The Log Book: Getting the Best From Your Wood-Burning Stove, 2nd Edition

by Will Rolls

Overview

Using a wood-burning stove effectively is both an art and a science. In this friendly, comprehensive guide, chartered forester and woodfuel expert Will Rolls talks the reader through the theory and practice of getting the best results from their stove. From finding the fuel and seasoning it to lighting the stove and operating it cleanly, this book describes the best techniques for looking after your log stove.

The Log Book covers log suppliers, avoiding too much smoke and ash, checking fuel quality, and picking the best wood for your fire. This second edition includes:

• Flu temperature gauges;
• Tips on cleaning the glass
• How atmospheric conditions can affect draft, especially when lighting
• Why a cold stove is harder to light
• Heat fans
• Why some stoves require leaving the door ajar when first lighting
• Stacking logs next to stoves

Advice for single-vent burners

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781856231572
Publisher:	Permanent Publications
Publication date:	10/10/2013
Edition description:	Expanded
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Will Rolls first started in the biomass industry working for the Forestry Commission as a regional woodfuel coordinator in the East Midlands. He moved to Forest Research in 2009 and currently works for the Biomass Energy Centre, a specialist technical-advisory unit providing impartial advice on woodfuel and biomass production and use. The Log Book is a personal project in response to many inquiries from the public that show a poor level of understanding of how to use wood-burning stoves.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vi

1 Introduction 1

What is a log stove? 1

Why use one? 1

Security of supply

The environment

Log stoves are not open fires

What this book doesn't tell you 6

2 Combustion and the science of burning 8

Burning 8

Burning wood 10

Combustion variables 11

Fuel

Air

Heat

Mixing

3 Choosing and installing a stove 27

Choosing the stove 27

Size

Features

Flues and Chimneys ? Accessories

Finding an installer 39

HETAS

The Stove Industry Alliance

Sellers/manufacturers

Word of mouth

Regulations 41

Smoke control areas

Building Regulations

Planning Permission

Costs 42

A note on grants

4 Good stove operation 43

Laying the stove and lighting up 43

The ash bed

Firelighters

Kindling

Laying the fire ? Lighting

Phase one burning 47

Phase two burning 48

Incorrect operation 49

Keeping stoves 'in' overnight 50

5 Maintenance 53

Ash removal and disposal 53

Sweeping the chimney 56

Fire rope 57

Firebricks 57

Cleaning the glass 58

Damp newspaper and ash ? Vinegar

Cleaning products

Mechanical scrubbing

6 Fuel Management 60

How much do I need? 60

What does that mean per year?

Storing fuel 63

Outside stores

Inside Stores

Heated areas

Storing briquettes

7 Price 68

Conversion by weight 68

Conversion by volume 69

8 Quality fuel characteristics 70

Moisture content 70

Moisture meters

Contamination 72

Log size 72

Species 72

Pests and diseases. 73

Briquette variables: Species

Packaging

Mechanical durability

Energy Balance 75

9 Buying fuel 77

What's in a load? 78

Kiln dried or not? 78

Buying green? 79

Waste wood 79

Where to find waste wood

Briquettes 80

Finding a supplier 81

Supplier accreditation ? Directories

Buying from the Forestry Commission

Forestry contractors and tree surgeons

The local pub test

The petrol station

10 Producing your own fuel 85

Growing your own 85

Buying the raw materials 86

Forestry Commission

Other sources

Felling and processing 87

Transportation 89

Drying 89

Appendices

1 Calculations and conversions (the really geeky bit) 91

2 Troubleshooting 96

3 Where to go for further information 99

4 Feedback 99

Glossary 100

Index 104

About the author 106