Wood burning stoves>

oliel

Got mine last year and it is great - amazing how many people have wood they dont need so saves a bomb and is soooo warm. In my experience you get the most of of them by 1) having dry wood and 2) even though hard wood costs more its loads more efficient than soft wood. Only problem is i ten to fall asleep on the sofa in the evenings because its sooo cozy. Highly recommend went for a stove for about £1300 (charwood) but the best £1300 ive spent in ages.

roscoe57

I second that remark !

If you have a modern well insulated home rather than a drafty cottage, make sure you size accordingly. If you oversize you'll have a sauna, but some like kinda thing !

the_reductionist wrote: »

Make sure you have your chimney lined - unfortunately this will be expensive. Probably several hundred pounds depending on the length of your flue.

Woodburners kick out a tremendous amount of heat so if you have an average size room (25-30 square metres) don't be tempted to go bigger than 7KW.

I have had woodburners in several houses for many years and if you just want a functional chunky box with a flat top (I like this look) so you can boil a kettle and strip down to your underwear and watch the furniture dry out and warp then there is no need to spend more than £500. Makes like the Cottager are great little stoves.

Woodburning suppliers who do not stock these makes but only very expensive models always rubbish them but in my experience they are reliable, excellent stoves.

You will certainly need a good supply of dried hardwood logs. Birch, oak, apple and ash are the best. Beech burns well but leaves a lot of ash.

Grz.26

Just to add my tuppence. My friend has been using his wood burner for a good year, with a unlined chinmey, He has just lined it last week and said what a difference it makes. Slower burning of the wood and more heat comes out back into the room.

manish6894

we provide Wood burning stoves. we have more stoves items.

AGBAGB

I've just done a bit of an analysis of our experience of living with a wood burning stove for two years. I wanted to answer the question "Is it worth it?"
I try not to let my heart rule my head, I thought I was saving money but had not quantified it. So I've had a look at all the costs we've incured including installation and running costs and compared this to the savings in gas.
I also had a look at the environmental aspects and the impact on our lifestyle.

I discovered we are just about breaking even on the price of wood to the saving on gas. The environmental and lifestyle benefits tip the answer towards "Yes it's worth it".

On the money saving side, it comes down to price of fuel. If you've got a good supply of wood then it's a no brainer. If you're paying for fully seasoned hardwood then it's an expensive way to go greener.

I've written up the details at idostuff.co.uk

A couple of my sub-conclusions are:

1. Insulate and draught proof your house first. Wood burning isn't a substitute for energy conservation. These measures I've ignored so far but realised my mistake now I've done the analysis.

2. If it's really going to work, you have to commit time to it. I'm sure many looking at a wood burner don't realise what a it actualy takes for it to be worth it.

3. If you're really keen on going green it's probably cheaper paying the £150 ish extra per year for 100% green electric.

I hope this is useful / balanced information for anyone considering taking the plunge into wood burning.

kafka1966

kafka1966 wrote: »

Hi there,

My Aga Little Wenlock arrived today. I have got a reasonable quote from a local builder, so it should be in place before xmas - cannot wait! I'm going to have the fireplace opened up to a "builder's opening". How much space should there be behind the stove?

Cheers,
KJ

Finally installed, and burning its first logs as we speak! I am so excited! :-)

ClootiesMum

Finally installed, and burning its first logs as we speak! I am so excited! :-)

Ditto - and I'm sooo happy - it's warm but glass of wine is cooling me down, smells nice and I will wait a couple of days then test out the kettle on the top.

So far I've not been allowed to put any wood on the fire - seems that's a MAN task...

CM

make_life_easier

Lady_Python wrote: »

We're just about to get a stove put in too. We have a ready supply of wood from the forestation behind our house - always loads of fallen branches just left to rot. Might as well make use of them plus one of our friends is a forester:D

Just thought I'd mention that the chimney does not always need an expensive flue. Many chimneys are clay lined and provided the lining is still OK - the local chimney sweep can sweep and check this for you, it may be the case that you don't need to install a flue. We found this out when we went to a reputable dealer who explained everything we needed to know.

There is also another option which might interest some people, and is the option we are going for.


For people who have an ordinary fireplace there is a stove called the Runswick. It is an inset stove. Can't remember the manufacturer but it is made in Britain - not sure where hubby's put the brochure but Google it and you should be able to see it. Anyway, this stove fits a fireplace with a minimum of 16" x 10" opening and is a cross between an open fire and a stove, with convector capability. It is multi-fuel.

It doesn't need the expensive flue and literally just slots in and off it goes. Just as easy to take out if you move house too.

All we have to do is have the gas fire taken out (our council condemned it - in their own words "Oh God. It IS an antique" and they have given us the go-ahead to put the stove in so we are just waiting for them to come and remove the gas fire and gas pipe from our living room. That happens a week on Monday. As soon as that is done we'll get the local chimney sweep down to sweep the chimney and check that it is safe, also put on a new chimney pot. Then it will just be a case of getting the new stove delivered and installed.

Should be nice and cosy before Christmas:D

I'll report back when the stove is up and running and let you all know how well it performs.

I have had a look at this inset stove and it seems perfect for my house. have you had it fitted yet and if so what is it like?

ixwood

I'd be interested in any feedback too. I'm considering an inset stove.

rhiwfield

ixwood wrote: »

I'd be interested in any feedback too. I'm considering an inset stove.

Haven't got an inset stove but when our woodburner was first installed it was fitted with a top flue and the rear of the stove was hard up against the back of the fireplace. The stove didnt perform as espected and I got the installers back who refitted it with a rear flue and the stove was then 6" proud of the fireplace recess. This seemed to make a big difference as air could circulate around the stove more easily and get into the room.