How to Properly Operate a Log Burning Stove

Log burners are an eco-friendly source of heat that is low in carbon and good for the environment. They are easy-to-use and provide excellent heat for a room.

A stove's optimum efficiency is attained when it's filled with well-seasoned wood. This means seasoned hawthorn or horse chestnut, cut and stacked over a period of time.

Burning logs

Log burning stoves provide an inviting, warm and economical alternative to oil and gas. They are also eco-friendly since they emit low levels of carbon dioxide and create the natural warmth needed to improve your living space. But, before purchasing a wood burner it is essential to determine if you reside in a smoke-free area since this could affect the kind of fuel you can burn in your stove.

It is recommended to contact your local environmental protection agency for more information on the rules if you reside in a smoking-control area. It is also important to ensure that your house is built to house a log-burning stove. It will need an enduring chimney and a roof structure. Additionally, you will need to have plenty of dry logs to use for the stove. It is recommended to use dry, kiln-dried firewood that has a low moisture level or well-seasoned wood because it will have less negative impact on the environment. Green wood has high moisture content, which means that an enormous amount of energy is used to evaporate the water before it is able to generate any heat. Well-seasoned and kiln dried wood will burn more hot, and with less smoke emissions.

The first step is to construct an ember-filled bed with small twigs, or pieces of tinder. Once the tepee-like arrangement has caught on, the larger logs can be added. They should be stacked in a criss-cross fashion (like a game of tic-tac toe) so that there is plenty of room for air flow between the logs. Once the fire is set it is possible to shut off the primary air intake on the stove and utilize the automatic combustion control to provide the logs with a constant stream of oxygen.

The logs must be seasoned, and the size should be in line with your stove. This will assist in the burning process. It is also a good idea to use only Woodsure approved logs that are kiln-dried and come from sustainable forests.

A fire is lit

It is essential to light a fire properly in a wood burning stove or other type of log burner. This will not only enhance the efficiency of your stove, but it will also reduce the amount of smoke and creosote in your chimney and house. Begin by opening the damper, usually a lever near the top of your stove. Once the fire has been established, you can close it to control the flow of air and the output of heat.

Take a few small to medium-sized clefts, and make sure they are dry. (Ideally, the moisture content should not exceed 20%). Use a handful or newspaper or another combustible materials such as cardboard to add a layer of tinder at the base of your log burner or fireplace. Do not pack the tinder tightly, as it will block the flow of oxygen into the fire and could cause it to die. Place a few firelighters on top of the tinder in a crisscross arrangement.

Next, put some pieces of fine kindling over the newspaper tinder, again leaving space for air to circulate. You could also include a couple of Eco firelighters at this point to aid the pieces of tinder to ignite and burn faster. Then, you can place a few bigger logs on the top of the kindling. It is recommended to lay these flat on the firebed or grate rather than leaning them against each other as this helps with draught and airflow and allows the flames to reach the logs underneath.

The upside down fire-lighting method is more efficient and produces less particulate emissions than the traditional method of lighting a fire. The logs on top of the pile get hotter faster and provide more oxygen to the flames. This also prevents the draught of the logs at the bottom of the stack from cooling down. This would otherwise slow the ignition and cause smoke. This technique also ensures the fire is full and roaring is achieved from the beginning, and you will not need to wait for long before you can enjoy your cozy stove.

Cleaning the firebox

You should clean the firebox of your stove on a regular basis. If not taken care of, a buildup can reduce airflow, which can cause the fireplace to produce more smoke than a burning fire. This can be particularly dangerous, so it is important to clean your wood stove on a regular basis. You should ensure that the stove has cool and then remove any large ash pieces before you begin cleaning. Wear gloves as ash is extremely hot. You can also put a newspaper sheet on the floor in front of the stove to stop ashes falling onto your carpet.

When it comes to cleaning the glass in your wood electric stove fire there are a myriad of methods to choose from. You can use a piece of newspaper to rub off the soot, and you can buy oven cleaner or cleaning sprays. There's even a product designed specifically to clean wood stoves that is available at a variety of hardware stores.

Cleaning your stove during spring will help prevent creosote buildup. It is important to clean your stove as creosote may ignite and create serious fire hazards. You can also make use of a flashlight to check the chimney and flue for any sign of creosote. If the amount of creosote buildup is greater than 1/8" then it's time to clean the chimney and flue.

To clean the firebox, you should first make sure the stove is fully cool. Then, take out any large ash pieces and dispose of them properly. Once the ash has been removed then you can clean the stove's interior using a wire brush. You should also scrub the grate and the andirons with the help of a wire brush to eliminate any buildup of soot. You can also make use of a cloth slightly dampened with water to scrub the glass and firebox.

After you have finished cleaning the firebox, close the flue and shut the door to your wood stove. You should have someone hold the ladder while you climb up to open the flue. This could be a high spot.

Ventilation

Ventilation is essential for a stove that burns wood to function properly and keep smoke from entering your home. Ventilation allows fresh air to flow into the room and replace the old aged air that would otherwise been drawn into the stove. A good ventilation system will stop your stove from overheating, which could damage it and reduce its efficiency. Ventilation is also a legal requirement for all stoves.

To get the most out of your fireplace Start with seasoned wood that has been stacked and dried for at least six months. It will last longer and heat up faster than fresh wood. Avoid adding man-made wood materials like ply wood particle boards and painted timber since they can produce toxic gases and leave residues in the flue that could ignite an explosion in the chimney. Don't add too many logs as they will smother flames, leaving unburned fuel that can cause creosote and smoke.

It is recommended to open both air vents while lighting the fire, and keep them open until the flames are fully established. Once the fire is fully lit, slowly close the air vent levers until they are both closed about one third. If your fireplace is in a depressurised space it may be necessary to open a door or window slightly to allow adequate ventilation. When using a wood-burning stove is best to combine the wood with smokeless fuel briquettes. This will allow the flames to burn for longer periods of time and allow you the option to add larger logs once the fire has been established.

Find out from your Local Authority what ventilation requirements are required if you are installing or moving a wood-burning stove. To meet the requirements it is possible to install a chimney or modify your existing flue. Check with your insurance provider to see if it will require that the work be approved to ensure the insurance coverage of your home.