Wood Burning Stoves Archives | Wakefords Fireplaces and Stoves

July 28, 2021 By wakefordfire

What are the best woods for your fireplace

It is safe to assume that all types of wood burn, but it might surprise you to know that not all woods burn the same way. Some will burn at a higher temperature, some woods will burn at a slower rate and some are cleaner to burn than others. Depending on how much resin and sap they have, some woods will clog up and dirty your chimney faster. There will be some woods that are considered “the best” for burning in a fireplace; those that burn hot and produce more heat at a steady rate. Let’s take a look at the different types of woods available for your fireplace…

Hardwood for Fireplaces

For those looking for a high quality burn with a longer burn time, hardwoods are the best choice. Most fruit trees or trees such as; birch, ash or oak are great examples of hardwoods that are excellent for burning in your stove or fireplace. They will usually burn for a hotter and long time and they are cleaner to handle than other woods, having a relatively small amount of sap in them. However, most hardwoods will be more expensive than their softwood counterparts and are more prone to leaving stony residue leftover in the ash. Some hardwoods like birch will retain a lot of moisture, this will create more smoke when burning it. If this is a concern for your fireplace, it is something to be mindful of when considering birch.

Burning Softwood in Fireplaces

The biggest benefit of choosing a softwood is that softwoods are typically cheaper to buy. The best softwoods to consider are; alder, balsam, cedar, fir, pine and spruce. Typically, softwood will burn faster than hardwood and leave finer ash. A softwood will make more of a mess however and, especially pine will cause creosote (creosote is a tar-like soot substance that builds up on the walls of your chimney when the byproducts of your wood get burnt off) to build up faster in your chimney.

Woods Not To Burn In Your Fireplace

Recovering scraps of wood or salvaging firewood can be a great low-budget option for those looking to save some money while still enjoying their wood burning stove or fireplace. However, not knowing the origin of the wood, what foreign objects may be inside it or if it has been treated with any chemicals or products create a risk when it is burnt. Avoid painted or varnished woods, plywood and MDF will be filled with dangerous chemicals and driftwood may be too wet for a long time to use and have nails or other metal objects inside it.

Get in touch

For more information about fireplaces or advice on your fireplace and wood burning stove options, get in touch with our team today and we will be happy to talk to you about your options. Give our team a call on 01483 223900 or email us at info@wakefordfireplaces.com. See our full contact details here or give the showroom a visit to talk to our team in person.

August 18, 2020 By wakefordfire

The Best Wood Burning Stoves By The Telegraph

The Telegraph has written an article on the best wood burning stoves and covers some of the latest developments in the world of wood burning stoves. Having a wood burning stove is one of the biggest trends for any middle-class homes, with new installations booming in recent years. However, Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, introduced a new ban on some of the most polluting wood burners. So, what does this mean for those looking to invest in a new wood burning stove and those who already have one that may not comply with the new ban? Firstly, don’t panic, the new ban doesn’t immediately take effect! It comes into action in 2022, giving you ample time to assess your stove and upgrade if necessary.

Some existing log burners already comply with the new legislation, being marked as “Ecodesign ready”. Any modern model (built within the last 5 years) are more likely going to be compliant, check with HETAS for a list of Ecodesign ready wood burners. Because of modern developments, wood burning stoves have higher efficiency ratings; reach over 80pc (compared to open fire at 30pc). Look for this rating when purchasing your own unit to ensure you are Ecodesign ready. There are over 400 models of stoves that are Ecodesign ready already with more expected to be available before 2022.

It’s important to get the right stove for you and your property; consider the size and location of the installation. It’s more than just a new appliance but an extension of your property. Talk to our experts if you have any questions about choosing the right log burner and we’ll be happy to help. Get in touch with our team today for our advice and take a look at the Telegraph’s best wood burning stoves article here.

March 11, 2020 By wakefordfire

Domestic Wood Burning Stoves are NOT Being Banned

Contrary to some recent national media coverage, the announcement last month by DEFRA to phase out the sale of coal and wet wood for domestic burning does NOT mean that wood burning stoves are being banned or discouraged by the government. It is not the end of the roaring hearth or cosy fireplace as many headlines stated – it simply means people will need to use cleaner fuel alternatives such as dry wood for their stoves at home.

Defra Announcement on Polluting Fuels

Defra announced on 21^st February 2020 that sales of bagged and pre-packaged traditional house coal and wet wood in units under 2M3 will be phased out by 2021. The sale of loose coal direct to customers via approved coal merchants will also be banned by February 2023, meaning members of the public will need to switch to cleaner fuels by these dates.

There will also be limitations on the sale of manufactured solid fuels for domestic fires by February 2021 – fuels with a low sulphur content which emit a small amount of smoke will still be allowed.

Defra said in a statement ‘this phased implementation will ensure that public and suppliers have time to move to cleaner alternatives such as dry wood and manufactured solid fuels, while continuing to be able to use their stoves and open fires at home.’

Environment Secretary George Eustice also commented ‘Cosy open fires and wood-burning stoves are at the heart of many homes up and down the country, but the use of certain fuels means that they are also the biggest source of the most harmful pollutant that is affecting people in the UK. By moving towards the use of cleaner fuels such as dry wood we can all play a part in improving the health of millions of people.’

You Can Still Use Dry Wood

Most domestic stoves and fires can use dry wood as their fuel and will therefore not be affected. Coal and wet wood are being banned as they are the two most polluting fuels, contributing to around 40% of harmful levels of the pollutant PM2.5 in the UK. These announcement form part of the government’s Clean Air Strategy which aims to tackle a range of pollutants including PM2.5, ammonia and sulphur dioxide in the UK.

The advantage of dry wood – both kiln and air dried – is that it is cheaper and more efficient to burn than wet wood and coal and therefore people who rely on stoves for heat will not see their fuel costs rise.

The Stove Industry Welcomes the Regulations

The Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) has welcomed the government’s announcement and emphasised in a press release that modern Ecodesign compliant stoves burning the correct fuels continue to be a sound, environmental heating solution. Ecodesign ready stoves produce 90% less emissions than an open fire and use a completely renewable and sustainable fuel.

The SIA encourages the public to burn approved dry wood and smokeless fuel in a modern Ecodesign ready appliance. These fuels are widely available and if you’re unsure whether your appliance is Ecodesign ready, speak to us for advice.

Wood Burning Stoves are NOT Being Banned

DEFRA’s announcement does not in any way suggest that wood burning stoves are being banned. The Stove Industry Alliance has called for more accurate reporting on this story as the industry employs over 25,000 people and their livelihoods are being put at risk by misreporting.

Morley Sage, chair of the SIA, commented: “We welcome today’s announcement that will see the most polluting fuels phased out and encourage homeowners to use approved dry wood. As an industry that employs over 25,000 people across manufacturing, retailing, installation and servicing, headlines that suggest that wood burning stoves are being banned are not only categorically untrue, they are also very damaging to people’s jobs and livelihoods.

Contact Us for Advice

If you want any advice on this announcement or want to know more about Ecodesign ready stoves, please don’t hesitate to contact us, and we’ll be happy to chat to you.

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March 31, 2019 By wakefordfire

4 Reasons Buying A Stove Online Might Not Be Right

You may be tempted to buy a wood burning stove online. After all, you’ve done all your research online and found out about all the different models and heat output. You’ve decided which manufacturers you like and researched the prices. You think you’re ready to buy.

But there are some good reasons why you shouldn’t make the final purchase online. We’ve outlined the four key reasons why buying a stove online might not be right.

1. Safety

The primary reason you shouldn’t purchase a stove online is safety. There is a good reason why stoves must be installed by a HETAS approved engineer and that’s because there are many things you need to understand to be able to install one (and use one!) correctly. Stoves and all the connecting parts are complicated bits of kit! Stoves and fires should always be certified by an accredited agency such as HETAS and only by buying through an approved retailer can you ensure the one you buy is safe.

We can’t stress enough how important safety is when you have a fire in your home. You need to ensure that the fire burns well and there are no noxious gasses or smoke being released into your home. Only by purchasing a stove from an experienced retailer can you be sure that your stove will be installed safely but also function safely. We can also give you advice on how to use your stove such as the best way to light it, the best type of fuel to use (you’d be amazed at the difference between the different types of wood!), and how to keep it clean.

2. Suitability for your home

If you buy a stove online without talking to an expert, you won’t know for sure if it will fit in your desired space. There are several things to consider when deciding what size stove to buy and it isn’t just the size of the stove itself. There is also the flue to consider.

What you think are the right dimensions doesn’t mean the stove will fit well into your fireplace. Only a trained engineer can say for sure. A trained engineer can also advise on the best heat output for your space. It’s very common for people to choose a stove with the wrong heat output for the room they have the stove in, resulting in stoves that are far too hot for the room or ones that just don’t have enough heat output.

3. Availability of spare parts

You never know when you may need spare parts for your stove or advice if things are going as expected. If you buy it online, there’s no guarantee that the website you bought it from will have spares – and you definitely won’t be able to get in touch with them for advice! You may have trouble tracking them down, especially if your brand of stove is not commonly stocked. If you buy from a reputable retailer, you can check that they also stock common spare parts.

4. No after sales care

Stoves are a bit like cars. You don’t just buy one and that’s that. Stoves and flues need regular maintenance You may also encounter issues with your stove, especially in the early days. If you buy your stove online, you won’t get any after sales care. We pride ourselves on the advice we offer our clients all the way through the buying process, not least after installation.

For advice on buying a stove, we’re here to help. Don’t hesitate to contact us to chat through your requirements.

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November 3, 2018 By wakefordfire

Burning Solid Fuel and the Environment

With ever more focus on the health of our environment and clean air, many of our customers ask about the different types of fuel you can burn in stoves and which ones we should be using.

The government is focusing increasingly on air pollution and their Clean Air Strategy states that air pollution is the top environmental risk to health in the UK. While a lot of the air pollution in the UK is caused by diesel and petrol engines and industry, heating our homes is also a factor. The burning of solid fuels has come under scrutiny in recent years so here’s the low down on what you should know.

What are solid fuels?

Put simply, solid fuels are any solid material that can be burnt to release heat. Solid fuels commonly used in our homes (stoves and fires) include:

Traditional coal – this is what most people think of when we say the term ‘solid fuel’
Smokeless coal or anthracite
Manufactured solid fuels made from coal products that have low smoke emissions
Wet wood – this is newly felled wood that has a high moisture content and creates a lot of smoke when burned
Seasoned wood – wood that has been left for at least 2 years to dry naturally
Kiln dried wood – wood that has been dried in a kiln to below 20% moisture
Wood pellets

What impact do solid fuels have on the environment?

The burning of solid fuels releases tiny particles of ash and soot into the air. These tiny particles are known as PM_2.5. PM stands for ‘particulate matter’ and the 2.5 means these particles have a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres. Certain types of solid fuel release more of these particles into the air and it’s this that the government is starting to legislate against.

High concentrations of PM_2.5can be harmful to health as well as causing haze or smog.

How to use solid fuels safely

Now we’ve got the negative part out of the way, using certain types of solid fuel can be a great way of heating your home. Not only can it be cost effective compared to gas central heating, but renewable fuels such as wood are also a great alternative to burning fossil fuels. Wood is considered to be a carbon neutral fuel because carbon dioxide is absorbed from the atmosphere as the tree grows and is then released when the wood is burnt.

The simplest way to burn solid fuel is in an open fireplace. However, this is not an efficient way to heat your home as most of the heat is lost up the chimney! The good news is that stoves burn fuel far more efficiently and kick out a lot more heat. Stoves also provide heat for a single room rather than the whole house (heating rooms that aren’t being used).

Stoves are the best way to burn solid fuel

Wood burning stoves are by far the best way to burn solid fuel. New regulations which come into effect in February 2021 mean that coal and wet wood will no longer be allowed. However dry wood – whether air dried or kiln dried – will still be permitted. More good news is that dry wood is cheaper than coal and coal alternatives.

Aside from the romance of having a wood burning stove in your home and the wonderful warmth they exude, the reasons listed above mean they can be a great alternative to gas central heating.

If you’d like advice on stoves, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us for more information.