A high percentage of humidity produces condensation in the
smoke duct causing an alteration in the draught and
generating smoke and a significant deposit of soot on the
glass of the door and in the flue pipe with a possible risk of a
chimney fire later on.
6.4. FIRST LIGHTING
It is advisable to approach the first lighting with caution, using
good-quality, well-seasoned wood.
The primary air inlet must be fully open. Do not use alcohol,
petrol, or other volatile flammable substances. On first lighting,
fumes and unpleasant smells may be given off, caused by the drying of
the product; this is not hazardous, and it is sufficient to ventilate the
room. Once combustion has started, pieces of wood of normal size may
be added.
The flame must have as far as possible a smooth and laminar flow. On
the various occasions when the stove needs reloading, the door
should be opened slowly, to avoid blowbacks of smoke into the
room.
Proceed as follows:
Place a small amount of balled paper in the stove.
Cover the paper with a small quantity of twigs and a few pieces of
wood.
Open the primary air register completely (lever all the way to the
right).
Light the paper, and if necessary leave the door up.
When the twigs are burning, the door can be closed.
As the fire burns, add wood. Never overload the fireplace stove
with wood (see technical specifications in the table).
As soon as the flames have died down and a bed of embers has
formed, load the stove normally. Small loads of wood are preferable to
large ones for combustion.