A Guide To Log Burning Stove From Beginning To End

How to Properly Operate a Log Burning Stove

Log burners provide a low carbon, renewable heat source that can improve the environment. They are simple to use and provide an excellent heating source for a room.

The highest efficiency of a stove is realized by using well-seasoned wood. This is usually seasoned hawthorn or horse chestnut that has been chopped and stacked over a year.

Burning logs

Log burning stoves offer warmth, comfort and economical alternative to oil and gas. They are also green because they emit very little of carbon dioxide and create a natural fire to enhance your living space. However, before buying a wood burner, it is essential to determine if you live in a smoke control zone as this can have an impact on the type of fuel you can use in your stove.

You should contact your local environmental protection agency for more information on the rules for those who reside in a smoking-control area. You should also ensure that your home is suitable for a log burning stove as it will need to have a robust chimney and a suitable roof structure. Additionally it is essential to have a plentiful supply of dry logs to use for the stove. It is crucial to use kiln dried firewood that has a low moisture content, or well-seasoned wood, since this will have less impact on the environment than green wood. Green wood has high moisture content and, as such, the majority of energy is used to evaporate the water before it is able to generate any heat. A well-seasoned, kiln dried and well-seasoned wood will burn more hot, and with fewer smoke emissions.

The first step is to build an ember bed by using small twigs or pieces of tinder. Once the tepee arrangement is established, larger logs can then be added. They should be placed criss-cross (like playing tic-tac toe) so that there is plenty of room for air flow between the logs. Once the fire has been established you can shut the primary air intake on the stove and utilize the automatic combustion control to feed the logs with a constant stream of oxygen.

The logs need to be seasoned and the size should be in line with your stove. This will assist in the burning process. It is also a good idea to choose only Woodsure approved logs. These logs are dried in kilns and sourced from sustainable forest.

A fire is lit

It is essential to properly light a fire in a wood-burning stove, or any other log burner. This will not only improve the efficiency of your stove, but will also reduce smoke and creosote in your chimney and house. Start by opening the damper - usually a lever near the top of your stove. Once the fire is set then you can close the valve to control the flow of air and heat output.

Take a few small wood stove to medium-sized clefts and make sure they are dry. (Ideally, the moisture content should be below 20 percent). Utilize a handful of newspaper or any other combustible material such as cardboard to add a layer of tinder at the bottom of your fireplace or log burner. Do not pack the tinder tightly, as this can restrict the flow of oxygen to the fire and could cause it to die. Place a few crisscrossed firelighters on the tinder.

Then, put some finely seasoned kindling on the top of the newspaper tinder. Again, leave space for air circulation. At this point, you may also add Eco firelighters to help ignite the kindling. Then, you can place several larger pieces of wood on top of the kindling. It is best to lay these flat on the grate or firebed instead of leaning them against one another as this helps with draught and airflow and allows the fire to penetrate the logs below.

The traditional method of lighting a fireplace is not as efficient and produces more particles of matter than the upside-down method. This is due to the fact that the logs at the top of the stack are heated faster, providing more oxygen to the flames below. This also prevents the draught from the logs at the bottom of the stack from cooling down. This would otherwise slow the ignition and create smoke. This method also ensures that the fire is full and roaring is created from the start, and you will not be waiting for long before enjoying your cozy stove.

Cleaning the firebox

The firebox inside your stove that burns wood needs to be regularly cleaned. If left unattended a buildup can reduce airflow, which can cause the fireplace to emit more smoke than a burning fire. This can be particularly hazardous, which is why it is important to clean your wood stove regularly. It is important to ensure that the stove is cooled and remove any large ash pieces before you begin cleaning. It is also recommended to wear gloves as ash can be extremely hot. You can also put a newspaper-covered sheet on the floor in front of your stove to prevent ashes from falling onto your carpet.

There are a variety of ways to clean the glass on your wood burner. A lot of people use a sheet of newspaper and rub the soot off, but you can also buy cleaning sprays or even oven cleaner. You can even buy an item specifically designed for cleaning wood stoves at most hardware shops.

Cleaning your stove in spring can help to prevent creosote buildup. Creosote is flammable, and could cause serious fire hazards, so it is important to keep your stove clean. You can use a flashlight to make an inspection of the chimney and flue. If the creosote accumulation is greater than 1/8" then it's time to clean the chimney and flue.

To clean the firebox, you should first make sure the stove is fully cool. Then, you should remove any large ash particles and dispose of them in a safe way. After you have removed the ash you can make use of a wire bristle to clean the interior of your stove. You should also scrub the grate and the andirons with a wire brush to remove any soot buildup. You can also use a dampened cloth to clean the glass and firebox.

After you've finished cleaning the firebox you should close the flue, and close the door to your wood stove. It is recommended to have someone hold the ladder as you climb up and open the flue since it is high.

Ventilation

Ventilation is essential for a log-burning stove to function properly and keep smoke from entering your home. Ventilation also allows fresh air to enter your room and replace the polluted air that would otherwise be drawn into the stove. Ventilation will help prevent your stove from overheating which can cause damage and reduce its effectiveness. All stoves are required to have ventilation.

To get the most out of your log burner Start with well-seasoned wood that has been stacked and dried for at least six months. It will last longer and heat up faster than fresh wood. Avoid using man-made wood materials like ply wood, particle boards and painted timber since they can release toxic gases and leave traces in the flue, which can cause an ignition fire in the chimney. Also, do not add too many logs at a time because they can partially smother the flames and leave unburned fuel which can create lots of smoke and creosote.

It is recommended that you open both air vents while lighting the fire and keep them open until the flames are fully established. Once the flames have been established you can close one of the vents slowly until both vents are closed about a third of way. If your fireplace is in a depressurised area it might be necessary to open a door or window slightly to ensure that there is sufficient ventilation. If you're using a wood-burning stove, it's best to combine charcoal with briquettes of fuel that are smokeless. This will allow you to keep the flames burning for a longer period of time, and also allow you to add larger logs to the fire when it has been established.

Find out from your Local Authority what ventilation requirements are required if you are installing or moving a wood-burning stove. You may need to install a new chimney or modify your existing flue to comply with the regulations. Check with your insurance provider to see if it will require that the work be approved to maintain the insurance coverage of your home.