Hamer Fires 5 Series: Basset 5 / 5 Tall - Catalog - Page 56
FUEL OVERLOADING AND PRECAUTIONS
Fuel Overloading
To ensure safe and ef昀椀cient operation of your stove, it is essential to avoid overloading it with fuel.
Exceeding the speci昀椀ed maximum amount of fuel can result in excess smoke, reduced ef昀椀ciency, and
potential damage to the appliance.
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Wood Fuel: Never load wood above halfway past the back 昀椀rebrick liner or allow the logs to touch
the glass.
Maximum Log Size: Logs should not exceed a diameter of approximately 150mm and a length of
350mm.
Only load one log at a time if adding to a hot, well-established 昀椀re bed to maintain proper air昀氀ow
and combustion.
Smokeless Fuel: When loading smokeless fuel, ensure the initial load is level with the top of the fuel
retainer. This helps provide adequate space for air circulation and prevents excessive smoke or
inef昀椀ciency.
Refuelling on a Low Fire Bed
Warning: Refuelling onto an insuf昀椀ciently hot 昀椀re bed can result in excessive smoke emission. Always
ensure there is a suf昀椀cient quantity of glowing embers and ash to ignite the new fuel quickly. If the 昀椀re
bed lacks adequate embers, use kindling and set the control lever fully to the left (three clicks from the
centre) to allow maximum air昀氀ow for ignition or boosting the 昀椀re. This mode should only be used when
starting or reviving the 昀椀re to ensure ef昀椀cient combustion and minimise smoke.
Avoid turning down your stove to the point where no 昀氀ames are visible, as this leads to poor
combustion and low ef昀椀ciency. Unburnt gases released from the wood will not combust at low
temperatures, causing these gases to condense into creosote within the stove and 昀氀ue system. This can
increase the risk of a future chimney 昀椀re.
Additionally, residual smoke exiting the chimney will pollute the surrounding environment and produce
unpleasant odours. Always ensure 昀氀ames are visible during operation for ef昀椀cient combustion and safe
stove performance.
Note: No matter how good your chimney is, it will not perform well if not used correctly. Conversely, even
a poor chimney can deliver acceptable results with proper stove use. Ensuring correct operation of the
stove, including appropriate air昀氀ow control, refuelling techniques, and the use of correct fuels, is essential
for optimal performance, ef昀椀ciency, and minimal smoke emissions.
Periods of Prolonged Non-Use
If the stove is to remain unused for an extended period, it is important to perform a thorough cleaning to
remove all ash and unburnt fuel residues. This helps to prevent the buildup of moisture and potential
damage caused by corrosion or condensation. To allow proper air昀氀ow through the appliance and reduce
the risk of condensation, leave the air controls fully open during the period of non-use. Ensuring
adequate ventilation within the stove will help maintain its condition and prevent long-term damage.
Before using the stove again after a prolonged shutdown, carefully inspect the appliance and chimney for
any blockages, such as debris, soot buildup, or obstructions caused by nesting animals. It is also
important that the 昀氀ue connection, any appliance baf昀氀es or throat plates, and the chimney are swept
thoroughly prior to lighting up. If any blockages or buildup are found, clean the affected areas completely
before relighting the stove.
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SISB5 - REV1.7 / Issue Date 09-04-2025
