Fireplace Tips: What is the correct way to start a fire?

January 17th, 2012 | Posted in Blog | No Comments »

1. What is the correct way to start a fire?

a) You will need small pieces of dry wood (kindling) and paper. Use only newspaper or paper that has not been coated or had unknown materials glued or applied to it. Never use coated (typically advertising flyers) or coloured paper.

b) Open the door of the wood stove.

c) Crumple several pieces of paper and place them in the centre of the firebox and directly on to the fire bricks of the wood stove (see product information supplied with your stove). Never use a grate to elevate the fire.

d) Place small pieces of dry wood (kindling) over the paper in a “teepee” manner. This allows for good air circulation, which is critical for good combustion.

e) Light the crumpled paper in 2 or 3 locations. Note: It is important to heat the air in the stovepipe for draft to start.

f) Fully open the air control of the wood stove (see product information supplied with your stove) and close the door until it is slightly open, allowing for much needed air to be introduced into the firebox. Never leave the door fully open as sparks from the kindling may occur, causing injury. As the fire begins to burn the kindling, some additional kindling may be needed to sustain the fire. DO NOT add more paper after the fire has started.

g) Once the kindling has started to burn, start by adding some of your smaller pieces of seasoned (dry) firewood. Note: Adding large pieces at the early stages will only serve to smother the fire. Continue adding small pieces of seasoned (dry) firewood, keeping the door slightly open until each piece starts to ignite. Remember to always open the door slowly between placing wood into the fire.

h) Once the wood has started to ignite and the smoke has reduced, close the wood stove door fully. The reduction of smoke is a good indication that the draft in the chimney has started and good combustionis now possible. Larger pieces of seasoned (dry) firewood can now be added when there is sufficient space in the firebox. Adjust the air control setting to desired setting (see product information supplied with your stove).

i) Note: The lower the air control setting, the longer the burn time of your firewood.

2. What type of wood is best to use as firewood?

Dry seasoned hardwood should be used. Avoid green unseasoned wood. Green wood, besides burning at only 60% of the fuel value of dry seasoned wood, will deposit creosote on the inside of your stove and along the inside of your chimney.

3. What does dry seasoned wood mean and what is considered hardwood?

Wood that has been dried for a period of one year in a well-ventilated and sheltered area would be considered dry seasoned wood. Hardwoods are generally from slow growth trees (example: Oak and Fir). Softwoods are generally from fast growth trees (example: Pine and Spruce).

4. Will following the above-listed steps for starting a fire result in perfect results all the time?

The quick answer is most of the time. There are many variables that may affect your success rate when starting a fire. Most of those variables and how to deal with them will be learned through experience. Your ability to start a good fire will significantly increase with time and patience. Some of the reasons for poor stove performance will be covered in the next section of these instructions.

5. Why can’t I get the fire lit?

Damp or wet wood and poor draft are the main reasons for poor results in starting a fire. Always use dry seasoned wood for your fire. Even wood dried for two years will be difficult to ignite, if it has become wet.

6. Why is there always a large quantity of thick black smoke present in the firebox?

A large quantity of thick black smoke in the firebox is a good indication that the draft is poor.

7. Is it normal for soot to cover the glass at the beginning of a fire?

Your stove has been built with an air wash system that will help keep the glass clear when thefirebox has reached a good operating temperature and has a good draft. Cold firebox temperature and poor draft cause sooting of the glass. Once the firebox temperature and the draft increase, the soot will burn off.

8. What is draft?

Draft is the ability of the chimney to exhaust or draw by-products produced during the normal combustion process.

9. What can cause a poor draft?

The most common factors for poor draft are:

a) Atmospheric pressure and air supply

b) Environmental conditions

c) Cold chimney temperature

d) Poor chimney installation and maintenance

a) Atmospheric Pressure and Air Supply

Atmospheric pressure affecting the draft from a chimney can be either outside the home, inside the home, or both. Outside the home, a high-pressure day (clear and cool) generally creates a better draft in the chimney than a low-pressure day (overcast and damp). Inside the home, normal household appliances, such as clothes dryers and forced-air furnaces compete for air resulting in inadequate amounts of air available to fuel a fire and create a condition known as negative pressure. Under extreme conditions of negative pressure, the combustion by-products can be drawn from the chimney and into the house. This condition is commonly refered to as down-drafting.There are several factors that impact the amount of air available in the home. Increased amounts of insulation vinyl windows, extra caulking in various places and door seals can all keep heat in but may also make a home too airtight. If you are in doubt about whether or not there is sufficient air in your home for your stove, curtail from using those appliances known to consume the air where possible, or open a window or door to allow air to enter the home.

b) Environmental Conditions

High trees, low lying house location such as in a valley, tall buildings or structures surrounding your house and windy conditions can cause pool draft or down drafting.

c) Cold Chimney Temperature

Avoid cold chimney temperatures by burning a hot fire for the first fifteen to forty minutes, being careful not to over fire. If any part of the chimney or parts of the stove start to glow, you are over-firing the stove. Where possible, install a temperature gauge on the chimney so temperature drops can be seen.

d) Chimney Installation and Maintenance

Avoid using too many elbows or long horizontal runs. If in doubt, contact a chimney expert and/orchimney manufacturer for help. Clean chimney, rain caps and especially spark arrester regularly, to prevent creosote build-up, which will significantly reduce chimney draw and possibly a chimney fire.

10. Should I close or open the air control fully when shutting down the stove?

When shutting down the stove, fully open the air control. This allows the chimney temperatures to remain as high as possible for as long as possible. Cold chimney temperatures create creosote.

Note: This sheet is intended as an aid and does not supercede any local, provincial or staterequirements. Check with officials or authorities having jurisdiction in your area.

Source: http://www.enviro.com/help/tips.html

Gagnon Clay Products to Supply for EXTREME Home Makeover!

August 21st, 2010 | Posted in Blog | No Comments »

A homeowner in Northeastern Wisconsin soon will be yelling the words “Move that bus!”

The ABC television show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” will select one of the five area finalists for its next fixer-upper project in the region.

“These families are extremely deserving … and are leaders in the community,” said Michelle Stimpson, spokeswoman for Lexington Homes, which is the lead contractor on the project.

The recipient of the build will be notified with a knock on the door on Aug. 14 by the show’s cast, including host Ty Pennington. Work on the project gets under way the next day.

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” features a family receiving a home makeover from local builders. The show airs at 7 p.m. Sundays.

Just what they will be building at that home remains undisclosed.

“We’re excited to have this opportunity to do this within our community and within Northeastern Wisconsin,” Jeff Marlow, president of Lexington Homes, said at a news conference Friday.

“We’re going to be looking for volunteers and looking for the community to rally around the party that is going to be involved in receiving the home.”

The pro bono build is expected to take 105 hours, but Marlow said he’d like to finish it sooner and expects to donate at least 2,000 hours on the project.

“We’ll be working night and day, and lights will be up … to be able to make this happen,” he said. “Our company loves a challenge, and the challenge is (to build it in) 105 hours — and our goal is we want to build it in 90 hours.”

Marlow said Lexington contacted the show a few years back and asked how they could get involved with the program. Ten days ago they were told about their involvement.

A pep rally scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Lambeau Field Atrium will feature entertainment and provide information to would-be volunteers about getting involved in the project. Attendees are asked to bring a can of food for donation to a local pantry.

BY NATHAN PHELPS • NPHELPS@GREENBAYPRESSGAZETTE.COM • JULY 31, 2010

Link: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100731/GPG0101/7310550/Area-family-to-get-Extreme-Makeover-

TROUBLE LIGHTING YOUR PILOT LIGHT? Watch this video tutorial…

March 17th, 2010 | Posted in Blog | No Comments »

$96,700 raised at 2nd annual “Dancing with the Stars” event

February 24th, 2010 | Posted in Blog | No Comments »

By Kelly McBride • kmcbride@greenbaypressgazette.com • February 22, 2010

Click HERE to view the story online at the Green Bay Press Gazette Website.

Eric and Janet

(Corey Wilson/Press-Gazette)

A group of local celebrities got to shake, shimmy and sway their way to $96,700 in charitable contributions Sunday during a fundraiser for theAmerican Red Cross.

Radio and television personalities joined local businesspeople for the second annual Dancing with the Stars event benefiting the Lakeland Chapter of the American Red Cross. Held in conjunction with DanceSport of Green Bay, the sold-out event paired the celebrity dancers with local ballroom experts for an evening of fun and fundraising.

“It’s a great, fun event,” said Mauree Childress, director of development for the Lakeland Chapter, “and the people who participate make lifelong friends, and a have a great deal of fun — and really serve as community leaders. They really are community leaders for stepping out there.”

Tickets for Sunday’s fundraiser, based on the popular reality TV show of the same name, ran $50 for individuals and $600 for a corporate table. Dancers brought in additional funds by soliciting $1 votes prior to and during the competition.

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*New Tax Incentive Available for Wood-Burning Products!

May 5th, 2009 | Posted in Blog | No Comments »

Included in the 2009 Economic Stimulus legislation signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009, is a 30% (up to $1,500) consumer tax credit in 2009 and 2010 for the purchase of a 75% efficient biomass-burning stove as measured using a lower heating value. The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) and the Pellet Fuels Institute (PFI), succeeded in improving the tax credit to promote renewable energy and help consumers fight rising home heating costs.  

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$45,600 Raised in Dancing with Our Stars!

February 10th, 2009 | Posted in Blog | No Comments »

Dancing With Our Stars Fundraiser exceeds expectations: $45,600 raised by this first-time event.

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