Caboose - A Very Small Wood Burner
The Caboose log burner is certified by DEFRA and Ecodesign. It can burn wood or smokeless fuel. It is able to burn larger pieces of wood than small stoves, and has an impressive efficiency in terms of heat output and burn duration.
It can also be protected with a heatshield to comply with Approved Document J Building Regulations, which requires wood stoves to be kept at least 150mm away from surfaces that are combustible on all sides.
Clean Wood
Wood stoves aren't just beautiful to look at but they also provide a great source of warmth for a home. They need to be maintained properly to ensure they run smoothly and efficiently. It is sometimes an issue to keep the glass clean. However, a few simple steps can make a significant difference.
First of all, it is important to only burn seasoned wood in your wood stove. It should be cut and stored for at least a year prior to use in order to minimize the amount of smoke. Burning unseasoned wood can cause the flue to overheat. This can result in a fire breaking out of control or even sparking an explosion in the chimney.
Only burn clean wood on your stove. Avoid paper or other non-wood materials, such as plastics and rubber, since they can emit toxic fumes that are not healthy for you. Do not burn treated or painted wood either since this can release dangerous chemicals such as arsenic in the air that isn't good for you.
It is also an excellent idea to clean up the interior of your stove. This can be done quite easily with a common household vacuum cleaner and brush attachment. You can also purchase various cleaners that are designed specifically to be used on stove glass, however it is important to ensure that the product you select will not void your stove warranty before using it.
Finally, it is important to regularly inspect the fire rope seals that surround the top and bottom doors of your wood burner. These seals prevent smoke or soot from the stove. It is essential that they are securely installed and are not worn out.
The last thing you should do is to remove every so often any birds who have made their home of your chimney. Seagulls are a nuisance as they will be a nuisance to chimneys during summer. This can cause all kinds of debris to fall down the flue and damage your stove. You can install a variety of bird guards and spikes to your chimney to stop this.
Paper Burning
Burning paper is a quick way to get a fire started, but the wrong type of paper can cause dangerous smoke. Certain types of papers such as glossy magazines or giftwrap contain toxic chemicals that release toxic fumes when burned. To keep your home safe from creating an unsafe environment burn only clean paper on your wood burner.
You might want to consider using a tub if you have only a small amount of paper to burn. Place a stack of papers over the tub and then light the corner. The water will smother the embers and stop them from burning nearby grass or trees. If you are worried about the smell of burning paper, put a bowl of baking soda or vinegar close by to neutralize the smell.
To ensure that the paper burns correctly begin with a small base of twigs or shredded newspaper. Then, add 3-4 medium-sized wood logs to the fire and let them begin to burn. Then, you can place the paper on top. The paper will begin to burn quickly It is therefore important to be close by and watch the fire as it burns.
It is recommended to burn your paper outside on a day when there isn't any wind. A strong wind gust could blow embers across the grass or directly onto your home. Inhaling the smoke from burning paper could cause breathing issues.
You can also make use of the BBQ grill to burn paper, but this method is recommended when you only have a couple of sheets of paper to burn. If you have a removable grilling surface, you can remove it and then burn the paper directly on the charcoal.
Before you start burning paper, ensure that your wood burner is fully functioning and that the pit has been cleared of branches, twigs, and other materials that could ignite. In case in an emergency, it is recommended to keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Also, check with your local government and your homeowners association to ensure that it is legal to burn paper outside in your area.
Safety Precautions
Wood burning stoves can provide hours of comfort and pleasure, but that joy is only possible if you take the steps necessary to use them in a safe manner. It may seem obvious to some however the reality is that too many people do not follow basic safety guidelines.
Make sure your stove is properly insulated and that any flue pipes that run outside are well-protected. Also, ensure that pets and children are kept away from the stove.
Ensure that small wood burner and trash is removed from the firebox. The chimney and fireplace could overheat if these materials are ignited. They can also produce creosote, an ablaze hazard that has to be cleaned up regularly.
Make sure to check the smoke alarms and test them every month. In addition, it's a good idea to install carbon monoxide detectors, which can save lives and are relatively inexpensive.
Keep a fire extinguisher on hand in case of emergency. Always burn only dry, seasoned logs, and do not build a pile of logs that are too big. Burning a pile of logs together causes incomplete combustion, which can lead to increased CO emissions. It is also important to monitor the fire, and if it becomes out of control, extinguish it immediately.
After you have finished using your stove, be sure that the fire is dead out and that all combustible substances have been cleared from around the flue pipes and the firebox. The requirements for clearance will differ according to the model of your stove and the method by which you intend to install the stove inside your home.
If you are planning to install your wood stove in a smoke-free area, you should consider a DEFRA-approved model. These stoves are specifically designed to operate in smoke-controlled areas and are available in a range of sizes and colors. Some models can even be customized to match your personal style and have direct air intake for better performance in smoke control zones.
Installation
Wood stoves are a popular choice to heat small areas. They can be put in sheds, yurts and even cabins. They also provide a warm and cozy fire without the use of oil or electricity. To ensure that you are able to properly install your wood stove, it is crucial to follow the installation instructions of the manufacturer. These instructions will help you avoid potentially dangerous problems and ensure that your stove is safe to use.
Before installing your stove, you should clean the area around it of fire-prone material. You should also leave at least 16" between the stove and the closest combustible walls. If you cannot meet these requirements, a stove board or hearth pad may be installed. This non-combustible mat will come with spacers of 1" to allow the stove to be positioned further away from walls, which can reduce clearance requirements by up to 66 percent.
To prevent smoke from blowing back into the room, you should take out combustible things like curtains and furniture. Install a smoke and carbon monoxide alarm in your shed. Lastly, you should ensure that there is adequate ventilation in the shed. It is essential to regularly inspect your stove for safety.
It is a good idea to purchase a wood stove that is EPA certified. This certification means that the stove is over 75% efficient, which means it will absorb and convert more heat from the wood than it releases. It is an excellent idea to choose the wood stove you want to use based on the recommended heating capacity of the space where it will be installed. This will prevent overloading your stove which could cause creosote accumulation and smokeouts.
After you have cleared the space and removed any fire-prone items, you need to prepare the foundation for your stove. This involves taking out all combustibles and making the hearth ready. Make sure that the vents are free and open. You will need to install vents if they aren't working.
After you have installed your stove, you should test its capabilities by lighting three or four small fires. This will cure the paint and bricks on your stove and will ensure that you are able to safely ignite large flames.