How to increase the efficiency of your wood burning stove

Get the most out of your wood burning stove by following these top tips!

Firstly, when lighting your stove we suggest using dry kindling. It’s fast burning and helps to heat up the stove, meaning your logs have less to do.
It is best to use well-seasoned wood, wood that has been split up and left to dry for at least a year, as the reduced moisture levels (below 20%) mean it is far more efficient. The type of wood you use can also affects how quickly it burns and how much heat is given off, therefore affecting the performance of your stove.

So when you are lighting your stove remember to open both the air vents, it sounds simple but the more oxygen there is the better your fire will get going. Then once the logs are burning well, close the primary air vent to allow a steady burn. The logs will still emit heat even when there are not roaring flames, so wait until the logs are reduced to embers before adding any more logs.

In the meantime, remove the ashes from the bottom of your stove but leave a thin bed, this allows the stove to burn well. However, too many ashes can damage the airflow and therefore the efficiency of the stove. It is also very important to get your chimney regularly swept by a professional chimney sweep to ensure that the air is drawn up effectively.

Finally by improving the insulation in your home, the heat produced by your stove will not escape prematurely, keeping you toastier for longer!