Dos and Don'ts When Using a modern Log burners (81.glawandius.com) Burner Fire

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

To maximize the heat output from your log burner you should ensure that the wood is dry prior to using it. Inefficient performance can be caused by the loss of moisture from the stove, high temperatures than necessary and unburned bio fuel log burner emissions.

Burning logs

If you have an electric log burner, making use of kiln dried Ready To Burn certified logs is crucial to the efficiency of your stove. When utilized correctly, will burn at optimum temperatures and will reduce the amount of creosote that accumulates in your chimney. This will reduce your energy bills and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

If you are using greenwood that is not seasoned, or unseasoned it could be damaging to your chimney and stove. Unseasoned wood has a higher level of moisture than kiln-dried wood which can cause problems when it is burned. Wet wood can generate a lot more smoke when they are burned, which can reduce the effectiveness of your heating system. It could also cause creosote accumulation in your chimney. This is an hazard to fire and could cause chimney fires.

Unseasoned and wet logs are also more difficult to burn than dried kiln-fired wood. This could lead to the stove becoming overheated and damaging the flue, so it's best to use wood that is seasoned only. Knock two sticks together and listen for the sound. This will allow you to determine if your logs are damp. The wood that is damp will produce a thudding, dull sound while dry logs will make an intense cracking sound. Logs that have been seasoned are also darker than freshly cut, damp wood.

Once you have established an uninhibited flame and a adequate air flow in your stove, you can start adding larger logs. It is crucial to not add too many logs at once, as this will smother flames and prevent them catching. It's also recommended to distribute the logs evenly around your fire, and to keep some of your tinder in between them.

The rate of burning can be affected by opening the stove door too frequently. This can cause your stove's flame to stop working and reduce the effectiveness of your appliance, and may increase the amount of smoke being released. It is also crucial to ensure that the area surrounding your appliance is free of combustible materials and that all furniture is placed far enough away from the appliance to be in line with the distance-to-combustible guidelines for your particular model.

Ventilation

Log stoves, fireplaces and burners need ventilation to ensure that they function effectively. In fact, English Building Regulations specify that there should be a sufficient supply of air for combustion appliances like log burners. Smoke can leak into your home if there isn't adequate ventilation for your stove, particularly if it isn't burning properly.

To avoid this, you must make sure that the chimney or flue isn't blocked. However, making sure there is adequate ventilation in the space around your stove or fireplace is essential as well. Otherwise, soot and smoke could escape through the flue or chimney and then back into the home. Ventilation can also help ensure that the fire is burning efficiently so that you get most heat out of your wood and minimises emissions.

To get the most efficient results, make sure to use lumber that is seasoned. This means it has been split and cut and then stacked over an extended period to allow the moisture in the wood to dry out. Usually, this is between six and twelve months. The logs must be dried by kilns to allow them to be easier to burn.

When you start the fire, add only small pieces of wood at first to allow the flames to establish themselves. Once the flames have settled they can be augmented with larger logs. Don't add more than one log at a time, as this may smother the fire and leave unburned wood to be left behind, which will create smoke and creosote.

It's also important to keep the fire burning until all the logs have been reduced to soot and embers. If you take them out too quickly, you could release smoke and other volatile compounds into the room and this could affect the efficiency of the fire.

Avoid touching the fire with your fingertips, as this can release smoke into the room, and make the wood to catch fire. If you open the stove too fast, it will release a cloud smoke into the room and cause the wood to catch fire.

Cleanliness

Cleaning is vital to the success of a log-burner fireplace, both in terms of aesthetics and efficiency of heating. A dirty stove produces less heat, consumes more fuel and releases unpleasant odours. It could also create an explosion and block the flue - leading to an inefficient exhausting of fumes and smoke.

In addition to regular cleaning of the ash pan there are several other items that need attention at least once in a while. For instance the riddling grate as well as the bottom burn plate should be cleaned of any soot particles. Check the ash bucket as well as the baffle plate for wear. Also, make sure to check the gaskets on the door and glass.

It is essential to wear protective goggles and a gloves prior to beginning any maintenance job. Ash and soot particles can cause painful scratches. It is advisable to pick a safe location for the work, away from potential hazards. It is also recommended to set a tarpaulin-covered sheet on the floor to collect any debris that may fall and make the cleaning process easier.

It is essential to empty the ashes into a metal container, and then leave it open until the ashes are cool. They act as insulation and will retain heat for many hours or even days after the fire is extinguished. They can also be used as fertilisers, provided they are made from clean, untreated timber.

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

As an alternative to a traditional log fire, we also have a selection of DEFRA approved wood burning stoves that are extremely energy efficient and produce far less emissions than an open flame. It is estimated that between 25% and 33 percent of London's fine particles air pollution derives from domestic wood burning, so switching to a stove can make a huge difference to the environment.

Safety

Log burners are an efficient and cozy way to warm your log cabin. The log burners are relatively simple devices that comprise a stove-pipe, a stove-door and the firebox. They also include air vents to regulate the fire. However, they need some maintenance and understanding of how to use them correctly. Here are some guidelines and don'ts for using a log stove.

Use dry and seasoned wood for your log-burner. It will burn more efficiently and generate more heat, while producing less smoke. Green wood that isn't seasoned and seasoned could cause deposits of tar to form in the flue or chimney. This can block air flow and reduce the efficiency of your heating. It could also pose a fire risk, causing possible chimney or flue flames. It is recommended to purchase kiln dried wood with the label "Ready to Burn" as this will ensure it is safe to burn.

You should also avoid using other fuels like paraffin firelighter or charcoal lighter fluid in your log burner. These substances are extremely flammable and can create fireballs in the stove, releasing harmful gasses. In addition, if utilize a log burners for sheds burner within a Smoke Control Area it is advised to only use approved smokeless fuels.

Pellet stoves require a lot less effort to operate than traditional wood burners. Most only require plugging in the appliance and pressing the ignition button. It's still important to read the instructions provided by the manufacturer and ensure that you clean the combustion chamber regularly. It's not a difficult task, but it will take some time. One suggestion is to place a log holder next to your stove to ensure that you can easily remove ash and debris as and when needed. You can also purchase an appliance that has self-cleaning combustion chambers for an easier cleaning experience. However, it is still necessary that you clean the ash tray frequently. This will cut down on the amount of time and effort that you have to put into cleaning your log burner.