What Is Log Burning Stove And Why Is Everyone Speakin' About It?

How to Properly Operate a Log Burning Stove

Log burners are an energy source that is renewable that is low in carbon and beneficial for the environment. They are easy to use and provide great heating for a room.

The stove's maximum efficiency is achieved when it's stocked with well-seasoned wood. This can be accomplished by using seasoned hawthorn, or horse chestnut that has been chopped and stacked over a year.

Burning logs

Log burning stoves are a fantastic choice for many homes and offer warm, comfortable and cost-effective alternative to gas or oil. They are also environmentally friendly since they emit low levels of carbon dioxide and provide a natural fire to enhance your living space. However, before buying a wood burner it is important to check whether you live in a smoke control zone as this can have an impact on the kind of multi fuel stove you can use in your stove.

You should contact your local environmental protection agency for more information on the rules if you live in a smoke-control area. Also, you should ensure that your house is suitable for a log burning stove as it will need to have a sturdy chimney and a sufficient roof structure. It is also necessary to have a large supply of dry logs to fuel the stove. It is important to select firewood that has been kiln dried with 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, which means that the majority of energy is used to evaporate the water before it can generate any heat. Wood that is well-seasoned and kiln dried will burn more hot, and with fewer smoke emissions.

The first step is building an ember-filled bed using small twigs or pieces of wood. Once the tepee arrangement is set then larger logs can be added. They should be laid out in a crisscross (like a tic-tac-toe board) so that there is enough room for air to flow between the logs. Once the fire has been established, you can close the primary air intake on the stove and utilize the 'automatic combustion control' to feed the logs with a steady flow of oxygen.

The logs should be seasoned and cut to fit your stove, which will help with the burning process. It is recommended to only use Woodsure approved logs that are kiln-dried and come from sustainable forests.

Lighting a fire

It is important to properly light a fire in a wood-burning stove or other log burner. This will not only increase the efficiency of the stove and reduces creosote and smoke build-up within your chimney and in your home. Begin by releasing the damper - typically a lever located near the top of your stove. Once the fire is established then you can close the damper to control the flow of air and the heat output.

Find a few small wood stove- to medium-sized clefts, and make sure they are dry. (Ideally the moisture content should be below 20%). Make use of a handful of newspaper or any other combustible material such as cardboard to make the tinder to the bottom of your fireplace or log burner. Do not pack the tinder tightly, as it will block the flow of oxygen into the fire, and may cause it to die. Place a few crisscrossed firelighters on the tinder.

Then, add some finely seasoned kindling on the top of the newspaper tinder. Make sure to leave room for air circulation. You can also include a couple of Eco firelighters at this point to help the pieces of kindling get ignited and burn more quickly. Then put a few larger logs on top of the kindling. It is best to lay them flat on the grate, or firebed, rather than leaning against each other. This allows for airflow and draught to get to the logs below.

The traditional method of lighting a fireplace is less efficient and generates more particulate matter than the upside-down method. This is because the woods at the top of the stack get hotter faster, providing more oxygen to the flames below. It also stops the draught of the lowermost logs of the stack from cooling down, which would otherwise slow ignition and cause the fire to smoke. This method also ensures that you will have a full-throttle fire right from the start, and won't have to wait for too long before enjoying your warm stove.

Cleaning the firebox

The firebox inside your log burning stove needs to be regularly cleaned. If it is not cleaned, a buildup of ash could impede airflow and cause the fireplace to emit smoke rather than an intense flame. This is especially hazardous, which is why it is vital to clean your wood stove on a regular basis. Make sure that the stove has cool and then remove any large ash pieces before you begin cleaning. Also, you should wear gloves because ash can be extremely hot. It is also recommended to place a sheet of newspaper on the ground in front of the stove to stop the ashes from falling on your carpet.

When cleaning the glass inside your wood stove there are a myriad of different methods available. Many people just employ a newspaper sheet and rub the soot away however, you can also purchase cleaning sprays, or even oven cleaner. You can even buy products specifically designed to clean wood stoves at a majority of hardware shops.

It is a good idea to clean your stove in the spring season, since this will stop the accumulation of creosote. Creosote can be flammable and cause serious fire hazards, therefore it is essential to keep your stove clean. You can use a flashlight to make an inspection of the chimney and flue. If the amount of creosote buildup is more than 1/8" then it's time to clean the chimney and flue.

It is important to ensure that the stove is completely cooled before cleaning the firebox. Then, take out any large ash pieces and dispose of them safely. After the ash has been removed then you can clean the inside of the stove using the wire brush. You should also scrub the grate and the andirons with a wire brush to remove any buildup of soot. You can also use a cloth that is slightly dampened with water to clean the glass and firebox.

After you've cleaned your firebox, close the flue and close the door to your wood stove. It is recommended to have someone hold your ladder while you climb the ladder to open the flue. This can be a difficult task.

Ventilation

Ventilation in a wood burning stove is crucial to ensure the efficiency of the appliance as well as to stop smoke from entering your home. Ventilation also allows fresh air to circulate through your home and replace the old, polluted air that would be drawn into the stove. Good ventilation will prevent your stove from overheating which could damage it and lower its effectiveness. Ventilation is also an obligation of law for all stoves.

To get the most out of your fireplace Start with seasoned wood that has been stacked and dried for at minimum six months. It will burn longer and hotter than fresh wood. Avoid adding materials made of man-made wood like ply, particle boards, and painted wood since they can produce toxic gasses and leave traces which can ignite in the chimney. Don't pile on too many logs as they can block flames, resulting in unburned fuel that could cause creosote and smoke.

It is recommended to open both air vents while lighting the fire, and remain open until flames are established. Once the flames have been established, close one of the air vents gradually until both vents are closed about a third of way. If your fireplace is located in an area with a low pressure it might be necessary for you to open a window or door slightly to ensure there is sufficient ventilation. If you have a wood-burning stove, it is best to use a combination of both wood and smokeless fuel briquettes. This will help keep the flames burning for a longer period of time and also allow you to add more logs to the fire once it is established.

If you are planning to install a wood burning stove or moving it to a different location, consult your Local Authority to find out what ventilation requirements it must be able to. To ensure compliance with the regulations you may have to construct a chimney or modify your existing flue. It is also advisable to check with your insurance provider to see whether they require that you have the work certified in order to maintain your home insurance.