Caring for Your Wood Burning Stove
Wood-burning stoves have acquired something of a cult following in the last few decades. And for good reason. Like any wood-burning devotee will testify, nothing surpasses the atmospheric charm of a rustic fire blazing superbly in the core of your house on a cold, dark winter night.
Owners of those handsome burners will frequently tell you it had been love at first sight.
On the flip side, wood-burners have made a marginally broader reputation for being high-maintenance.
Whether you have recently set up a fresh wood-burning stove or you have inherited one using a new house, it is important to guarantee the protection of your appliance and also keep it appearing as clean as the very first time you beheld it.
A fundamental set of principles apply – though you must always consult the directions laid out on your producers’ guide.
A well-cared-for cooker will serve you for many years to come. Cleaning and maintaining your cooker regularly will expand its life, maintaining it in good working condition and making it simpler and more economical to operate.
To burn or not to burn?
That’s really the question when deciding upon the kind of wood acceptable for your cooker. Always remember: the dryer, the better. To guarantee optimum heat discharge, it is always best to use wood. If you would like to season the wood yourself, then you need to keep it in a dry area for at least a year. You may also buy a ‘moisture-meter’ to ascertain the degree of water content on your logs.
Maintaining your cooker
Your cooker ought to be cleaned and inspected before extensive periods of usage. In case you’ve recently set up a cooker, routine inspections will guarantee your cooker is in perfect working order. Indications of damage such as leaking or cracks ought to be repaired promptly. As time passes, based on usage, you need to have the ability to judge yourself when to call in a specialist. Bear in mind that cleaning out your chimney is a simple security requirement. Generally, the flue ought to be swept with a specialist at least once every year.
Clean as new
Modern stoves will almost certainly feature an airwash system in order that glass has been automatically stored in a fresh and clean condition. After all you would like to have the ability to observe the flame! If your stove doesn’t have an inbuilt airwash, you are able to employ a specially-formulated cleansing liquid stove installer scotland. Ensure that you wash the glass often to stop the accumulation of soot and dirt.
Ash must be cleaned out occasionally from the wood stove. It’s also wise to undertake routine cleaning of your cooker’s inner surfaces using a wire brush or scraper. Ensure that your stove is cool until you try to wash it. Consider possible problems like holes in the skillet, cracks, or rust. Sometimes you might have to substitute the firebricks or even rope-seal, but these ought to be small costs relative to the general outlay and functioning of your burner.
Look after your burner, but above All, care for YOU
For your security, you need to always have a fire extinguisher ready to be used in a handy place on your residence. Check frequently to make sure it’s in great working order and be certain all members of your family know how to work it in case the need arise.
It’s likewise essential that smoke sensors are strategically positioned around your house and analyzed frequently.
Blocked chimneys pose a significant security threat since, on rare occasions, they can result in chimney fires or dreaded carbon monoxide poisoning. Paying for a certified chimney sweep to support your grocery store is a small but crucial investment.
If however you are not comfortable or have enough opportunity to look after your cooker, you could always try calling your Wood Burning Stove Installer who will supply care providers, or know someone who’ll.