It's The One Log Burning Stove Trick Every Person Should Be Able To

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 great heating for rooms.

The most efficient performance of a stove is realized with well-seasoned wood. This is usually seasoned hawthorn or horse chestnut, cut and stacked over the course of a year.

Burning logs

Log burning stoves provide warmth, comfort and affordable alternative to gas or oil. They are also eco-friendly since they emit low levels of carbon dioxide as well as provide the natural warmth needed to improve your living space. However, before you buy a wood stove, it is essential to determine if you live in a smoke control area since this could affect the kind of fuel you can burn in your stove.

If you are in a zone of smoke control you should contact the local environmental protection agency to learn more about the regulations. You should also make sure that your home is suitable for a stove that burns wood as it will need to have a strong chimney and a suitable roof structure. You will also require an abundance of dry logs to fuel your stove. It is best to use kiln-dried firewood with an extremely low moisture level or well-seasoned wood fire stove since it will have less negative impact on the environment. Green wood has high moisture content and, as such, a large amount of energy is required to evaporate the water before it is able to generate any heat. Wood that is well-seasoned and kiln-dried will burn hotter and emit less smoke.

The first step is to construct an ember bed using small twigs or pieces of wood. Once the tepee arrangement is established the larger logs can be added. They should be stacked criss-cross (like a game of tic-tac-toe) so there is enough space for air flow between the logs. Once the fire is established it is possible to use the automatic control of combustion to supply the logs with oxygen.

The logs should be dried and seasoned, and the dimensions should be matched to your stove. This will assist in the burning process. It is also a good idea to only use Woodsure approved logs, which are kiln dried and sourced from sustainable forests.

A fire is lit

It is crucial to correctly light the fire in a wood-burning stove, or log burner. This will not only improve the efficiency of your stove, but also reduce the amount of smoke and creosote in your chimney as well as in your house. Start by opening the damper, typically a lever at the top of your stove. Once the fire has been established then you can close the damper to control the airflow and heat output.

Find a few small- to medium-sized clefts and make sure they are dry. (Ideally you want the moisture content should be below 20 percent). Use a handful or newspaper or another combustible materials such as cardboard to add an tinder layer at the bottom of your log burner or fireplace. Don't pack the tinder tightly as this can restrict oxygen flow and cause the fire to go out. Put a few firelighters on the top of the tinder in a criss-cross pattern.

Next, put some pieces of fine kindling on top of the newspaper tinder, leaving space for air to circulate. At this point, you can also add Eco firelighters to help the kindling ignite. Then, place a few larger pieces of wood on top of the kindling. It is best to lay them flat on the firebed or grate instead of leaning them against one another because this aids in airflow and draught and allows the flames to reach the logs beneath.

The traditional method of lighting a fireplace is less efficient and generates more particulate matter than the upside-down method. The logs at the top of the pile are heated faster and add more oxygen to the flames. It also prevents the draught of the lowermost logs of the stack from cooling, which would otherwise slow the ignition and cause the fire to go out of control. This technique also ensures a full, roaring fire starts right from the beginning, and you will not have to wait long before enjoying your warm stove.

Cleaning the firebox

The firebox of your log burning stove needs to be regularly cleaned. If left unattended an accumulation of ash can impede airflow and cause the fireplace to release smoke instead of an intense flame. It is therefore essential to clean your wood stove regularly. You should ensure that the stove has cool and then remove any large ash pieces before you begin cleaning. You should also wear gloves, since ash is extremely hot. You can also put a newspaper sheet on the floor in front of your stove to stop ashes falling onto your carpet.

There are a variety of ways to clean the glass on your wood burner. You can use a piece newspaper to rub away the soot, and you can buy oven cleaners 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 in spring will stop the buildup of creosote. Creosote is flammable, and could cause serious fire hazards, so it is important to keep your stove clean. You can use a flashlight for a visual inspection of the chimney and flue. If the creosote accumulation is greater than 1/8" is the time to clean the flue and chimney.

To clean the firebox, you should first make sure the stove is fully cool. Then, take out the large ash particles, and eliminate them in a secure manner. Once the ash has been removed it is possible to clean the inside of the stove using a wire brush. It is also recommended to scrub the grate and andirons using the help of a wire brush to eliminate any buildup of soot. You can also make use of a cloth slightly dampened by water to clean the glass and the firebox.

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

Ventilation

Ventilation in a wood burning stove is essential for the operation of the appliance and also to keep smoke from entering your home. Ventilation allows for fresh air to flow into the space, replacing the old aged air that would otherwise been drawn into the stove. Ventilation will help prevent your white electric stove from overheating, which could cause damage to it and reduce its effectiveness. Ventilation is also a legal requirement for all stoves.

To maximize the performance of your fireplace begin with seasoned wood that has been dried and stacked for at minimum six months. It will burn more hot and longer than fresh wood. Avoid adding substances made of man-made wood such as ply, particle boards, and painted wood as they could release toxic gasses and leave traces that can cause a fire in the chimney. Don't add excessive amounts of logs, as this will partially smother flames, leaving unburned fuel which can cause creosote and smoke.

It is recommended that you open both air vents prior to you light the fire and keep them open until the flames are fully established. When the fire is fully lit, slowly close the air vents until they are completely closed, about one third. If your fireplace is in a depressurised space it is possible to open a window or door slightly to ensure adequate ventilation. If you're using a wood-burning stove, it's best to combine the wood with smokeless fuel briquettes. This will help to keep the flames going for a longer time and also allow you to add larger logs to the fire when it has been established.

If you are installing a wood burning stove or changing its location, consult your Local Authority to find out the requirements for ventilation they will need to comply with. It could be necessary to install an entirely new chimney or modify your existing flue to comply with the regulations. Check with your insurance provider to see if it will require that the work be approved to keep your home's insurance.