One of the more common questions asked in relation to wood-burning stoves is how long they should last. This is not a subject covered in any great detail on the Internet but it is one which may surprise many people. So, after investing what can be a significant amount of money into your new wood-burning stove, how long should you expect it to last?
Stove body warranty
Whether you have a traditional or a contemporary wood-burning stove it is no surprise to learn that the body of your stove is the most durable part. This is why wood-burning stove manufacturers offer an extended warranty on the body of your stove with the majority of replacement parts not covered. Some people may be a little worried that it is only the body of your stove which is included in the extended warranty but there is no reason to be concerned.
Regular maintenance
Over the years we have covered the issue of regular maintenance of wood-burning stoves in great detail. We are not talking about a take it apart and put it back together clean maintenance programme, we are simply talking about removing excess ash on a regular basis, checking various elements for cracks and signs of wear and tear and replacing parts as and when appropriate. The vast majority of replacement parts are relatively inexpensive and easy to fit without calling on the services of a qualified fitter.
If you think of regular maintenance akin to something like a regular service for your car, we know from experience that early action on replacement parts can stop a knock-on effect to other areas of your machine. Saving a few pounds on spare parts in the short term could in theory cost you a fortune in the longer term and potentially ruin your stove.
Using the right fuel
There are very few stove owners who have not been tempted at some time to throw some general waste onto their stove fire. As we all know, this temptation should be avoided at all costs because not only is it inefficient with regards to heat output but it can cause damage to your stove and leave nasty deposits in your flue pipe. There is also the issue of “over burning” where too much standard wood fuel is used thereby creating excess heat. This will not only damage your baffle plate and firebricks but can cause issues with your flue pipe and stove body in the long term.
Back to the original question: How long should your stove last?
Regularly maintained and using the right fuel we have heard of stoves which last anywhere up to 40 years. While various parts may have been replaced over that period, baffle plates, fire bricks, etc, it is the body of the stove which is extremely durable and long-lasting. If you use your stove incorrectly then the excess heat can actually crack and fracture the body of your stove which is to all intents and purposes irreplaceable.
While we have heard of stoves lasting in excess of 40 years that is not to say that all stoves will last this length of time. However, there is no reason why you should not be able to count the age of your stove in decades towards the end of its natural life.