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The Benefits of a Log Burner

A log burner is a wood-burning stove that burns kiln-dried and seasoned lumber. These stoves can provide more heat to your home, and produce lower emissions.

To get the best out of your fire, it requires oxygen. Keep the door open and avoid adding more than one log at once. This will suffocate and stop the fire from burning.

Size

Despite their vintage appearance Log burners are modern appliances that perform at a high level of efficiency. This means that a greater proportion of heat is produced from the fuel. This, in conjunction with their low carbon emissions makes them a great option for homeowners who are concerned about the environment.

There are hundreds of different stoves available for sale ranging from wallet-friendly, basic models to all-singing all-dancing powerhouses. There are some fundamental considerations that buyers should be aware of when selecting the right log stove for their home.

A fireplace for a log burner should be of the right dimension for the space in which it is installed. Not just because of safety guidelines but also because it is crucial that the log burner complements the design of the room.

The easiest way to determine the size of log burner you require is by measuring your firebox. This will include the front width as well as the height and depth of the firebox. Taking these measurements will help you choose an appropriate log burner of the right size for your fireplace, so that it will function as efficiently as it can and give you the best results.

Next, you will need to determine how many British Thermal Units (BTUs) your room requires. You can determine this by multiplying the floor area by 20. Once you have figured out the maximum BTUs your room can legally support, it will allow you to find a set of gas logs that are in line with or exceed this amount.

The size of your log stove will be determined by the amount and quality of insulation in the home. Generally speaking, poorly-insulated rooms require more heat output to keep warm than rooms that are well-insulated.

The type of wood you use for your log burner is an additional important aspect to consider. Freshly chopped green wood could contain up to 67% moisture content. In the end, more energy is required to remove the water by evaporation before the logs generate heat. The burning of kiln dried logs can increase your heat output and lower your energy bills.

Design

A log fireplace is a wonderful focal feature in any room. It can be framed by a striking marble or stone surround, or a simple hearth made of granite. Modern log burners are also minimalist in design, with clear lines and no adornment. This allows them to be easily incorporated into a contemporary living space, without looking out of the area.

A contemporary stove with a wide design looks great against traditional features such as exposed bricks or wooden beams. Modern fires with sleek lines are an ideal match for older properties with Georgian features such as exposed brick chimney breasts. A modern inset woodburner can complement a house that has an old-fashioned or rustic finish.

For a more eye-catching appearance, think about choosing an eye-catching color for your log stove. Yellow, for instance, will create a warm and inviting atmosphere when coupled with a dark color palette. However, you should be sure to pick a color that you are satisfied with throughout the year and that complements the rest of your interior décor.

Log burners can be a great addition to any outdoor space for example, a patio or garden. They can be used for heating the outdoor seating area or to simply create a cozy atmosphere during colder months. It is important to protect the fireplace and surrounding area from embers and fumes, no matter if you have an small indoor log burner or outdoor wood burning stove. This can be done by installing the proper chimney or grate guard.

A wood-burning stove is a more eco-friendly alternative to electricity and gas. When burned responsibly, seasoned wood emits less carbon dioxide than gas, electricity or coal. This is especially relevant if your DEFRA-approved wood burner has been installed correctly. The ideal scenario is for wood to be divided and stored in a location that is dry prior to being burned in the log burner. This will allow it to burn evenly, release the least amount of creosote and release less harmful gasses.

Safety

Log burners are usually associated with cozy winter nights but they are ideal for the cooler months too. To avoid any problems, you should ensure that your log heater is well maintained and is in compliance with the most realistic electric log burner recent safety standards. You should, for example, keep curtains and furniture away from the fire because embers can easily fly away and cause a fire in the house. It is also essential to use and test your smoke alarm frequently.

The kind of fuel you burn in your log burner may also affect the safety of your stove. You should only use the wood that has been seasoned. This means it has been allowed to dry for up to a year or it has been kiln dried, which is more efficient. It's important to buy your wood from a reputable supplier (HETAS certified), and to keep it in a place which is well ventilated to ensure it doesn't get damp.

It is also recommended to use dry kindling and tinder for starting an fire, and not paper or cardboard. These products contain resins and chemicals that emit toxic fumes and increase the danger of a chimney fire. In the same way, you should not cut synthetic logs in order to quicken the flames or let them burn in a dark area, as this could increase the flammability of the fire and release high levels of carbon monoxide.

Finally, you must determine whether your house is the Smoke Control Area. If it is then you will be allowed to burn DEFRA-approved fuel on your log burner. This includes smokeless fuels like anthracite.

Some log burners can burn both wood and coke however, you should never burn coal in anything other than a stove that is specifically designed for that purpose. It's also crucial to have a suitable hearth for your stove, in accordance with the guidelines laid out by HETAS stipulate that any solid non-combustible substance (such as concrete) is at least 125mm thick beneath it.

You should not use a gas stove or an oil stove to burn wet or green wood. This can produce excessive smoke, which could cause chimney fires. Instead, you should use seasoned wood or choose a multi-fuel stove that can be used with either fuels.

Maintenance

A cast iron log burner burner is a wonderful way to bring the warmth of a real flame into your home, but it is important to keep in mind that these fireplaces require more maintenance than pellet stoves. In the beginning, you need to perform regular maintenance to ensure your stove is safe for use and that it operates efficiently.

It is also important to ensure that your fireplace is properly controlled to allow you to enjoy your fire without concerns about carbon monoxide poisoning or inhalation. You'll need to clean the interior of your fireplace, examine and adjust the damper, replace the chimney cap (if it is required) and install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors within your home.

It is also important to inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly for cracks and other signs of degradation. This will allow you identify issues early and address them before they become major and could result in costly damage or dangerous conditions for your family.

It is important to use seasoned wood for the maintenance of your wood-burning stove. Logs that have been seasoned are easier to light and will produce less creosote than seasoned logs. You can test the moisture content by knocking together two logs: wet wood makes a dull noise and seasoned firewood can make a sharp sound.

Cleaning the glass of your fireplace is an important maintenance task. Make sure you're using a fireplace glass cleaner, that doesn't contain any chemicals that could react with the hot flames. You'll also need to check that the damper operates properly and that the chimney is structurally sound - look for broken bricks, missing mortar or crumbling or loose lining.

Also, be certain to take away all the ash from your log burner once it is cool enough to touch, and only after you've waited at least twelve hours for the ashes to fully cool. The ashes can then be stored safely or added to soil or garden compost to be used as a fertilizer. The baffle – the metal piece that sits at the back of your firebox - should be checked and cleaned regularly as well.