How to install a Wood burning Stove? (User’s Guide)

Wood burning stoves are a great way to save money and reduce your carbon footprint. They also produce less smoke, which makes them better for the environment. However, installing one is not as easy as it seems. That’s why we have created this user’s guide to help you install your wood burning stove correctly!

Wood burning stoves have been a mainstay in homes for over 70 years. In recent times, they have become more popular as people seek ways to reduce their carbon foot print and live greener lives. Installing a wood burning stove is not difficult or expensive if you know what you are doing. This article will show you just that!

Choosing the right Stove

The first thing to do is determine which kind of stove you want. There are three basic types: insert, freestanding, and fireplace inserts. As the names suggest, an “insert” goes inside another structure (like a masonry or factory-built firebox), while both free-standing stoves and fireplace inserts go on their own hearths. The shape of your existing chimney will also be important in determining what type you need how big it is, its height above ground level…and whether there’s an opening for outside air that needs to be considered when installing the new wood burning stove.

In terms of safety, fireplace inserts are the safest choice. Because they’re enclosed in a hearth and chimney already installed for another purpose (i.e., your existing masonry or factory-built firebox), there’s little chance that you’ll forget to open a window before starting up the stove because there’s no added installation work needed to provide proper ventilation.

With insert stoves, however, not only is additional venting required but it must be attached directly into an exterior wall which means more cutting through studs and insulation than with freestanding models…and even less space between where you want to put your new wood burning stove and any flammable materials nearby. An exterior wall should never face other structures or your home’s living space.

The same is true of freestanding models always install your new wood burning stove with a clear path to an exterior wall, where it can be vented directly outside and away from any flammable materials nearby (like drywall or insulation). Be sure that there are no combustible items within three feet on either side, above or below the unit too. Wherever you choose to put your new wood burning stove should also have at least two inches clearance between its bottom and any other surface in order for proper air circulation underneath…and make sure that flooring above isn’t made up of anything like carpeting where sparks could ignite even after they’ve died out inside the chimney!

Preparing for Installation

For your safety, always turn off the stove’s power supply before you begin installation. The best way to do this is shutting down all of its electrical components and unplugging it from the wall outlet. Make sure that there are no sharp objects or flammable material nearby as well as any possible sources of fire such as gas lines and switches. Also consider wearing protective gear like gloves and long sleeves during installation so none of these materials can harm you in case they become hot when exposed to high temperatures during operation.

Another thing you need to know before starting with installing a Wood burning Stove is how big space will be needed around it for adequate ventilation and proper smoke exhaust flow out through chimneys or other openings onsite (make sure they are not blocked).

If you plan to install the stove in a room that is less than 400 square feet, then it will be okay for this space to be nonventilated and venting through external openings (windows or doors) should be enough.

To prepare your installation area properly make sure there are no combustibles such as paper towels, newspapers, clothes etc around the stove. Make sure nothing flammable like clothing or curtains can get close either by hanging them up higher from floor level if possible. Also remember not to block any air supply intakes of the wood burning stove with furniture or other objects.

Find the best location for your Stove

The first step is to find the best location for your Stove. The ideal place will have a clear area of at least 600mm in front, with no obstructions behind or either side of it. If you are looking to install on an existing solid fuel appliance, make sure that there’s enough space between them both.

Installing the Stove

Open the door and place both feet on either side of the stove to lift it. If you are not strong enough, ask someone for help! Stand with your back facing toward the front of the opening. You’ll be sliding in from this direction so make sure there is nothing in your way (i.e.: furniture).

Move the stove into position, sliding it in from one side. You’ll want to do this all at once so that you don’t end up shifting it around before getting it fully installed. If there are any obstructions or obstacles on either side of your opening, move them out of the way now!

Set down the front legs first followed by setting down the rear back legs onto a flat surface (i.e.: wood floor). Be careful not to scratch/damage your walls or floors as these metal parts may still be hot after being used for some time especially if you have a newer stove.

Finally, set down your side legs and you’re done!

Testing and using your new Wood burning Stove

It is always best to test the stove before using it. This can be done by lighting a small bit of paper (we recommend newspaper) and seeing how long it takes for the wood/paper burning up completely. Make sure there are no embers or ashes left over after this process. If you see any, make sure they’ve burnt out fully before continuing on with your first fire!
If you find that the bottom ash pan has gotten dirty during testing, don’t worry! Simply brush all remains into your dust bin and wipe down with some damp cloths followed by dry ones until everything looks shiny again. You will want to do this every time after use just so that nothing accumulates too much in one spot.
After you’ve used your stove for a little while, the glass will get dirty and need to be cleaned off! You can use some warm water mixed with vinegar or baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in order to do this without too much trouble. It is worth noting that if there are any stubborn stains stuck on the glass, it might take something stronger like oven cleaner in order to remove them completely. Make sure not to spray directly onto the window though; instead try spraying into the bottom ash pan then wiping clean over windows with paper towels/cloth rags. Never pour liquids down inside of wood burning stoves as they could cause permanent damage when heated up by flames!
It is important to keep your stove well ventilated at all times, especially if you are using it in a small room or enclosure. The best way to do this would be by opening doors and windows before lighting the fire so that fresh air can quickly fill up any spaces inside of your home without having too much trouble with smoke build-up!
Make sure to keep enough space around your stove at all times which you can do by simply leaving about 30cm between the back of it and any walls or furniture. This is so that heat doesn’t build up too much in one area, limiting oxygen flow inside of the firebox chamber!
Finally, make sure to keep your stove well away from any flammable objects such as curtains, carpets and furniture. That way you can avoid the risk of serious accidents caused by a lack of safety precautions!

Maintaining your Wood burning Stove

You should try to clean your stove at least once a week. This is especially important during the first few months of use. Do not use liquid soap or detergents as they can damage the paint on your wood burning stove. Instead you should wipe out any built up ash with dry cloths, then apply some beeswax polish onto both painted and unpainted surfaces to keep them looking shiny and prevent rusting. You can also buy specific products designed for stoves which are available here:

Stove Polish

If you have an airtight stove it’s worth checking that there aren’t any gaps around the door seals where soot could be getting in under them.

Small holes would need a dab of silicon sealant, but if the gaps are bigger you might need a door sweep.

It’s also worth checking that your flue is clear from any debris. The easiest way to do this is by using an old pair of pantyhose or stockings and lowering them down into the chimney with some string tied at the end.

If they come back up covered in soot it means there’s too much build-up going on inside which could be dangerous for both your stove and yourself as carbon monoxide can escape through a blocked flue. You should never use water to try and clean out a wood burning stove’s flue as this will clog up even further and could cause a much worse problem. Instead you should call someone in who is experienced with the matter.

If your stove has been used daily during cold weather, it’s worth checking that there are no cracks or other damage to the paintwork which might start letting harmful gases escape when temperatures rise again after winter -If you notice any signs of this happening then get professionals out to take care of them before they become more serious problems for anyone living inside the house next time around!

Safety precautions to take with a Wood burning Stove

Install a Wood burning Stove by an experienced professional.
Do not install the appliance before you have fitted your chimney liner to ensure that it is clear and functional. This will reduce the risk of dangerous gases entering your room or house, as well as fire hazards if obstructions are present in the flue pipe.
Do not install the appliance if it is damaged or faulty.
The appliance emits high levels of carbon monoxide. Ensure that the room is well ventilated by opening a window or door, and ensuring there are no heat sources close to where you will be standing (such as radiators). If you start feeling unwell, it may indicate exposure to dangerous fumes; open windows and doors for ventilation immediately. Also move any people suffering from symptoms such as headaches and nausea away from the area until they recover fully.
Keep children safe: do not allow them near appliances without supervision due to their flammable nature and potential dangers if mishandled or misused.

Environmental Protection

In the event that you have a wood stove, then it may be an environmental benefit. There are many claims from those who use this as they believe it is better for the environment than traditional methods of heating such as gas or electric heaters. A lot of people feel that there’s less pollution when using wood burning stoves and they also think their carbon footprint is reduced with them too. This is something which has been going on since 2008 so it seems to be a popular choice for a long time now!

There are some things that you need to think about though before jumping in and purchasing a stove. For example, there is the issue of how much ash will be produced from burning wood. This can mean more work for you as it may require emptying out several times per day or at least once every few days (depending on your usage). There’s also the cost involved with buying firewood too which has an impact on whether this is really beneficial over traditional methods of heating.

Safety Tips

Wood burning stoves are not toys. They can be dangerous if the proper safety precautions aren’t followed during installation, use and maintenance. So let’s begin with some important tips to help you avoid accidents so that your stove may bring warmth into your home for years to come! Always read through these thoroughly before installing or using a wood burning stove in order to stay safe.
The fire should always remain under control at all times when it is running on any kind of combustible material (wood). The damper must never be opened while there is still fuel inside the stove; this could cause an explosion which would damage both the oven cavity and chimney flue lining resulting in costly repairs! doors should either fit securely or be held open with a special door prop. If you have loose fitting doors, make sure that the oven cavity is properly insulated from outside air in order to sustain optimum temperature and prevent heat loss.
Doors should either fit securely or be held open with a special door prop. If you have loose fitting doors, make sure that the oven cavity is properly insulated from outside air in order to sustain optimum temperature and prevent heat loss.
Make sure your stove has been installed correctly! It can’t do its job unless it’s sitting on level ground which provides good airflow underneath for proper venting of exhaust gasses through the chimney flue system so don’t hesitate to contact professional technicians who will ensure safe installation.

FAQs

How do I install a wood burning stove?

Can you get electric or gas fired stoves in London, UK? If so where can they be found and how much are they to buy and maintain per month. We want something that is easy to use and not too complicated for my elderly parents who live with me in my home here in the city. They like to stay warm but hate using an oven because that heats up their whole house when all we really need is heat near us while we sleep at night!

Are there any good brands of wood burning stoves to look for?

I have been looking but most just seem cheaply made. We want something that is going to last a very long time and really serve us well in this cold climate!

Are there any safety precautions to take when using a wood burning stove?

My parents are older and they like the warmth but I do not want them taking any chances with their health. They struggle breathing in this city so we need something that is safe, easy to use and has great heat output!

Can I buy a stove that is already put together?

This would be great, but generally wood burning stoves need to be installed by an expert unless you know what you are doing. Do not even try if you do not feel confident in your ability! The last thing we want is for someone to get hurt and or damage our property while trying to install the stove on their own. It will always pay off more in the long run just hire someone who knows what they are doing from the beginning!

What about chimney cleaning?

We haven't even thought about that part yet but we probably should before we install the wood burning stove because we don't want any blockages or toxins seeping into our home while using it. We like having warm cozy fires in the winter months and my parents like making tea by boiling water directly inside the fire box itself when they feel sick from colds etc. We just need to know what we are getting into before purchasing!

Conclusion

In conclusion, a wood burning stove is an efficient way to heat your home and cut costs. However, it’s important that you do as much research as possible before making the investment in one of these appliances. This will allow you to avoid any costly mistakes down the line. We hope this guide has been helpful!