How to Properly Operate a Log Burning Stove

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

A stove's optimum efficiency is when it's filled with well-seasoned wood. This is usually seasoned hawthorn or horse chestnut, chopped and stacked over a period of time.

Burning logs

Log burning stoves are a great option for homes with a variety of rooms and provide warm, comfortable and affordable alternative to gas and oil. They are also good for the environment as they provide low carbon heating and also have the added benefit of enriching your living space with a beautiful natural flame. However, before buying a wood burner, it is vital to know if you live in a smoke control area since this could affect the type of fuel you can burn in your stove.

It is recommended to 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 home is suitable for a stove that burns wood since it will require to have a sturdy chimney and a sufficient roof structure. Additionally, you will need to have plenty of dry logs for your stove. It is crucial to select kiln dried firewood with low moisture content or well-seasoned wood, as it will have less impact on the environment than green wood. Green wood has a high moisture content which means 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 hotter and emit less smoke.

The first step is to build an ember-filled bed using small twigs or pieces of tinder. Once the tepee layout has been established then larger logs can be added. They should be stacked criss-cross (like a game of tic-tac-toe) to ensure there is enough space for air flow between the logs. After the fire has been established you can utilize the automatic control for combustion to provide the logs with oxygen.

The logs need to be dried and seasoned, and the dimensions should be matched to 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 are sourced from sustainable forests.

The lighting of a fire

It is essential to correctly light a fire in the wood-burning stove or log burner. This will not only enhance the efficiency of your stove, but it will also reduce smoke and creosote in your chimney and house. First, make sure the damper is not closed This is usually a lever or valve at the top of the stove. Once the fire has been established then you can close the damper to control the airflow and heat output.

To get started, gather some small to medium sized cut logs and make sure they are dry (ideally with less than 20 percent moisture%). Put an ember layer on the base of your fireplace or log burner, by using a few pieces of newspaper or any other non-combustible materials like cardboard. Do not pack the tinder in a tight manner as this could hinder the flow of oxygen and cause the fire to go out. Put a few firelighters on top of the tinder in a crisscross arrangement.

Then, sprinkle a few pieces of fine kindling on top of the newspaper tinder, again leaving enough space for air to circulate. You can also include a couple of Eco firelighters at this point to aid the pieces of kindling to ignite and burn more quickly. Then, put some larger pieces of wood on the top of the kindling. It is better to lay them flat on the grate or firebed, rather than leaning against one another. This allows airflow and draught to reach the logs below.

The upside-down method of lighting fires is more efficient and produces less particulate emissions than the traditional way of lighting the fire. The logs that are on top of the pile are heated faster and supply more oxygen to the flames. This also stops the draughts from the logs at the bottom of the stack from cooling which could cause a slow the ignition time and cause the fire to go out of control. This technique also ensures the fire is full and roaring is achieved from the beginning and you won't need to wait for long to enjoy your warm stove.

Cleaning the firebox

The firebox in your log burning stove needs to be maintained regularly. If left unattended, a accumulation of dust can impede airflow, which can cause the fireplace to produce more smoke than a fire that is hot. It is therefore important to clean the wood stove on a regular basis. You should ensure that the stove is cooling and take out any large pieces of ash prior to you begin cleaning. Wear gloves since ash is extremely hot. It is also recommended to place a sheet of newspaper on the ground in front of your stove to stop ashes from falling onto your carpet.

When cleaning the glass inside your wood stove there are a myriad of different methods available. You can use a piece newspaper to rub away the soot, and you can buy cleaning sprays or oven cleaner. There's even a product made specifically for cleaning wood stoves that can be purchased at most hardware stores.

Cleaning your stove in the spring will help prevent creosote buildup. Creosote can be flammable and cause serious fire hazards, which is why it is essential to keep your stove clean. You can use a flashlight to make an inspection of the flue and chimney. If the creosote buildup exceeds than 1/8" it is recommended to clean the chimney and flue.

To clean the firebox, you should first make sure the stove is cool. Next, remove any large pieces of ash and dispose of them in a safe manner. Once the ash is removed then you can clean the stove's interior by using the wire brush. It is also recommended to scrub the grate and andirons with wire brushes to get rid of any soot buildup. You can also employ a cloth slightly dampened by water to clean the glass and the firebox.

After you've finished cleaning the firebox you should close the flue, and close the door of your wood stove. It is recommended to have someone hold the ladder while you climb up and open the flue, because it can be quite high up.

Ventilation

Ventilation in a log burning stove is crucial to ensure the operation of the appliance as well as to keep smoke from entering your home. Ventilation allows for fresh air to enter the room and replace the old aged air that could have been drawn into the stove. Ventilation will help prevent your stove from overheating which could damage it and reduce its effectiveness. Ventilation is also an obligation of law for all stoves.

Start with wood that has been placed in a stack for at least a month and dried. It will burn longer and hotter than fresh wood. Avoid adding man-made wood materials like ply wood particle boards and painted timber as these can produce toxic gases and leave traces in the flue that can cause a chimney fire. Do not add too many logs because they can block flames, resulting in unburned fuel, which can cause smoke and creosote.

When lighting the fire, it is recommended that both air vents are open. Keep them open until the flames have been established. When the fire is lit and the flames are fully lit, slowly close the air vents until they're each closed by about one-third. If your fireplace is in an area that is not affixed to pressure, it is possible to open a window or door to let in sufficient air. If you're using an electric stove that burns wood it is recommended to make use of a mixture of both wood and smokeless fuel briquettes. This will allow you to keep the flames going for a longer period of time, and also allow you to add larger logs to your fire once it is established.

Make sure to ask your Local Authority what ventilation requirements are required if you are moving or installing a wood-burning stove. To ensure compliance with the regulations it is possible to build an chimney or alter your existing flue. You should also check with your insurance provider to see whether they require that you have the work certified in order to maintain your home insurance.