You’re (probably) using your woodburner wrong
As a chimney sweep, you can imagine just how many woodburners I see on a day-to-day basis. What might surprise you is that almost everyone fails to use their woodburner as efficiently as possible. In today’s blog, I’m going to go through some of the helpful tips and tricks I tell my customers to help them get the most out of their stoves. My clients routinely report around a 25% reduction in their wood consumption after changing their techniques, and you can do the same too!
The Best Time of Year to Have Your Chimney Swept (Revealed)
The busy period for chimney sweeps (or “silly season,” as we call it) is from September through to Christmas. As the colder months approach, the demand for chimney sweeps skyrockets. October, in particular, is the busiest month, with homeowners rushing to get their chimneys cleaned and ready for the winter season. Many find themselves having to wait for an appointment if they leave it too late to book. But is the mass rush to book a chimney sweep in October really the best strategy? In this blog, we’ll explore whether the conventional wisdom holds true or if there’s a more optimal time of year to have your chimney swept.
Top 5 unusual uses for your wood ash
Wood ash, often viewed as mere waste from a woodburner, can actually be repurposed in various beneficial ways. From enhancing your garden to acting as a natural cleaner, wood ash proves to be an unexpectedly versatile resource. In this blog, we’ll delve into five creative uses for wood ash, helping you leverage its potential. Whether you’re an avid gardener, pet owner, or just looking for eco-friendly solutions, these tips will reveal how to make the most out of wood ash.
How to light a fire – the BEST method
Roughly 1 million years ago, our early human ancestors, the Homo Erectus, achieved a pivotal feat in the evolution of humankind: the lighting of the first fire. Since this monumental moment, fire has served as a beacon of civilization, a source of warmth, protection, and culinary innovation. From ancient dirt hearths to modern wood-burning stoves, the quest to master the flames has been an enduring endeavour, steeped in tradition and ingenuity. Among the myriad techniques passed down through the ages and relatively recent innovation, we have discovered what we believe to be the best method for lighting a fire.
Installing Your Own Stove In France – Single Vs Twin walled Chimney systems. What is the difference?
If you wish to install your chimney liner where it will be exposed to the outside world (on the exterior wall or above the roof without an existing chimney present) it is paramount that a twin wall system is used. Without the insulation that twin walled parts are designed to provide to the chimney system, the uninsulated parts are left to battle the outside temperatures and elements which is not what they are designed to do. Without the chimney being adequately insulated, two things happen:
Bûche de Ramonage – Do They Work?
In the seemingly ever-evolving world of fireplace maintenance, the debate over the effectiveness of ‘Bûche de ramonage’ has sparked considerable discussion and curiosity. These compressed blocks, designed to be burned in wood burners, promise not only to provide warmth but also to assist in cleaning the chimney—a concept that has ignited a flurry of opinions among the fire users among us. As of late, there seems to be a rising controversy surrounding their efficacy and outright purpose. The question arises: Can these blocks truly serve as a reliable substitute for the traditional chimney sweeping process? In this blog, we delve into the heart of this heated discussion, exploring the science behind bûche de ramonage and evaluating their claims to determine whether they are a viable solution or merely another passing trend in the realm of fireplace maintenance.
New Chimney Sweeping Law – Your questions answered
Sunday 1st October 2023 caused monumental shift in the world of Chimney Sweeping obligations in France as Decree 2023-641 came into effect. We launched a blog post breaking down the new decree into digestible information for the homeowner to stay informed without having to trawl through pages and pages of legal documents. Since launching said blog post, we have received multiple questions regarding the new decree and what it means for you. We have consolidated your questions and answered them below.
New French Law: Chimney Sweeping obligations. Everything you need to know.
Today, 1st October 2023, marks a significant change in the world of chimney maintenance for solid fuel heating appliances. A new national law, issued by governmental decree, has replaced the previous municipal and prefectural regulations that governed this aspect of home heating. This means that every individual using a solid fuel heating appliance is now obligated to adhere to the new national standards. In this blog, we’ll be taking a look at this new decree, exploring the practical implications of this transition, and translating all the legal jargon into applicable and understandable information that applies to all homeowners reliant on solid fuel stoves for their winter warmth.
Myth Buster: Can I burn pine and other softwoods in my woodburner?
Amidst the crackling of logs and the cozy warmth of a wood-burning stove, a common myth has nestled its way into the hearts of many fireplace enthusiasts: the belief that burning pine wood is a cardinal sin in the world of wood heating. For years, we’ve been cautioned against igniting fragrant pine logs due to warnings of creosote/tar buildup, chimney fires, and a myriad of other potential disasters. But is this warning rooted in fact or mere fireplace folklore?
Warning: Don’t store your logs next to your fire
Ah, the picturesque cracking of a log burner, flames licking against the glass as the warm winters glow emanates from the ironworks into cosy lounge. Completing the picture is the door swinging open as chilled winter logs are brought in from the wood store outside and carefully placed on the hearth of the fire, allowing them to warm up and dry off before they find their way into the fire. Many of us will be picturing something along the lines of the photo below but there is one fatal flaw to this idyllic scene which could lead to a very serious situation should it rear its ugly head.