Find the answers to some frequently asked questions.
Multi-Fuel and Wood-Burning Appliance Advice
Choose Silver Stoves for the installation and care of your solid fuel appliance, and with the correct operation and care you will be able to use your appliance for many years to come. There are some basic factors that will help you get more from your appliance, increase the longevity of your installation, save you money and give you the most from your investment.
The following FAQs may help to answer any questions that you have about your solid fuel appliance. Please contact us if you have any other questions or need further help.
What wood should I use?
Burn well seasoned wood. Wet wood prevents the correct temperature of combustion and causes the fuel to produce a lot of smoke. This smoke is un-combusted fuel which will gather in your liner, reduce its efficiency and ultimately cause a chimney fire. Wet wood will give you less heat and cost you more money.
Can I burn drift wood in my stove?
Do not burn drift wood in your appliance. With our beautiful coast line, it is tempting to forage for wood on the beach for burning, yet the sodium deposited in the wood by the sea salt water will corrode both your stove and liner. Similarly, treated and painted woods can damage your installation and lead to problems. Having invested in your new installation it would be a shame to damage it by burning the wrong cheap fuels.
Can I burn house coal in my stove?
Do not burn house coal as it burns hotter than smokeless fuels and will damage your stove and liner. House coal also contains a higher percentage of sulphur, which in the right conditions can form sulphuric acid which will corrode your entire installation.
How often should I get my appliance serviced?
All appliances in your home should be regularly serviced, to ensure their continued safe operation and for your peace of mind. Stove manufacturers and flue product providers will insist on annual sweeping certificates to validate the warranty on your stove and installation. Book your annual service with us and we will issue you with certification to validate your warranty.
How often should I remove the ashes from the base of the stove?
Let an ash bed build up in the base of your stove if you have a wood burner. The hot ash will help the wood to burn. If you have a multi-fuel appliance, regular cleaning of the grate is required to allow air to come under the grate to assist the burning of smokeless fuels.
Can I leave the stove door open when lit?
Please don’t burn the stove with the door open. Efficiency is achieved by keeping the fire in the fire box for as long as possible, and this can be achieved by manipulating the air controls. With the door open efficiency drops dramatically as the heat is being taken up the flue too soon. Heat the body of the stove not the flue.
What is the best way to refuel the stove?
The best way to refuel is to crack open the door for a couple of seconds and then open fully once the flue pressure has balanced. Avoid opening the door suddenly when re-fuelling or you will pull fumes from the fire box. Just a plume of smoke is enough to cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
I have noticed a damaged component on the stove. What should I do?
Using a stove with damaged components can further damage your appliance and reduce efficiency. It is important to get your appliance repaired as soon as possible.
What is the best way to clean stove glass?
Stove glass is soft and will easily etch, so do not use abrasive products to clean your glass. Once scratched your view of the fire will be impaired greatly.
Why is fuel storage important?
It is essential to burn the right fuel for your new appliance to work correctly. Wet wood does not give a decent heat output and will cause your flue to become blocked, increasing pollution in your local environment. New regulations are driving out low-quality fuels to reduce harmful particulates, and typically it is recommended that you burn wood with moisture content lower than 20%. The drier the wood, the better.
Good fuel storage is essential as correctly stored wood will season and provide better-quality fuel for your new appliance. Well-ventilated areas such as garages or sheds are ideal places for fuel storage. However, if you need to store wood outside, we can design and build a log store to suit your situation. Please get in touch for further details.