Category: Stove Advice & Maintenance

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolOct 17, 20195:28 pm

How to light a wood-burning stove

Those who have not yet had the chance to light a wood-burning stove might automatically think it is very easy. Throw in a few logs, the odd fire lighter and hey presto you have a bonfire in seconds. Keep throwing on those big logs and you will create that perfect ambience, that deep seated heat and be able to sit back and relax. In practice it is very different although it is just a case of getting used to what feeds your fire and what starves your fire. So, we will now take a look at the process of lighting a wood-burning stove and the dos and don’ts.

What do you need to light a wood-burning stove?

Surprisingly, the real key (but not the secret ingredient) to lighting a wood-burning stove is the kindling, how you light it, where you position it and ensuring that it is able to light the larger logs. However, there are other elements that you will need with the full list below:-

Firelighters

There are many different types of firelighters you can buy some of which are specifically manufactured for stoves. They are often wood byproducts and do not contain the nasty chemicals that many firelighters burnt in the past. It is also possible to make your own firelighters which may be something as simple as small strips of newspaper. However, to get the right hold, to build up the right heat and get things going, manufactured firelighters work best.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolOct 10, 201911:45 am

We have revamped our stove accessories section

When should you start using your wood-burning / multifuel stove?

The first thing to say is there is no set time/period during which you should use your wood-burning/multifuel stove. There are a lot of factors to consider with the most obvious being the weather. Due to climate warming, changing seasons or simply cyclical temperature changes across the globe, the start, end and duration of stove firing season has changed lately. So, when is it most popular to start using your wood-burning/multifuel stove?

September appears to be the most popular month

We carried out a straw poll on the Arbtalk forum and while only a small number of members responded, we found that around 67% of those who use stoves will start to light up again in September. This is when the summer comes to an end and the autumn begins with a significant change in weather, temperature and wind. As you will see below, there have been some significant variations in British monthly temperatures which tend to dictate when wood-burning/multifuel stoves are brought out of hibernation!

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolSep 26, 20195:42 pm

Review: Firefox 8.1 Wood-Burning and Multifuel Stove

Compare and contrast wood, multifuel, gas and electric stoves

For the last few years there has been a significant increase in demand for gas and electric stoves. Only just now are many people learning of the significant advances in technology and the design of gas and electric stoves. We have companies such as Hunter Stoves utilising their award-winning wood-burning/multifuel stove designs in the gas and electric ranges. However, have you stopped to think of the individual pros and cons of wood/multifuel, gas and electric stoves?

Wood-burning/multifuel stoves

You will no doubt have heard much about the pros and cons of wood-burning/multifuel stoves in recent times. The government is attempting to discuss these heating options with the likes of open coal fires which are significantly less efficient. So, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of wood/multifuel stoves.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolSep 26, 20191:17 pm

Best-selling carbon monoxide meters

There is no doubt that progress has been made with regards to carbon monoxide meters and their role in the stove installation process. It is now illegal to install a stove without a carbon monoxide meter and we can only speculate at the number of lives this has already saved. For those not aware of carbon monoxide, this is an odourless and colourless gas which can literally kill.

What does carbon monoxide do to the body?

Exposure to excessive levels of carbon monoxide will have an impact on the lives of healthy and unhealthy people. In simple terms, carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen carried around the body by the haemoglobin in red blood cells. As oxygen is vital for the brain, heart, nervous tissues and other vital organs, this can cause serious complications.

Levels in excess of 2.5% carbon monoxide in haemoglobin will begin to have a noticeable impact on an individual’s health. Small increases in carbon monoxide levels in the body will see a person having trouble concentrating, becoming clumsy as if they are drunk and a feeling of excessive tiredness. As the levels begin to rise, up to 40%, this will impact the vital organs of the body. Those with heart disease will be at greater risk of a heart attack and children/unborn babies are at particular risk because they are still growing and developing.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolAug 29, 20192:51 pm

Five common mistakes when looking to buy a wood-burning stove

The idea of buying and installing a wood-burning stove is often romantic, seems relatively easy and straightforward. In reality there are a number of issues to consider before choosing the most appropriate stove other than cost. So, what are the most common mistakes made when looking to buy a wood-burning stove?

False economy

There is a saying “buy cheap, buy twice” which is very apt when buying a wood-burning stove. Very often first-time buyers are tempted to look towards the cheaper end of the market. That is not to say there are not some exceptional quality stoves at the lower end but there are also some which are not necessarily built to last.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolAug 29, 201912:57 pm

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

As the number of wood-burning and multifuel stoves continues to grow in the UK, it is worth knowing the five must have items for stove owners. While some of these items may seem decorative, they are still essential when considering your safety. So, what would you have as your top five items?

Carbon monoxide alarm

Carbon monoxide is not known as the “silent killer” for no reason. It is now illegal to install a stove without a carbon monoxide alarm such is their importance to safety. In this instance we are talking about carbon monoxide alarms in relation to wood-burning, and multifuel, stoves but they also prove useful for other appliances such as faulty gas boilers. How do they work?

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolAug 29, 20199:35 am

Five ways to keep your stove glass as clean as possible

For those with a wood-burning stove one of the main attractions is the ability to watch the flickering flames and the burning embers. There is nothing quite like the relaxing image of a glowing wood-burning stove and the slow burning deep heat which fills the room. However, to get the best out of your wood-burning stove you need to ensure that your stove glass is clear at all times.

Here are some interesting and in some ways innovative ways in which you can keep your stove glass as clean as possible. However, remember, never use abrasive materials/products on your stove glass and always clean with gentle circular motions.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolAug 22, 20191:36 pm

Why are Ecodesign stoves so important?

If you have looked into the stove industry of late you will no doubt have come across the subject of Ecodesign and Ecodesign ready stoves. This is an EU program to reduce emissions and allow consumers to recognise eco-friendly/highly efficient stoves at a glance. In the UK the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) is pushing for all future stoves to be Ecodesign compliant as a means of protecting the industry going forward. The SIA has also released a new logo to recognise Ecodesign compliant stoves.

What difference will Ecodesign stoves make?

Well, the first thing to say is that particle matter emissions from Ecodesign stoves will be 55% lower than their DEFRA equivalent. If you recall, DEFRA was the leading light regarding more eco-friendly stoves in the UK so this is a significant development. The ability to reduce particle matter emissions to such an extent will help combat health issues such as asthma going forward.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolAug 22, 201911:24 am

The impact of a wood-burning stove on heating bills

As you will expect, we are asked many questions by customers looking to buy wood-burning stoves which of course we welcome. One of the most popular questions relates to how using a wood-burning stove might impact a customer’s heating bills. In reality, the impact that a woodburner may have on your heating bills will depend upon a variety of different issues.

Energy Saving Trust

The Energy Saving Trust is a well-respected body which has access to in-depth information regarding energy use across the UK. The simple advice from this body is that installing a wood-burning stove can reduce your energy bills by 10%. The situation will vary from customer to customer, from area to area with a lot of emphasis on how the machine is used.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolAug 16, 20191:58 pm

Is the stove industry doing enough to combat climate change?

Investing in a moisture meter could save you hundreds of pounds

For less than £25 you can buy a good quality moisture meter which will quite literally tell you the level of moisture in any material. In this instance it is worth its weight in gold when measuring moisture in wood for your stove. So, how could this relatively cheap item save you hundreds of pounds?

Wet and dry wood

Some people are under the misapprehension that you can literally burn anything on your wood-burning stove and it will work fine. This is especially relevant when discussing wet and dry wood and the heat value. While it is fairly obvious that dry wood will burn better than wet wood, do you know why this is the case?