The first few times you use your stove you will notice an odour and a small amount of smoke rising from the stove. This is completely normal as it is the paint ‘baking’ on to the metal. This will disappear after the first few small fires.
HAVE YOUR CHIMNEY SWEPT
At least once every 6-12 months organise for your chimney to be swept and service your stove periodically. Replace any damaged rope and fire cement seals immediately which can become damaged over a number of years. This causes the stove to lose its efficiency and can allow toxic fumes to leak into the room. Using sustainable woods (see below) can help maintain your chimney and stove.
We can organise to carry out a sweep and service. As well as cleaning your chimney/flue of any debris and build up of tar, we will also check that your chimney/flue is safe by carrying out a smoke test and checking the seal on the wood burner (if applicable). Our sweep will check appropriate ventilation and an alarm is in place as well as checking the condition of the chimney pot. All works are carried out using dust sheets and equipment to make sure that the sweep is carried out with very minimal dust. Upon inspection you will be issued with a Sweep Safe certificate confirming the works carried out and findings. Contact us here to organise a sweep. We sweep January through to end of September.
MOISTURE CONTENT IN WOOD
We recommend you purchase a moisture meter to test the moisture content of the wood. 20% moisture content and below is ideal to burn. Do NOT burn wet wood as it will damage the liner and stove, as well as creating deposit build up in the flue which could cause a fire in your chimney. It is also the main cause of blackening of the glass.
MULTI-FUEL STOVE
If you have a multi-fuel stove you can use smokeless coal which burns hotter than wood. Do NOT burn household coal as this causes deposits that build up in the flue which can cause chimney fires. Only use coal if you have a multi-fuel stove. Some manufacturers sell a multi-fuel grate to convert your wood burner to a multi-fuel stove.
CLEANING THE GLASS
There are products you can purchase to clean the glass. A little tip that is just as effective is to dampen newspaper, dip it in some ash and use small circular motions on the glass to clean it. Most stoves have an air wash system so if you are burning your stove at the right temperature and your fuel is dry then your glass should not blacken
Download the HETAS leaflet here for more information
TYPES OF WOOD
To maintain the life of your stove and flue and ensure maximum efficiency from your wood burner, it is important to burn the correct types of wood with a low moisture content (20% or less). A good supplier will have kiln dried the wood so it is supplied ready for burning. Store wood in a dry, ventilated space stacked to allow air to circulate. Types of wood to burn include maple, beech, birch, ash and oak. To find a local supplier recommended by HETAS click here