Top Load Wood Burner Operation Made Easy

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Top Load Wood Burner Operation Made Easy

Posted On : Dec-02-2011 | seen (414) times | Article Word Count : 588 |

Most people do not realize how important it is to properly operate their top load wood burner. Failing to adhere to proper operating instructions can prove to be the difference between a mechanical failure and easy living. The burner will be intimidating at first glance but if operated correctly, it can become the easiest machine to use.
Loading
Loading wood into a top load wood burner is rather easy and necessitates a minimal amount of effort. Small wood burners only involve opening the lid and putting in wood while larger outdoor versions are a bit more complicated. In the case of outdoor wood burners, a machine known as a loader will most likely be required.
Operating a loader is rather easy itself and can be compared to driving a car. In addition to a steering wheel, it will also have a few levers. However, most owners only ever need to operate two levers; one for lifting the loader head up and down and one for picking up the wood and dumping it in the firebox - it was never simpler.
Creating the Fire
Burning the wood is, in essence, the simplest task that can be performed. Once all the wood has been loaded into the firebox, creating a fire becomes a simple 3 step process.
1. The first step involves opening the air valves. Most modern burners will pass hot air into the furnace allowing for a hotter fire to start. The air valves should be fully open during the initial igniting phase.
2. The second step requires the user to put some fire starters and kindlers into the furnace, and light it. Liquid starters should never be used to create a fire. Liquid starters are deemed severely hazardous when it comes to wood burners.
3. Once a small fire has started, readjust the air intake and start putting in wood a little at a time.

Sustaining the fire
The most important and possibly the easiest aspect of any top load wood burner is the temperature adjustment.
For longer burning, the air valves should be adjusted to allow less air in. This will create a smaller yet longer burning fire.
For more heat, the air valves should be adjusted to allow more air in. Although, this will create a larger fire, it will also burn more wood. In such a case, it is important to keep an eye on the amount of wood in the firebox and adding wood when needed.
Maintenance
Although it may seem like a daunting task, maintaining a top load wood burner is surprisingly easy. There are primarily three areas which need to be maintained; the stove/furnace, the controls and the chimney.
• It is important to clean the furnace on a daily basis. This involves removing any residue, ash and leftover wood. The outside of the stove should also be cleaned with a soft cloth once the unit has cooled down. This will remove any ash or dust on the surface.
• The controls should be cleaned with a small cloth and turned back and forth on a weekly basis as this will keep rust from building up.
• The chimney should be cleaned on a weekly basis with thorough cleaning done on a monthly basis.
As an important practice, wood burner owners should call for a professional every six months to check the gaskets and other components. Overtime, components can become inefficient due to wear and tear and should be replaced if needed.

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<h1>Top Load Wood Burner Operation Made Easy</h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_ContentDevelopmentPros.aspx'>ContentDevelopmentPros</a> Most people do not realize how important it is to properly operate their top load wood burner. Failing to adhere to proper operating instructions can prove to be the difference between a mechanical failure and easy living. The burner will be intimidating at first glance but if operated correctly, it can become the easiest machine to use.
Loading 
Loading wood into a top load wood burner is rather easy and necessitates a minimal amount of effort. Small wood burners only involve opening the lid and putting in wood while larger outdoor versions are a bit more complicated. In the case of outdoor wood burners, a machine known as a loader will most likely be required.
Operating a loader is rather easy itself and can be compared to driving a car. In addition to a steering wheel, it will also have a few levers. However, most owners only ever need to operate two levers; one for lifting the loader head up and down and one for picking up the wood and dumping it in the firebox - it was never simpler.
Creating the Fire
Burning the wood is, in essence, the simplest task that can be performed. Once all the wood has been loaded into the firebox, creating a fire becomes a simple 3 step process. 
1.	The first step involves opening the air valves. Most modern burners will pass hot air into the furnace allowing for a hotter fire to start. The air valves should be fully open during the initial igniting phase. 
2.	The second step requires the user to put some fire starters and kindlers into the furnace, and light it. Liquid starters should never be used to create a fire. Liquid starters are deemed severely hazardous when it comes to wood burners.
3.	Once a small fire has started, readjust the air intake and start putting in wood a little at a time.

Sustaining the fire
The most important and possibly the easiest aspect of any top load wood burner is the temperature adjustment. 
For longer burning, the air valves should be adjusted to allow less air in. This will create a smaller yet longer burning fire. 
For more heat, the air valves should be adjusted to allow more air in. Although, this will create a larger fire, it will also burn more wood. In such a case, it is important to keep an eye on the amount of wood in the firebox and adding wood when needed.
Maintenance
Although it may seem like a daunting task, maintaining a top load wood burner is surprisingly easy. There are primarily three areas which need to be maintained; the stove/furnace, the controls and the chimney.      
•	It is important to clean the furnace on a daily basis. This involves removing any residue, ash and leftover wood. The outside of the stove should also be cleaned with a soft cloth once the unit has cooled down. This will remove any ash or dust on the surface.
•	The controls should be cleaned with a small cloth and turned back and forth on a weekly basis as this will keep rust from building up.
•	The chimney should be cleaned on a weekly basis with thorough cleaning done on a monthly basis.
As an important practice, wood burner owners should call for a professional every six months to check the gaskets and other components. Overtime, components can become inefficient due to wear and tear and should be replaced if needed.

About the Author: The Author is a freelance writer in local newspapers and magazines covering topics like <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.logboiler.ca/">Logboiler</a> and <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.logboiler.ca/">Log burner</a> Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Top-Load-Wood-Burner-Operation-Made-Easy_113468.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Top Load Wood Burner Operation Made Easy_113468.aspx</a>

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The Author is a freelance writer in local newspapers and magazines covering topics like Logboiler and Log burner

Keywords : LogBurner, The Log Boiler, Logboiler, wood stove,

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