Do I need a register plate for my stove?

Do I need a register plate for my stove?

If you are looking to install a wood-burning or multifuel stove you will no doubt come across the term “register plate”. While a relatively small element of any stove installation it is difficult to underplay the importance. So, what is a register plate, will you need one for your new stove and what exactly does it do?

What does a register plate do?

Too many people a register plate is just a simple way to box off the chimney and position your flue pipe as the gases escape up into the air. However, there is a lot more to a register plate than this!

Retaining heat in the room

If you think about it, a relatively large open chimney with a flue allowing the gases to escape is extremely inefficient. As heat rises, an enormous amount of heat which should be radiated throughout the room will simply rise up through the chimney and be lost. This has two basic effects, the core temperature in the room will be lower as a consequence of excessive heat loss and fuel bills will be higher in order to maintain a comfortable environment.

Register Plate
Register Plate

Stop smoke and dangerous gases being pulled back into the room

While all modern day stove installations are legally obliged to include a carbon monoxide alarm to protect against the invisible killer, register plates also have a role to play to stop gases and smoke returning to your room. Some installations may not involve lining of the chimney which means that the smoke and gases going through the flue can sometimes be drawn back into the room. This is where the register plate comes into play, ensuring that any gases drawn back into the chimney area are blocked from re-entering the room and circulating potentially poisonous gases and smoke.

Improving stove efficiency

While the modern day wood-burning/multifuel stove includes the latest in combustion technology, the efficiency of a stove often comes down to one element, the draw. If you have not used a flue liner then the register plate is vital because it closes off the chimney so that the draw is more focused through the flue pipe thereby improving the efficiency and fuel burning characteristics of your stove. The element of draw is a vital part of the process of efficiently burning fuel and radiating heat.

Stoves and chimneys

To hold chimney insulation

In order to ensure that hot gases escaping through your flue pipe/flue liner are able to complete their journey to the top of your chimney, it is essentially they remain as hot as possible. As a consequence, many people will fill the area between the flue liner and chimney sides with an array of different insulating material such as vermiculite. This ensures that the flue liner itself is insulated so the heat is retained within the pipe and the gases rise as they should do, helping to create the stove draw required.

Preventing debris falling into your stove

Even with the latest technology it is vital that the relevant protections are in place, such as a register plate, to prevent debris falling down your chimney and into your stove. When you bear in mind the amount of soot, bricks, etc which could fall back down through your chimney we can only imagine the potential damage they could do to your machine. So, while a register plate helps with an array of different elements relating to stove performance and stove efficiency, it is also a simple good old-fashioned protector from falling debris.

What is a register plate made of?

A traditional register plate is made of a non-rusting metal such as galvanised or stainless steel to ensure maximum efficiency and durability. It will either come as a simple metal plate, at least 2 mm thick, or have a pre-punched area cut to the size of the flue pipe. They are very simple to install and play an integral part in the efficiency of your stove and protection from potentially poisonous gases.