How to Maximise Heat From a Log Burner
If you’re the proud owner of a log burner or wood burning stove, there’s no doubt you’ll be wanting to get the best use out of it. Maximising heat from your log burner, not only saves you money, it’s also more energy efficient for the environment. Luckily, with a few simple tips and tricks, it’s easy to get more out of your wood burner, and make it more efficient.
If you’re not yet sure how to maximise heat from a log burner, take a look at the following simple steps:
Light Your Firewood From the Top Down
There are many different methods you can use to light a fire. However, when it comes to how to maximise heat from a log burner, we would always recommend using a top down approach. This preheats the flue and warms the chimney, creating the optimal conditions for the fuel to burn. It also produces less smoke. If you’re using the top down method you want to start by placing Kiln Dried Firewood or Hardwood Heat Logs at the bottom of your stove or fireplace, before piling Wood Kindling on top in a grid or pyramid shape (you want to make sure you have left gaps for the air to flow through). Next, add a couple of Natural Firelighters on the top and light it up.
Use the Correct Fuel
When determining how to maximise heat from a log burner, it’s also important to choose the best type of wood fuel. You should always use properly dried firewood that has a moisture content below 20%. This not only produces less smoke and air pollution but produces a higher heat output. Using wet wood that has not been dried out properly, generates heat at an inefficient and low rate, whilst producing high levels of smoke that can be damaging to your stove, and the environment. In line with government requirements, all Lekto products have a moisture content below 20%.
Control the Air Flows
Most wood burning stoves have a primary and secondary air flow vent to help you control the heat output of the fire. This plays an important part in how to maximise heat from a log burner. You’ll need to keep the primary air vent open to get the fire going. Once the fire is burning nicely, you can slowly close the primary air vent and use the secondary air vent to control the air flow. You’ll need the vent to be open enough to create an air flow, but not so much that the flames get too big, and the fire becomes inefficient. Play around with the vents to find a happy medium.
Maintain an Efficient Temperature
It might seem counterintuitive, but creating a fire that is overly powerful can actually be inefficient. Not only can this cause damage to your stove, it can also cause heat to escape through the chimney and make you burn through your fuel rapidly. When determining how to maximise heat from a log burner, the ideal temperature should be between 260 and 460°C. You can measure this using a stove thermometer.
Keep Your Stove Clean & Maintained
Another essential factor to consider when thinking about how to maximise heat from a log burner, is cleaning and maintenance. Remember to sweep away excess ash regularly, clean the stove glass and get the chimney swept once a year. This is important for ensuring the fire continues to burn cleanly and efficiently, however it’s also important for safety reasons, to prevent chimney fires.
Invest in a Stove Fan
Creating and maintaining an efficient fire plays a major role in how to maximise heat from a log burner, however it’s important to ensure that the heat from that fire is properly circulated. One of the easiest ways to maximise the heat from your wood burning stove is to attach a stove fan to your log burner or wood burning stove. This helps to circulate the heat from your fireplace around the room, making the most of the warmth created by the fire.