A wood-burning stove can be a wonderful source of heat for a room or entire home depending on its size. If you have just moved into a house that has a wood burner, there are some things you need to know in order to maintain a high standard of safety and efficiency. Here are a few recommendations:
As the name implies, wood-burning stoves are designed to burn wood. This means that you cannot just burn anything in the stove and doing so may prove hazardous. For example, it is not advisable to burn coal in your wood burner. Coal burns much hotter than wood does and so this will pose a fire risk. You should also avoid throwing items in the stove that emit toxic chemicals. Such items include gift wrapping and colored paper, plastic, painted or pressure-treated woods, plywood, and particleboard.
You should also think about the kinds of wood to burn in your wood burner. If you can, choose dry wood that has a low moisture content as this burns hotter than wood that is freshly cut. Some types of wood are quicker to ignite than others and are good to use when lighting the fire. A softwood like pine work well. When you have the fire started, use hardwoods like hickory, oak, or ash and burn them in smaller pieces which will give off a cleaner, hotter burn.
Important reminders. It is a good idea to get your wood burner professionally inspected periodically. Creosote tends to accumulate in the stovepipe which is very dangerous. Dispose of ashes in a water-filled, metal receptacle. Finally, ensure your home has a sufficient number of smoke alarms fitted throughout the home, and don’t forget to check that they are working properly at least once a month.
As the name implies, wood-burning stoves are designed to burn wood. This means that you cannot just burn anything in the stove and doing so may prove hazardous. For example, it is not advisable to burn coal in your wood burner. Coal burns much hotter than wood does and so this will pose a fire risk. You should also avoid throwing items in the stove that emit toxic chemicals. Such items include gift wrapping and colored paper, plastic, painted or pressure-treated woods, plywood, and particleboard.
You should also think about the kinds of wood to burn in your wood burner. If you can, choose dry wood that has a low moisture content as this burns hotter than wood that is freshly cut. Some types of wood are quicker to ignite than others and are good to use when lighting the fire. A softwood like pine work well. When you have the fire started, use hardwoods like hickory, oak, or ash and burn them in smaller pieces which will give off a cleaner, hotter burn.
Important reminders. It is a good idea to get your wood burner professionally inspected periodically. Creosote tends to accumulate in the stovepipe which is very dangerous. Dispose of ashes in a water-filled, metal receptacle. Finally, ensure your home has a sufficient number of smoke alarms fitted throughout the home, and don’t forget to check that they are working properly at least once a month.
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