In this work the primary combustion zone of a modified, commercial, small-scale boiler was investigated during staged combustion of wood-chips. Experimental research on thermal conversion of biomass in fixed beds is necessary to supply reliable data for gas phase combustion model validation and optimization. Furthermore, scruting of pollutant emission formation and combustion efficiency enhancement can be conducted. Two different fuel moistures were used while the primary combustion zone of a small-scale boiler was investigated as a function of the primary air ratio. The combustible products leaving the fuel layer were analyzed under continuous operation by an extractive method. This approach is new in the field of small-scale biomass combustion research and considers the strong coupling between the products leaving the fuel bed and the heat fluxes emitted by the flame of the secondary combustion zone. Additionally, fine particulate matter emissions were quantified to study the effect of varying primary air ratio and different fuel moisture on particulate formation. Results show that the primary air ratio and the fuel moisture have a significant influence on the primary combustion products composition, on the fuel bed behavior and on fine particulate matter emissions. At low primary air ratios, tars constitute a significant part of the heating value of primary combustion products. The smallest amount of particulate emissions was found at low primary air ratio and low fuel moisture. Experimental data was validated with an elemental balance, which showed perfect accordance. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.