Dos and Don'ts When Using a Log Burner Fire

Log burners are a great way to experience the warmth of a real fire. They are also a powerful source of warmth for your home.

To get the maximum heat out of your log burner, make sure the wood is dry prior to use. Poor performance can be caused by evaporation of moisture in the stove, higher temperatures than needed and unburned gas emissions.

Burning logs

If you have an white electric log burner log burner fire (notoprinting.xsrv.jp) log burner, making use of the kiln dried Ready To Burn certified logs is crucial to the efficiency of your stove. If properly used they will burn at optimal heat levels and reduce the amount of creosote that builds in your chimney. This will significantly reduce your energy costs and also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

If you're using green or unseasoned wood, it can be dangerous to the health of your stove and chimney system. Unseasoned wood has a greater moisture content than kiln dried wood, and this can cause issues when burning. Wet logs create a lot of smoke when they are burned and can negatively impact your heating performance. It can also lead to creosote accumulation in your chimney. This can be an hazard to fire and could lead to chimney fires.

Logs that are not seasoned or wet can take longer to burn than kiln dried wood. This can lead to your stove overheating and damaging the flue, so it's best to use wood that is seasoned only. To determine the moisture content of your logs, you can knock two sticks together and listen to how they sound. The wood that is damp will produce an uninteresting thudding sound, while dry logs make the sound of a sharp cracking. The logs that are mature are also darker in colour than fresh cut damp wood.

After you've created small electric log burner flames and adequate airflow in your stove, it's now time to add more logs. It is important to not add more than one log at a time, as this will smother flames and prevent them catching. It's also recommended to spread the logs out evenly around your fire, and to keep some of your tinder in between them.

Opening the door to your stove often can affect the rate of combustion. This can cause the stove to stop working, which could also affect its effectiveness and increase the amount of smoke released. It is also crucial to ensure that the space around your appliance is clear of combustible materials and the furniture is far enough from the appliance in order to comply with the guidelines regarding distance to combustible for your particular model.

Ventilation

Log burners, fireplaces and stoves require ventilation to ensure they work efficiently. In fact, English Building Regulations specify that there must be a sufficient supply of air for appliances that burn like log burners. This is because smoke could leak into the home if the stove doesn't have adequate ventilation, particularly if the fire isn't burning efficiently.

To avoid this, make sure that the chimney or flue isn't blocked. But, ensuring there is adequate ventilation in the area 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 ensures that your fire is burning efficiently to ensure you get the maximum heat from your wood and minimize emissions.

To maximize efficiency, it is recommended to use seasoned wood. This means that it was cut, split and stacked for a period of time that allows the moisture to evaporate typically between six to 12 months. Ideally, the logs should be kiln dried to make them easier to burn.

When you light the fire, only add some small logs at first, to allow the flames to establish themselves. Once the flames have settled, you can add larger logs. Don't pile on too many logs at once because this could smother the fire and leave unburned wood behind and create smoke and creosote.

It is also essential to keep the fire going until all the logs have been burned to soot and embers. It could also decrease the efficiency of the fire if you remove the logs before they are completely burned.

It is also recommended to avoid touching the fire with your fingers since this can release smoke into the room and can cause the wood to catch on the 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 crucial to the success of a log-burner fireplace in terms of aesthetics and efficiency of heating. A dirty stove produces less heat, uses more fuel and emits unpleasant odours. It could also create an explosion and block the flue, leading to an inefficient exhausting of smoke and fumes.

There are other items that require attention in addition to the regular cleaning of your ash pan. The bottom burn plate and riddling grate, for instance, must be cleared of soot particles. Check the ash bucket and baffle plate for wear. Also, look at the gaskets on the door and glass.

Before beginning any maintenance work it is vital to put on protective gloves and goggles - the abrasive particles of ash or soot can cause painful abrasions. It is a good idea to pick a safe area for the work away from any dangers. It is also recommended to set an tarpaulin sheet on the floor to collect any debris that falls and make cleaning simpler.

It is important to empty the ashes into a stainless steel container, and then leave it open until the ashes are cool. 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 also be used as fertiliser however only if they are made from clean, untreated wood.

The type of wood you choose to use is also crucial. It is recommended to choose 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 and keep the chimney free of soot, tar and other deposits.

We also offer a range DEFRA-approved wood burning stoves that can be used as an alternative to traditional log fire. They are extremely efficient in terms of energy efficiency and produce fewer emissions than a traditional open fire. It has been estimated that between 25% and 33 percent of London's fine particles air pollution derives from wood burning in the home, so making the switch to a stove can be a significant improvement for the environment.

Safety

Log burners are a warm and efficient method of heating your log cabin. They are relatively simple appliances comprised of a firebox, stove door, and stove-pipe that has air vents to control the flame. However, they require some maintenance and knowledge of how to use them correctly. Here are some dos & nots to avoid when using a log stove.

It is recommended to use seasoned and dried wood for your log stove because it burns more efficiently, generating more heat, but with less smoke. Green wood that is not seasoned can cause deposits of tar to build up in the flue or chimney. This can block air flow and reduce your heating efficiency. It also poses a fire hazard, causing potential flames in the chimney or flue. The best option is to purchase kiln dried wood that bears the 'Ready to Burn' label as it is a sign that it is dry and safe to burn.

You should also stay clear of using other fuels, like paraffin firelighter or charcoal lighter fluid in your log burner. These are highly flammable and can cause fireballs to form in the stove, which release harmful gasses. If you are using a log-burner within an area that has a Smoke Control Area it is best to only use smokeless fuels.

Pellet stoves are easier to use than traditional log burners with the majority requiring no more than plugging in and pressing the ignition button. It's still necessary to read the directions provided by the manufacturer and ensure that you clean the combustion chamber regularly. It's not a huge task, but it requires some time and effort. Place a log holder near your stove to make it easier to get rid of the ash or other debris that is necessary. You can also buy a stove that has an automatic cleaning chamber to simplify cleaning. However, it will require regular emptying of the ash tray. This will decrease the amount of time and effort that you have to put into cleaning your log burner.