Author: Carol

Latest Stoves by CarolAug 24, 20173:01 pm

Have you seen the new Franco Belge Vicky 5 wood burning stove?

Franco Belge may have changed hands on a number of occasions in the past but there has never been any doubt about the quality of Franco Belge stoves. Thankfully the brand is now in safe hands and the company has again started to release new products into the marketplace. The latest such stove is the Franco Belge Vicky 5 wood burning stove which is catching the attention of stove enthusiast for a number of reasons.

Traditional old world look

While Franco Belge is possibly better known for its more innovative and contemporary stoves the Franco Belge Vicky 5 wood burning stove is a throwback to traditional style at an affordable price. This is one of the smaller stoves in the Franco Belge range which slots perfectly into the company’s portfolio, expanding the different room sizes which their stoves cover. Even just the quickest of glimpses at this stove will highlight the extended viewing area, the traditional box style and what looks to be on the surface a relatively simple stove. However, like all modern day stoves they hide the latest in combustion technology and air flow systems.

Promotions by CarolAug 24, 201711:34 am

Bowland Stoves gift vouchers

As the ongoing success of our Bowland Stoves money off vouchers scheme continues to gather pace, a number of customers have asked whether they can buy gift vouchers as presents for friends and family. While this is something we have considered in the past, we believe now is the perfect time to launch our Bowland Stoves gift vouchers which are available online in denominations of £25, £35, £75 and £120. However, if you require a different denomination we can create a personalised gift voucher for you.

Spending Bowland Stoves gift vouchers

Whether you are looking to buy a stove, spare parts or one of the many accessories now available, you can use your Bowland stoves gift voucher as part/full payment with no restrictions. They are also valid for use with the array of promotions and special offers we will run from time to time. The opportunity to buy a much appreciated gift for Christmas, birthdays or any other special occasion which is also practical seems to appeal to many people.

Stove News by CarolAug 22, 201711:30 am

Five must have items if you own a wood-burning stove

Stoves and the European Ecodesign Directive

In the future you will likely see mention of the European Ecodesign Directive when looking at stoves. Even though it has not been heavily publicised in the UK this is a directive from the European Union which covers a whole array of products and includes electric and fossil fuelled heating equipment.

At this moment in time the Ecodesign Directive is not firmly in place but is more of a consultation arrangement with the industry. In simple terms it sets out mandatory (eventually) ecological requirements for energy using and energy related products sold across all 28 EU member states. The aim is to reduce energy consumption as well as the impact of various pieces of equipment on the environment. There will come a day when all stoves will need to comply with the Ecodesign Directive assuming this comes in before the UK leaves the European Union.

Impact on the environment

As we have mentioned on numerous occasions, the modern day wood-burning stove is a highly efficient heating machine. Aside from the fact we have primary, secondary and tertiary combustion systems available, in a worst-case scenario burning wood will only release the same amount of CO2 that a tree ingests in its lifetime. So, from a pure burning wood point of view there is little more in the way of improvement required from the combustion system.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolAug 7, 20179:00 am

Wood-burning stoves, maximising heat output

What are the benefits of a soapstone wood stove?

The variety of wood-burning stove available today is immense and many people are slightly confused about what a soapstone wood stove has to offer. You will see from the images online that a soapstone wood stove is certainly more elegant, more well-defined and more often than not more expensive. Many automatically assume that the soapstone is purely and simply for decorative purposes but this is not the case. There are real benefits of a soapstone wood stove against the more traditional cast-iron body stove.

What is soapstone?

Soapstone is a material which is created deep under the earth where there is immense heat and pressure. This ensures that the soapstone material is extremely stable and able to withstand incredible heat after it has been mined. The material is made up of talc, chlorite, amphiboles and traces of iron chromium oxides and has been used for carvings and sculptures for hundreds of years. So, why is soapstone used in the manufacturing of wood-burning stoves?

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolAug 3, 20172:18 pm

Franco Belge stoves and spare parts

There are many different types of Franco Belge stove including the Limousin, Savoy Elegance, Monaco, Montfort Elegance and Belfort which continue to sell extremely well. If you have a budget of anywhere between £650 and £1500 you will find a number of stoves to consider. These are particularly high quality stoves which are stand-alone and perfect for the traditional fireplace or any other area of your room. So, what do you get with each different type of Franco Belge stove?

Franco Belge Limousin Stove

One of the larger models in the range, the Franco Belge Limousin Stove has an enlarged glass door so you can view the flickering flames and the burning embers to their very last spark. Thankfully this model has the latest airwash system which ensures that the glass door is clean at all times. There is also an additional loading door which will allow you to use logs of up to 50 cm in length. Ideal for larger rooms and areas that require a substantial heat output it is not difficult to see why this is one of the more popular ones for larger rooms.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolAug 3, 20179:00 am

Four reasons to install a wood-burning stove

We all know that the wood-burning stove market has increased dramatically over the last 20 years. The technology associated with the industry has come on in leaps and bounds and the modern day wood-burning stove bears little resemblance to those of 20 years ago with regards to technology. We therefore thought it would be interesting to list four reasons to install a wood-burning stove in your house and the benefits it will bring.

Unique feature

Each room has a focal point whether this is a coal fire, television, an outstanding piece of furniture or a wood-burning stove. There are obviously other benefits to installing a wood-burning stove but such is the variety today that you can buy one to go perfectly with your interior decor. Inset stoves, stand-alone stoves, vertical stoves, horizontal stoves and many more are available on the market today.

Firewood and Fuel Tips by CarolJul 31, 201712:01 am

Five simple ways to maximise the efficiency of your wood-burning stove

The wood-burning stove we see today is very different to that of 10 years ago and almost unrecognisable from those on the market 20 years ago. There have been some monumental changes in the wood-burning stove industry and new technology is now coming to the fore. However, there are still some simple ways in which you can maximise heat output and ensure as little energy as possible is wasted.

Only burn seasoned wood

Only seasoned wood with a moisture reading of less than 20% should be used with your wood-burning stove. It may be tempting to use cheaper more moist fuel but not only will this reduce the output from your stove but it can also create a tar-like material which can impact the flue and the stove itself. You might think you are saving money by getting substandard wood but you will eventually pay the price. Those who live in the countryside may have the option to acquire what is known as “green wood” and season this over a prolonged period of time but others may be forced to buy pre-seasoned wood.

Promotions by CarolJul 27, 201712:18 pm

Process of replacing broken stove door glass

Bowland Stoves money-off vouchers towards your next purchase

We believe we are one of the most competitive stove companies on the market and pride ourselves on our customer service record. As a means of rewarding our loyal customers we recently introduced a money-off voucher scheme when you spend a minimum of £200. There is no minimum order value when redeeming your vouchers so whether you need a relatively cheap spare part or you are looking to change your stove, you can use your money-off voucher whenever you like.

Details of our money-off vouchers

All money-off vouchers are valid until 31st January 2018 and you will receive a physical money-off voucher when your order is delivered. Each money-off voucher will contain a unique voucher number which you simply use when you checkout with your online order or quote this number if purchasing over the telephone. There is a sliding scale whereby the more you spend the larger the money-off voucher:-

Spare Parts & Accessories by CarolJul 27, 201712:01 am

Five interesting accessories for wood-burning stove enthusiast

You have bought the stove, you have your wood supply to hand and this new style of heat is deep-seated and extremely welcome. However, are you making the most of your wood-burning stove? Are you making life as simple as possible when collecting fuel? There are some interesting accessories for the modern day wood-burning stove enthusiast to consider.

Log carriers and log baskets

Whether you are carrying logs in from nearby or you are venturing into the woods to find natural fuel you will need to consider a log carrier and a log basket. There are many different types of log carrier and log basket made from different materials and different styles. One of the more popular types has to be the wicker basket which doubles up as a log carrier and a stylish log basket.

Firewood and Fuel Tips by CarolJul 24, 201712:01 am

The environment and wood-burning stoves

As wood-burning stoves continue to become more popular across the UK there have been a number of misleading articles in the press regarding their pros and cons. There have even been insinuations that wood-burning stoves create dangerous gases above and beyond those created by traditional heating methods. We thought it worthwhile putting these issues to bed with regards to the environment, wood-burning stoves and the real situation.

Before we start

Before we start there is one thing to bear in mind, the use of a wood-burning stove takes in the quest for fuel, the actual burning and the emissions into the atmosphere. These are done before your very eyes whereas when looking at alternative fuel sources such as electric and gas the majority of the environmental damage is done prior to “receipt” of these fuels in your home. This is the element which we don’t see, which is often ignored and not taken into account when comparing and contrasting wood-burning stoves against other heating methods.