New flat with a woodburner-advice please

rose28454

My ex has moved into a barn conversion with a woodburning stove and gas central heating. What he wants to know is if anybody has any advice about using woodburners efficiently. He has been given access to a builders skip for scrap wood and wonders if this is good wood to use? If he buys logs what is the best way to do it? How can he tell if it is a woodburner or multifuel?

Skintmama

If renting then ask the landlord what can be used in the stove.

Do any of the other properties in the development have the same stove....asking may be a good way to introduce himself to the neighbours! They may have some advice for him both in what can be burnt and also good providers of logs in the area.

Beware of scrap wood as although it will obviously burn there may be nasty emissions if it has been painted or chemically treated. It can also leave too much deposit in the flue I think.....not sure on that one though.

Another route is to ask the manufacturer of the stove.

Best stuff to burn in a woodburner is well seasoned hardwood logs cut to an appropriate size for your stove. There are inevitably ads in the local papers but best to get a recommendation if you can for a reputable supplier. They are supplied by the half load or full load and you need to have somewhere to stack and cover them. When asking for the size bear in mind that smaller pieces can be stacked in the stove more easily and the larger pieces will burn longest.........I always go for a mix myself.

Until you hear it is safe to do so I wouldn't put solid fuel in the stove as it burns with a raging heat. We can in ours and put just a little in with our wood.

Get a good hot fire going in the stove and then let it burn down giving off lots of heat rather than a feeble fire which you feed all evening but never really warms you! Open all the internal doors to let it warm the whole flat and save on gas.

Hope he enjoys his stove.......there is nothing nicer on a cold evening.