Latest Stoves by CarolSep 14, 20172:29 pm

Varde Lincoln wood-burning stove

The Varde Lincoln wood-burning stove (also available as a multifuel stove) is a little similar in shape and size to the popular Hwam wood-burning stoves. The cylindrical shape, extended viewing area and the general look and feel of the stove bode well for traditional or contemporary style decor. While there is no doubt that traditional wood-burning stoves, with their solid square shape, continue to sell extremely well, there is also no doubt demand for more contemporary and more adventurous stove designs is growing. So, the Varde Lincoln wood-burning stove is placed right in the middle of this particular range and we are sure it will do very well.

Technical aspects

As we touched on above, while the Varde Lincoln wood-burning stove version is more popular, there is also a multifuel option. Classed as contemporary in style it has dimensions of height 1000 mm, width 510 mm and a depth of 450 mm.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolSep 11, 20179:00 am

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

What is a flue liner and what does it do?

If you begin to look at the installation of a wood-burning or multifuel stove you will come across the term “flue liner”. It is a vital element of any stove installation and while frequently mentioned many people are still not fully aware of what a flue liner does. In simple terms it is a clay, ceramic or metal “pipe” inside the chimney which extracts gases created during the combustion process and releases them into the atmosphere. They can seem relatively expensive but as we will cover in this article, they are a vital safety element.

Dangerous chimneys

Over the years there have been various surveys carried out across the UK with regards to the safety of old-fashioned chimneys. Many have seen deterioration in their safety and it got to such a point that unlined chimneys were often described as “little less than criminal”. This prompted a significant change in the building regulations and today things are very different. Safety is paramount, new regulations offer new protections and those looking to install wood-burning and multifuel stoves need to be HETAS qualified or the installation signed off by local authority building control departments.

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

Common mistakes when installing a wood-burning stove

With more and more people looking at installing a wood-burning stove in their homes it is perhaps time to look at common mistakes in this area. While the regulations are perfectly clear we have seen occasions where people installing stoves have tried to cut corners and cut costs to the detriment and potential safety of the customer. You would automatically assume in this day and age that installers would stick rigidly to the regulations although unfortunately this is not always the case.

Combustible materials

The register plate is a vital element of any stove installation because it is literally a failsafe mechanism which will stop leaked gases from entering your room. It is also there to collect any debris which may fall down your chimney to the potential detriment of your stove and your safety. While the vast majority of stove installations will have a flue liner as standard there will be occasions where there is no flue liner. In the event of gas leaks it is imperative that the register plate, commonly made of steel, is secure.

Stove News by CarolSep 4, 20173:06 pm

Wood-burning stoves, maximising heat output

Should the UK government incentivise the use of wood-burning stoves?

Whether or not you believe the UK government should further incentivise the use of wood-burning stoves, this is certainly a growing industry. The difference between traditional energy costs and fuel for wood-burning stoves (and multifuel stoves) continues to grow. However, there is a growing opinion that the UK government should do more to incentivise the use of wood-burning stoves.

Wood fuel subsidy

Before we begin to look at potential ways the UK government could help the wood-burning stove industry, it is worth noting that wood for stoves attracts a reduced VAT rate of just 5%. Historically there have also been tax advantages for those maintaining forestry although these are nowhere near as generous today as they were in years gone by. So, the UK government is doing something to assist the wood-burning stove industry but surely more could be done?

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolAug 31, 20177:58 am

How do they measure the efficiency of a wood-burning stove?

The efficiency of a wood-burning stove is a very useful indicator as to how much fuel will be used and how much will be “wasted”. For the modern day stove we see figures approaching 80% and while these do give an indication of an efficient machine how do they actually calculate the efficiency of a wood-burning stove?

Calculating the efficiency rating

First of all it is vital that you do not confuse the heat output figure, which is quoted in kilowatts, against the efficiency rating which is quoted in percentage terms. These are two very different figures as the heat output figure takes into account the lowest and the highest output from the machine.

Latest Stoves by CarolAug 28, 20173:40 pm

Check out the Franco Belge Seba wood burning stove

Those who follow the wood-burning stove industry will be well aware that Franco Belge is a name which many thought had disappeared. It may have changed ownership in recent years, it may have been subjected to untrue rumours but there is no doubt the company is back with the launch of the Franco Belge Seba wood burning stove. Just one of three new launches by the company, slowly but surely its reputation is being rebuilt and stove enthusiasts are starting to warm to the Franco Belge name again.

Contemporary in style

As you can see from the image this is not your stereotypical traditional wood-burning stove but more of a contemporary meets new technology. The Franco Belge Seba wood burning stove will certainly turn heads, catch the attention of passers-by and it is a perfect conversation starter for a party. This is the type of style which is perfect for a contemporary decor but it will fit in just as well with a traditional styled room. Many people will associate the Franco Belge of years gone by with this particular style and this particular type of stove. So, let’s now take a look at the technical detail.

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

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

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?