Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolJan 2, 202011:51 pm

What is the purpose of a firebrick?

If you have a wood-burning or multifuel stove you will no doubt have come across the term firebrick. You will probably have bought one, maybe even installed one yourself but what is the actual purpose of a firebrick? What do they do? Do they need replaced? What are the signs of wear and tear?

Protection and added heat

The key to the performance of firebricks is the fact that even under the most intense heat the outer surface always remains cool. If you take a look at your stove you will see that the firebricks are used to line the inner area of the firebox which is traditionally made of steel or cast iron. This prompts the question, if the firebox is made of such tough metal then why does it require the protection of firebricks?

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolJan 2, 20205:27 pm

Do I need a chimney/flue liner for my stove?

There are many different issues to consider when installing a wood-burning/multifuel stove. For many people the decision whether to install a chimney/flue liner will be relatively straightforward. However, before you venture down the route of […]

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolJan 2, 20203:49 pm

Why won’t my baffle plate sit properly?

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.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolDec 19, 20194:23 pm

Planning your stove purchase, installation and maintenance in the summer

At first glance the idea planning a stove purchase, installation or even maintenance of an existing machine in the summer might seem bizarre? Who uses a stove in the summertime? Why on earth would you even begin planning a purchase, installation or maintenance of an existing stove in the hot summer months? Well………………..

Planning ahead

Many people seem to assume that once you purchase a stove it can be installed immediately and hey presto, job done. The reality is very different, even the process of choosing a stove relevant to you is not easy. There are many factors to take into consideration such as:-

•   What kind of stove would fit your room?
•   What heat capacity do you require?
•   Are there restrictive regulations in your area?
•   Have you budgeted for the cost of installation?
•   Are you looking for a contemporary or traditional design?

These are relatively simple questions, but sometimes it is best to see them written down to focus your mind. It is highly advisable to approach your local stove retailer at the earliest opportunity so you are not wasting time looking at stoves when it may not be possible due to your building shape, size, etc.

Promotions by CarolDec 13, 20196:09 am

Bowland Stoves and our 12 stoves of Christmas

What better way to enjoy those cold winter nights than tucked up in front of a wood-burning stove and the ambience this creates. Sit back, relax, let your troubles disappear and enjoy the Bowland Stoves version of our 12 days of Christmas. So, what did Father Christmas bring on the first day of Christmas?

On the first day of Christmas my true love brought to me… a Franco Belge Belfort stove

There is something about traditional-looking wood-burning stoves which draws your eye, catches your attention and takes you back to a world when contemporary stoves were non-existent. Just check out the lines, the design, the traditional front window and the overall ambience the Franco Belge Belfort stove brings to the room.

Click here for more information: Franco Belge Belfort stove

Latest Stoves by CarolDec 6, 20191:38 am

Broseley Evolution Ignite 5 Widescreen Multifuel Stove

It really is not difficult to see why the Broseley Evolution Ignite 5 Widescreen Multifuel Stove is proving so popular, even if it is still relatively early days. In effect Broseley have taken the expanded viewing area from the Broseley Evolution Ignite 7 Multifuel Stove and integrate this into the Broseley Evolution Ignite 5 Stove. Simple but genius!

Building on popularity

There is a saying in business; you do not need to reinvent the wheel to be successful. We know that widescreen stoves are the latest popular trend, demand is growing and new products are being released into the market. So, what better way for Broseley to respond than by taking an already popular multifuel stove and expanding the viewing area? It is also worth noting that this stove is Eco-Design Compliant despite the fact that these regulations do not come into play until 2022 – now that is planning ahead. So what do you get with your Broseley Evolution Ignite 5 Widescreen Multifuel Stove?

Stove News by CarolDec 5, 20192:43 pm

Air pollution and modern stove technology

Is the stove industry doing enough to combat climate change?

Climate change has been a central theme through the ongoing UK general election and is likely to continue to be a focal element of any future UK government. We have seen demonstrations across the world, promises of additional assistance from governments and the public are starting to put pressure on their political representatives. However, is the stove industry doing enough to combat climate change?

Renewable fuel sources

Perhaps one of the most basic issues to consider first of all is the use of wood as a fuel for wood-burning/multifuel stoves. This is a renewable source of energy as for each tree cut down another can be planted in its place. Indeed if we listen to the political parties today, they are promising to plant millions of trees across the UK to remove a degree of carbon from the atmosphere. So, when it comes to wood burning stoves it is fair to say that renewable fuel sources are a useful addition to the fight against global warming.

Spare Parts & Accessories by CarolNov 7, 20192:32 pm

We have revamped our stove accessories section

After speaking to a number of customers we have decided to revamp our stove accessories section to make it much easier. Historically, all stove accessories were categorised into different brands which made it difficult to filed alternatives to some branded accessories. Therefore, we have now separated each product into four basic categories at the moment with many more to follow. So, whether you are looking to replace a stove accessory or perhaps looking at something for Christmas, there are many different items to choose from.

Stove fans

We have an array of different stove fans from the simple two blade stove fan up to the four blade stove fan. While many people may not have heard of stove fans, there are extremely simple and they can be extremely effective. So how do they work?

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolOct 24, 20193:32 pm

Buy: Hunter Herald 6 Double-Sided Double Depth Stove

Step-by-step guide to cleaning your cast iron stove

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.

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.