Home is where the hearth is
Inside Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Localisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 What’s been happening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 The technology of wood heating . . . . . . . 6-7 What not to burn in your fire . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Testimonials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11
Tips for keeping healthy this winter . . . . . . . 12 Home is where the Art is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Why is the glass going black on my wood heater? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Apple Crumble Recipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 SmartBurn Winter Sudoku . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
WINTER 2021
Welcome
Welcome to our 2021 ‘Home is where the Hearth is’ annual newsletter. The course of the past year has heightened our concept of home. Home is a place of certainty in an uncertain world. For most people home is the centrepiece of family, a place of relaxation and contentment. More than ever, home is a place of safety, of good hygiene, a place of self-reflection and education. The emotional separation between work and home life has merged for many. Great to see wood heaters increasingly central to the ambience and well-being in the home. Like all businesses we thank our amazing team who have adapted to working separately, to educating children at home, and experiencing university without attending campus. Proudly Australian Made since our foundation 16 years ago, we continue to support our customers, our local suppliers, our retail partners, our consistent and ever reliable manufacturing team to dispatch SmartBurn with no supply issues through a period of significant change and demand. We are sincerely grateful to all of our customers for bringing the benefits of SmartBurn into your homes, for focussing on flue safety, efficient wood use, and for the increased consciousness on smoke reduction benefits across your neighbourhood, and especially for choosing to support Australian Made products.
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We encourage you to take a positive step each day towards your good health, look out for your neighbours. Learn to find the opportunity in change. Take comfort in the simplicity of life and let nature be your teacher. Wishing the best of health to you and your family, from ours.
Kind regards,
Glenn & Lisa Fretwell and the SmartBurn team
More Heat & Less Smoke From Your Wood Fire
Localisation
The Local in the Global Globalisation remains one of the biggest phenomena to alter the shopping experience, and there has been no greater acceleration agent than the internet. Naturally, this has provided many shoppers with a flexible, easy shopping experience and greater freedom of choice. However, in light of this globalised shopping format, where does this leave Australian businesses? And how does this interconnected system hold up in times of global upheaval? Industrialised manufacturing is moving towards localised production, bringing smaller plants closer to end markets, less effected by shipping, government tariff wars and being able to quicker respond to consumer demands. Local production can be more adaptive to changes in market requirements, often with innovative production methods providing cost savings, greater environmental consciousness and utilise less working capital in the supply chain. It's clear that after the major disruption of the global economy last year that we must be conscious participators in the creation of our country’s new norms. The emerging localisation movement, similar in concept that agriculture adopted many
years ago of ‘paddock to plate’ where local businesses are championed over international corporations, presents a solution to the weak link in globalisation’s chain. Supporting local businesses means they themselves can in turn give back to the community that supports them to promote environmental sustainability, community cohesion, employment opportunities, in addition to economic stability. In 2020, the team at SmartBurn were recognised with the certification of ‘Australian-Made’ logo. Since inception 16 years ago each product has been proudly made in our WA facilities by our enthusiastic team. In particular, we are privileged to provide employment opportunities to our crew of older generation staff, who lift our team with pivotal experience, humour and an outstanding work ethic. With our product available for purchase both in-store and online, you can still enjoy a flexible shopping experience whilst supporting local business, suppliers, retailers and the Australian economy.
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What’s been happening… More time at home More time at home has meant that wood heaters have been burning more than ever. Positively home owners were more concerned about flue maintenance and safety and have a greater consciousness over environmental safety. Pictured here was our family chipping in over the Easter weekend filling orders, when we all first experienced a lockdown.
Retail Store Support The 2020 IHG Mitre 10 Gold Coast conference might be a distant memory though an important connection with our retail store partners. Glenn is pictured near the Dulux station with “Alexander”. Did you know there are multiple ‘Dulux Dogs’ as mascots, one for each state? The recent February 2021 conference was a Virtual Conference, we prefer face to face contact.
2020 $1,000 prize winner Congratulations to this year’s $1,000 SmartBurn cash prize winner Mitchell Wolff from Cowaramup; a rural town in Western Australia’s wine region. It is a real joy to award this prize as well as the 10x free SmartBurns that we gift away each month. Real people do actually win! Send in your entry form on the back page, or from the ‘How To Use’ sheet inside each product box for your chance to be a lucky winner in 2021.
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More Heat & Less Smoke From Your Wood Fire
Hot Tip:
Transition to regional areas and wood heating
Secure your supplies of qu ality firewood early
Offering better affordability and more alluring lifestyles, outer metropolitan suburbs and in 2021. regional towns are benefiting from an accelerated increase in population and visitors that has been evident for a number of years. The percentage of homes using wood as their primary source of heating can be four to five times the national average of 10% (ABS 2016) in these regions due to the greater affordability of wood and the penetrating and lasting heat benefits that wood heating offers in these typically colder areas.
Dr Keith S impson and Da vid Ga skill –
Firewood Supply in 2021
Awesom e effort fe
llas, we love your
work!
Important Reminder Firewood is best seasoned for a year before it is dry enough to burn, to a moisture content below 20%. In light of the widespread Australian January 2020 bushfires, many of the plantation areas that would have been harvested for wood and cured during late 2020 were not accessible. Combined with strong consumption during winter 2020, this has created a potential shortage in wood supply for the incoming 2021 season in some Australian regions. The price of firewood is expected to rise, so best to buy early and be organised.
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The consequences from burning green, unseasoned and wet firewood are blocked flues, poor heat output, blackened glass, and excessive smoke. SmartBurn is able to provide you with a 17% more effective burn of wood therefore a reduction in how much wood is required to heat your home. smartburn.com.au
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The technology of wood heating The Principles of wood combustion Wood is a complex fuel. It goes through three main phases when it burns. The first phase is drying, when any moisture left in the wood is evaporated. This absorbs energy. Once dry, the increasing temperature causes the wood to undergo chemical change and gas is released from the wood. This is the time when the highest concentration of smoke is produced. If there is a vigorous flame in the wood heater, then this stage of combustion is shortened and most of the smoke is burnt up before it gets to the flue. The second phase of combustion is the main flame burning stage. Burning kindling, or other burning wood, ignites the gases coming off the new wood. The gases burn to give the bright flame we see when wood is burning. The fastest release of gas occurs during the first 20 minutes or so after refuelling a hot heater.
It is essential to have plenty of air to mix with the gas to make sure it burns. This is why it is so important to keep the air control fully open for the first 15 - 20 minutes. Once the wood is well alight, with some burning embers on the wood surface, the chances of the flame disappearing are slight, even when the air is reduced. The main flame combustion phase, which lasts for one to two hours in a typical heater, releases about half the energy in the wood. The third phase of wood burning is the charcoal stage. Once most of the gas has been released from the wood, a residue of almost pure carbon remains. This burns with very little release of smoke. This is when the air supply can be reduced without producing smoke particles. Source: Professor John Todd who has been involved with heater research for more than 30 years
Get the most value from your wood We encourage wood heater owners to take
•
larger logs for slower burning
responsibility of their wood heaters to minimise smoke pollution in the neighbourhood and save money on
Use smaller logs to get the fire established and
•
Stack log ends front to back, not side to side for better air flow
running costs. It is important to remember that smoke is actually wasted fuel that could otherwise have been converted
•
Do not overfill the heater
•
Keep the air controls fully open for the first 20 minutes of operation and again
to heat if the wood had burned more efficiently. Individually, wood heater owners can do a huge amount to reduce the pollution they emit and save
after adding wood •
Add a SmartBurn to increase the woods
money too.
performance by 17%
You can minimise the amount of smoke from a wood
and reduce particle
heater if you;
emissions by up to 54%
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Burn only dry, seasoned, untreated wood
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Establish a good fire quickly with plenty of kindling
•
Maintain your heater and flue
Tip You can still use a SmartBurn w ithin a pellet heater, as lo ng as you fin da place to supp ort it flat and level within yo ur burn chamber.
Wood Pellet Heaters Incredibly popular in other parts of the world particularly Europe and North America the uptake of wood pellet heaters in Australia has been minimal relative to the approx. 40,000 new solid wood burning heaters sold annually across Australia. Pellet heaters are appealing 6
for convenience, simplicity and environmental gains, however the availability of an economic pellet supply is often cited as a barrier. Australians overwhelmingly favour their traditional solid wood burning heaters.
More Heat & Less Smoke From Your Wood Fire
New Technology “Load and Leave” New technology seen globally entering the solid wood burning heater market are automatically controlled wood heaters that offer the customers the luxury of being able to load and leave. This new tech has sensors that automatically adjust airflow into the firebox to maximise burning efficiency and minimise smoke. Without this automation, the airflow ought to be adjusted back to high for 20 minutes after each re-load of wood.
SmartBurn is a proud finalist and winner of 72 Awards
Importance of a good flue How does a chimney or flue work? Think of the chimney as the engine that drives the heater. The more fuel (heat) you give the engine (chimney flue), the more power (draft) it will deliver. And draft is good! When you build a fire in a heater where the chimney flue is installed correctly, the kindling ignites easily, draft increases rapidly and you should have a nice bright, hot fire quickly.
What effects draft? The hotter the gases are inside your chimney compared to the outside temperature, the stronger the draft will be. The height of your chimney and draft are related; a taller chimney will create a stronger draft.
Installation The flue must be of the correct size, design and type for the appliance and your roof.
requirements for total height, height above the roof peak, and clearances for the penetration of the ceiling and roof.
Maintenance We recommend the services of a chimney professional to inspect your flue, not only for cleaning, but for structural and corrosion issues on an annual basis.
Thinking of buying a new wood heater? Be sure to check out the information available at www.homeheat.com.au for a list of all of the Certified Wood Heater models that are approved for sale in Australia. You can also compare efficiency and smoke output between models. This comprehensive resource site is provided by the Australian Home Heating Association of which SmartBurn are members and supporters.
Your flue must be installed in accordance with the Australian Standards AS/NZS2918 meeting minimum smartburn.com.au
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What not to burn in your fire
SAFETY TIP
Always wear heatproof gloves when loading woo d to your fire, every time!
The fireplace is admired by some not only for its comfort-factor, but also its potential capacity for waste disposal. Consider this list of items to never burn in your fireplace. 1) Magazines. Whilst that old stack of glossy magazines may seem innocent enough, the inks and coatings release toxic chemicals with burning. 2) Wet firewood. In addition to making lighting tougher, wet or damp firewood as fuel often results in a smokier burn and a greater build-up of creosote in your chimney. 3) Painted or treated timber. The chemicals contained change in nature and release nasty compounds with heat, which can harm your health and wood heater. 4) Plastics, foam and other household rubbish. Though it may seem an enticing way to quickly get rid of that empty bottle or that item that just won’t fit in your rubbish bin, household rubbish can very quickly become a hazard once placed in your fire, releasing highly toxic chemicals in fumes, including dangerous dioxins.
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5) Evergreen Wood. The last thing you’d expect to read on this list is wood, however evergreen trees, such as flowering gum release resin with burning that can result in a greater build-up of creosote. Softwoods give a fast burn, however don’t provide long lasting coals. 6) Driftwood. Covered in salt burning driftwood releases sodium and chlorine ions. The chlorine ions can lead to formation of toxic compounds such as dioxins and furans. Salty driftwood will cause corrosion within your firebox and flue system. 7) Accelerants. Lighter fluid, kerosene, and petrol are all designed for very specific uses and should never be used to fuel an indoor fire. These accelerants often contain methanol and petroleum-based chemicals that produce toxic fumes. They are highly flammable and can produce large, unexpected flare-ups that spread the fire into your home and potentially on you.
More Heat & Less Smoke From Your Wood Fire
Why is SmartBurn the Ultimate chimney cleaning system?
BEFORE
AFTER
Wood heater owners – don’t light your fire without the amazing SmartBurn
AHHA Laboratory Emission Results
The SmartBurn combustion enhancing device removes existing creosote and prevents further build-ups in your flue. Also enjoy up to a 17% longer overnight burn, up to 54% less smoke emissions, and a cleaner glass door on your wood heater. Simply place the SmartBurn tube level in your wood fire, which when heated releases natural, non-toxic and noncorrosive ingredients, to optimize the performance of your fire, and value from your wood. One SmartBurn tube will last for approximately three months if burning each night.
Without SmartBurn
With SmartBurn
OMNI-Test Laboratory Emission Results
SmartBurn has been scientifically tested for efficiency and safety, received 72 Awards for Environmental Sustainability and Innovation and sold over half a million units since 2005. As featured on multiple TV shows, see our customer reviews and testimonials. Maintain your flue simply, with Australia’s proven chimney cleaner whilst getting More Heat & Less Smoke from your wood fire today…. with SmartBurn!
Without SmartBurn
With SmartBurn
Note: how the SmartBurn makes the biggest difference when the fire is first lit and there is the potential for the most smoke to be made and released.
Scan this code with your phone to learn more about SmartBurn
Why use SmartBurn?
17% more heat
54% less smoke
Clean glass
Natural ingredients
Noncorrosive
Australian owned
Scientifically tested
Lasts 3 months
Chimney cleaner
Less ash
Multi-award winning
Gentle on the environment
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Testimonials We sincerely thank each and all of our fantastic customers who have written us a review over the past few months. If you’ve had a positive experience with us we’d love to hear about it. Anytime you spend writing us a review on Product Reveiw.com or major hardware stores websites we are ever grateful for! My mother handed down family recipes and handy hints- your SmartBurn was on that list!
Brandy Ackerman - NSW
Have been buying your product for
over 3 years now after discovering this gadget on the internet. We have a combustion heater. We LOVE this product and have told all our fellow burners about it!! Fabulous that it is Australian made!! Keep up the great work!
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Lyn Fawcett - QLD
Remarkable! I read the product reviews and was pleasantly surprised when it lived up to its reputation. This device is truly remarkable! Creosote clearly reduced. My fireplace looks better than before.
Will Bain - NSW
I don’t usually recommend
Spotted your product at the local
products but this did what the label said. I had been concerned with flue accumulations and the idea of cleaning it. I previously emptied the ash after each fire… now its every few days as the burn is more complete and the fire is noticeably hotter while the glass stays clear and clean. I wasn’t using it correctly to start with but after sales over the phone was excellent. Wouldn’t not use it now.
Bunnings… thought why not. Had lots of grief with our wood burner last winter. Mate, I am so pleased with your product. Chimney draws better, glass stays cleaner, wood burns easier. It’s a must have. Thank you.
Lee Fewings - NSW
I have to say the customer service
Garth Watson - NSW
was exceptional when I called to ask about the SmartBurn. Since using the SmartBurn the glass has been cleaner (after a couple of trial and errors with positioning it in the firebox) and a fire hotter. Best of all I cannot see any smoke from the chimney, not even a thin blue haze. It's unbelievable.
Raelene - VIC
FACT: According to the 2020 Local Consumer Review Survey 87% of consumers now read online reviews for local businesses.
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Tips for keeping healthy this winter 1) Herbal tea is an effective way to keep both hydrated and warm, but also provides a number of safeguards for sickness. Peppermint, for instance may unblock sinuses and fight bacterial infection, whilst camomile reduces inflammation and can aid with sleep. Add a spoonful of raw honey ease symptoms of the common cold and other ailments. 2) Citrus fruits are rich in multiple nutrients such as vitamin C, flavonoids, and fibre which give vascular protection, reduce inflammation, improve gastrointestinal function and can not only help
with preventing colds, but can also decrease the duration of symptoms if you do fall ill. If you are looking to vamp up an old recipe, consider adding garlic or ginger as these vegetables are loaded with antioxidants. 3) Exercising outdoors, take a walk, or have you considered Yoga? Yoga can be incredibly helpful in calming the mind, allowing you to manage stress and brighten your mood. It can improve strength, flexibility and if done in a group Yoga can connect you with a supportive community.
7 Simple ways to eliminate negative thoughts 1) When things go wrong ask yourself…What’s good about this? w Our first reaction is often nothing! How do you turn this situation around, perhaps introduce a new behaviour or different way to get to where you want to be. 2) When you are feeling sad or irritated…Get into nature. w It is true that when life hurts, nature heals, put air and space around you outside. 3) When you feel like complaining…Don’t. w What you focus on grows, don’t fill your head with unpleasant thoughts, think positively. 4) When you are feeling overwhelmed…Get rid of the junk. w Stress is often connected to clutter, check your environment, clean up around you. 5) When negative people are driving you nuts…Give yourself a break. w Who you hang out with is who you become. Set an example to negative people to live passionately and positively. 6) When you lack confidence…Picture your success. w Berating yourself never works. Say to yourself, “I’ve got this!” What you think about, you bring about. 7) Anytime…exercise. w Movement produces happy chemicals in the brain. Source: Seven points by Andrew Matthews
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More Heat & Less Smoke From Your Wood Fire
Home is where the Art is Are you minding younger family members, but stuck indoors with the wintery weather? Here are a few ideas of eco-friendly crafts that will help peel our little ones away from the screens and spend some time exploring their creative genius. They can be made using easily accessible equipment either from a short venture around the block or a rummage through office draws.
hts g i l a e t p u Paper ce outside with textas
Paper Animal Hats Pictured below, these masks are made from brown paper bags, twine, texta, and leaves. Cut the paper bags down each of their fold lines so you’re left with two single sheets of brown paper. Then cut the two sheets in half to
th it by Decorate finishing , d e ir s e cup. is d und the however ro a s le c ching cir the cup hole-pun base of e th to in a light y the Add a te n to enjo o ti u a c h it wit and light rows. light it th e k li i tt confe
Fishing Rods Walk outside to find the perfect stick to form a fishing rod. Tie a 60cm piece of twine to one end and a small magnet to the other. Design and decorate your own fish or ocean creatures out of paper, cutting them to shape, then attach a metal paperclip. Have fun as you place the fish on the floor and try picking them up with your magnetic rod!
form rectangular strips. Choose an animal and decorate the strips with eyes, whiskers, noses and other facial features (except for the ears!). Once your little one has finished drawing their design go for a venture through the garden to find leaves that could resemble ears. We used magnolia leaves for long rabbit ears and wide, circular leaves as koala ears. Attach the leaves to the top of the hat on the underneath side using sticky tape, then hole punch the sides of the hat and loop through with twine. Tie the twine around the back of your child’s head. Enjoy using them as costumes for a play!
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Why is the glass going black on my wood heater? A blackening of the glass on any wood heater is a sign of poor or incomplete combustion. Good draft is key. A fire that is run too cool or on low too much of the time will not draft well and the excess smoke naturally builds up on the glass since this is the coolest part of the firebox.
Wet wood - There is no surer way to cause dirty glass and creosote build-up in your flue than to burn unseasoned or high moisture content wood. The moisture in the wood condenses as creosote inside the flue. Wood moisture meters costing from $30 can give you quick peace of mind. Clean your glass regularly and have a very hot fire in the morning to help burn it off.
A taller flue will provide better draft on a wood heater. Running the flue liner all the way up the chimney cavity on an insert heater will also improve draft. A partially blocked flue will restrict airflow, impede draw and cause lower temperatures and incomplete
The SmartBurn combustion enhancing device triggers a lower ignition temperature of the flammable material within the firebox, allowing unburned smoke to combust within the firebox, rather than passing up the flue, or settling on your glass.
combustion, contributing to a blackening of the glass.
Tip ing - Wet Glass Clean rally and ash gene Newspaper door. s n your glas works to clea w artBurn ill Adding a Sm this for you continually do rt. physical effo without the
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More Heat & Less Smoke From Your Wood Fire
Apple Crumble
I have been making this recipe for Dad since I was 10yrs. His favourite! It’s quick, easy and a great comfort food on those cold winter nights. Enjoy! Heart Chloe.
Ingredients Apple Filling
Crumble
1 kg (or approx. 6) apples, cored, chopped into cubes (tinned apples work too if you’re short on time!) ½ cup coconut sugar ¼ cup arrowroot or tapioca powder
½ cup desiccated coconut ½ cup almond meal 1 cup rolled oats ¾ cup coconut or brown sugar
1 tsp ground clove
½ cup of organic spelt or plain flour
2 tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground ginger Pinch salt
150ml of coconut oil or butter, melted
2 tbsp water
2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla
Method
Preheat the oven to 180˚C fan-forced.
In a large mixing bowl add all filling
ingredients and ensure apples are well coated by the sugar and spices.
Reusing the mixing bowl, stir
in all the dry ingredients. Pour over coconut oil and stir until small clumps form a crumble.
Evenly heap the crumble
Spread them over the base
mixture over the apples and bake for 40 mins.
of a medium baking dish.
We continue to support Youth off the Streets As SmartBurn helps you keep warm and safe this winter, our thoughts are with the 19,400 children aged 0-14yrs who were homeless on Census night 2016, forced to spend their nights cold and vulnerable. Many wonderful organisations provide specialist homelessness services to some 65,000 youth. It feels good to give through financial support to Youth Off the Streets so they may continue to build stronger and safer communities.
smartburn.com.au
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SUDOKU ANSWERS
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Sudoku
Follow us
To complete the sudoku each row, column and square (9 spaces each of 3x3) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the row, column or square. Once you’ve given it your best crack, the answers can be found upside down on pg 15.
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Contact Information
Repeat User
Name
Clean Flue
Address
Cleaner Glass Less Ash
Suburb State PC
Longer Wood Burn
Telephone
R educe Smoke Emissions
Other
Rate us How would you rate your SmartBurn experience? Send to SmartBurn Unit 2, 63 Walters Drive Osborne Park, Western Australia 6017
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SmartBurn Australia
More More Heat Heat & Less & Less Smoke Smoke From From Your Your Wood Wood FireFire
T: +61 8 08 9202 0700 E: orders@smartburn.com.au smartburn.com.au
