Osburn Matrix Operating instructions

READANDKEEPTHISMANUALFORREFERENCE

 45593A

PrintedinCanada 05‐03‐2013

INSTALLATIONANDOPERATIONMANUAL

MATRIX

Insert



USENVIRONMENTALPROTECTION

AGENCYPHASEIICERTIFIED

WOODINSERT

SafetytestedaccordingtoULCS628,

UL737andUL1482Standards

byIntertekTestingServices



 



www.osburn‐mfg.com

StoveBuilderInternationalInc.

250,ruedeCopenhague,St‐Augustin‐de‐Desmaures(Quebec)CanadaG3A2H3

Tel:(418)878‐3040Fax:(418)878‐3001



This manual is available for free download on the manufacturer’s web site. It is a copyrighted

document. Re‐sale is strictly prohibited. Themanufacturermayupdatethismanualfromtime to

time and cannot be responsible for problems, injuries, or damages arising out of the use of

informationcontainedinanymanualobtainedfromunauthorizedsources.

MatrixInsertInstallationandOperationManual 

2_______________________________________________________________________________

THANKYOUFORCHOOSINGTHISOSBURNWOODINSERT

As one of North America’s largest and most respected wood stove and fireplace manufacturers,

StoveBuilderInternationaltakesprideinthequalityandperformanceofallitsproducts.Wewant

tohelpyougetmaximumsatisfactionasyouusethisproduct.

Inthepagesthatfollowyouwillfindgeneraladviceonwoodheating,detailedinstructionsforsafe

andeffectiveinstallation,andguidanceonhowtogetthebestperformancefromthisinsertasyou

buildandmaintainfires,andmaintainyourwoodheatingsystem.

Werecommendthatourwoodburninghearthproductsbeinstalledandservicedbyprofessionals

whoarecertifiedintheUnitedStatesbyNFI(NationalFireplaceInstitute

)orinCanadabyWETT

(Wood Energy Technology Transfer) or in Quebec by APC (Association des Professionnels du

Chauffage).

Congratulationsonmakingawisepurchase.

Ifthisinsertisnotproperlyinstalled,combustiblematerialsnearitmayoverheat.Toreducethe

risk of fire, followthe installation instructions in this manual exactly. Contact local building or

fireofficialsaboutrestrictionsandinstallationinspectionrequirementsinyourarea.

Pleasereadthisentiremanualbeforeyouinstallanduseyournewinsert.Youmayneedtogeta

buildingpermitfortheinstallationofthisinsertandthechimneythatitisconnectedto.Consult

yourmunicipalbuildingdepartmentorfiredepartmentbefore installation.Werecommendthat

you also inform your  home insurance company to find out if the installation will affect your

policy.

This heating unit is designed to serve as a supplementary heat source. We recommend that a

primaryheatsourcealsobeavailableinthehome.Themanufacturercannotberesponsiblefor

costsassociatedwiththeuseofanotherheatingsystem.

Toreceivefullwarrantycoverage,youwillneedtoshowevidenceofthe

dateyoupurchasedyourinsert.Keepyoursalesinvoice.Wealso

recommendthatyouregisteryourwarrantyonlineat:

http://www.osburn‐mfg.com/warranty‐registration.aspx

Registeringyourwarrantyonlinewillhelpustoquicklytrackthe

informationweneedaboutyourinsert.



MatrixInsertInstallationandOperationManual 

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Tableofcontent

PARTA‐OPERATIONANDMAINTENANCE.............................................6



1 SafetyInformation............................................................................6

1.1 SummaryofOperationandMaintenanceCautionsandWarnings......................................6

2 GeneralInformation.........................................................................8

2.1 MatrixInsertSpecifications...................................................................................................8

2.2 ZoneHeatingandHowtoMakeitWorkforYou................................................................10

2.3 TheBenefitsofLowEmissionsandHighEfficiency.............................................................11

2.4 TheSBICommitmenttoYouandtheEnvironment............................................................11

2.4.1 WhatisYourNewInsertMadeOf?.................................................................................11

3 Fuel................................................................................................13

3.1 MaterialsThatShouldNotbeBurned.................................................................................13

3.2 HowtoPrepareorBuyGoodFirewood..............................................................................13

3.2.1 WhatisGoodFirewood?.................................................................................................13

3.2.2 TreeSpecies.....................................................................................................................13

3.2.3 LogLength........................................................................................................................14

3.2.4 PieceSize..........................................................................................................................14

3.2.5 HowtoDryFirewood.......................................................................................................15

3.2.6 JudgingFirewoodMoistureContent...............................................................................16

3.3 ManufacturedLogs..............................................................................................................16

4 OperatingYourInsert.....................................................................17

4.1 Theuseofafirescreen........................................................................................................17

4.2 YourFirstFires.....................................................................................................................17

4.3 LightingFires........................................................................................................................17

4.3.1 ConventionalFireStarting...............................................................................................18

4.3.2 TheTopDownFire...........................................................................................................18

4.3.3 TwoParallelLogs..............................................................................................................19

4.3.4 UsingFireStarters............................................................................................................19

4.4 MaintainingWoodFires......................................................................................................19

4.4.1 GeneralAdvice.................................................................................................................19

4.4.2 AshRemoval.....................................................................................................................20

4.4.3 RakingCharcoal................................................................................................................20

MatrixInsertInstallationandOperationManual 

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4.4.4

 FiringEachNewLoadHot................................................................................................21

4.4.5 TurningDowntheAirSupply...........................................................................................21

4.5 FanOperation......................................................................................................................22

4.5.1 BuildingDifferentFiresforDifferentNeeds....................................................................22

5 MaintainingYourWoodHeatingSystem.........................................25

5.1 InsertMaintenance.............................................................................................................25

5.1.1 CleaningDoorGlass.........................................................................................................25

5.1.2 Dooradjustment..............................................................................................................26

5.1.3 ReplacingtheDoorGasket...............................................................................................26

5.1.4 ReplacingtheGlassGasketand/ortheGlass..................................................................27

5.1.5 CleaningandPaintingtheInsert......................................................................................28

5.2 ChimneyandChimneyLinerMaintenance.........................................................................28

5.2.1 WhyChimneyCleaningisNecessary...............................................................................28

5.2.2 HowOftenShouldYouCleantheChimney?...................................................................29

5.2.3 CleaningtheChimney......................................................................................................29

PARTB‐INSTALLATION........................................................................30

6 Pre‐InstallationMasonryfireplacerequirements............................30

7 SafetyInformation..........................................................................32

7.1 SummaryofInstallationCautionsandWarnings................................................................32

7.2 RegulationsCoveringInsertInstallation..............................................................................32

8 ClearancestoCombustibleMaterial...............................................33

8.1 LocationoftheCertificationLabel......................................................................................33

8.2 TheMasonryFireplaceThroatDamper...............................................................................33

8.3 ComplianceofaCombustibleMantelShelf........................................................................34

8.4 PositioningtheUnit.............................................................................................................35

8.5 MinimumMasonryOpening,ClearancestoCombustibles,andFloorProtector...............40

9 TheVentingSystem........................................................................42

9.1 General................................................................................................................................42

9.2 Block‐OffPlate.....................................................................................................................42

9.3 SuitableChimneys...............................................................................................................43

9.4 Linerinstallation..................................................................................................................43

9.5 Chimneylinerinstallation....................................................................................................44

MatrixInsertInstallationandOperationManual 

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9.5.1

 Ifthechimneylinerdoesalignwiththeinsert’sflueoutlet,youhavetwooptions.......44

9.5.2 Ifthechimneylinerdoesnotalignwiththeinsert’sflueoutlet.....................................45

9.6 MinimumChimneyHeight...................................................................................................46

9.7 TheRelationshipBetweentheChimneyandtheHouse.....................................................46

9.7.1 Whythechimneyshouldpenetratethehighestheatedspace.......................................46

9.8 SupplyofCombustionAir....................................................................................................47

9.8.1 AirSupplyinConventionalHouses..................................................................................47

Appendix1:ReversingtheDoorOpeningandAdjustingtheHandle.....48

Appendix2:InstallingtheAdapterforFreshAirKit(AC01298).............50

Appendix3:FaceplateInstallation.......................................................51

Appendix4:BlowerInstallation...........................................................53

Appendix5:InstallingtheFireScreen(AC01315).................................55

Appendix6:InstallationofSecondaryAirTubesandBaffle..................56

Appendix7:Removalinstructions........................................................58

Appendix8:ExplodedDiagramandPartsList.......................................59

OSBURNLIMITEDLIFETIMEWARRANTY...............................................62



MatrixInsertInstallationandOperationManual 

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PARTA‐OPERATIONANDMAINTENANCE

PleaseseePartBforinstallationinstructions.

1 SAFETYINFORMATION

1.1 SUMMARYOFOPERATIONANDMAINTENANCECAUTIONSANDWARNINGS

• HOT WHILE IN OPERATION, KEEP CHILDREN, CLOTHING AND FURNITURE AWAY. CONTACT

MAYCAUSESKINBURNS.GLOVESMAYBENEEDEDFORINSERTOPERATION.

• USING AN INSERT WITH CRACKED OR BROKEN COMPONENTS, SUCH AS GLASS OR

FIREBRICKS OR BAFFLES MAY PRODUCE AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND MAY DAMAGE THE

INSERT.

• OPENTHEAIRCONTROLFULLYBEFOREOPENINGTHELOADINGDOOR.

• OPERATEONLYWITHDOORFULLYCLOSEDOR FULLY OPENWITHFIRESCREEN IN PLACE. IF

DOOR IS LEFT PARTLY OPEN, GAS AND FLAME MAY BE DRAWN OUT OF THE OPENING,

CREATINGRISKSFROMBOTHFIREANDSMOKE.

• THISINSERTHASBEENTESTEDFORUSEWITHANOPENDOORINCONJUNCTIONWITHAFIRE

SCREEN(AC01315,SOLDSEPARATELY).THEDOORMAYBEOPENORFIRESCREENREMOVED

ONLY DURING LIGHTING PROCEDURES OR RELOADING. ALWAYS CLOSE THE DOOR OR PUT

BACK THE FIRE SCREEN AFTER IGNITION. DO NOT LEAVE  THE INSERT UNATTENDED WHEN

THEDOORISOPENEDWITHORWITHOUTFIRESCREEN.

• NEVER USE GASOLINE, LANTERN FUEL (NAPHTHA), FUEL OIL, MOTOR OIL, KEROSENE,

CHARCOAL LIGHTER FLUID, OR SIMILAR LIQUIDS OR AEROSOLS TO START A FIRE IN THIS

INSERT.KEEPALLSUCHLIQUIDSORAEROSOLSWELLAWAYFROMTHEINSERTWHILEITISIN

USE.

• DONOTSTOREFUELWITHINHEATERMINIMUMINSTALLATIONCLEARANCES.

• BURNONLYSEASONEDNATURALFIREWOOD.

MatrixInsertInstallationandOperationManual 

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• DONOTBURN:

o GARBAGEOFANYKIND,

o COALORCHARCOAL,

o TREATED,PAINTEDORCOATEDWOOD,

o PLYWOODORPARTICLEBOARD,

o FINEPAPER,COLOREDPAPERORCARDBOARD,

o SALTWATERDRIFTWOOD,

o MANUFACTUREDLOGSCONTAININGWAXORCHEMICALADDITIVES,

o RAILROADTIESOR

o LIQUIDSSUCHASKEROSCENEORDIESELFUELTOSTARTAFIRE.



• THIS APPLIANCE SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AND OPERATED AT ALL TIMES IN ACCORDANCE

WITHTHESEINSTRUCTIONS.

• DONOTELEVATETHEFIREBYMEANSOFGRATES,ANDIRONSOROTHERMEANS.

• SOME JURISDICTIONS INTHE USAREQUIRE A SUPPLY OF OUTDOOR COMBUSTION AIRFOR

THE INSERT. IN CANADA, AN OUTDOOR AIR SUPPLY IS NOT REQUIRED, IF A CARBON

MONOXIDE (CO) DETECTOR/ALARM IS LOCATED IN THE ROOM IN WHICH THE INSERT IS

INSTALLED. THE CO DETECTOR WILL PROVIDE WARNING IF FOR ANY REASON THE WOOD

INSERT FAILS TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY. IF YOU ARE REQUIRED TO INSTALL AN OUTDOOR

AIR SUPPLY, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU ALSO INSTALL A CO DETECTOR/ALARM TO

PROVIDEWARNINGIFSMOKESPILLAGEFROMTHEINSERTOCCURS.

MatrixInsertInstallationandOperationManual 

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2 GENERALINFORMATION

2.1 MATRIXINSERTSPECIFICATIONS

FuelType Cordwood

TestStandards(safety) ULCS628,UL737andUL1482

TestStandard(emissions) EPAMethod28(40CFRPart60)

Heatingcapacityrange* 500to2100sq.ft.(47to195m

)

Maximumheatoutput**

(EPAtestfuel)

32200BTU/h(9,4kW/h)

Maximumheatoutput**

(naturalhardwoodfuel)

75000BTU/h(22kW/h)

Optimumefficiency 77,2%

TestStandard(efficiency) CSAB415.1‐10

ApproximateBurnTime 6to8hours

ShippingWeight 480lb(218kg)

FireboxVolume 2,4cu.ft.(0,068m

)

MaximumLogLength 20"east‐west***

FlueOutletDiameter 6"(150mm)diameter(vertical)

BaffleMaterial C‐Cast



* Burn time and heating capacity may vary subject to location in home, chimney draft, chimney

diameter,locality,heatlossfactors,climate,fuelsandothervariables.

** The EPA test fuel is dimensional Douglas fir pieces stapled together into cribs with air spaces

between. We alsotest using thesame

procedure except usingsplit hardwood firewood toreflect

real‐worldheatoutput.Thisinsertisnotintendedtooperateatitspeakheatoutputcontinuously.

***East‐west:throughthedooryouseethesidesof the logs; north‐south:throughthedooryou

seetheendsofthelogs.

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





 

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

2.2 ZONEHEATINGANDHOWTOMAKEITWORKFORYOU

Your new Matrix woodinsertis aspace heater, which means it isintended toheat theareaitis

installedin,aswell as spacesthatconnecttothat area,althoughtoalowertemperature.This is 

calledzoneheatinganditisanincreasinglypopularwaytoheathomesorspaceswithinhomes.

Zone heating can be used to supplement another heating system by heating a particular space

withinahome,suchasabasementfamilyroomoranadditionthatlacksanotherheatsource.

Housesofmoderatesizeandrelatively newconstructioncanbeheatedwithaproperlysizedand

locatedwoodinsert.Wholehousezoneheatingworksbestwhentheinsertislocatedinthepart

ofthehousewherethefamilyspendsmostofitstime.Thisisnormallythemainlivingareawhere

thekitchen,diningandlivingroomsarelocated.By locatingtheinsertinthisarea,youwillgetthe

maximumbenefit of the heat itproducesandwillachievethehighestpossibleheatingefficiency 

andcomfort.Thespacewhereyouspendmostofyourtimewillbewarmest,whilebedroomsand

basement (if there is one) will stay cooler. In this way, you

will burn less wood than with other

formsofheating.

Although the insert may be able to heat the main living areas of your house to an adequate

temperature,westronglyrecommendthatyoualsohaveaconventionaloil,gasorelectricheating

systemtoprovidebackupheating.

Your success with zone heating will depend on several factors, including the correct sizing and

locationoftheinsert,thesize,layoutandageofyourhomeandyourclimatezone.Three‐season

vacationhomescanusuallybeheatedwithsmallerinsertsthanhousesthatareheatedallwinter.



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2.3 THEBENEFITSOFLOWEMISSIONSANDHIGHEFFICIENCY

ThelowsmokeemissionsproducedbythespecialfeaturesinsidetheMatrixinsertmeanthatyour

householdwillreleaseupto90percentlesssmokeintotheoutsideenvironmentthanifyouused

an older conventional stove. But there is more to the emission control technologies than

protectingtheenvironment.

Thesmokereleasedfromwoodwhenitisheatedcontainsabouthalfoftheenergycontentofthe

fuel. By burning the  wood completely, your insert releases all the heat energy from the wood

insteadofwastingitassmoke up thechimney.Also,thefeaturesinside the fireboxallowyouto

reduce the air supply to control heat output, while maintaining clean and efficient flaming

combustion,whichbooststheefficientdeliveryofheattoyourhome.

The emission controland advanced combustion features of your  insertcanonly work properly if

your fuel is in the correct moisture content range of 15 to 20 percent. See Section A3.0 of this

manualforsuggestionsonpreparingfuelwoodandjudgingitsmoisture.



2.4 THESBICOMMITMENTTOYOUANDTHEENVIRONMENT

TheSBIteamiscommittedtoprotec tingtheenvironment,sowedoeverythingwecantouseonly

materialsinourproductsthatwillhavenolastingnegativeimpactontheenvironment.

2.4.1 WHATISYOURNEWINSERTMADEOF?

The body of your insert, which is most of its weight, is carbon steel. Should it ever become

necessary many years in the future, almost the entire insert can be recycled into new products,

thuseliminatingtheneedtominenewmaterials.

Thepaintcoatingonyourinsertisverythin.ItsVOCcontent(VolatileOrganicCompounds)isvery

low.VOCs can be responsible for smog, so all the paint used during the manufacturing process

meetsthelatestairqualityrequirementsregardingVOCreductionorelimination.

Theairtubes

arestainlesssteel,whichcanalsoberecycled.

TheC‐Castbaffle

ismadeofanaluminosilicatefibrematerialthatiscompressedwithabinderto

form a rigid board. C‐Cast can withstand temperatures above 2,000 °F. It is not considered

hazardouswaste.Disposalatalandfillisrecommended.

Firebrick is mainlycomposed of silicon dioxide, also known as silica,a product processedfrom a

mined mineral.It is most commonlyfound in nature inthe form of sandand clay. Disposal ata

landfillisrecommended.

Thedoorandglassgasketsarefibreglasswhichisspunfrommeltedsand.Blackgasketshavebeen

dippedintoasolvent‐freesolution.Disposalatalandfillisrecommended.

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The door glass

 is a 5 mm thick ceramic material that contains no toxic chemicals. It is made of

natural raw materials such as sand and quartz that are combined in such a way to form a high

temperatureglass.Ceramicglasscannotberecycledinthesamewayasnormalglass,soitshould

notbedisposedofwithyourregularhouseholdproducts.Disposalatalandfillisrecommended.

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3 FUEL

3.1 MATERIALSTHATSHOULDNOTBEBURNED

• GARBAGEOFANYKIND,

• COALORCHARCOAL,

• TREATED,PAINTEDORCOATEDWOOD,

• PLYWOODORPARTICLEBOARD,

• FINEPAPER,COLOREDPAPERORCARDBOARD,

• SALTWATERDRIFTWOOD

• MANUFACTUREDLOGSCONTAININGWAXORCHEMICALADDITIVES

• RAILROADTIES

• LIQUIDSSUCHASKEROSCENEORDIESELFUELTOSTARTAFIRE



3.2 HOWTOPREPAREORBUYGOODFIREWOOD

3.2.1 WHATISGOODFIREWOOD?

Good firewood has been cut to the correct length for the insert, split to a range of sizes and

stackedintheopenuntilitsmoisturecontentisreducedto15to20percent.

3.2.2 TREESPECIES

The treespecies the firewood is pr oduced from

 isless important than its moisture content. The

maindifference infirewoodfromvarioustreespeciesisthedensityofthewood. Hardwoodsare

denserthansoftwoods.PeoplewholiveinthecoldestregionsofNorthAmericausuallyhaveonly

spruce, birch and poplar, other low‐density species to burn and yet they can heat their  homes

successfully.

Homeowners with access to both hardwood and softwood fuel sometimes use both types for

differentpurposes.Forexample,softerwoodsmakegoodfuelforrelativelymildweatherinspring

andfallbecausetheylightquicklyandproducelessheatSoftwoodsarenotas

denseashardwoods

so a givenvolumeof wood containsless energy. Using softwoods avoids overheatingthe house,

whichcanbeacommonproblemwithwoodheatinginmoderateweather.Harderwoodsarebest

forcolderwinterweatherwhenmoreheatandlongerburncyclesaredesirable.

Notethathardwoodtreeslikeoak,maple,ashandbeechareslowergrowingandlongerlivedthan

softer woods like  poplar and birch. That makes hardwood trees more valuable. The advice that

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only hardwoods are good to burn is outdated. Old, leaky cast iron stoves wouldn’t hold a fire 

overnight unless they were fed large pieces of hardwood. That is no longer true. You can

successfullyheatyourhomebyusingthelessdesirabletreespeciesandgivetheforesta

breakat

thesametime.

3.2.3 LOGLENGTH

Logsshouldbecutatleast1”(25mm)shorterthanthefireboxsotheyfitineasily.Piecesthatare

evenslightlytoolongmakeloadingtheinsertverydifficult.Themostcommonstandardlengthof

firewoodis16”(400mm).

Thepiecesshouldbeaconsistentlength,withamaximumof 1”(25mm)variationfrompieceto

piece.



3.2.4 PIECESIZE

Firewooddriesmorequicklywhenitissplit.Largeunsplitroundscantakeyearstodryenoughto

burn.Evenwhendried,unsplitlogsaredifficulttoignitebecausetheydon’thavethesharpedges

wheretheflamesfirstcatch.Logsassmallas3”(75mm)shouldbesplittoencouragedrying.

 

Woodshouldbesplittoarangeofsizes,fromabout3”to6”(75mmto150mm)incrosssection.

Having a range of sizes makes starting and rekindling fires much easier. Often, the firewood

purchased from commercial suppliers is not split finely enough for convenient stoking. It is

sometimesadvisabletoresplitthewoodbeforestackingtodry.

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3.2.5 HOWTODRYFIREWOOD

Firewood that is not dry enough to burn is the cause of most complaints about wood inserts.

Continuallyburning greenorunseasonedwoodproducesmorecreosoteandinvolveslackofheat

and dirty glass door. See Section 5: Maintaining your wood heating system for concerns about

creosote.



Herearesomethingstoconsiderinestimatingdryingtime:

• firewoodtakesalongtimetodry

• firewoodboughtfromadealerisrarelydryenough toburn,soitisadvisabletobuythewood

inspringanddryityourself

• dryinghappensfasterindryweatherthanindamp,maritimeclimates

• dryinghappensfasterinwarmsummerweatherthaninwinterweather

• smallpiecesdrymorequicklythanlargepieces

• splitpiecesdrymorequicklythanunsplitrounds

• softwoodstakelesstimetodrythanhardwoods

• softwoodslikepine, spruce,andpoplar/aspencan bedryenough toburnafterbeingstacked

intheopenforonlythesummermonths

• hardwoods like oak, maple andashcan take one, or even two years to dry  fully,especially if

thepiecesarebig

• firewooddriesmorequicklywhenstackedintheopenwhereitisexposedtosunandwind;it

takesmuchlongertodrywhenstackedinawoodshed

• firewoodthatisreadytoburnhasamoisturecontentbetween15and20%byweightandwill

allowyourinserttoproduceitshighestpossibleefficiency

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3.2.6 JUDGINGFIREWOODMOISTURECONTENT

Youcanfindoutifsomefirewoodisdryenoughtoburnbyusingtheseguidelines:

• cracksformattheendsoflogsastheydry

• asitdriesinthesun,thewoodturnsfromwhiteorcreamcoloredtogreyoryellow,

• bangtwopiecesofwoodtogether;seasonedwoodsoundshollowandwetwoodsoundsdull,

• drywoodismuchlighterinweightthanwetwood,

• splitapiece,andifthefreshfacefeelswarmanddryitisdryenoughtoburn;ifitfeelsdamp,it

istoowet,

• burnapiece;wetwoodhissesandsizzlesinthefireanddrywooddoesnot.



You could buy a wood moisture meter to test your

firewood.



3.3 MANUFACTUREDLOGS

Do not burn manufactured logs made of wax impregnated sawdust or logs with any chemical

additives.Manufacturedlogsmadeof100%compressedsawdustcanbeburned,butusecaution

inthe numberoftheselogsburnedatonetime.Startwithonemanufacturedlogandseehowthe

insertreacts.Neverusemorethantwomanufacturedlogs.



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4 OPERATINGYOURINSERT

4.1 THEUSEOFAFIRESCREEN.

Thisinserthasbeentestedforusewithanopendoorinconjunctionwithafirescreen(AC01315,

sold separately). Make sure the fire screenis properly secured on the insert toavoid any risk of

sparksdamagingyourflooring.Whenthefirescreenisinuse,donotleavetheinsertunattended

sothatyoucanrespondpromptlyintheeventofsmokespillageintotheroom.Potentialcausesof

smoke spillage are described in Section 9 The Venting System of this manual. See Appendix 6:

InstallingtheFireScreen(AC01315)forinstallationinstructions.

OPERATING WITH THE FIRE SCREEN INCREASES POSSIBILITIES OF GENERATING CARBON

MONOXIDE. CARBON MONOXIDE IS AN ODOURLESS GAS THAT IS HIGHLY TOXIC AND WHICH

CANCAUSEDEATHATHIGHCONCENTRATIONINAIR.



4.2 YOURFIRSTFIRES

Two things will  happen as you burn your first few fires; the paint cures and the internal

componentsoftheinsertareconditioned.

As the paint cures, some of the chemicals vaporize. The vapors are not poisonous, but they do

smell bad. Fresh paint fumes can also cause false alarms in smoke detectors. So, when you first

light your insert, be prepared by opening doors and/or windows to ventilate the house. As you

burn hotter and hotter fires, more of the painted surfaces reach the curing temperature of the 

paint. The smell of curing paint does not disappear until you have burned one or two very hot

fires.

Burn one or two small fires to begin the curing and conditioning process. Then build bigger and

hotter fires until there is no longer any paint smell from the insert. Once the paint smell

disappears,yourinsertisreadyforseriousheating.



4.3 LIGHTINGFIRES

Each person who heats with wood develops their own favorite way to light fires. Whatever

method you choose, your goal should be to get a hot fire burning quickly. A fire that starts fast

produces less smoke and deposits less creosote in the chimney. Here are three popular and

effectiveways

tostartwoodfires.

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4.3.1 CONVENTIONALFIRESTARTING

Theconventionalway tobuildawood fire

is to bunch up 5 to 10 sheets of plain

newspaper and place them in the firebox.

Next,place10orsopiecesoffinekindling

onthenewspaper.Thiskindlingshouldbe

verythin;lessthan

1”(25mm).Next,place

some larger kindling pieces on the fine

kindling. Open the aircontrol fully and

light the newspaper. If you have a tall,

straightventingsystemyoushouldbeable

toclosethedoorimmediatelyandthefire

will ignite. Oncethe firehas ignited,close

the door and leave the air control fully

open.



Aconventionalkindlingfirewithpaper

underfinelysplitwood.

DO NOT LEAVE THE INSERT UNATTENDED WHEN THE DOOR IS SLIGHTLY OPENED. ALWAYS

CLOSEANDLATCHTHEDOORAFTERTHEFIREIGNITES.

Afterthekindlingfirehasmostlyburned,youcan add standardfirewoodpiecesuntilyouhavea

fireoftherightsizefortheconditions.

4.3.2 THETOPDOWNFIRE

The top down fire starting method solves two problems with the conventional method:  first, it

doesnotcollapseandsmotheritselfasitburns;andsecond,itisnotnecessarytobuildupthefire

graduallybecausethefirebox

isloadedbeforethefireislit.Atopdownfirecanprovideuptotwo

hoursofheatingormore.Thetopdownmethodonlyworksproperlyifthewoodiswell‐seasoned.

Startbyplacingthreeorfourfull‐sizedsplitpiecesofdryfirewoodinthe firebox.Next,place4or5

morefinelysplit piecesoffirewood(2”to3”[50mmto75mm]india.)onthebaselogsatright

angles (log cabin style). Nowplaceabout 10 pieces of finelysplit kindling onthe second layerat

rightangles.

Thefireistopped

withabout5sheetsofnewspaper.Youcanjustbunchthemupandstuffthemin

betweenthekindlingandtheundersideofthebaffle.Oryoucanmakenewspaperknotsbyrolling

up single sheets corner to corner and tying a knot in them. The advantage of knots is that they

don’t roll off the fire as they burn.Light the newspaperandwatch as the fire burnsfrom top to

bottom.

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4.3.3 TWOPARALLELLOGS

Placetwospitlogsinthefirebox.Placeafewsheetsoftwistednewspaperbetweenthelogs.Now

placesomefinekindlingacrossthetwologsandsomelargerkindlingacrossthose,logcabinstyle.

Lightthenewspaper.

4.3.4 USINGFIRESTARTERS

Manypeople

liketousecommercialfirestartersinsteadofnewspaper.Someofthesestartersare

made of sawdust and wax and others are specialized flammable solid chemicals. Follow the

packagedirectionsforuse.

Gelstartermaybeusedbutonlyiftherearenohotemberspresent.Useonlyinacoldfireboxto

startafire.

DO NOT USE FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS SUCH AS GASOLINE, NAPHTHA, FUEL OIL, MOTOR OIL, OR

AEROSOLSTOSTARTORREKINDLETHEFIRE.



4.4 MAINTAININGWOODFIRES

4.4.1 GENERALADVICE

Wood heating with a space heater is very different than other forms of heating. There will  be

variations in the temperature in different parts of the house and there will be variations in

temperature throughout the day and night. This is normal, and for experienced wood burners

theseareadvantagesofzoneheatingwithwood.

Donotexpectsteadyheatoutputfromyourinsert.Itisnormalforitssurfacetemperaturetorise

after a new load of wood is ignited and for its temperature to gradually decline as the fire

progresses.Thisrisingandfallingoftemperaturecanbematchedtoyourhouseholdroutines.For

example,theareatemperaturecanbecoolerwhenyouareactive,suchaswhendoinghousework

or cooking, and it can be warmer when you are inactive, such as when reading or watching

television.

Woodburnsbestincycles.Acyclestartswhenanewloadofwoodisignitedbyhotcoalsandends

whenthatloadhasbeenconsumeddowntoabedofcharcoalaboutthesamesizeasitwaswhen 

thewoodwasloaded.Donotattempttoproducea steadyheatoutputbyplacingasinglelogon

thefireatregularintervals.Alwaysplaceatleastthree,andpreferablymore,piecesonthefireat

atimesothatthe heatradiatedfromonepiecehelpstoignitethepiecesnexttoit.Eachloadof

wood should provide several hours of heating. The size of each load can be matched to the 

amountofheatneeded.

When you burn in cycles, you rarely need to open the insert’s loading door while the wood is

flaming. This is an advantage becausethere ismore chance that smoke willleak fromthe insert

whenthedoorisopenedasafullfireisburning.

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IFYOUMUSTOPENTHEDOORWHILETHEFUELISFLAMING,OPENTHEAIRCONTROLFULLYFOR

AFEWMINUTES,THENUNLATCHANDOPENTHEDOORSLOWLY.

4.4.2 ASHREMOVAL

Ashshouldbe removed from the firebox every two or three days of full time heating. Do not let

theashbuildupinthefireboxbecauseitwillinterferewithproperfiremanagement.

Thebesttimetoremoveashisafteranovernightfirewhentheinsertisrelativelycool,butthereis

stillsomechimneydrafttodrawtheashdustintotheinsertandpreventit

fromcomingintothe

room.

After ashes havebeen removed from theinsert andplaced in a tightly coveredmetal container,

they should be taken outside immediately. The closed container of ashes should be placed on a 

non‐combustible floor or on the ground well away from all combustible materials pending final

disposal.Ashesnormallycontainsomelivecharcoalthatcanstayhotforseveraldays.Iftheashes

are disposed of by burial in soil or otherwise locally dispersed, they should be retained in the

closedcontaineruntilallcindershavethoroughlycooled.Otherwasteshouldnotbeplacedinthis

container.

NEVERSTOREASHESINDOORSORINANON‐METALICCONTAINERORONAWOODENDECK.

4.4.3 RAKINGCHARCOAL

Rekindlethe firewhenyounoticethatthe roomtemperaturehasfallen.Youwillfindmostofthe

remaining charcoal at the back of the firebox, furthest from the door. Rake these coals towards

the door beforeloading. There aretwo reasons for this raking of the coals. First,it concentrates

themnearwheremostofthecombustionairentersthefireboxandwheretheycanignitethenew

loadquickly,andsecond,thecharcoalwillnotbesmotheredbythenewloadofwood.Ifyouwere

tosimplyspreadthecharcoalout,thenewloadwillsmoulderforalongtimebeforeigniting.



Removeashfirst,andthenrakecharcoaltowardsthe frontofthefireboxbeforeloadingsothatit

willignitethenewload.

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Osburn Matrix, Matrix insert, OB02021 Operating instructions

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