Evaluating The Combustion Quality; Wood Moisture Content And Calorific Value; Storing And Drying Wood; Cleaning And Maintenance - HASE DELHI 124 Manuel D'utilisation

12. Evaluating the Combustion Quality

The following characteristics can help you easily evaluate the
quality of the combustion:
– Colour and composition of the ash
If the combustion process is clean and efficient, the
result is a fine white ash. Dark colouration indicates that
the ash contains charcoal residue; in this case, the burn-
off phase was incomplete.
– The colour of the flue gases emitted at the chimney pot.
Here, the following applies: the more invisible the flue
gases exiting the chimney, the better the combustion
quality.
During the transitional seasons (spring/autumn), outdoor
temperatures above 16°C can impair the chimney draught. If
a draught cannot be created at these temperatures by rapidly
burning paper or thin wood shavings (quick fire), you should
refrain from lighting the stove.

13. Wood Moisture Content and Calorific Value

Rule of thumb: the more damp the wood, the lower the calorific
value.
The calorific value of the wood depends largely on the wood
moisture content. The moremoisture the wood contains, the
more energy expended to evaporate it during the combustion
phase; this energy is then lost. The more damp the wood, the
lower its calorific value.
An example: freshly cut wood has a moisture content of ap-
prox. 50% and a calorific value of around 2.3 kWh/kg; in con-
trast, wood which has been efficiently air-dried has a moisture
content of approx. 15% and a calorific value of around 4.3
kWh/kg.
Accordingly, if you burn very moist wood, you will have about
half the thermal output with the same quantity of wood. Fur-
thermore, burning moist wood results in substantial soot
build-up on the fire box window. Moreover, when moist wood
is burned, the resultant water vapour can condense in the flue
pipe or chimney, which can lead to a build up of shiny soot on
the chimney or chimney creosote. Chimney creosote can cause
unpleasant odours and damage brick chimneys, while shiny
soot poses a fire hazard (chimney fire). In addition, if the wood
has a high moisture content, the combustion temperature de-
creases, which prevents complete com-
bustion of all the wood components and causes considerable
environmental pollution.
You can use a wood moisture meter to determine the residual
moisture content of your firewood.

14. Storing and Drying Wood

Wood needs time to dry. If stored properly, it will air-dry in
approx. 2 to 3 years.
Saw, split, and store the wood ready for use; this ensures rapid
drying because smaller pieces of wood dry better than larger,
uncut logs.
Stack and store your wood logs in a ventilated location that is
as sunny as possible, ideally facing south, and ensure that the
wood is protected from rain.
Leave a hand's width between the individual piles of wood so
that air can flow between them and carry away any escaping
moisture.
Do not cover your wood stacks with plastic sheeting or tar-
paulins; otherwise the moisture cannot escape.
Do not stack fresh wood in a cellar or basement, since it will rot
rather than dry due to the lack of airflow.
Only store already dried wood in dry and well-ventilated cellar
or basement rooms.

15. Cleaning and Maintenance

15.1 Steel Cladding

Hase stoves are coated with a heat-resistant open pore lacquer
that provides only limited corrosion protection; accordingly, a
rust film may develop in some cases.
Do not use any detergents containing acid (e.g. citrus or vi-
negar cleaners) to clean the steel parts. The steel parts can
be adequately cleaned by wiping them down with a slightly
moistened cloth.
Avoid using excessive water to clean the floor/floorplate. Any
water that spills from kettles, boilers, or dishes should be im-
mediately mopped up.
Do not install the stove in „damp rooms", e.g. conservatories or
winter gardens. Do not temporarily store the stove in an unhe-
ated building shell or garage.
NOTE!
Treat areas covered in a rust film with the ori-
ginal Hase Stove Lacquer Spray. Be sure and
follow the instructions on the spray can. Your
authorised Hase dealer carries the stove lacquer
spray and can give you tips on using it.
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