Advice and FAQs
Everything to know before you buy a stove
Practical, plain-English guidance from professional installers. Learn how to choose, run and look after a stove, and get answers to the questions we hear every week.
HETAS approved
HETAS is the official body for solid fuel heating. Its approval is your assurance of safe, correctly certified stove installation.
Buying guide
Choosing the right stove
Start with the room. A stove is sized in kilowatts, and the right output depends on the volume of the space, how well insulated it is and how many doors and windows it has. A typical living room needs around four to six kilowatts. An open-plan area or an older draughty home may need more.
Next, consider fuel. A wood burning stove burns logs only. A multifuel stove can burn wood and smokeless fuels, which is useful if you live in a smoke control area or want a longer overnight burn.
Finally, think about style. Freestanding stoves are the classic choice. Inset and cassette stoves sit within the fireplace opening for a built-in look. Whichever you choose, we recommend an Ecodesign Ready model, which burns cleaner and uses less fuel.
Stove types
Wood burning, multifuel and more
A quick comparison to help you decide what suits your home.
Wood burning
Simple, clean and traditional. Best where you have access to dry seasoned logs.
Multifuel
Burns wood and approved smokeless fuels. A flexible choice for smoke control areas.
Ecodesign Ready
Meets the latest emission standards, with better efficiency and cleaner burning.
Inset
Fits within the fireplace opening for a neat, flush finish.
Cassette
A slim insert designed to replace an open fire or old gas fire.
Double-sided
Visible from two rooms. A statement feature for open-plan homes.
Using your stove
How to light and run a stove well
Most people are taught to light a stove from the bottom, but the top-down method is cleaner and easier. Place larger logs at the base, then smaller ones, then kindling and a firelighter on top. As the fire burns downward, it produces less smoke and warms the flue quickly.
Open the air control fully to start, then reduce it once the fire is established. Burning a stove too low for long periods is the main cause of tar, blackened glass and poor efficiency. A hot, bright fire burns cleanly and gives the best heat.
Use a stove thermometer on the flue pipe to check you are in the ideal range. Refuel little and often, and never overload the firebox. Always use a guard and a stove glove, and keep children and pets clear.
- Light top-down for a cleaner start
- Burn hot and bright, not smouldering
- Refuel little and often
- Use a flue thermometer to check performance
Fuel
Seasoned wood makes all the difference
Freshly cut wood contains more than half its weight in water. Burning it wastes energy driving off moisture, and produces smoke, tar and a dirty glass. Well-seasoned wood, dried for around two years, is much better.
Look for logs labelled Ready to Burn, with a moisture content under twenty per cent. A simple moisture meter costs very little and is worth owning. Store logs off the ground, covered on top, and open at the sides to let air circulate.
Never burn treated wood, painted timber, household rubbish or driftwood. These release harmful fumes and can damage your stove and flue.
Wood under twenty per cent moisture gives more heat, cleaner glass and a safer flue.
Looking after your stove
A little regular care keeps a stove safe and efficient for decades.
Daily
Empty ash when cool and wipe the glass if needed.
Weekly
Check door seals and clean the air inlets.
Seasonally
Inspect firebricks, baffle plate and rope seals.
Yearly
Have the chimney swept and the flue checked.
As needed
Replace worn parts, and re-paint with stove paint.
Safety
Stove safety essentials
Carbon monoxide is odourless and can be deadly. Every home with a stove must have a working alarm, tested regularly. We fit one during installation and recommend replacing it at the end of its stated life.
Keep furniture, curtains and clothing away from the stove, and never dry laundry directly on it. Let ashes cool fully before disposal, and use a metal container rather than a plastic bin.
If your stove smokes into the room, the glass blackens rapidly or you notice a smell of fumes, stop using it and call us. These signs point to a draught or flue problem that needs attention.
Efficiency
Getting more heat from every log
Position matters. A stove in the centre of a room radiates heat more evenly than one tucked into a corner, though the existing chimney often decides the location. A heat-resistant fan or a simple stove-top heat circulator can help move warm air around the room.
Keep the glass clean by burning hot, dry wood, and use the air control to manage the burn rather than closing it down completely. A stove that is run well needs refuelling less often and wastes less heat up the chimney.
Get inspired
Stove styles and details
Close-ups and room settings to help you picture a stove in your own home.
Stove top detail
Clean lines and a flush flue connection.
Door and handle detail
Cast door with quality controls.
Compact stone-wall install
A tall flue rising against natural stone.
Period surround
A stove in a limestone fireplace with log storage.
Stove with log store
Traditional stove with a basket of kindling.
Living room stove
A warm, family focal point with stacked logs.
Raised base detail
Elegant plinth and clear air space beneath.
Hearth and clearances
Correct clearances to the wall, properly finished.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers, in one place.
How much does a stove installation cost?
It depends on the stove, chimney and any lining or hearth work. We give a fixed quote after a survey, so you know the total up front.
Do I need a chimney?
No. A twin-wall flue can be fitted through a wall or ceiling where there is no existing chimney.
Do I need planning permission?
Usually not, but a flue that rises above the roofline on the front of a listed or conservation property may need consent. We will advise.
Can I fit a stove myself?
We strongly advise against it. A stove must meet Building Regulations and be installed safely, with proper certification.
How often should I sweep the chimney?
At least once a year, and more often if you burn wood heavily or coal-based fuels.
What is a DEFRA exempt stove?
A stove approved for use in smoke control areas, where it can burn wood as well as authorised fuels.
Will a stove affect my home insurance?
You should tell your insurer. Having a certificate from a professional installation usually makes this simple.
Do you have a showroom?
No. We are installers only, which keeps our prices down. We give advice in your own home.
Ready for a warmer home?
Tell us about your room and your chimney. Photos help. We will reply with a clear, fixed-price quote and no obligation.
Or call 07404 544 688