Dos and Don'ts When Using a Log Burner Fire

Log burners provide the perfect way to enjoy a real fire's atmosphere. They are also a reliable source of warmth for your home.

To get the most heat out of your log burner, you must make sure the wood is dry before you use it. Evaporation of moisture and higher temperatures than what is required in the stove, and emissions of fuel that is not burned can all lead to poor performance.

Burning logs

It is important to make use of Ready To Burn certified logs if you have a wood stove. This will increase the efficiency of your stove. When used properly the logs will burn at optimal temperatures and will reduce the amount of creosote that builds up in your chimney. This will lower the cost of energy and also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

If you are using greenwood that is not seasoned, or unseasoned, it can be harmful to your stove and chimney. Unseasoned wood is more moist of moisture than kiln-dried wood which can cause problems when burning. Wet logs can create lots of smoke when they're burned, which could reduce the effectiveness of your heating system. It can also cause creosote buildup in your chimney, which is a significant fire risk and can cause chimney fires.

Wet and unseasoned logs can take longer to burn than dry kiln-dried wood. It is best to only make use of seasoned wood to keep your flue from being damaged and overheating your stove. Knock two sticks together and listen to the sound. This will allow you to determine if your logs are moist. Dry wood will produce an uninteresting thudding sound, while dry logs will make the sound of a sharp cracking. Logs that have been seasoned are also darker in color than freshly cut, damp wood.

Once you have established an uninhibited flame and a good air flow through your stove, you can begin adding larger logs. It's important not to add too many at one time because this can smother the flames and stop them from catching. It's also a good idea to spread the logs evenly around the fire and keep some of your tinder between them.

The door of your stove that is opened too often can also affect the burn rate. This can cause the burner to stop working, which can also affect its efficiency and increase the amount of smoke that is released. It is also crucial to ensure that the area around your appliance is clear of combustible material and that all furniture is placed far enough from the appliance to comply with the distance-to-combustible guidelines for the model you have.

Ventilation

Log stoves, fireplaces and burners require ventilation to ensure they function effectively. The English Building Regulations require that combustion appliances like log burners have an adequate supply. This is because smoke could be able to enter the home when the stove isn't equipped with adequate ventilation, particularly when the fire isn't burning effectively.

To prevent this from happening, make sure that the chimney or flue isn't blocked. However, ensuring that there's proper ventilation in the space around your fireplace or stove is essential as well. Otherwise, soot and smoke could escape through the flue or chimney and then back into the home. Ventilation is also a way to ensure that the fire is burning efficiently to ensure that you get the most heat out of your wood and minimises emissions.

In order to maximise efficiency, it is recommended to use seasoned wood. This means that it was cut, split and stacked for a certain amount of time in order to allow the moisture to dry out typically between six to 12 months. The ideal is for the logs to be kiln dried to make them more comprehensible to burn.

When you light the fire, you should only add some small logs initially to allow the flames to establish themselves. Once the flames have established themselves then you can add more logs. Do not add more than one log at a time, as this may make the fire smother and leave unburned wood behind that will cause smoke and creosote.

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

Avoid touching the fire with your fingers to avoid releasing smoke into the room, and make the wood catch fire. If you open the stove too fast it releases a cloud of smoke into the room, and cause the wood to catch fire.

Cleanliness

Cleaning is vital to a successful log-burner fire both in terms of aesthetics and heating efficiency. A dirty stove generates less heat, consumes more fuel and releases unpleasant odours. It could also pose a fire risk and clog up the flue, which results in an inefficient system of venting for fumes and smoke.

There are other things that require attention in addition to the regular cleaning of your ash pan. The bottom burner plate and riddling grate for example, should be cleaned from soot particles. The baffle plate and ash bucket need to be examined for wear, as should the gaskets around the glass and door.

It is crucial to wear protective glasses and glove before beginning any maintenance task. Soot and ash particles can cause painful scratches. It is recommended to create a safe area to work in, away from any potential hazards. It is also recommended to put a tarpaulin-covered sheet on the floor to collect any debris that falls and make the cleaning process simpler.

When you empty the ashes, it is essential to remove them from the fireplace in a metal container and to leave the container open until they are completely cold. They act as insulation and retain heat for several hours or even days after the fire has been put out. They can also be used as fertiliser, provided they are made of clean, untreated wood.

Another thing to take into consideration is the kind of firewood you will use. It is best to choose well-seasoned firewood that has been cut and kept away from the weather. Allow it to dry to the moisture content of between 20 and 25%. This will help keep creosote from accumulating too much and will help keep the chimney free of soot and tar.

As an alternative to a traditional log fire we also offer a range of DEFRA approved wood burning stoves that are incredibly efficient in energy use and produce less emissions than an open flame. It is estimated that between 25% and 33 percent of London's fine particles pollution is caused by domestic wood burning, therefore switching to a stove can make a big difference to the environment.

Safety

Log burners are a cozy and efficient way to warm your log cabin. The log burners are relatively simple devices made up of a stove-pipe, a stove-door and an firebox. They also contain air vents for controlling the fire. However, they need some maintenance and understanding of how to use them properly. Here are some dos & dos when using a wood stove.

It is a good idea to use dried and seasoned wood for your log burner stove burner to burn more efficiently, generating more heat and less smoke. Unseasoned, green wood can cause tar deposits to form in the flue or chimney. This will block the air flow and reduce the efficiency of your heating. It could also create danger to fire, possibly creating fires 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 charcoal lighter or firelighter made of paraffin fluid in your log burner. This is due to the fact that they are extremely flammable and could cause fireballs in the stove and release harmful gases into your space. If you are using a electric log burner cream burner in the Smoke Control Area it is recommended to only use fuels that are smoke-free.

Pellet stoves are simpler appliances to operate than traditional log burners with most requiring little more than plugging in and hitting the ignition button. It is still essential to follow the directions provided by the manufacturer and ensure that you clean the combustion chamber regularly. It's not a huge job, but it will take some time and effort. A good tip is to place an open-top log holder near your stove to ensure that you can easily remove the ash and other debris whenever you need to. You can also buy an appliance that has self-cleaning chambers to facilitate cleaning. However, this will still require regular emptying of the Ash tray. This will decrease the amount of time and effort you have to put into cleaning your log burner.