Prepping Your Stove for the First Burn of the Season

With September just around the corner, it won’t be long until the leaves turn brown and the cold weather returns.

Perhaps not the greatest of thoughts if you are more of a summer-lover, but there is at least one great perk of the cold weather returning – it’s stove season!

Now there’s a good chance that your wood burner has been sitting idle all summer, unless you fired it up during one of the crazy summer storms – and we wouldn’t blame you. In any case, it’s important that you get your stove prepped and ready before a prolonged period of use.

GIVE IT A CHECK OVER

Wood burning stoves are robust and built-to-last, however they aren’t immune to wear and tear so it’s important to give your stove a check over and check that parts are in working order. Pay particular attention to the seals and the rope, inspecting for tears and frays. It’s also a good time to give your stove a clean and remove any soot build-up from the glass.

BOOK A SERVICE

It is recommended that you have your stove serviced annually by a HETAS engineer. This ensures that your stove is safe to use and extends the lifespan of your appliance. If your stove is still under warranty, regular servicing in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance is often a condition of keeping your warranty intact – so it is worth sticking to an annual servicing schedule.

CHECK YOUR ALARMS

As a stove owner, checking your carbon monoxide alarm and your smoke alarm should be a part of your monthly routine. However it is good practice to do an extra check ahead of burn season. It’s also a good time to perform battery checks or switch out old alarms that are at the end of their lifecycle. Give alarms a clean by very genty dusting them and gently clearing any debris from the sensors.

GET YOUR WOOD READY

As of May 2021, it is a legal requirement to burn wood that has a moisture content below 20%. This is a good thing for your health, the environment and the performance of your stove. If you intend on buying pre-seasoned wood, look out for the ‘Ready to Burn’ logo.  Alternatively, if you intend on drying your wood at home, a moisture meter will come in handy. If you store your wood outside, remember to stack it so that air can circulate and bring wood indoors 24 hours before you burn it to ensure dryness.

If you are in the Dorset area and would like your stove serviced, you can drop us an email at info@kbgasstoves.com – we’ll be happy to get you booked in.