Wood burning stoves warning after first £300 fine and 'icelandic blast' approaching

Wood burning stoves can land people with big fines if illegal fuel is used
-Credit: (Image: Getty)


As the Met Office raises alerts about an incoming chill due to an Icelandic cold front, the love affair with log burners in the UK might face a frosty challenge. There are around 1.5 million British households cozying up with wood-burning stoves, and about 200,000 new stoves light up homes each year.

However, earlier this year, Wakefield Council set a precedent by issuing a fine under new regulations stipulated by the Environment Act 2021, which allows for fines up to £300 when excess smoke plumes from chimneys in Smoke Controlled Areas.

Bruce Allen, CEO of HETAS, a body focusing on eco-friendly and secure usage of solid fuels, has issued a notice in line with the chilly forecast: "The Met Office warning of an Icelandic blast is a reminder that the burning season isn't far away and many people will be switching on their wood burners. Last month our research found that nearly one in ten wood burning and solid fuel stove users leave it years before sweeping their chimneys putting their homes at risk of catching fire and emitting excess smoke."

"While there is still a small percentage of consumers, over one in 10 who still don't check if their fuel is Ready to Burn certified or only check sometimes, it's important to ensure that the right fuel is used. Since 2017 the Defra-backed Ready to Burn scheme states that wood sold in volumes under 2m3 must contain 20% or less moisture to avoid releasing too much smoke. Appliances should be installed and regularly maintained correctly, and any appliance bought since 1st January 2022 must comply to Ecodesign regulations."

Chimney fires across the UK have seen a trend of decline in most regions throughout the years. During the year of 2022/23, they accounted for 2,540 incidents, with a notable 40% occurring during the peak season from January to March.

Despite this general downtrend, last year a fire brigade in the Midlands reported an alarming 240 per cent surge in incidents, primarily due to residents neglecting to have their chimneys swept.

Allen stated: "It's therefore important that owners remember to have their stoves checked and their chimney swept before they start using their appliances more regularly through the colder months. Keeping up with regular maintenance aids with the longevity, efficiency and safety of your appliance. While each stove comes with its own manufacturer's guidelines, even those with very light usage should be having their appliance annually checked by a HETAS approved servicing technician/chimney sweep and their chimney swept at least once or twice a year."

Here are the top nine tips for maintaining your stove:

Rope seals

Rope seals create an airtight seal around your stove's fire door, stopping combustion air from entering the firebox. If your stove rope is damaged or worn out, the airtight seal will be affected, making it harder to control your fire and causing you to burn through fuel faster.

Many stove owners choose to replace the rope seal themselves. Remember to wear suitable protective gloves as glass rope seals and high-temperature adhesives can irritate the skin.

Firebricks

Firebricks come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, which can make it hard to spot any significant signs of damage. Hairline cracks (tiny cracks running through the bricks) are not a problem and you can continue using your stove without needing to immediately replace them if you notice these.

However, when your bricks start showing signs of larger cracks and begin to crumble, it's vital that you replace them.

To keep your firebricks in the best condition, avoid overfiring your stove, don't throw fuel into the firebox, avoid forcing fuel into your stove; only load the appropriate amount, burn the right fuel for your stove, and use good quality, dry fuel, such as wood with the 'Ready to Burn' mark which helps consumers identify solid fuels that are suitable to burn at home in compliance with the new Air Quality Regulations.

Baffle plates

Your stove's baffle, also known as a throat plate or top plate, can buckle or burn out due to its position at the top of your stove's firebox. If you notice any signs of damage or buckling on your stove's baffle plate, it will likely need replacing soon.

The baffle plate should be cleaned in line with your manufacturer's instructions typically once a month, but this can vary across appliances.

Stove grates

The grates and grate bars of your stove bear the brunt of the heat inside your stove, and over time, they will wear down. Regular inspections of your stove grates are crucial, and they should be replaced at the first signs of warping or thinning.

Carbon monoxide alarm

Regular checks of your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms are essential for your safety. Carbon monoxide is an extremely poisonous gas that is odourless and colourless, making it hard to detect without a working alarm.

Ventilation

Your stove needs ventilation for both safety and efficiency. Regular checks to ensure that ventilation in your home is not blocked are important.

Properly functioning ventilation allows your stove to burn efficiently and circulates fresh air around the room. The ventilation your wood burner needs will depend on several factors, including its output and location.

Stove ash

Ashes left in your stove can pose a risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Some stoves function with a small amount of ash it's crucial to check the manufacturer's instructions to determine what is best for your stove.

Stove exterior

Regularly cleaning the exterior of your stove using a lint-free cloth or a clean shoe brush, wiping away any soot or dust that has accumulated, is good practice. You can also utilise a household vacuum cleaner with soft brush attachments to remove traces of dust or fully cooled ash. This will prevent any build-up that could damage the exterior of your stove.

Chimney sweeping

No matter what type of chimney you have even if it's lined it will still require regular sweeping, but how often?

  • If you burn wood, your chimney should be swept at least twice a year.

  • If you burn smokeless fuels, your chimney should be swept at least once a year.

The optimal time to get your chimney swept is just before the heating season, or after your stove has not been used for a prolonged period of time. If you get your chimney swept twice a year, the second-best time is after the peak of the heating season.