It's Time To Expand Your Small Wood Burner Options
Caboose – A Very Small Wood Burner The Caboose is an Ecodesign and DEFRA approved log burner which can burn both wood and smokeless fuel. It is able to burn larger pieces of wood compared to most smaller stoves, and it has a high energy output and burn time.
The wood stove can be protected by a heatshield to comply with Approved Building Document J, which states that wood stoves must be kept 150mm from surfaces that are combustible. Clean Wood Wood stoves aren't just attractive to look at, but they also serve as a fantastic source of heating for homes. As such, they need to be properly maintained to ensure they run smoothly and efficiently. This can be a little bit of a challenge particularly when it comes to keeping the glass clean, but a few simple steps can make all the difference. First of all, it is important to only burn well-seasoned wood on your wood stove. This means that the wood should have been chopped and stored for at least a year before being used to help reduce the amount of smoke. The burning of unseasoned wood can cause the flue to overheat, which could lead to the fire bursting out of control, or creating the chimney to catch fire. You should also only burn clean wood on your wood-burning stove. Avoid burning paper or other non-wood substances such as plastics and rubber, since they can emit toxic fumes that aren't good for your health. Avoid burning treated or painted wood, since this can release dangerous chemicals such as arsenic in the air that isn't good for you. It is also important to clean the inside of your stove frequently. It is easy to do this with a vacuum cleaner from your home with an attachment for brush. You can also purchase various cleaners specifically designed for use on glass stoves. However it is crucial to ensure that any product you use does not void the warranty on your stove prior to using it. It is also important to regularly inspect the fire rope seals that surround the top and bottom doors of your wood burner. These seals are designed to stop smoke or soot from escaping the stove, and it is important to ensure that they are securely in place and not worn away. Another thing to remember is to periodically remove any birds that have made a home of your chimney. Seagulls are a nuisance as they will sit on chimneys in the summer. This can cause all sorts of debris to fall down the flue and damage your stove. You can install various bird guards and spikes to your chimney to prevent this. Paper Burning Burning paper is a quick method to get a fire started, but the wrong type of paper can create dangerous smoke. Some types of paper such as gift wrap and glossy magazines, contain harmful chemicals that can emit toxic fumes when they burn. To avoid creating a hazardous environment burn only clean paper in your wood burner. You might want to consider using a tub if you only have a small amount of paper to burn. Set a stack over the tub and ignite the corner. The water will capture the embers, preventing them from burning nearby trees or grass. If you are worried about the smell of burning paper, you can put a bowl of vinegar or baking soda nearby to neutralize the odors. Begin with a base of small twigs, or newspaper that has been shredded. This will ensure that the paper burns correctly. Add 3-4 medium-sized wood logs, and let them burn. Then, place the paper on the top. The paper will begin to burn quickly and you must watch the flame closely. It is an ideal idea to pick a wind-free day to burn papers outside. A strong wind gust can send embers into your home or in the grass. In addition, the smoke from burning papers could cause breathing problems when inhaled. You can also make use of the BBQ grill to burn paper, but this method is ideal if you only have a few sheets of paper to burn. If you have a grilling surface, you can take it off and use it to ignite the paper directly onto the charcoal. Before you start burning paper, make sure that your wood burner has been fully tested and the firepit has been free of any twigs or branches. It is recommended to have an extinguisher for fire in the vicinity in case of emergency. Also, check with your county government as well as your homeowner's association to confirm that it is legal to burn paper outside in your area. Safety Precautions Wood burning stoves can be fantastic sources of comfort and enjoyment but only if you use them with care. It may appear obvious to others but the reality is that too many people fail to follow the most basic safety guidelines. Make sure your stove is properly insulated and any flue pipes that run outside are adequately protected. You will also want to make sure that children and pets are kept away from the stove. Check that any paper or trash is not thrown into the firebox. The burning of these materials can cause the chimney and fireplace to overheat. They also can cause creosote, which is a major fire hazard that must be cleaned on a regular basis. Make sure the smoke alarms are in good working condition and test them every month. Installing carbon monoxide alarms could also save lives. They are also affordable. Keep a fire extinguisher handy in the event of an emergency. Never build a large stack of logs. Only burn dry, seasoned wood. A stack of logs that is burning together will result in incomplete combustion, which increases CO emissions. It is also important to monitor the fire, and if it gets out of control, put it out it quickly. After you've used your stove make sure that the fire has been put out and that all combustible material is removed from the area around the fireboxes and flue pipes. There are certain clearance requirements that will depend on the model of your stove and on how you plan to install it in your home. You should consider the possibility of a DEFRA approved model if you plan to install your wood-burning stove in a smoke-controlled area. conservatory wood burner are specifically designed to work in smoke controlled areas and are available in a variety of sizes and colours. Some models can even be customized to fit your specific decor and are designed with direct air intake for better performance in smoke control zones. Installation Wood stoves can be used to heat small spaces. They can be installed in yurts, sheds and even cabins. In addition, they offer a warm and comfortable fire that does not require oil or electricity. In order to correctly install your wood stove, it is essential to adhere to the manufacturer's installation guidelines. These instructions will ensure that your wood stove is safe and you can use it without problems. Before installing your stove you should remove all combustible materials from the area. Also, you should leave at least 16” between the stove and the nearest walls that are combustible. If you do not meet these requirements, a stove board or hearth pad may be put in place. This non-combustible pad will come with 1” spacers to allow the stove to sit further away from the wall which can reduce the clearance requirement by as much as 66 percent. To prevent smoke from blowing back into the room, take out combustible things like curtains and furniture. Install a carbon monoxide alarm in your shed. Not to mention, ensure that the shed has adequate ventilation. It is important to regularly check your stove and chimney for security. It is a smart idea to buy a wood stove that has EPA certification. This certification means that the stove is more than 75% efficient. It means that it will absorb and convert a greater amount of heat generated by the wood. You should also choose your wood stove according to the recommended heating capacity for the room where it will be placed. This will help you avoid overloading your stove which could cause creosote accumulation and smokeouts. After you have cleared out the space and removed any combustible materials, you will need to prepare the foundation of your stove. This includes the removal of all combustible objects and preparing the hearth. It is also important to check any vents that are in use to make sure they are not blocked and clear. If not, you will need to install new vents. After installing your stove, you should test its performance by lighting three or four small fires. This will cure the paint and fire bricks on your stove, and ensure that you can safely burn a large fire.