Firewood and Fuel Tips by CarolFeb 13, 20203:13 pm

Practical uses for your wood burning stove wood ash

We live in a world where recycling and environmentally friendly actions certainly speak louder than words. Over the last few months we have seen a number of negative articles regarding wood-burning stoves which often contain misleading information. So, we thought it might be refreshing to take a look at the practical uses for wood ash. You will be surprised how useful it can be!

Garden fertiliser

There are occasions where wood ash can be used as an element in garden fertiliser where it will increase the pH level of the soil. The useful component in this scenario is the trace minerals from tree wood which are extremely useful for plant health.

Compost heaps

Many gardeners swear by the use of wood ash in their compost as a means of boosting nutrients and encouraging worms and other visitors. Bizarrely, some people suggest that wood ash on a compost heap will stop large animals from digging. How many bears do you find in Manchester? Should they not be in the woods?

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolJan 30, 202011:18 pm

5 simple ways to make your stove more efficient

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.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolJan 30, 20209:58 pm

Stoves just for houses…Think again

The chances are that 99.9% of the images you see regarding wood-burning stoves relate to a house. You can very quickly appreciate the ambience, the atmosphere and the relaxed feel about the place. However, did you know there are numerous other locations in which both wood-burning and multifuel stoves are very popular?

We will now take a look at some of the more obvious and perhaps less obvious locations for that wood-burning stove.

Barges

The barge stove market is a lot bigger than many people would ever imagine. Stove manufacturer Morso has proven to be extremely popular amongst barge owners creating a very lucrative niche market. It would appear that the size and the power of some of the relatively small Morso stoves make a perfect fit for that barge home.

Latest Stoves by CarolJan 30, 20209:19 pm

Hunter Herald Allure wood-burning stoves

The Hunter Herald Allure range of wood-burning stoves is a breath of fresh air in a sector which attracts an array of different designs, styles and looks. Akin to a throwback to bygone years this range of wood-burning stoves gets back to basics, focuses on the experience and the traditional look and feel of a wood-burning stove. So, what do you get with the Hunter Herald Allure 4, 5 and 7 wood-burning stoves?

Hunter Herald Allure 4 wood-burning stove

As the name suggest, the Hunter Herald Allure 4 wood-burning stove is the baby of the group but do not underestimate its stature, its look or popularity. For many people it is the flickering flames and the burning embers which draw your eye. The traditional look and the power of the latest in combustion technology create heat output of between 3 kW and 5 kW. This is more than enough to heat a small to medium size room and Hunter have also thrown in a huge viewing area.

Stove News by CarolJan 30, 20205:41 pm

Scottish government under pressure to restrict wood-burning stoves

The “Centre for Cities” annual study of the UK has highlighted the dangers of air pollution across many of the U.K.’s major cities. While there is a huge North-South divide with regards to particulate matter (PM2.5), with the South fairing worst, the Scottish government has already promised action in the short term. However, there are some obvious discrepancies in the report and concerns that wood-burning stoves are yet again unfairly taking the brunt of the criticism.

Long-term air pollution

The report suggests that one in 29 deaths in Scotland’s large towns and cities is now linked in some shape or form to air pollution. Quite how air pollution equates to JUST wood-burning stoves in the mind of politicians and regulators is unclear. There are numerous ways in which air pollution is created with ever more efficient wood-burning stoves having a reduced impact. It is common knowledge that PM2.5 particles are extremely dangerous because they can be inhaled deep into the lungs. This can lead to an array of medical conditions such as asthma and other more serious illnesses.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolJan 23, 20209:02 pm

Planning your stove purchase, installation and maintenance in the summer

Holiday cottages, wood-burning stoves and a great experience

There is no doubt that holiday cottages with wood-burning stoves attract much more traffic and much more custom. It is therefore no surprise to see that many holiday let landlords put wood-burning stoves front and central of their advertising campaigns. This prompts the question, why are wood-burning stoves so popular with holidaymakers?

Back to nature

Looking at a wood-burning stove for the first time it is difficult to guess the myriad of combustion technology under the surface. What may look traditional and rustic on the outside will contain systems which burn, re-burn and burn again all emissions. This has led to a significant increase in the efficiency of modern day wood-burning stoves while still managing to maintain that rustic, old world back to nature feel. So what else attracts holidaymakers to wood-burning stoves?

Stove News by CarolJan 23, 20202:07 pm

HETAS challenges government report on emissions

Since the UK government issued a raft of reports suggesting that wood-burning stoves are the main source of particle of matter emissions (known as PM2.5) the industry has been fighting back. There are a number of common misconceptions regarding the wood-burning stove industry and emissions. We will now take a look at the HETAS commissioned report and some of the more common inaccuracies now seemingly associated with wood-burning stove emissions.

Huge increase in stove registrations

It is safe to say that there has been a huge increase in the number of wood-burning/multifuel stoves over the last few years. Indeed official figures by HETAS suggest that stove registrations increased from 12,000 a year back in 2004 up to 130,000 a year in 2014. This is a huge increase in stove registrations many of which will use the older technology which is not as environmentally friendly as those manufactured today.

Gas and Electric Stoves by CarolJan 9, 20202:03 pm

Arada Holborn Gas Medium Stove

The best stove companies on the ones that are able to spot trends very quickly and introduce new products at a relatively early stage. So, when the Arada Holborn Gas Medium Stove was released it is fair to say that Arada were well aware of the changing trends and the growing popularity of gas stoves. The next challenge was to create a machine which effectively mimicked a wood burner/multifuel stove, giving the same look and feel, but was fuelled by gas. Tricky!

Step forward the Arada Holborn Gas Medium Stove

Even the merest of glimpses at the Arada Holborn Gas Medium Stove confirms this is a traditional machine with what is certainly an enlarged viewing area. We know that wood-burning/multifuel stove enthusiasts are mesmerised by extended viewing areas. So why should this be any different for a gas stove?

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 […]