Wood-burning stoves are a fantastic way to keep your home warm and cozy, but using them correctly is crucial for safety, efficiency, and reducing environmental impact. Follow these essential tips to get the most out of your stove while keeping your home and family safe.
| Do | Don’t |
| Bring your stove to operating temperature quickly and try to maintain it. | Close off the air to “slumber” the fuel for long periods or overnight. |
| Use dry wood with 10-20% moisture content. | Use large logs; aim for logs 4–6 inches (100–150mm) in diameter. |
| Stick to the manufacturer’s recommended fuels. | Burn wood or coal on open fires in Smoke Control Areas. |
| Sweep your chimney regularly—a professional sweep can provide valuable advice. | Allow smoke to escape from the chimney top unless you’ve just lit or refueled the fire. |
| Store and stack your logs in a well-ventilated area. | Don’t buy a stove which is too big (too powerful) for the room. You’ll get too hot and be likely to shut the air controls too much. The burning temperature will drop, fuel is wasted and pollution increased |
| Use tools like a thermometer, moisture meter, and stove fan to improve efficiency, save money, and reduce pollution. | Attempt to fit or alter any part of your solid fuel system yourself; it’s easy to make costly mistakes. |
| Install a Carbon Monoxide alarm for safety—it’s essential, no matter how well your fire burns. | Mix smokeless fuel and wood; this reduces the efficiency of both fuels. |
| If your stove is older, inefficient, or too powerful for your room, consider upgrading to a modern, efficient model for cleaner burning and cost savings. | Burn plastic waste or treated wood—it smells bad and releases toxic chemicals. |