Issues and fixes for wood-burning stoves: A guide to troubleshooting
Wood burners can provide a cosy and efficient source of heat for many homes, but they can also encounter various issues that require attention. Here are some common problems with wood burners and solutions recommended by experts to ensure a smooth and safe burning experience.
Creosote Buildup
Creosote, a tar-like substance, forms inside chimneys due to incomplete wood burning, especially with wet wood or smoldering fires. It restricts airflow and poses a fire hazard. Experts advise regular chimney cleaning to prevent this.
Poor Draft
Inadequate chimney draft causes smoke to spill back into the room. Causes include blockages by debris or nests, improper chimney height, and cold chimney walls. Keeping the chimney clear and properly designed improves airflow.
Smoke Spillage
Smoke entering living spaces may come from overloading the stove, frequently opening the stove door, or poor draft. Using the stove prudently (not overloading or frequently opening) and maintaining a proper draft reduce this issue.
Burning Wet or Unseasoned Wood
This leads to inefficient combustion, more smoke, and increased creosote formation. Using properly seasoned, dry wood is critical for efficient and clean burning.
Overloading the Stove
Overfilling with logs causes over-burning that can damage stove components such as baffle plates and flue systems. Experts recommend never overloading for safety and longevity.
Slumbering the Stove Overnight
Reducing airflow overnight causes smoke production and harms stove efficiency and cleanliness. It is recommended not to let the fire smolder but maintain proper airflow.
Incorrect Installation or Flue Design
Poorly installed stoves or chimneys with improper design contribute to drafts and smoke issues. Always use a qualified installer with certification.
Rust on Stove Surfaces
This can happen due to moisture and lack of maintenance. Regular cleaning and proper use prevent rust formation.
Regular Maintenance
Annual inspections and cleanings, similar to a car MOT, ensure safety and efficiency.
Using a Stove Thermomonitor
Maintaining the stove at optimal temperatures (burning between recommended levels) maximises fuel use and efficiency, minimising pollutants.
Qualified Installation
Only have your stove installed by certified professionals who provide guarantees and data plates for the appliance.
Use of Clean-Burning Technology
Modern stoves with features like airwash systems and secondary combustion provide cleaner, hotter fires with reduced particulates and emissions, helping comply with regulations like the Clean Air Act.
Avoid Burning Inappropriate Materials
Do not burn painted, varnished wood, fence posts, or house coal, as these produce toxic emissions and pollute the atmosphere.
Chimney Sweeping Verification
Ensure chimney sweeps clean the entire flue and show you the brush exiting the chimney pot to confirm thorough cleaning.
Respect Wildlife Protection Laws
Live bird nests must not be removed during protected periods, affecting chimney cleaning schedules.
To ensure maximum airflow when starting a wood burner, open all the air vents fully and, on calm days, leave the door slightly ajar. The ideal moisture content for firewood is around 15-20%. To reduce smoke emissions, use properly seasoned wood with less than 20% moisture content.
Speaking to a HETAS Registered Retailer can help determine what size stove is right for a room to ensure it produces a comfortable temperature. A cold plug in the chimney can cause smoke emissions by preventing air from being drawn up through the flue and expelled from the chimney. Improper use of wood burner vents can cause the fire to go out prematurely.
A wood burner that is too powerful can overheat the space. The amount of heat that a log burner produces is measured using the unit 'kW'. Running a wood burner at low output when it's too large for the room is dangerous and can cause an increased build-up of flammable deposits in the chimney.
If smoke is escaping from the stove and into the home, it is a serious problem that requires immediate action. Regularly smelling an odor when you light your fire could be a sign that you have a problem in your wood burner installation that should be looked at by a professional.
The glass on a wood burner may become sooty due to the use of improperly seasoned or moist wood. To prevent sooty glass, use firewood that has been seasoned (left to dry over time or dried using a kiln) from a reputable seller and store it in a dry place. Avoid using harsh abrasives to clean the log burner's glass as they may cause scratches.
If a wood burner is overheating, consider leaving doors open to let the heat circulate or installing vents to disperse heat to other areas. The excessive moisture content of wood fuel can lead to a wood burner not giving out enough heat. The accumulation of soot or other debris in the chimney can also cause smoking.
Once the fire is burning steadily, adjust the air controls for optimal performance. Smoking from a wood burner is often due to the moisture content of the firewood being too high (over 20%). If a wood burner is overheating, consider leaving doors open to let the heat circulate or installing vents to disperse heat to other areas.
Solving an oversized stove problem can be tricky, as replacing a wood burner is expensive and disruptive. Cold plugs during cold spells can be prevented by leaving the stove door open at least thirty minutes before lighting the fire, using a top-down method of lighting a fire, and using a firelighter to start the fire.
- Creosote buildup in the chimney, a result of incomplete wood burning, can be dangerous and restrict airflow, so regular chimney cleaning is advised.
- Poorly designed chimneys can cause smoke spillage due to inadequate draft, which can be resolved by keeping the chimney clear and maintaining proper design.
- Overloading wood burners with logs can cause over-burning, leading to potential damage, so experts recommend never overloading for safety and longevity.
- Burning wet or unseasoned wood can lead to inefficient combustion and increased creosote formation, while properly seasoned, dry wood ensures clean burning.
- Smoke entering living spaces may occur due to overloading, frequent door opening, or poor draft, which can be minimized by using the stove prudently and maintaining a proper draft.
- Incorrect installation or flue design can contribute to drafts and smoke issues, so it's essential to use a qualified installer for safety.
- Regular maintenance, including annual inspections and cleanings, is crucial for the safety and efficiency of the wood burner. Ensuring chimney sweeps clean the entire flue and providing verification of thorough cleaning is important.
