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5.0 Operating Instructions
5.1 Safety Precautions
Caution: When using the decorative gas
appliance (vented gas logs), the fireplace
damper must be set in the fully open
position.
A fireplace can bring many hours of enjoyment,
comfort and warmth if operated and maintained
properly. Certain safety precautions must be
observed to eliminate the dangers associated with
fire and provide a satisfactory, smoke free fire.
A. When burning wood use solid, seasoned wood
only. Do not use scrap wood or artificial wax
based logs, treated, coal or woods dipped in
pine tar or pitch.
B. Never use gasoline or other combustible
liquids when starting a fire.
C. Keep the chimney damper open while burning
a fire. Do not interrupt air flow. Make sure
sufficient air is present to support combustion.
The manufacturer of this fireplace is not
responsible for smoke resulting from lack of
combustion air.
D. Keep combustible furniture/pillows at least
four feet from the opening.
E. Never leave the fire unattended.
F. Be extremely careful when adding wood and
handling fireplace tools. Never throw, kick or
by any other means force wood into the
firebox as this could damage the firebrick and
fireplace walls, resulting in permanent damage
and void the warranty. Stress cracks created
from thermal cycling are normal.
G. Drilling a hole for gas supply or cutting an
opening in the back, sidewall or floor of the
fireplace for a fresh air vent or ash dump is
acceptable. Do not alter the fireplace in a
manner that will jeopardize the structural
integrity of the fireplace.
5.2 Selection of Wood
Use cured wood logs only. Scrap wood produces
sparks. Treated wood, coal, or woods dipped in
pine tar should not be used because they may leave
a combustible residue in the fireplace and chimney.
Use of seasoned wood is preferred.
The amount of heat available from logs will
depend on the type of wood, its dryness, quantity
of wood and the size of the logs. Ten pounds of
twigs will produce as much heat as a 10 pound log,
but will produce it much faster because the air
supply is more available.
5.3 Softwood vs. Hardwood
Wood is divided into two classes, hard and soft
woods. Each has a use in a fireplace and each has
advantages and disadvantages.
The hardwood category includes such woods as
oak, walnut, birch, elm and maple. Softwoods
include pine, fir, cedar and spruce.
Selection of wood depends on the type of fire you
want. Softwoods are good to offset a morning chill
because the fire develops faster. Hardwoods are
preferable for a slower burning and uniform heat
output.
Softwoods contain a highly flammable resin that
will leave creosote soot in the chimney flu. This
often results in sparking. Burning softwood
exclusively will require more frequent inspection
and cleaning of the chimney.
Experienced fire builders often use small amounts
of softwood kindling and newspaper when starting
a split hardwood log fire.
5.4 Seasoned Wood
Most freshly cut “green” wood will not burn well
and will smoke. The pressure of moisture and resin
inside green wood will build under heat and
explode as sparks. Therefore, it is recommended
that only seasoned wood be used in your fireplace.
Most wood requires 9 to 12 months of seasoning
and drying to reduce the moisture content enough
to produce good steady fires. Make sure that you
buy only seasoned wood, or if you buy green wood
(usually cheaper), store it properly to aid in the
seasoning process. The following steps will assist
in the seasoning process.
A. Stack wood loosely to permit maximum air
circulation.
B. Do not stack wood on the ground. Use a wood
rack or stack on scrap lumber. Storage on the
ground will cause rotting and insect
infiltration.
