Caboose - wood burning fireplace is an Ecodesign and DEFRA approved log burner, which can burn both smokeless and wood. It is able to burn larger pieces of wood compared to most small stoves, and has an impressive heat output and burn time.
The wood stove may be protected with heatshields to meet the requirements of Approved Building Document J which stipulates that wood stoves should be kept away from combustible surfaces.
Clean Wood
Wood stoves aren't just beautiful to look at but they also provide a great source of heat for a home. Therefore, they have to be properly maintained to ensure that they run smoothly and efficiently. It is sometimes a challenge to keep the glass in good condition. However, a few simple steps can make a significant difference.
First of all, it is essential to only use the wood that has been seasoned in your wood stove. This means that it should have been chopped and stored for at least one year prior to use to help reduce the amount of smoke. The burning of wood that is not seasoned could cause the flue to overheat, which in turn could lead to a fire breaking out of control, or creating a chimney fire.
Only burn clean wood on your wood stove. Avoid burning paper and other non-wood products like rubber or plastics, as they release toxic fumes that are bad for your health. Burning treated or painted wood could release harmful chemicals like arsenic, which can be harmful for your health.
It is also recommended to regularly clean the inside of your stove. It's easy to do so by using a regular vacuum cleaner equipped with an attachment for a brush. You can also purchase several cleaners specifically designed to be used on stove glass. However, it is important to ensure that any product you purchase does not void the warranty on your stove before using it.
It is also crucial to check the fire rope seals on the top and bottom of your wood stove. These seals help to prevent smoke or soot from escaping the stove and are crucial to make sure that they are firmly in place and not deteriorating.
Last but not least, you must remove any birds that have settled on your chimney. Seagulls are a major problem and often perch on chimneys throughout the summer, which can lead to all manner of debris falling down the flue, which could cause damage to your stove. You can install various bird guards and spikes on your chimney to stop this.
Paper Burning
Burning paper is an easy way to get the fire going, but the wrong kind of paper can cause dangerous smoke. Some types of paper, such as gift wrap and glossy magazines, contain harmful chemicals that could emit toxic fumes when they burn. To avoid creating a hazardous environment burn only clean paper in your wood burner.
You might want to consider using a tub if you have only a small amount of paper to burn. Place a stack of papers on top of a tub and light one corner. The water will smother the embers, preventing them from igniting nearby trees or grass. If you're worried about the smell of burning paper, you can put a bowl of vinegar or baking soda close by to neutralize the smell.
Start with a base made of small twigs, or newspaper shredded. This will ensure that the paper burns in a proper manner. Add 3-4 medium-sized wood logs and let them burn. Then, place the paper on the top. The paper will burn fast and you must watch the flame closely.
It is a good idea to choose a day that is wind-free to burn papers outdoors. A strong gust of wind could blow embers across the grass or directly onto your home. Additionally, the smoke from burning papers could cause breathing problems when inhaled.
You can also employ the BBQ grill to ignite paper, but this method is best if you only have just a few sheets of paper to burn. If you have a removable metal grilling surface, you can remove it to burn the paper directly over the charcoal.
Before you begin burning paper, make sure that your wood burner has been fully tested and that the firepit is free of any twigs or branches. In the event there is an emergency, it's recommended to keep a fire extinguisher close by. Also, check with your local government and your homeowner's association to confirm that it is legal to burn papers outdoors in your area.
Safety Precautions
Wood burning stoves can provide hours of comfort and pleasure, but that joy is only possible if you follow the steps necessary to use them safely. It may appear obvious to others, but the truth is that many people do not follow basic safety precautions.
Make sure that your stove is adequately insulated, and that any pipes that lead to the outside are shielded. You should also make sure that pets and children are kept away from the stove.
Be sure that no garbage or paper is left in the fireplace. The burning of these items can cause the fireplace and chimney to overheat. They can also produce creosote, which is a fire hazard that needs to be cleaned regularly.
Make sure to check the smoke alarms and test them every month. Similarly, it is an excellent idea to install carbon monoxide detectors which can save lives and are affordable.
Keep a fire extinguisher in your bag in case of emergency. Never create a huge stack of logs. Only burn dry, seasoned wood. A pile of logs that are burning together will result in incomplete combustion, which can increase CO emissions. It is important to keep an eye on and manage the flame. If it gets out of control, it should be extinguished immediately.
After you've used your stove make sure that the fire is out and that all combustible materials have been removed from the area around the fireboxes as well as flue pipes. There are specific clearance requirements based on the model of your stove and on how you plan to install it within your home.
If you are planning to install your wood stove in a smoke controlled area, consider a DEFRA-approved model. These stoves are designed for use in smoke-controlled areas and are available in a range of sizes and colors. Some models can even be customised to your specific design and come with direct air intake for improved performance in areas with smoke control.
Installation
Wood stoves are a very popular choice for heating small areas. They can be put in yurts, sheds, and even cabins. Additionally, they provide a warm and cozy fire that does not require electricity or oil. In order to correctly install your wood stove, it is crucial to adhere to the manufacturer's installation guidelines. These guidelines will ensure that your wood stove is safe to use and can use it without any issues.
Before installing your stove, you should clear the area around it of any combustible material. Also, ensure that you have at minimum 16" of clearance from the stove to the closest wall that is combustible. If you're not able to meet these requirements, then you can install a hearth pad or stove board. This non-combustible pad will come with 1" spacers that will help the stove to sit further away from the wall which can reduce the clearance requirement by up to 66%.
To prevent smoke from blowing back into the room, you should also remove combustible items like curtains and furniture. Additionally, you should install a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector in your shed. The last thing to do is make sure that your shed has adequate ventilation. It is important to regularly inspect your stove and chimney to ensure security.
It is a good idea to purchase a wood stove with EPA certification. This certification indicates that the stove is more than 75 percent efficient, meaning it will take in and convert more heat from wood than it releases. It is recommended to select your wood stove based on the recommended heating capacity of the space in which it will be placed. This will prevent you from overloading your wood stove which could result in smokeouts and creosote.
After you have cleared out the space and removed all combustible materials, you will need to make the foundations of your stove. This involves removing any combustible materials and making the hearth ready. Verify that the vents are clear and open. You will need to install vents if the ones you have are not functioning properly.
When your stove is set up and you are ready to test it by lighting 3 or 4 small fires. This will help dry the fire bricks and paint on your stove and will ensure that it is safe to burn large flames.