Stove Log Burner Basics

Stove logs are made of wood, which is renewable energy source and produces less pollution than electricity, gas or oil. This is only the case when the wood is obtained sustainably and is then burned.

Avoid using compressed combustibles, such as firelighter sticks made of paraffin in your stove. They don't burn well and may cause problems with air regulation.

The right wood to choose

It is important to choose the correct wood for your stove log burner. The wood you choose will determine how much heat and smoke the stove generates. For this reason, it is recommended to purchase firewood that is seasoned and dry. This will ensure the wood burns efficiently and cleanly and emits less smoke. It is also recommended that you buy a large quantity of wood to ensure that you have enough for a long period.

A wood burner is a fantastic way to heat a room and create a warm space to unwind and spend time with your loved ones and family. It is an excellent alternative to other fuels, such as gas or oil and can be used in the event of an outage in power, since it doesn't require electricity to operate.

It is a great idea to designate a specific area to store your wood logs. This will prevent them from getting wet and rotting. The ideal place to store them is under cover, where the logs can be stored upright and in a flow of air to dry out evenly. This will keep the wood warmer and reduce the cost of your stove.

The ideal choice is to use hardwood logs because they provide a higher energy output per cubic metre. However, this isn't always feasible as the price of hardwood can be significantly higher than softwoods. If you're unable to afford hardwood, then we suggest you choose one with a lower moisture content. Birch, for example, has a high moisture content and can produce excessive smoke when burned.

Illegality of obtaining firewood from the local woods or forest is also worth mentioning. The land that a forest is on belongs to the owner, and taking wood without their permission is a criminal offence. It is best to purchase your wood logs from trusted suppliers.

Starting the fire

Once you have selected the correct wood for your stove log burner and you're ready to ignite the fire. There are a few things you need to be aware of to ensure a steady burn and reduce smoke emissions. Read the manual of your stove or fireplace to find out how to build fires.

The damper allows air into the stove or fireplace and it's crucial to keep it open when you start an open flame so that the logs can be lit. Close the damper when the fire has been lit to control the airflow and heat output.

You can make use of newspaper and firelighters in case you are having trouble lighting your log burner. You can also add fuel using a piece of dry bark or wood chips. After that, place a few logs on the top of the pile and continue to add more as the fire is glowing.

It's best to stack logs horizontally and to make sure that they do not touch the glass or the walls of the stove. You can then stack a few more smaller logs on top and finish with paper or birch bark to light. It is important to remember that the log burner requires a lot of oxygen to be able to burn, so make sure to not restrict the airflow by stacking logs.

Make sure that the logs are dry before you use them. Try smacking two logs. The wood that is moist will make an eerie sound, whereas dry logs will crackle and flake. You can also test for moisture by placing your hands in the fire and observing the temperature. If it's hot, you're good!

It's also crucial to add more logs before closing the door. This prevents the existing logs from burning out and cutting off their oxygen supply. It is also important to keep an eye on the fire frequently and alter it as required.

Maintaining the fire

A stove log burner is a fantastic alternative to an open fire and can help you save money on fuel costs as well as providing a more efficient way to heat your home. It can take a lot of time and trial and error to figure out the best methods to manage a wood burning fireplace that burns all night.

The first thing you need to do is know your stove's log burner fire. A great fire should have flames which dance and smoke light. But, you must avoid flames that are too hot or spitting. This can cause the heat to rise up the chimney instead of into your room. It could can also cause the accumulation of dust particles within your home's atmosphere.

You must also know the best place to put coals in a stove log burner. You can make a powerful combustion by pushing any old coals to the back of the fire, and adding newer coals to the front. This will create a powerful heat source to ignite larger logs later on.

Depending on the stove, you may need to adjust the air vents after the fire gets going. Start by opening the vents open, and then close them once the logs begin to burn on the outside. Vents that are closed too soon can cause the fire to go out and it's crucial to know how to manage a stove log burner properly.

If you use a stove with a log-burner, make sure you only use dry wood. If your wood has an excessive amount of moisture it will struggle to burn and create large quantities of smoke and polluting. Instead, use only dried, seasoned wood that has been kiln-dried from a responsible source such as Woodsure.

It is also not recommended to use compressed combustibles like wood briquettes in your stove log burner, because they aren't actually logs and may have a different physical structure that could impact on the appliance's ability to regulate the circulation of air around the combustion process. It is also not recommended to make use of paraffin in your stove as they are made of fossil fuels. They should not be used in a wood burning stove that is designed to be eco-friendly.

Fire extinguishing

Log burners are growing in popularity among homeowners because of their comfort, character and capability to reduce dependence on fossil fuels to heat homes. However, it is important to be aware of the basic rules of operating the stove fireplace log burner in order to get the most from this type of fire and avoid costly errors.

When you cook on a stove equipped with a log burner it is recommended that you select wood that has been well-seasoned. It is important that the wood has been cut, stacked and divided for at least one year to let it dry naturally. It is also worth remembering that the dryer the wood, the more efficient the burn and the less ash it produces.

The stacking of the logs in a cool, dry area is vital to allow the wood to dry out. This is particularly important if you intend to build a huge fireplace. You can also purchase dry kiln-dried logs that have been pre-seasoned to ensure that they are more efficient in burning and produce less ash.

It is important to begin with small wood stove pieces of firewood and gradually increase the size as the flames expand. This will ensure that the fire is evenly ignited and will not spit sparks or cause the glass to crack.

It is also important to avoid adding too much wood at once, as this could starve the fires and prevent them burning long enough to produce the desired heat output. Similarly, it is important to avoid using rubbish or scrap materials in your log burner. These materials can produce excessive smoke and even catch the flames.

Most stoves have air vents that can be shut and opened to control oxygen supply to the flames. These can be accessed through an opening or a lever located under or next to the door, with many stoves also equipped with a damper that opens and closes the flue.

When you are putting the stove on fire the first step is to shut the door of the stove and open the chimney flap. Afterwards, it is a good idea to smother the fire with a metal lid or similar. This will stop the fire from reigniting and may prevent harmful fumes such as carbon monoxide being released into the air. Also, allow the ashes to cool before getting rid of them since they could pose a risk when stored near any flammable object.