Get The Most Out Of Your Masonry Heater
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Whether you're a seasoned masonry heater owner or are reading this as a new
owner, there are some newly discovered firing techniques you will want to employ to
get the most out of your hearth.
• Use regular cordwood! Yes, it is not necessary to burn sticks 2" to 3" across to get
the rapid, complete combustion that masonry heaters are noted for. Actually, 4" to 6"
pieces such that 9 to 12 pieces will fill your firebox when cross hatched will provide
better air/fuel ratio for complete, and more usable combustion. The bigger pieces allow
more time for the masonry mass to soak up the fire's heat - yielding better heat
transfer to your home.
• Place smaller wood, kindling and paper on top of this load and light from the top!
The revolutionary top burn greatly reduces emissions during the dirtiest part of a firing
- the first 10 minutes or so. Lighting the load from the top of the pile yields a candle-
like burn, allowing the firebox to heat up as the volatile gases are being more evenly
released.
• Take a little extra care in laying up your fire. A good "fuel load configuration" is well
balanced and won't topple over prematurely. Allow a 1" airspace between pieces,
placing the largest pieces first and the bottom row running "front to back" in the
firebox.
• Don't admit air from below the grate until the fire is down to coals. Use the air slots
in the door, if provided. If not, cut scrap dimensional lumber so that a piece will cover
the grate and air is admitted from the front. With a top burn fire the piece will block
grate air until it is burned through - well into the firing.
Alternately, you can adapt your doors so that they will 3/4 inch of air between them
but can not be accidentally be opened further. This modification was lab tested for
emissions with excellent results. During the coal burning phase, rake the coals so they
evenly cover the grate with air coming from below.
• It is more efficient to have one full firing than 2 fires half as large.
owner, there are some newly discovered firing techniques you will want to employ to
get the most out of your hearth.
• Use regular cordwood! Yes, it is not necessary to burn sticks 2" to 3" across to get
the rapid, complete combustion that masonry heaters are noted for. Actually, 4" to 6"
pieces such that 9 to 12 pieces will fill your firebox when cross hatched will provide
better air/fuel ratio for complete, and more usable combustion. The bigger pieces allow
more time for the masonry mass to soak up the fire's heat - yielding better heat
transfer to your home.
• Place smaller wood, kindling and paper on top of this load and light from the top!
The revolutionary top burn greatly reduces emissions during the dirtiest part of a firing
- the first 10 minutes or so. Lighting the load from the top of the pile yields a candle-
like burn, allowing the firebox to heat up as the volatile gases are being more evenly
released.
• Take a little extra care in laying up your fire. A good "fuel load configuration" is well
balanced and won't topple over prematurely. Allow a 1" airspace between pieces,
placing the largest pieces first and the bottom row running "front to back" in the
firebox.
• Don't admit air from below the grate until the fire is down to coals. Use the air slots
in the door, if provided. If not, cut scrap dimensional lumber so that a piece will cover
the grate and air is admitted from the front. With a top burn fire the piece will block
grate air until it is burned through - well into the firing.
Alternately, you can adapt your doors so that they will 3/4 inch of air between them
but can not be accidentally be opened further. This modification was lab tested for
emissions with excellent results. During the coal burning phase, rake the coals so they
evenly cover the grate with air coming from below.
• It is more efficient to have one full firing than 2 fires half as large.
If you've been burning small pieces kindled at the
bottom in your contraflow heater, chances are there is
soot in the heat exchange channels.
This can effectively be cleaned from the clean out door
using a rod and brush designed for cleaning pellet
stove chimneys. This will better allow them to absorb
heat from future fires.
Burning cordwood has so many benefits, economy-wise.
bottom in your contraflow heater, chances are there is
soot in the heat exchange channels.
This can effectively be cleaned from the clean out door
using a rod and brush designed for cleaning pellet
stove chimneys. This will better allow them to absorb
heat from future fires.
Burning cordwood has so many benefits, economy-wise.
Alternative-Heating-Info.com
And as you're probably aware, masonry heaters provide the cleanest burning solid fuel
appliances available. Now, following these simple practices you can be assured that
you are providing yourself and your loved ones simple, yet state-of-the-art heat more
cleanly than ever.
This article was provided by the Masonry Heater Association of North America.
appliances available. Now, following these simple practices you can be assured that
you are providing yourself and your loved ones simple, yet state-of-the-art heat more
cleanly than ever.
This article was provided by the Masonry Heater Association of North America.
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