To get 100% of the efficiency from your new energy fireplace and keep the glass clean, you must forget about the traditional way of lighting. The "ecological" lighting, often referred to as upside down or top-down fire, is the most efficient and clean way to start a fire in an energy fireplace. Unlike the traditional method where we put the kindling down, here we reverse the logic.

So instead of putting the kindling under the large logs, do the exact opposite by placing the thicker logs at the bottom and as you go up, in layers and crosswise, the smaller and thinner logs.

This method dramatically reduces smoke, protects the fireplace glass and saves fuel.

How to Make an Eco-Friendly Fire:

  • The Base: Place 2-3 large, thick logs on the floor of the fireplace, leaving a small distance between them for air circulation.
  • The Middle Layer: Place some thinner logs crosswise on top.
  • The Top (Lighting): At the top of the pile, place the very thin logs (slivers or thin twigs) and the eco-friendly kindling (e.g. cubes of wax and wood, not oil).
  • The Lighting: Light the fire from the top.


Why does it work? The fire starts burning from the top down. The heat preheats the chimney immediately, creating draft, while the exhaust gases from the lower logs burn as they pass through the flame, reducing smoke by 50-80%.

Why is it considered “Eco-Friendly”?

  • Reduced Emissions: As the fire burns from top to bottom, the smoke coming out of the lower wood (as it heats up) is forced to pass through the flame already above. Thus, the gases burn instead of escaping into the chimney as pollutants.
  • Clean Glass: Minimal soot (smoke) is produced, so the glass of the energy fireplace remains clean for much longer.
  • Chimney Preheating: The flame at the top immediately heats the chimney, quickly creating the necessary "draught" (pull), avoiding the house smoking at the beginning.
  • Longer Duration: The fire develops more slowly and in a controlled manner, giving more heat with less wood.

Ignition and how it works:

  1. Ignition: It starts with the air duct fully open to supply the fire with oxygen.
  2. Start of secondary combustion: After approximately 5 minutes, secondary combustion begins as the gases burn above the main flame.
  3. Pyrolysis activation: After 10 minutes, the bypass flap closes, forcing the smoke to pass through the flue, which allows the gases to burn at high temperatures.
  4. Continuous operation: After 10 minutes, the base of the wood has ignited, with the coals and kindling on top, ensuring efficient and clean combustion.


1. (Ignition): Open air duct. 2. (1-5 minutes): Start of secondary combustion. 3. (5-10 minutes): Flap closed, secondary or tertiary combustion is activated. 4. (10-20 minutes): The base of the wood has been ignited by the coals and the kindling has been from above.


Golden Tips for Energy Fireplaces

Always Dry Wood: The moisture content of the wood must be below 20%. Wet wood does not burn, it simply “simmers”, produces tar and damages your glass and chimney.

Oxygen: At first, leave the air vents wide open. Once the fire “takes hold” well and the large logs start to burn, adjust the air to half or even completely closed for economy and longer duration.

No to magazines and plastics: Do not use glossy paper or laminated cardboard, as they release toxic substances.

The energy fireplace has control “lever”. The correct management is as follows:

  • When lighting: Open all the air vents (primary and secondary air) to the maximum so that the fire gets oxygen.
  • During operation: After the fireplace has heated up well (after 20-30 minutes) and embers have formed, close the primary air (usually the lower lever) and leave the secondary air open. This way, combustion becomes slow, efficient and the glass remains clean. Later, you can close the secondary air depending on your requirements.

The Right Wood is the A and Z.

No energy fireplace will perform if the wood is not right:

Humidity below 20%: Only use wood that has been dried for at least 1-2 years. Wet wood wastes all the heat to evaporate the water, produces tar and darkens the glass.

Wood types:

  • Oak/Olive: Burns slowly, lasts a long time and holds embers.
  • Beech: Gives a nice flame and heats up quickly, but burns faster.
  • No pine/fir: For kindling only, as they contain resin that stains the chimney and can cause a fire in the flue.

Regular Maintenance:

  • Ash cleaning: Do not empty the ash every day. A 1-2 cm layer at the base helps maintain temperature and protects the metal.
  • The Glass: If it gets dirty, clean it with a a damp cloth or kitchen paper that you will dip in the white ash of the fireplace itself (it is the best natural cleaner). Alternatively, you can use the special cleaners that are on the market.
  • Annual Cleaning: Once a year (usually in the fall), a special chimney sweep must clean the Inox chimney.

First Operation (Caution!)

When you light the fireplace for the first time after installation:

  • It will smell strongly (like burnt plastic/paint). This is normal, as the paints and sealants are “baking”.
  • Leave a window open.
  • Make a medium fire the first time, not too strong, to “lay” the hearth.