Wood Burning Stove, How many Logs ?

Bethenny555

Evening All,

Apologies for the question but I am a complete log burner virgin!

I move into my new place at the beginning of December, there is a wood burner in the living area (so excited for the winter nights in front of it!)

However, having never actually used one, I'm now wondering what I need in preparation... its a small one bedroom cottage and has full central heating etc so it won't be on the go all the time...

How many logs would you suggest I buy to get me through the winter and what sort of price should I pay ? I've seen huge bags for around £70-£80 and ideally I'd like to get them from a local supplied (I'll be based in North Yorkshire) Also, should I buy kindling, a couple of bags ?

Arghhh so many questions but anyones insight would be much appreciated! :T

pramsay13

There are a few different websites that will give you advice although it depends a bit on the make of stove.
Do you have place to store wood if you buy one of the big bags?

ianto11

Hi,
Depends on a few factors, output of the stove ? how long per day you intend to run it ? whether you're going to burn soft or hardwood or a mixture of both ?

I have a 5kw woodburner, heating a living room, house is fully gas central heated, and I'm out on weekdays 7-6, so woodburner is only on evenings and weekends.
I use approx 3 -4 cubic metres ( 1 cubic metre is large building bag size) during the winter.
I have a wood storage shed constructed which holds 5 cubic metres, this I restock in the spring.
If you're buying just now to burn, it must be seasoned or kiln-dried

Hope this helps

rudigarude

Hi,

I lived in a couple of cottages in mid-wales that had log burners as the only heat source, they are really comforting in winter, I do miss that now I'm in an all electric house.

A couple of things I found. As it's not for your primary heat source, I wouldn't worry too much about getting it in bulk especially as pramsay13 alluded to with space. The most important thing is to make sure you get dry logs. Get lots of kindling too as if you've not lit a log burner before you will use a lot of it until you get used to it.

As you get used to use the burner you will get more efficient in using it and use less logs.

From a safety prospective, ensure you have a carbon dioxide sensor and also, most importantly, that the burner/chimney is safe to use (e.g. check with landlord if you rent or get it checked if you've just bought).

Lastly, enjoy, I'm jealous.

System

Some excellent advice here. The moisture content of logs is the important thing to consider. Logs greater than 20% moisture do not burn well; they create a lot of smoke and soot/creosote. Buy a stove thermometer as it is important that the stove gets to an optimum operating temperature between 130 and 300C. You should also buy logs by volume not weight. You can burn softwood as well as hardwood. Softwood burns quickly but costs about 50% of the price of hardwood. I burn both.

Our stove sits in an alcove. Recently, we purchased a stove fan. It does make a massive difference to the circulation of hot air within our lounge.

And finally, some tips from my installer. Keep the bottom air valve open during the summer. Scrumple up and burn some newspaper in the stove to warm the flue before setting a fire. Clean the glass with damp newspaper( water and vinegar), and a little stove ash.

[Deleted User]

Me too, I m jealous . I hope you have good neighbours if you live in a street rather than out in the sticks well away from others .I live next door to a wood with a rear gate directly out to the wood with a ready supply of fallen trees, all cut up nicely by the local council and left around for years.
The first sign of darkish smoke from my chimney would have a close neighbour spotting it and the local council coming round to fine me 2k for burning non smokeless fuels. Apparently cut wood has to dry out for 2 years before it can be burnt.. Its not worth the effort of making a racket with a chain saw , stacking and drying the wood for years and upsetting my neighbours who I intend to keep on good terms with , so my yearning for a log burner is put on ice.
I have made many Hazel hurdle fences though and have the villages largest number of woodland birds heading for my many bird feeders..including three Nuthatches ! so I love living next to a wood despite a carpet of Autumn leaves in the garden

JohnB47

Just one thought about your choice of wood supplier. I get 'full loads' for £85 down here in East Devon and I think that is better value than the 'huge bag' type of delivery. It's where the logs are delivered loose on the back of a small pickup.

I would look around for people who can supply full load or half load and try to compare price to volume.

There was another thread a while back, which you might find useful:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5901435/best-way-to-light-a-fire-in-a-small-woodburning-stove&highlight=

ianto11

I too buy mine by the pickup load, a half load equates to 1cubic metre, hence the reference to the builder bags, I think the "volume" thing is to give customers an idea of how much they are actually getting, and can compare like with like.
I'm in the NE of Scotland and I pay £45 per half load of softwood, £90 for hardwood, and my supplier kiln dries all his timber.

Also, don't be tempted to burn crap wood, pallets etc, treated timber, nails etc, are all detrimental to the stove, and flue

redux

If the thermostat for the central heating is in the living room, you may want to turn the radiators in the living room right down while the log fire is going, otherwise it might get warm too easily, then the thermostat shuts off heating the rest of the house.

That can happen here anyway, maybe not everywhere.

JohnB47

ianto11 wrote: »

Also, don't be tempted to burn crap wood, pallets etc, treated timber, nails etc, are all detrimental to the stove, and flue

I've been burning 'crap wood' in my stove for 17 years with no problems.

Anthorn

By way of saving money, consider where the log retailers get their logs: The chances are they get them from a sawmill and are the bits that are not needed for wood planks, etc. such as the bark from trees. In my experience you just drive in load up for example a pick-up with the wood and pay on the way out. Then chop them up with a circular saw or even a saw table.

My friend has a wood-burning stove and buys six bags of logs a week. How much you will need is pretty much subjective depending on daily use. I would suggest trial and error: If what you buy is not enough buy more next time or if it's too much buy less. Personally I wouldn't have one because even though there is a door closure there always seems to be bits of red-hot wood spit out onto the carpet to the effect that there are burn marks on the carpet.