Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolJan 4, 20184:43 pm

New Year’s resolutions for a stove enthusiast

As the number of stove enthusiast continues to grow up and down the UK, and we say goodbye to 2017 and hello to 2018, what better time to put your stove related New Year’s resolutions to the test? We know there are many stoves out there which are highly efficient but there are also many older stoves which have been overtaken by the latest technology. There are ways and means to improve the efficiency, increase your financial savings and basically get the best out of your woodburning or multifuel stove.

Install your stove today

Stoves are obviously more popular in the colder periods of the year and as a consequence towards the end of 2017 and early 2018 means you will need to plan ahead to install your stove as soon as possible. It is possible to catch the second half of the UK winter and the colder elements of spring to lock in some welcome fuel savings in the short term. There will also be periods of the summer time when the cold nights will prompt you to fire up your stove but by far and away the most cost savings are up for grabs in the cold winter period.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolJan 3, 20184:04 pm

Choosing the best chimney cowl

While a basic chimney cowl is used to increase the draft of a chimney, prevent back flow as well as rainwater from entering your flue pipe, they come in an array of different shapes and sizes. Though all provide a basic necessity it can sometimes be difficult to choose the best chimney cowl for your particular situation. However, if you live in the UK there is no doubt you will need to appreciate rainfall when choosing!

Bird guard chimney cowls

It is unfortunate that birds can often find a way down your chimney and into your flue pipe. When you bear in mind the heat created by a wood-burning or multi-fuel stove, this can obviously be distressing for the birds as well as the householders. There are also specific dangers if birds manage to nest in your flue pipe which can not only increase the risk of a chimney fire but also of carbon monoxide leaks into your room. These are perhaps the most basic of chimney cowls but they do a job and they do it well.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolDec 28, 20173:18 pm

Choosing a stove for your room

If you are looking to buy a wood-burning or multifuel stove for the first time it can be difficult to know what to look for. Do you go for a big machine which pumps out more than enough heat for your room? Do you go for a traditional wood-burning stove or a contemporary multifuel stove? In reality the options are endless because the stove market today bears little or no resemblance to that of a decade ago. So, where do you start?

Buying the right stove for your room

There are numerous room calculators out there which will advise you about the optimum heat output required for your room dimensions. These are only estimates because it is not only down to the dimensions of your room but also the position of the stove amongst other things. So, while the room calculators give you an idea of what heat capacity is required we recommend speaking to an expert for specific advice. It is also worth noting that the published heat capacity for a stove is the median heat capacity meaning it can be higher or lower depending upon the way it is setup.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolDec 21, 201712:19 pm

How to keep your stove clean for maximum efficiency

We keep our windows clean to ensure maximum sunlight enters our homes, many regularly run petrol tank cleaner through their car systems so it goes without saying that keeping your stove clean ensures maximum efficiency. On the surface the modern day woodburning and multifuel stove may seem like a “big machine” but under the surface it is extremely finely tuned. An extra layer of ash, dirty fire bricks and other general deposits can and do have a significant impact upon your stove’s efficiency. The less efficient your stove is the less heat it will pump out and the more it will cost you in fuel. So, how can you keep your stove clean to ensure maximum efficiency?

Here are a few tips when cleaning your woodburning and multifuel stove to ensure you get the best value for money.

Never clean a hot stove

Aside from the fact it is dangerous, you should never clean your stove until it has cooled down and is no longer hot. At times it is difficult enough to get into the nooks and crannies to clean your stove but even more difficult if it is hot.

Spare Parts & Accessories by CarolDec 14, 20173:17 pm

How to keep your stove clean for maximum efficiency

Find spare parts for Morso stoves

The Morso stoves company has been around for many years now and is well recognised as one of the leading stove companies in Europe and the world. The company has a history which goes back many years to its Danish roots although the UK stove market has been particularly successful for the group in recent times. This is a stove company which manufactures an array of traditional and contemporary stoves with heat output suitable for small rooms up to large rooms as well as boiler systems. We have access to the full range of Morso spare parts and are more than happy to advise you on any issues you may be experiencing.

Morso 04 spare parts

While perhaps not the best known of the Morso range of stoves, the Morso 06 stove is popular with those who like value for money options and relatively slim dimensions. We have access to the full range of Morso 06 replacement spare parts including everything from replacement glass to fire bricks, from door handles to riddling grates and everything else.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolDec 14, 20179:07 am

Frayed rope, stove door seals and wasted fuel

The modern day wood-burning and multifuel stove looks like a very basic machine from the outside but inside it is optimised to perfection, designed with efficiency in mind and something as simple as frayed rope on a door seal can have a significant impact. While many stove owners spend time checking for cracks, replacing broken elements and trying to maintain the optimum temperature, something as simple as a frayed rope could be costing you money. How?

Stove door seals

When you bear in mind the extreme temperatures created within a modern-day wood-burning and multifuel stove, it is no surprise to learn that certain areas of a stove are subjected to enormous temperature swings. One such area is the stove door seal which is a relatively simple rope like material which is glued in position between the glass and the door to ensure a perfect seal. This relatively simple element of your stove not only maintains the position of the glass in your door but also ensures as much heat as possible is retained within the body of the machine.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolDec 7, 201712:34 pm

Getting the most out of your wood-burning stove

The cost of a wood-burning stove today varies widely depending upon the type of model you are after and the brand. When you also add in the installation cost it can start to add up although there are significant long-term benefits. It is therefore essential that you get the most out of your wood-burning stove to increase output, reduce fuel costs and avoid the cost of repairs and replacement parts for as long as possible. So, what simple actions can you take to get the most out of your wood-burning stove and maximise efficiency?

Burn the right fuel

As we have mentioned on numerous occasions, while it might be tempting to use old wood which may have the remnants of paint or other materials, this is not worthwhile. Aside from the fact that the remnants of the paint or other materials could create toxic fumes when burned, the efficiency of this particular type of fuel is significantly less than well-seasoned wood which has a moisture level of less than 20%. There is also the fact that wood which contains other substances, such as paint, will likely create a tar like substance which will reduce the efficiency of your stove and also potentially damage the flue.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolDec 7, 201710:55 am

Wood-burning stoves, maximising heat output

How to replace cracked glass in your stove door

Whether you have a wood-burning stove or a multi-fuel stove at some point it is likely that the glass in the stove door will need replaced. While we often take these things for granted, we can only imagine the pressure and heat which this glass is exposed to on a daily basis. The constant heating and cooling process will eventually weaken the glass and on rare occasions accidental damage will occur. However, if you start to see cracks emerging in the glass then you should replace it as soon as possible.

Once the cracks start to emerge then it is only a matter of time before the stove door glass will need to be replaced. While it is sometimes tempting to put off replacement of the glass when they are relatively small cracks, not only will these eventually enlarge but during that period your stove will become less efficient. This is simply because of the fact the heat will not be retained within the stove to the same degree which means it will be radiated in an uncontrolled manner – likely leading to an eventual increase in fuel costs. So, what is the safest way to replace glass in your multi-fuel or wood-burning stove door?

Firewood and Fuel Tips by CarolNov 30, 20171:03 pm

Environmentally friendly heating systems well-positioned for the future

There is no doubt that when looking at the cost of wood-burning stoves and traditional gas/electric heating systems, wood-burning stoves win hands down. A number of research programmes have shown that at worst the burning of wood is carbon neutral with trees absorbing as much carbon dioxide in their lifetime as they emit when burnt. Again, this is a worst-case scenario and simply replacing a mature tree ready to be converted into fuel with a sapling will continue the carbon neutral cycle.

Cost savings

It is fair to say that stove cost and installation fees can be significant depending upon the type of system you are looking to purchase. In many ways the cost tends to be upfront top-heavy with very little in the way of maintenance required once your stove is installed. Even though the cost of gas and electric continues to rise, you can work on a minimum average saving of £300 a year against the cost of wood for the average household with a wood-burning stove. In reality it is probably significantly more than this but will depend upon gas and electricity prices and how much you use your stove.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolNov 30, 201711:06 am

Using a stove thermometer to avoid overfiring

While enjoying the deep seated heat provided by the modern day wood-burning and multifuel stove it is tempting to continue piling fuel as high as possible to maintain the warmth. Believe it or not, there is a very common occurrence with stoves which is overfiring. So, what is overfiring and what damage can it do to your stove and your pocket?

Operating your stove at too high a temperature

In simple terms, overfiring is when you operate your stove at too high a temperature which can cause all kinds of issues. Whether you are piling the fuel too high or allowing too much air to flow through the system it can have a major impact.