The Benefits of a Log Burner

A log burner is a stove that burns kiln-dried and seasoned wood. These stoves provide much more heat for your home, and produce lower emissions.

To get the most enjoyment out of your fire, it needs oxygen. Make sure you keep the door open, and don't put in too many logs at one time because this can cause them to suffocate and stop them burning.

Size

Despite their vintage appearance, log burners are modern and perform at a high level of efficiency. This means a higher percentage of heat generated from the fuel you feed it. Together with the low carbon emissions, they are an excellent choice for environmentally conscious homeowners.

There are a myriad of stoves on the market - from budget-friendly, basic models, to all-singing dance-dancing beasts. There are a few basic things that buyers must be aware of when choosing the best log stove for their home.

First and foremost, a log burner fireplace must be the right size for the space it will be placed in. This is not only because of safety standards, but also because the log burner needs to be in line with the overall design of the room.

You can determine the size of log burner you need by taking measurements of the firebox. This includes the width and height of the front and the depth. These measurements will help you determine the proper size log burner for your fireplace. It will work better and provide the most effective results.

You will then have to determine the number of British Thermal Units that your room requires. This can be found by calculating the floor area of your room and then multiplying it by 20. Once you have figured out how many BTUs you are allowed to legally have in your home, you can shop for gas logs that meet or exceed that figure.

The size of your fireplace will be determined by the amount and quality of insulation in the home. Poorly insulated rooms will require more heat to keep warm than rooms with good insulation.

Another thing to take into consideration is the type of wood you are using in your log burner. Freshly chopped green logs could have an average moisture content of up to 67%. In the end, more energy is needed to remove the water by evaporation before the logs generate heat. The burning of kiln dried logs can increase the amount of heat produced and reduce your energy costs.

Design

A log burner can be an excellent focal point for any room. It can be framed by an impressive marble or stone surround or a simple hearth made of granite. Modern log burner ideas can also be minimalist in style, with clean lines and a lack of ornamentation. They are a simple way to incorporate into a modern-day living space without looking out-of-place.

A contemporary stove with a wide design is great when paired with a traditional feature such as exposed bricks or wooden beams. Modern fireplaces with sleek lines are an ideal combination for older homes with Georgian features such as exposed brick chimney breasts. In addition, a modern inset woodburner could complement a newer home with a more rustic or traditional appearance.

Consider a bold color for your fireplace to create a more striking appearance. Yellow, for instance, will create a warm and inviting atmosphere when paired with a dark colour palette. However, you should be sure to pick a color that you're happy with all year round and will complement the rest of your interior décor.

They can also be used to heat an outdoor area like an outdoor patio or garden. They can be used to heat an outside seating area or simply to create a cozy atmosphere during colder months. It is crucial to protect the fireplace as well as the surrounding area from embers and fumes, no matter if you use an indoor or outdoor wood burning stove. You can do this by installing a chimney guard or grate.

A wood-burning stove is an green alternative to gas and electricity. When properly burned the seasoned wood produces less emissions than gas or electricity. This is particularly relevant if your DEFRA-approved wood burner has been installed correctly. Idealy, wood should be split up and stored in a location that is dry prior to being burned in a log burner. This enables it to burn evenly, create the least amount of creosote and release less harmful gases.

Safety

Log burners are typically associated with warm winter evenings however, they are perfect for the cooler months too. To avoid any problems make sure that your log heater is well maintained and complies with the most current safety regulations. For instance, you should always keep curtains and furniture away from the flame since embers can easily escape from the fireplace and cause a fire. It is also important to test and use your smoke alarm frequently.

The safety of your log stove Log burner (intranet.welfarebox.com) is dependent on the type of fuel that you use. For example you should only use seasoned wood. This means it has been left to dry for up to a year, or it has been kiln dried, which is more efficient. It is also important to purchase your wood from a reliable (and HETAS approved) supplier and keep it in a ventilated area where it won't get wet.

Use only dry tinder or kindling that is not cardboard or paper to ignite a flame. These materials emit harmful fumes, and can increase the risk of a fire in the chimney. Similarly, you should never cut synthetic logs in order to increase the speed of flames or leave them burning in a dark area, as this could increase the fire's flammability and release high levels of carbon monoxide.

Also, you should determine whether your home is in a Smoke-Control Area. If it is it is, you will only be permitted to burn fuel that is approved by DEFRA in your log burner. This includes fuels that are smokeless like anthracite.

Some freestanding log burner burners are able to use both coke and wood however, you should never use coal in anything other than a stove specifically designed specifically for this purpose. It's also important to have a proper hearth for your stove, in accordance with the guidelines laid out by HETAS stipulate that any non-combustible solid material (such as concrete) is at least 125mm thick under it.

Finally, you should never make use of a gas or oil stove to burn damp or green wood since this can create too much smoke and may lead to chimney fires. Instead, you should only use seasoned wood or choose a multi-fuel stove that can be used with both fuels.

Maintenance

It's a fantastic way to bring the warmth of a genuine fireplace inside your home. However these fireplaces require more maintenance than pellet stoves. For starters, the maintenance needs to be completed regularly to ensure your stove is operating safely and efficiently.

It is important to make sure that your fireplace is controlled to allow you to enjoy your fire without concerns about carbon monoxide poisoning or inhalation. You'll have to clean the interior of your fireplace, inspect and adjust the damper, change the chimney cap (if necessary) and install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your home.

It is also crucial to inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly for cracks, and other signs of decline. You can identify problems early, and fix them before the damage becomes grave.

When you're looking to maintain your wood-burning stove, it is important to use seasoned firewood. Seasoned logs are lighter to light and produce less creosote than seasoned logs. You can determine the moisture content of your firewood by striking two logs together: wet wood will give an uninteresting sound, while seasoned wood will make a sharp one.

Cleaning the glass of your fireplace is another essential maintenance step. Use a fireplace glass cleaner product that is free of chemicals that react with the flames. Also, you must ensure that the damper operates correctly and that the chimney is structurally sound - look for cracked bricks, missing mortar, or loose or crumbling the lining.

Lastly, be certain to take away all the ash from your log burner when it's cool enough to touch and only after waiting at least 12 hours to allow the ashes to cool completely. The ashes are then kept in a safe manner or added to soil or garden compost to be used as a fertilizer. The baffle, which is the metal piece at the back of the firebox, must be cleaned and inspected frequently.