Getting the best from your wood stove

Whether you’ve just bought a stove, are thinking of getting one, or have inherited one with a home you’ve moved into, there are several things to consider so you can make the most of your stove.

If you’re thinking of getting a multi-fuel stove, think about what fuel you’re going to use. According to a survey conducted by the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA), 77% of multi-fuel stoves owners said they used their stove exclusively to burn wood.  As not all multi-fuel stoves burn wood as efficiently as dedicated wood burning stoves, those people would be better off with a log burner.

To make sure you get the most out of your wood burning stove, it’s vital to use the right kind of wood. First and foremost, it’s important that you burn as dry wood as possible – ideally it should only contain less than 20% moisture. In other words, wood that has been drying for at least 18 months. 

Using fresh logs with a high moisture content of around 60% to 90% will reduce your stove’s heat output.  This is because you’ll waste energy burning off the water, so you’ll need to use more to warm the room. It will also leave more build-up in your chimney, create more smoke and potentially harmful air pollution.

If you choose the right stove, it should be very easy to maintain. But there are a few steps you should take to keep it efficient and safe. To keep your stove in good working order, the Stove Industry Alliance recommends that you have your chimney swept at the beginning and the end of the winter to avoid a build-up of tar and soot, which could damage the chimney and stove when not in use. From a safety point of view, blocked chimneys can also cause deadly carbon monoxide. One sweep should cost between £30-£60.

Can we help?

If you are looking for assistance choosing a new or simply need help with your existing burner, please make contact and one of our qualified fitters will be happy to assist.