How to Properly Operate a Log Burning Stove

Log burners are low carbon, renewable heat source that can improve the environment. They are easy-to-use and provide great heat for rooms.

The stove's maximum efficiency is achieved when it's filled with well-seasoned wood. This is mature horse chestnut or hawthorn, which has been chopped and stacked for a year.

Burning logs

Log burning stoves offer an inviting, warm and affordable alternative to gas and oil. They are also good for the environment as they provide an energy-efficient heat source and also have the added benefit of enhancing your living space by creating a stunning natural flame. Before purchasing a corner wood burning stove stove, it is crucial to determine whether you live in a place where there are smoke control laws. This will impact the kind of fuel you can put into your stove.

If you do live in a smoke-free zone it is recommended to contact the local environmental protection office to find out more information about the rules. It is also important to make sure that your home is suitable for a log burning stove because it must have a robust chimney and a sufficient roof structure. In addition to this it is essential to have plenty of dry logs to use for the stove. It is important to select kiln dried firewood that has a low moisture content, or well-seasoned wood, since this will have less of an 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. Well-seasoned, kiln-dried wood will burn more hot and release less smoke.

The first step is to set the bed of embers by using small twigs and pieces of kindling. Once the tepee-like design has caught on, the larger logs can be added. They should be laid out in a crisscross (like a tic-tac toe board) so that there is plenty of room for air to flow between the logs. Once the fire is set, you can close the main air intake on the stove and use the automatic combustion control to feed the logs with a continuous flow of oxygen.

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

A fire is lit

It is crucial to correctly light the fire in a wood-burning stove or log burner. This will not only increase the efficiency of your stove, but also reduce the amount of smoke and creosote in your chimney as well as in your house. First, make sure the damper is not closed It is typically a lever or valve near the top of the stove. Once the fire is established it is possible to close the damper to control the flow of air and heat output.

Find a few small- to medium-sized clefts, and make sure they are dry. (Ideally you want the moisture content should be below 20 percent). Use a handful or newspaper or another combustible materials such as cardboard to make a layer of tinder at the bottom of your fireplace or log burner. Do not pack the tinder tightly as this could hinder the flow of oxygen and cause the fire to die. Place a few flames on the top of the tinder in a crisscross arrangement.

Then, sprinkle a few pieces of fine-knitted kindling over the newspaper tinder, again leaving space for air to circulate. At this point you can also add Eco firelighters to help the fire start. Then, you can place a few larger pieces of wood on top of the kindling. It is recommended to lay them flat on the grate or firebed instead of leaning them against one another to help with draught and airflow and allows the fire to penetrate the logs below.

The upside down method of lighting a fire is more efficient and produces less emissions of particulate matter than the traditional method of lighting a fire. The logs that are on top of the pile heat up faster and provide more oxygen to the flames. This also stops the draught of the logs at the bottom of the stack from cooling down. This would otherwise slow the ignition and cause smoke. This method will also ensure that you will have a full-throttle fire right from the start and you won't have to wait too long before enjoying your cozy stove.

Cleaning the firebox

You should clean the firebox of your log-burning stove regularly. If not taken care of, a buildup can reduce airflow, causing the fireplace to release more smoke than a burning fire. This can be particularly dangerous, which is why it's important to clean your wood stove regularly. When it is time to do so be sure the stove is completely cool and clear any large pieces of ash prior to when you start cleaning. You should also wear gloves since ash is extremely hot. It is also recommended to put a newspaper sheet on the ground in front of the stove to prevent the ashes from falling on your carpet.

When it comes to cleaning the glass in your wood burner, there are a number of different options available. A lot of people apply a sheet of newspaper and rub the soot off, but you can also buy cleaning sprays or oven cleaner. There is even a special product made specifically to clean wood stoves that is available at a variety of hardware stores.

It is a good idea to clean your stove in the spring months, as this can help prevent a buildup of creosote. Creosote can be flammable and 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 buildup exceeds than 1/8" it is recommended to clean the flue and chimney.

To clean the firebox, first make sure the stove is cool. Next, remove any large pieces of ash and dispose of them safely. After you have removed the ash, you can make use of a wire bristle to clean the interior of your stove. Wire brushes are a great way to clean the grate, andirons as well as remove any soot. You can also use a dampened cloth to clean the glass and firebox.

After you've cleaned the firebox, close the flue, and shut 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.

Ventilation

Ventilation in a log-burning stove is essential for the proper operation of the appliance as well as to stop smoke from entering your home. Ventilation also allows fresh air to enter your space, replacing the polluted air that would be drawn into the stove. Ventilation will help prevent your stove from overheating which can cause damage and reduce its effectiveness. All stoves must have ventilation.

To maximize the performance of your fireplace, start with well-seasoned wood that has been stacked and dried for at minimum six months. It will burn more hot and last longer than fresh wood burner stoves. Avoid adding substances made of man-made wood such as ply, particle boards, and painted wood since they can produce toxic gasses and leave residues that could cause a fire in the chimney. Do not add too many logs because they can smother flames, leaving unburned fuel which could cause smoke and creosote.

It is recommended that you open both air vents when lighting the fire, and keep them open until the flames have been established. When the flames are established you can close one of the air vent levers gradually until both vents are shut about a third of way. If your fireplace is situated in a depressurised space it might be necessary to open a door or window slightly to ensure adequate ventilation. If you have a wood burning stove, it is best to make use of a mixture of both smokeless fuel and wood briquettes. This will help to keep the flames burning for a longer time and also allow you to add larger logs to the fire when it is established.

Find out from your Local Authority what ventilation requirements are required if you are installing or moving a wood-burning stove. You may have to build a new chimney or alter your existing flue to comply with the regulations. Check with your insurance provider to determine if they require that the work be certified to ensure the insurance coverage of your home.