New Multifuel Stove Fitted

femalediyer

At last.. after some good initial advice on here I have now had my multifuel stove fitted by a HETAS registered installer.

The installer very kindly went through it all with me last night and I am not sure whether it was because I was taking it all in but I can not for the life of me remember what he said about the air flow for different fuel types.

There is one air vent at the top in the middle just above the door and two just below the door with a lever at the front of the stove which regulates the heat under the grate (I believe).

Now I can not for the life of me remember what he said about the setting for these depending on which fuel you are using.
Did he say for wood to undo the two just under the door, so that the air goes over the top of the wood and use the lever at the front of the stove for coal as this will ensure the air goes underneath the grate???

Can anyone help me remember? :doh:

wintergirl

As a general rule, coal burns better with airflow from below, wood with air from above.

For wood, when starting up, use paper, (or fire lighters), lots of kindling and pretty smallish logs; and have ALL the vents open. Once this has caught, (after perhaps 20 mins or so) and you have some glowing embers, you can then load larger logs, close down the bottom vents and adjust the burn using the top one.

Having said all that though, each stove is different, and so much depends on airflow in the house, how tall the flue / chimney is, and what the weather is doing outside, that you really have to experiment a bit, and get to know how your stove works.

Congratualtions on joining the growing band of stove users though! :beer: There really is nothing like sitting next to your roaring fire on a cold winters evening. (If we ever manage to get any down here in the south this winter!....:rotfl:)

Williwoodburner

Hi,
if burning wood, when lighting open all air feed controls fully.
Once fire is well ablaze close bottom air feeds and use only top air supply (this is known as airwash on some stoves).
Sometimes you may need to open the door a little to give it a boost when lighting, only for a minute or two though until kindling well alight.
Dont be afraid to put plenty of logs on, when well alight control with the air supply until you get lazy flames.
May take you some time until you master it :money:.
Most important is that the wood is well seasoned and dry, most problems are down to poor fuel.

For anthracite or smokeless fuels use bottom under grate air, you may need to keep top air (airwash) open a little to keep glass clean.
I suggest you get a stovepipe thermometer to guide you until you get the hang of using your new stove.

Hope this helps.

Willie.

hethmar

Hi, well you should be consulting your wood burners manual really - you have got one have you?

Ectophile

If you've been given the instruction manual to go with the stove, then sit down with it and have a good read.

Every stove is different, so you need to know how to use the controls on your one.

Alycidon

As others have said burning wood both open to light, once established close lower air vent. Wood burns from the top down.

Burning anthracite or smokeless fuel leave top air supply fully open, manage fire using lower air slides as these fuels burn from the bottom up.

with wood allow the ash to sit on the grate, smokeless fuel then keep the grate reasonably clear of ash.

Do not under any circumstances use smokeless fuel that is petroleum based, this will wreck your stove very quickly. Wood or anthracite ( natural smokeless coal) are the best,

A

A._Badger

Alycidon wrote: »

As others have said burning wood both open to light, once established close lower air vent. Wood burns from the top down.

Burning anthracite or smokeless fuel leave top air supply fully open, manage fire using lower air slides as these fuels burn from the bottom up.

with wood allow the ash to sit on the grate, smokeless fuel then keep the grate reasonably clear of ash.

Do not under any circumstances use smokeless fuel that is petroleum based, this will wreck your stove very quickly. Wood or anthracite ( natural smokeless coal) are the best,

A

Don't you mean leave the top air supply largely closed?

In any case, stoves (and fuels) vary a lot. Experimentation based on the manufacturer's instructions is the best policy.

hethmar

Do you have a temperature gauge for your stove? If not, buy one as it will be a very good guide to running the stove at its optimum temperature - as per the instruction manual you should have.

muckybutt

^^^ seconded ^^^

I advise all my customers to get one if they have a stove fitted.

pinkmami

I also second getting a thermometer. Valuable!!!

Its trial error with a stove. You will soon get the hang of using it & come to love it!

Skulls

I love my logburner so much that I now sleep with it!:D:D:D