There’s nothing better than sitting in front of a roaring fire on a cold night but having to add more logs constantly isn’t so relaxing. Here’s a few tips to get your burner working effectively and efficiently.
- Always use dry, seasoned wood. The log may appear dry but it actually takes on average between 6-24 months for wood to season, depending on the type of wood. Store your logs in a dry, well-ventilated place, and split larger pieces of wood to decrease drying time. Avoid wood with green spots on it. If you use a moisture meter to check your wood then ensure your wood has 20% or less moisture
- Using softwood to get your fire started such as fir, pine and spruce will get your fire burning well and provide a good base. Although it burns quicker, once it is burning well you can add the hardwood to get a nice, even burn
- Always burn 2-3 logs at the same time. Wood burns in stages, and more logs will create a greater surface for the burning process
- Don’t let ash build up too much. Too much ash can reduce the amount of air which will make lighting a fire difficult. Too little and there may not be enough insulation. About 1 inch on the bottom of your stove is ideal
- Make sure your chimney and stove is inspected at least once a year. At the same time, your chimney sweep can check the stove itself to ensure there aren’t any cracks, the rope is in good condition and the glass (if you have any) is safe. Sweeping the chimney removes any build up of soot, and makes sure it is safe and working efficiently.
Burn Right is a national campaign to help us get the most out of fires. Find out more here.
Contact us today for more information and advice or to book your chimney sweep.
