Dos and Don'ts When Using a Log Burner Fire

Log burners are the ideal method to experience a real flame's ambiance. They also provide a potent source of heat for your home.

To get the most heat out of your log burner, you must ensure that the wood is dry prior to use. The reason for poor performance is by the evaporation of water in the stove, high temperatures than necessary and unburned fuel emissions.

Burning logs

It is important to use Ready To Burn certified logs when you own a wood stove. This will improve the efficiency of your stove. When used correctly, will burn at optimum temperatures and decrease the amount of creosote build-up in your chimney. This will dramatically lower your energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

However, if you're using unseasoned or green wood, it could be dangerous to the health of your stove and chimney system. Unseasoned wood is more moist of moisture than dried kiln-dried wood, which can cause problems when burning. Wet wood can generate lots of smoke when they are burned, which can reduce the efficiency of your heating system. It can also cause creosote to build up in your chimney, which is an important fire risk and can cause chimney fires.

Logs that are not seasoned or wet are also more difficult to burn than kiln dried wood. This can lead to your stove overheating and causing damage to the flue, which is why it's best to use wood that is seasoned only. To determine the moisture content of your logs, knock two sticks together and listen to the way they sound. Damp wood will make a thudding, dull sound whereas dry logs will create an intense cracking sound. Seasoned logs are also darker than freshly cut damp wood.

Once you've established small flames and good airflow throughout your stove, it's now time to add bigger logs. It is important not to add too many at one time as this will smother the flames and stop them from catching. Spread the logs out evenly and keep some kindling between them.

The rate of burning can be affected by opening the door of your stove too often. This could cause the stove to cease to function, which could also affect its effectiveness and increase the amount of smoke emitted. It is also essential that you ensure the area around your appliance is free of combustible materials and that furniture is far enough away from the appliance to comply with the distance-to-combustible guidelines for your model.

Ventilation

To ensure that fireplaces, log burners and stoves operate efficiently, they require ventilation. In fact, English Building Regulations specify that there must be enough air for appliances that burn like log burners. Smoke can get into your home if you don't have adequate ventilation for the stove, particularly when it's not burning correctly.

To prevent this from happening, make sure that the chimney or flue isn't blocked. However, making sure there is adequate ventilation in the room around your stove or fireplace is crucial 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 the maximum heat from your wood, and also reduces emissions.

To maximize efficiency, always make use of seasoned lumber. This means it's been cut and split and then stacked over longer periods of time to allow the moisture within the wood to dry out. The typical time is between six to twelve months. The ideal is for the logs to be dried in a kiln to make them more comprehensible to burn.

Add a few small pieces of wood to the fire first, so that the flames can get established. Once the flames have settled, you can add larger logs. Don't add too many logs at a time since this can cause the fire to become smothered and leave unburned wood behind and create smoke and creosote.

It's important to keep the fire going till all the logs are reduced to embers or soot. It could also decrease the efficiency of the fire if you take away the logs before they have completely burned.

You should also avoid touching the flame with your fingers as this releases smoke into the space and could cause the wood to catch the fire. Also, if you open the door to the stove too quickly when the fire is hot, it will release a cloud of smoke and release embers into the room.

Cleanliness

Cleaning is essential for the success of a log-burner fireplace both in terms of appearance and efficiency of heating. A dirty stove generates less heat, uses more fuel and emits unpleasant smells. It can also cause an explosion and block the flue, leading to inadequate venting of fumes and smoke.

In addition to regular cleaning of the ash pan, there are other things that need attention periodically. For example the riddling grate and bottom burn plate should be cleared of soot particles. Check the ash bucket as well as the baffle plate for wear. Also, check the gaskets on the door and glass.

Before beginning any maintenance work it is vital to put on protective gloves and goggles as abrasive particles of ash and soot can cause painful scratches. It is advisable to pick a safe place to work in, away from potential hazards. It is also recommended to place an tarpaulin sheet on the floor to collect any debris that might fall and make cleaning easier.

When you empty the ashes, it is essential to remove them from the fireplace into an aluminum container and keep the container open until they are completely cold. Ashes act as an insulation material and can keep warmth for a few hours or days after the fire has been put out. They can be used as fertilisers but only if they are made from untreated, clean wood.

The kind of wood you use is also crucial. It is recommended to select seasoned firewood that has been split and stored away from the weather. Let it dry to a moisture content of between 20 and 25 percent. This will help prevent the accumulation of creosote buildup and keep the chimney free of tar, soot and other deposits.

For a different option to the traditional log fire, we also have a range of DEFRA approved wood burning stoves that are incredibly energy efficient and produce far less emissions than an open fire. It has been estimated that between 25% and 33 percent of London's fine particles pollution is caused by wood burning in the home, so switching to a stove could make a huge difference to the environment.

Safety

Log burners are a cozy and efficient way to heat your log cabin. The log burners are relatively simple devices made up of stove-pipes, a stove door and the firebox. They also have air vents to control the flame. They require maintenance and a basic understanding of how to operate the appliance. Here are some guidelines and don'ts for using a log stove.

Use seasoned and dry wood for your log-burner. It will burn more efficiently and generate more heat, while producing less smoke. Green and unseasoned wood can create tar deposits in the chimney and flue which block the flow of air and thus making it harder to heat. It could also pose an ignition risk, leading to possible chimney or flue flames. It is recommended that you purchase kiln-dried wood with the "Ready to Burn' label as this is a good indicator that it is dry and safe to burn.

Additionally, you should not be using any other fuels for your log burner like charcoal lighter logs or paraffin firelighter logs lighter fluid. This is because these are highly flammable substances that may cause fireballs in the stove and release harmful gases into your home. If you are using a log burner in a Smoke Control Area it is best to use only smokeless fuels.

Pellet stoves require less effort to operate than traditional wood burners. They require only plugging the appliance in and pressing the ignition button. However, it is essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions when using your stove and remember that you need to clean the combustion chamber frequently. It's not difficult however, it can take some time. A good tip is to put an open-top log holder near your stove so that you can easily get rid of ash and debris as and when necessary. You can also purchase a stove that has self-cleaning chambers to simplify cleaning. However, it will require regular emptying of the ash tray. This will cut down on the amount of time and effort you put into cleaning your log burner.