Tips For Log burner Users
Its almost summer and this year more than ever, with the constant rise of the cost of living; we need to be careful with money.
On this page you will find ways of saving money and preparing safely for Winter.
How to light a log burner
Book a chimney sweep
After you stop using your fire, soot remains in the chimney and starts to mix with the water in the atmosphere rather than getting burnt off. This can cause your bricks and mortar or expensive chimney lining material to corrode.
Getting your chimney swept in the Summer months helps avoid this damage and also saves you the stress of finding a chimney sweep in the busy months before Christmas. Sweeps are quieter in the summer months and often will offer a discount to attract your business.
The fire service recommend that you get your chimney swept annually (at least) as this helps prevent dangerous chimney fires. To book your chimney sweep online visit our sister company website : chimneysweep.info/diary or sign up for a yearly reminder that your chimney is due a sweep.
Service your woodburner
As the price of energy increases, a wood burner will save you money on gas and electric bills. Should there be a power cut, you will still have a source of heat and can also use the top of your burner for cooking.
Log burners need a little bit of care and attention every year to keep them running optimally.
- Check that the grate and fire bricks that line the walls inside of the stove are not in need of repair, cracks of over 2mm wide indicate that the fire bricks may need changing.
- Check the glass and rope around the door seal. If they are damaged; extra air will enter and unnecessary fuel will be burnt.
- Check that the pipe coming out of the stove still has an intact seal.
You could also consider buying a stove pipe thermometer as these are an excellent visual guide to help you keep your fire burning at its most efficient temperature and a moisture meter so that you can check whether the wood that you want to burn is dry enough.
Book a chimney sweep to check over your stove for you, its best to sweep at the same time to get a full picture of the health of your installation. How to light a log burner.
Stay Safe
Blockages in chimneys can cause carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO is a poisonous gas that has no smell or taste. Breathing it can make you unwell, and can kill.
Every year in the UK, over 200 people go to hospital with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, which leads to around 30-40 deaths.
It is a legal requirement to have a CO detector located in the same room as any fuel burning appliance. This includes gas fires and open fireplaces burning wood or coal.
It is recommended to also have one in every bedroom in use.
Check your CO alarm
Check that it is correctly positioned; conforms to the British Standard and is of course still working.
We will install one as part of your installation if you do not already have one.
Check your Logs
Use a moisture meter to check that your wood is seasoned properly.
Unseasoned wood creates lots of dense smoke which causes air pollution and can fill your chimney or flue with tar that could start a chimney fire.
Check your Smoke Alarm
You should have two types of alarms in your property. Check them both.
To book a free home fire safety check with the Fire Service visit www.fireservice.co.uk.
Check your fire-proof gloves
Fire-proof gloves are an essential when using your log burner, if they are damaged or wearing thin, consider buying new.
No-one needs burnt fingers or arms at any time of year.
Stock up on kindling
Autumn is a great time for collecting dry twigs that have fallen off the trees. These make excellent and free kindling so stock up early. Also keep a store of newspapers and old bills, so that you can burn them to start off your fire. Make kindling logs out of cardboard packaging and string. Bits of lint from the tumble dryer are very useful for starting the fire so store them up for the winter.
Logs also have been known to rise in price after the burning season starts so fill up your log store early. It's important to burn seasoned wood only, as wood that has not dried out properly will coat your chimney lining with flammable residue that can cause a chimney fire.
Ask your supplier to prove the moisture content is below 20%. Look for the 'ready to burn' logo. If you have a lot of wood that you have been storing and are unsure as to whether it is 'seasoned' yet, invest in a moisture meter to be safe
Buy fuel locally
Very little coal is mined in the UK these days but you can still support local distributor businesses in your area.
Logs are usually farmed sustainably in Europe, but local tree surgeons often have lots of wood drying from two years ago, which hasn't travelled far at all! Take a look at the local suppliers that we recommend and use ourslelves.
How to light a log burner
Struggling to light your wood stove?
Here's a useful guide
- Empty Ash Tray when it's cold
(watch out for the wind) - Add Paper at the bottom, then kindling and small dry logs on top
- Light and open all air controls fully to give the fire lots of oxygen
- Wait until burning at optimum temperature - check your thermometer
- Add more logs and use controls to close air down and thus the heat
- Open up the air if the temperature drops below 150 degrees C
- Add seasoned logs - use a moisture meter to check
- Enjoy your wood burner