10 Unexpected Log Burning Stove Tips
How to Properly Operate a Log Burning Stove
Log burners are an energy source that is renewable that is low in carbon and good for the environment. They are easy to use and provide excellent heating for a room.
The highest efficiency of a stove is when it is filled with well-seasoned wood. This is the seasoned horse chestnut, or hawthorn that has been chopped and stacked for a whole year.
Burning logs
Log burning stoves are an excellent option for homes of all kinds and offer warm, comfortable and economical alternative to gas and oil. They are also environmentally friendly as they emit low levels of carbon dioxide and provide a natural fire to enhance your living space. However, before you buy a wood burner it is important to check whether you live in a smoke control area since this could affect the kind of fuel you can burn in your stove.
Contact the local environmental protection office for more information about the rules for those who live in a smoke-control area. You should also make sure that your home is suitable for a stove that burns wood since it will require to have a sturdy chimney and an adequate roof structure. It is also necessary to have a large supply of dry logs to multi fuel stoves your stove. It is crucial to select firewood that has been kiln dried that has a low moisture content, or well-seasoned wood, as this will have less of an impact on the environment than green wood. Green wood has high moisture content and, as such, a large amount of energy is used to evaporate the water before it generates any heat. Well-seasoned and kiln dried wood will burn hotter and produce less smoke emissions.
The first step is to build up a bed of embers with small twigs and pieces of kindling. When the tepee-like arrangement has caught on, the larger logs can be added. They should be placed criss-cross (like a game of tic-tac-toe) to ensure there is enough room for air flow between the logs. Once the fire has been established you can shut the air intake on the stove and utilize the 'automatic combustion control' to provide the logs with a steady flow of oxygen.
The logs need to be seasoned and the size should match the stove you are using. This will aid in the burning process. It is also a good idea to use only Woodsure approved logs. These logs are kiln dried and sourced from sustainable forest.
The lighting of a fire
It is crucial to correctly light the fire in a wood-burning stove, or log burner. This not only increases the efficiency of the electric stove heaters, but it also reduces creosote and smoke build-up in your chimney and at home. Begin by releasing the damper - typically a lever located near the top of your stove. After the fire is established and the damper is closed, you can shut it to control the flow of air and the output of heat.
To begin Begin by gathering small to medium sized Cleft logs and ensure they are dry (ideally with an average moisture content of less than 20%). Make use of a handful of newspaper or another combustible materials such as cardboard to make an tinder layer at the bottom of your fireplace or log burner. Don't pack the tinder in tightly, as this restricts the flow of oxygen to the fire and Product can cause it to die. Place a few flames on the top of the tinder in a crisscross arrangement.
Then, sprinkle a few pieces of fine kindling over the tinder of the newspaper, leaving space for air to circulate. You can also include a couple of Eco firelighters at this stage to help the pieces of kindling ignite and burn more quickly. Then, put several larger pieces of wood on top of the kindling. It is recommended to lay them flat on the firebed or grate rather than leaning them against one another as this helps with airflow and draught and allows the flames to reach the logs beneath.
The upside-down method of lighting fires is more efficient and produces less particulate emissions than the traditional way of lighting a fire. The logs on top of the pile heat up faster and supply more oxygen to the flames. It also stops the draughts from the lowermost logs of the stack from cooling down which could slow the ignition time and cause the fire to smoke. This method also ensures that you will have a full-throttle fire right from the start, and won't have to wait for too long before you are able to enjoy your cozy stove.
Cleaning the firebox
Clean the firebox of your log-burning stove on a regular basis. When left unattended, a buildup of ash can reduce airflow and cause the fireplace to produce smoke instead of a hot flame. This is especially dangerous, so it is important to clean your wood stove on a regular basis. When it is time to clean you must ensure that your stove is completely cool and take out any large pieces of ash prior to when you start cleaning. You should also wear gloves because ash can be extremely hot. It is also recommended to place a sheet of newspaper on the ground in front of your electric stove heaters to stop the ashes from falling on your carpet.
There are several ways to clean the glass on your wood burner. You can use a piece of newspaper to scrub away the soot, or you can buy oven cleaners or cleaning sprays. There is even a special product made specifically for cleaning wood stoves that is available at a variety of hardware stores.
Cleaning your stove during spring can help to keep away the buildup of creosote. Creosote is flammable, and could cause serious fire hazards, therefore it is crucial to keep your stove clean. You can use a flashlight for a visual inspection of the flue and chimney. If the amount of creosote buildup is more than 1/8", it's time to clean the chimney and flue.
You must ensure that the stove has cool before cleaning the firebox. Then, take out any large pieces of ash and dispose of them safely. Once the ash is removed it is possible to clean the stove's interior using a wire brush. Wire brushes can be used to scrub the grate, irons as well as remove any soot. You can also make use of a cloth slightly dampened with water to clean the glass and the firebox.
After you've cleaned the firebox, close the flue, and then shut the door to your wood stove. You should ask someone to hold the ladder while you climb the ladder to open the flue. This can be a difficult task.
Ventilation
Ventilation in a wood burning stove is vital to the operation of the appliance and also to stop smoke from entering your home. Ventilation also allows fresh air to circulate through your home and replace the old, polluted air that would otherwise be drawn into the stove. A good ventilation system will stop your stove from overheating, which could cause damage to it and reduce its efficiency. Ventilation is also a legal requirement for all stoves.
To maximize the performance of your fireplace begin with well-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 materials made of man-made wood, such as Ply, particle boards and painted wood because they can release toxic gasses and leave traces which can ignite in the chimney. Don't add too many logs because they can block flames, resulting in unburned fuel which can cause creosote and smoke.
It is recommended that you open both air vents while you light the fire and keep them open until the flames have been established. Once the flames are fully established you can close one of the vents gradually until both vents are shut about a third of the way. If your fireplace is in a depressurised space it is possible to open a window or door slightly to ensure adequate ventilation. If you are using a stove that burns wood, it's best to combine charcoal with smokeless fuel briquettes. This will help to keep the flames burning 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 relocating it be sure to make sure you contact your Local Authority to find out what ventilation requirements it must comply with. You may need to install a new chimney or modify the existing one to ensure it is in line with the regulations. Contact your insurance company to determine if they require that the work be certified to keep your home's insurance.
