Myth-busting wood-burning stoves

If you’re considering getting a wood-burning stove you probably have some questions.

Given the amount of work involved with installing such a stove in your home, it’s worth doing the research to make sure it’s the right choice for you.

That’s why we’ve written this blog post: to break down some of the bigger questions around wood-burning stoves and help you make an informed decision.

Let’s get to it.

Are wood-burning stoves safe?

If your stove is installed correctly and you follow the relevant safety advice, then yes, wood-burning stoves are safe.

Like with any fire though – whether it be fireplace or firepit – you need to be sensible. You need to follow safe practice, keep an eye on the fire at all times, and have water ready at hand to extinguish the flames if they start getting out of hand.

These fire safety tips from Nationwide are very detailed and we recommend giving them a read if you need a refresher.

Are wood-burning stoves bad for your health?

A lot of people wonder whether wood-burning stoves produce carbon monoxide, and the answer is yes. This gas is a by-product of burning wood, but if your wood-burning stove is not properly installed, it can produce a health risk.

For this reason we recommend getting your stove professionally installed, or at least being fully confident in your ability to install it if you decide to go the DIY route.

We also recommend getting a carbon monoxide detector and keeping it near the stove. Test it regularly, too. This will alert you if dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are detected.

Are wood-burning stoves going to be banned?

While there are rumours that the government are considering a wood-burning stove ban, but this stems from a misunderstanding of incoming legislation.

Wood-burning stoves will need to meet minimum environmental specifications to be sold after 2022.

Is it worth getting a wood-burning stove?

It depends what you’re looking for. A wood-burning stove is a very efficient way to heat your home by burning wood, and burning wood means fewer fossil fuels are consumed.

So if you’re looking for an efficient heating option, yes it’s probably worth considering a wood-burning stove.

However there are potential drawbacks to consider: wood-burning stoves require a lot of maintenance, and safety concerns may make it harder for you our your family to enjoy the peace of mind that comes with traditional central heating.

Which wood-burning stove is best?

We’re not qualified to recommend specific models, but we’d advise you to check the efficiency of any stove you’re considering buying. Higher efficiency means your fuel will last longer, which in the long run will also bring down costs.

Are wood-burning stoves environmentally friendly?

Compared to heating powered by burning fossil fuels, wood-burning stoves are likely to be the more environmentally friendly option.

However, there are things to consider:

• Where is your wood from? If you burn wood that’s imported from overseas, the carbon footprint will be high and this will reduce the overall environmental benefit. To avoid this, choose UK wood: all of our wood is grown here!
• What type of wood are you burning? Seasoned wood is more efficient to burn than unseasoned, meaning you’ll get a better burn. Using Ready To Burn certified wood means it will have a moisture content below 20%. All of our wood is RTB accredited!

How much wood to use in a wood-burning stove?

Because a wood-burning stove is a very efficient way to burn wood, you might not need as much wood as you initially think. Once the fire is going, having 1-3 pieces of wood in the combustion chamber should be enough to keep your space nice and toasty.

There you have it

In this blog post we’ve answered seven common questions about wood-burning stoves, with the view to help you decide whether this method of combustion is the right one for your home.

As with any interior design decision, take the time to do your research and arrive at a considered decision.

Then, when you’re snuggled up cosy in your front room, you can take special pleasure in basking in the stove’s warmth 🔥