Over the last few years we have written many different blog post covering regulations, maintenance, new stoves and an array of different advice. The recent announcement that the UK government is to ban wet wood fuel highlighted the popularity and importance of some of our recent and historic posts. So, we thought it would be useful to put together a list of the top 10 most popular stove information/maintenance blog posts.

1.    What is a stove baffle plate and why might it need replaced?

This has been our most popular blog post by a long way and highlights the importance of stove baffle plates. The best way to describe a stove baffle plate is a shield at the top of the fire chamber which deflects heat back into the combustion chamber. This ensures that as much heat as possible builds up within your stove and is then radiated throughout your room in a controlled manner.

We thought it best to get the main headline across in response to the disgraceful reporting of the government’s “wet wood ban” by some areas of the UK media. Those who follow our blog will be aware we have written about the pitiful standard of reporting when it comes to wood-burning stoves and air pollution. So, rather than publish an article of our opinion let us take a look at the truth behind the headlines.

Is there a UK wide ban on wet wood on the way?

Before we dig deeper into the misleading headlines regarding the use of wood-burning stoves going forward, this simple headline shows the poor standard of reporting. This is not a UK wide ban on wet wood; it is a ban in England which will come into force next year for large manufacturers of wood and in 2022 for smaller manufacturers. The Welsh and Scottish governments are currently in middle of their own consultation period and will announce their findings fairly soon.

To the naked eye wood-burning and multifuel stoves look like very sturdy and very strong units. The truth is that they are extremely strong and long-lasting but there are still ways in which you can make them more efficient and also extend their life. We hear many examples of stove enthusiasts cleaning their machines once a year only to find damage, rust and other problems. Repair and maintenance is an ongoing process and you should carry out regular checks throughout the year.

Clean your glass

The modern day wood-burning/multifuel stove is fitted with an airwash system which ensures that the glass viewing area is clear at all times. This not only enhances the experience of those in the room but it also extends the life of your glass – removing particles which can cause damage. If for some reason your glass begins to go cloudy, perhaps the airwash system is not having the same impact then it may be time to clean the glass manually. It is advisable to use specialist cleaning product but many people also find that a newspaper dipped in malt vinegar is just as good. Under no circumstances use abrasive material to clean your glass, this will cause long-term damage.

We regularly take phone calls from clients concerned why their baffle plate will not sit correctly in the stove or wondering why it is “wonky”. As we have touched on in our other articles about baffle plates – a stove baffle plate is positioned in one of the hottest areas of your machine. While made of extremely tough metal they can in certain circumstances begin to warp and in extreme cases you may find holes beginning to appear.

What causes warping of a baffle plate?

Even though this piece of equipment is placed in one of the hottest areas of your stove, it is built to last and it is built to take extreme heat. The problem is when users over fire their wood-burning stove thereby creating excessive heat which will eventually impact the dimensions of the stove baffle plate.

While there are many different types of stoves available today, made from many different materials, old-fashioned cast iron stoves are still extremely popular. This is because the material is perfect for storing and then slowly radiating heat throughout your room over a prolonged period of time. However, unless you clean your cast iron stove on a regular basis you will see a buildup of residue which can impact the efficiency as well as the amount of fuel required.

We have put together a step-by-step guide to cleaning your cast iron stove, the do’s, the don’ts and ways in which you can increase efficiency and improve the longevity of your stove.