piece of 320 grit sand paper and lightly
sand the blemish so that the edges are “feathered” or
smooth to the touch between the painted and bare sur-
faces. Do not let the sand paper gum up with paint, as
this will cause scratches on the metal surface. If there are
any scratches, use 600 grit sandpaper instead. Mask off
surfaces you do not want painted. Paint lightly over the
bare surface first as this will act as an undercoat. Then
paint over a larger area in smooth even strokes to blend.
See Break-In Period on page 13 for information on
curing the paint.
ASH REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL
CAUTION: MAKE SURE THAT THE FIRE IS OUT AND
THE STOVE IS COLD BEFORE REMOVING ASHES
FROM FIREBOX!
Ashes can hold live embers for several days, and must
be disposed of with care.
NEVER place ashes in a cardboard box or any other
combustible receptacle.
Proper Disposal of Ashes:
Ashes should be placed in a metal container with a tight
fitting lid. The closed container of ashes should be placed
on a noncombustible floor or on the ground, well away
from all combustible materials, pending final disposal. If
the ashes are disposed of by burial in soil or other wise
locally dispersed, they should be retained in the closed
container until all cinders have thoroughly cooled.