Dos and Don'ts When Using a Log Burner Fire

Log burners are the perfect way to experience the warmth of an actual fire. They also provide a potent source of warmth for your home.

To get the maximum heat out of your log burner, make sure the wood is completely dry prior to use. The loss of moisture as well as higher temperatures than required in the stove, and emissions of unburnt fuel can all result in poor performance.

Burning logs

If you have a log burner, using the kiln dried Ready To Burn certified logs is vitally important for the efficiency of your stove. If used correctly will burn at the highest temperatures and reduce the amount creosote that accumulates in your chimney. This will reduce your energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

If you're using unseasoned or green wood, this can be dangerous to the health of your stove and chimney system. Unseasoned wood has a higher level of moisture than kiln dried wood, which can cause problems when burning. Wet logs create a lot of smoke when they're burned and can negatively impact your heating performance. It could also cause creosote build-up in your chimney. This is an hazard to fire and could cause chimney fires.

Wet and unseasoned logs will also burn slower than kiln-dried wood. This could result in your stove overheating and damaging the flue. It's recommended to use seasoned wood only. To determine the moisture content of your logs, you can knock two sticks together and listen to how they sound. Damp wood will make a thudding, dull sound while dry logs make a sharp cracking sound. Seasoned wood will also be darker than freshly cut damp wood.

Once you've established an uninhibited flame and a an air flow that is good through your stove, you can start adding larger logs. It's important not to add too many at once since this can choke the flames and prevent them from catching. Spread the logs out evenly and keep some kindling between them.

The burn rate can also be affected by opening your stove door too often. This could cause the log burner to cease to function, which could also reduce its efficiency and increase the amount of smoke emitted. It is also essential to ensure that the space surrounding your log burner is free from combustible materials and that any furniture is located far enough to comply with the distance to combustible guidance for your particular model.

Ventilation

To ensure that log burners, fireplaces and stoves operate effectively, they require ventilation. In fact, English Building Regulations specify that there must be enough air for combustion appliances such as log burners. Smoke can get into your home if there isn't sufficient ventilation for the stove, especially when it's not burning properly.

To prevent this from happening to avoid this, you must ensure that the flue, or chimney isn't blocked. It is also essential to ensure that the space surrounding your bioethanol fireplace log burner or stove is ventilated to a sufficient degree. Otherwise, soot and smoke could escape through the flue or chimney and then back into the home. Ventilation helps ensure that your fire is burning efficiently, so you get maximum heat from your wood and minimize emissions.

To maximize efficiency, make sure to use lumber that is seasoned. This means that it has been split, cut and stacked for a set amount of time in order to allow the moisture to evaporate typically between six to 12 months. The ideal is for the logs to be kiln dried to make them even easier to burn.

When you start the fire, only add some small logs at first, to let the flames establish themselves. After they've completed this you can begin adding larger logs. Don't add more than one log at a time, as this may make the fire smother and leave unburned wood to be left behind and create smoke and creosote.

It is important to keep the fire going until all the logs have been reduced to embers or soot. You could also reduce the efficiency of the fire if you remove the logs before they are completely burned.

Avoid touching the flame with your fingers to avoid releasing smoke into the room and cause the wood to catch fire. If you open the door to the stove too quickly when the fire is hot, this can release smoke and spit embers into the room.

Cleanliness

Cleanliness is the key to the success of a log burner fire, not only for aesthetics, but also for heating efficiency. A dirty stove generates less heat, requires more fuel, and emits unpleasant smells. It can also be an hazard to fire and can block the flue, resulting in an inefficient system of venting for fumes and smoke.

In addition to regular cleaning of the ash pan, there are several other items that require attention at least once in a while. The bottom burn plate and riddling grates, for instance, should be cleaned of soot particles. The baffle plate and ash bucket need to be examined for wear, and so should the gaskets around the door and glass.

Before commencing any maintenance tasks it is vital to put on protective goggles and gloves - the abrasive particles of ash or soot can cause painful scratches. It is recommended to pick a safe area for the work away from any dangers. It is also recommended to put a sheet of tarpaulin on the floor, so that you can collect any fallen debris and make the cleanup process much easier.

It is essential to empty the ashes into a metal container, and then leave it open until the ashes are cool. Ashes are an insulation material and will retain heat for hours or days after the fire has been put out. They can be used as fertilisers, provided they are made of clean, untreated wood.

Another important point to consider is the kind of firewood you choose to use. It is best to choose seasoned firewood, that has been split, stored out of the elements and allowed to dry until its moisture content is between 20 to 25 percent. This will help prevent the accumulation of creosote buildup and keep the chimney free of tar, soot and other deposits.

For a different option to a traditional log fire we also offer a range of DEFRA approved wood burning stoves that are incredibly energy efficient and produce far less carbon emissions than an open fire. It has been estimated that between 25 and 33% of London's fine particle air pollution derives from domestic wood burning, therefore switching to a stove can make a huge difference to the environment.

Safety

Log burners can be a comfortable and efficient method to warm your log home. The log burners are relatively simple devices made up of stove-pipes, a stove door and the firebox. They also have air vents to control the flame. They require regular maintenance and a basic understanding of how to use the appliance. Here are some dos and don'ts of using log burner ideas burners.

It is a good idea to use dried and seasoned wood for your log burner because it burns more efficiently, generating more heat, but with less smoke. Unseasoned and green wood could result in tar-laden deposits in the flue and chimney, blocking the flow of air and thus less efficient heating. It can also cause danger to fire, possibly causing chimney or flue fires. It is recommended that you purchase kiln dried wood that bears the 'Ready to Burn' label as this is a reliable indicator that it is dry and safe to burn.

It is also recommended to avoid using other fuels like charcoal lighter or firelighter made of paraffin fluid in your log burner. These substances are extremely inflammable and could cause fireballs to form in the stove, and release harmful gases. In addition, if you utilize a log burner within Smoke Control Area It is recommended to only use approved smokeless fuels.

Pellet stoves require less effort to operate than traditional wood burners. Most only require plugging in the appliance and pressing the ignition button. Nonetheless, it's essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions when using your stove, and keep in mind that you must clean out the combustion chamber frequently. This isn't a big task, but it requires some time and effort. Install a log holder close to your stove to make it easier to remove ash or debris when required. You can also buy an appliance that has an automatic cleaning chamber to facilitate cleaning. However, it is still necessary that you clean the ash tray frequently. The main advantage of this is that it will reduce the amount of time and effort cleaning your log burner.