The Beginners Guide
Buying a wood burning stove could be a life changing move but there are a few tips that you may need to get going. Once you have got your stove installed, you now have the task of getting it to to produce the warmth you want.
Choosing the right stove
First things first, when choosing a stove there are a few things to take into consideration. The main thing to ask yourself is 'what is the correct heat output for my room?' If you decide on something too small, then you face having to pay the central heating bill as well. But then if you choose something to big, the winter in your home will become unbearably mild.
The basic set up of a stove
Getting to know your stove inside and out is one of the first things you should do. Not only will it teach you how a stove works but it will also be beneficial later down the line when aspare part needs replacing. The first thing you will see when you open your stove door is the firebox where the fuel physically burns. This is the easiest one to remember! Now above and below the glass are the air vents. The bottom one being the primary air vent and the top one being the secondary vent. These vents are probably the main things you need to remember as they control the air supply to the fire which then controls how fast the fuel burns. When using a wood burning stove for warmth, many people will think that the heat comes for the fire but in fact the heat from the fire warms the metal panel of the stove. This panel then distributes the heat around your living area keeping you warm and cosy in them colder months. Now that is the basics of the actual stove but you may have always wondered what the pipe is coming out of the top or back of your stove. This is called the flue and in basic terms acts as a chimney for the stove, releasing the waste gases from the fire into the air.
Lighting the fire
It may seem a simple task to those who have a woodburning stove but to those who are just starting out, here are a few tips. In basic terms all you need to do to create the perfect fire is leave a decent amount of ashes in the firebox, open both air vents, add newspaper and kindling, then start the fire. Once the kindling has caught fire, it is now time to add your fuel, whether it be logs or coal.
The Fuel
The type of fuel all depends on what your stove is, woodburning or multifuel. This is the first thing to determine before deciding on what to burn. The main difference in the two is that a wood burner has a flat bed where the fuel goes and a Multifuel stove has a grate. The reason for the grate is because coal and smokeless fuels will always need an air supply from underneath. Ideally the best wood to burn on a wood burner is seasoned wood. This means that it has been left to dry for at least a year and results in a more efficient fuel.
Be safe
The most important thing to remember when installing a stove is to be safe because if something is done slightly wrong it could cause a potentially fatal situation. To ensure it is done safely from the beginning, always hire a HETAS engineer. Another recommendation is to get a carbon monoxide detector which will put your mind at rest when the flames are roaring. Besides the obvious of not touching the stove whilst lit, another thing to remember is to get your chimney swept at least once a year. See a previous blog post for more information on this.
If you still need more information and guidance then don't hesitate to ring us on 01706 813393 to speak to one of our team!