Choosing the best (and correct) woods to fuel your stove is an important part of operating a log burner as it impacts not only the heat output but also the overall performance and longevity of your beloved stove and ultimately, the environment. Grabbing a soggy bag of logs from your local garage forecourt or cutting […]
Andrew Shuttleworth
How to Light a Wood Burning Stove
Ask a hundred stove owners how to light a fire and chances are you’ll receive a hundred different answers. From rustic traditionalists who chop and season their own fuel to modern subscribers to the Swedish lifestyle of Hygge (they’ve read a book don’t you know), the science behind starting a fire has of course never […]
Installing a Stove into a Camper Van
There are many pros to adding a stove to a camper van, such as no need to rely on electricity or diesel; you can keep warm at any time. The cosy atmosphere that fills the room with warmth and a gentle crackling noise is just like relaxing in a log cabin. Sebastian Santabarbara, writer and van […]
Choosing the Right Stove
With so very many stoves on the market, it can be daunting at first wondering how to choose the right one. Like many before you, you may have taken to google to start your research. Wood burning over multifuel? What regulations do I need to consider? Do I need a certain size stove? What is Eco […]
The Evolution of Fire and Wood Burning Stoves over the Years
How it all began… When people learnt how to control fire The development of fire is a vast subject that spans thousands of years, beginning with Homo sapiens teaching Neanderthals (Figure 1) how to use a hand-drill technique to start a fire and ending with the most complex wood burners that offer controllable warmth to […]
Glowing Embers Competition – WIN £200 M&S Vouchers
UPDATED: 16/12/2020 – Winner announced Winner – Alastair SwanSouth Ayrshire, Scotland Take a look at the other shortlisted entries: Charlotte HallAshby Magna, Leicestershire Jo-Ann TaylorBrentford Elin BishopCarmarthenshire, South West Wales Claire HarrisRhyl, Denbighshire, North Wales Mel CrumptonBenfleet, Essex Yem Idicula Elaine FitzpatrickRochdale, Manchester Paula TaylorCharnock Richard, Lancashire Karen CorbettSolihull Enter our competition… People are getting […]
Cosy Up Your Garden Space This Winter with These Expert Tips
With a complete national lockdown now in force, we’re all preparing to spend more time in our homes this winter. During the first coronavirus-related lockdown earlier this year, the hot weather and bright evenings meant that many of us spent long periods in our gardens. However, now that the nights have drawn in and the […]
Installing Stoves – The Costs, Dangers, and Rise in Requests
Thanks to the coronavirus lockdown, we’ve all spent long periods of time in our homes this spring and summer. Now, with working from home becoming the ‘new normal’, it appears as though many of us are looking at future DIY and home improvement tasks that will make our lives as comfortable as possible while we’re […]
How to Expose Brickwork
During lockdown, homeowners up and down the country have been busy putting their DIY skills to the test. While some people have kept things simple by putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls, others have been taking on some more challenging tasks, like exposing their fireplaces and creating a real feature in a […]
Preparing Your Home for Autumn
While the sun is shining and we’re all making the most of the Great British Summer, it’s sometimes hard to believe that in a few months’ time we’ll be wrapping up warm, stoking fires and sweeping leaves in the garden. It may seem quite early to start thinking about these things and perhaps best not […]
Cooking Ideas for Your Fire Pit
With the amazing weather we’ve been having this summer, it’s no surprise that we are rushing outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and make the most out of the summer heat wave. At the top of the list for many of us is the opportunity to have friends round in the garden for a get together, […]
What does EcoDesign mean?
If you have been looking at getting a wood burning stove this year, then you may have heard the term ‘EcoDesign ready’ being used as well as a lot of media coverage on the environmental impact of wood burning stoves. These issues, however, have raised quite a few questions. What does EcoDesign actually mean? Do […]
Creating the Perfect Garden Party
Summer is certainly on its way and as the nights get longer and the days warmer, it’s a perfect excuse to get your friends round and enjoy the weather together. Garden parties are a great way to bring people together, and with the right music, aesthetic as well as good food and drink, you can […]
Choosing the Right Patio Heater
Summer evenings can be a brilliant time to host outdoor parties and gettogethers. However, as the sun goes down, the chill can begin to bite and sometimes you want to use your patio space at other times of the year. Electric patio heaters are a brilliant way of providing warmth for outdoor spaces during these […]
How to Light a Multi-fuel Stove with Coal
Lighting a multi-fuel stove with coal is pretty similar to light any fire, only with the addition to the wood needed to start it. This easy, step-by-step guide will show you how to light your multi-fuel stove in no time at all and show you how easy it is to achieve. Step One: Prepare the […]
How to Clean a Log Burning Stove
Wood burning stoves should be cleaned at least twice a year and three times if used regularly. Whilst the process can seem daunting and messy, this simple step-by-step guide will get your wood burning stove looking as good as new with as little hassle as possible. To get cleaning, you will need: Step One: The […]
How to make the most out of your central heating
Having a wood burning or multi fuel stove may seem like an extravagance or a luxury fitting for your home. However, having a stove installed in your house will provide you with much more than a decorative centerpiece for your living room, greatly increasing both the efficiency and warmth of your home as well as […]
