| A wood stove is the most popular, flexible and | | | | completely burn all the wood. The smoke |
| economical wood heating option there is. | | | | produced is composed of partially burnt wood |
| Traditionally woodstoves were to only to be | | | | particles. There are some things you can do to |
| found in cabins and chalets. These days the large | | | | make your stove more efficient. Always get your |
| range and variety of styles means it's easy to | | | | chimney swept as a first measure. If you are |
| find a wood stove that will match the | | | | getting more smoke than wood burnt then |
| décor of your home. | | | | perhaps you can change the size of the stove |
| For most people there's that certain something | | | | opening or reconfigure the fire chamber of your |
| that only a real wood burning stove gives to a | | | | stove. A lot can be achieved simply by |
| room. Maybe its the scent of burning wood or the | | | | repositioning the fire basket, which is the metal |
| beauty of the flickering flames. There are a few | | | | work that holds the burning logs. This can have a |
| things to think about before purchasing and | | | | beneficial effect on air circulation and leads to |
| installing a wood burning stove in your home. | | | | greater heat efficiency. |
| A free standing wood burning stove can be used | | | | The most common design of stove is tall and |
| for heating and cooking and some people buy | | | | cylindrical in shape. Often there is a built-in wood |
| their stove with cooking in mind as well as for | | | | storage area under the burning chamber. Materials |
| heating. You can find many great stoves that will | | | | used can range from stainless steel and |
| give you the best of both worlds and a kitchen | | | | soapstone to ceramics. Designs range from |
| with a stove will always be a warm and | | | | something that your great grandparents would |
| welcoming place. | | | | have felt comfortable using to ultra sleek stainless |
| It's important to remember that a wood stove | | | | steel modern stoves. It's worth considering a |
| can produce a lot of heat. Position it where you | | | | stoves safety features such as ventilation and |
| will need the heat the most. It may be a good | | | | correct grating and screening systems. If you |
| idea if possible to locate the stove in a position | | | | have small children around you should remember |
| near the center of the house. This ensures heat is | | | | that a locking mechanism might be a good idea. |
| distributed evenly to all parts of the building. Of | | | | These days no matter what you are looking for |
| course many people chose to put their stove in | | | | in a wood burning stove there is bound to be a |
| an existing fireplace setting. Where ever your | | | | design that will suit your needs perfectly. There is |
| stove is going to be remember that you should | | | | nothing better than the comforting glow of a real |
| consider how the stove chimney is to be routed. | | | | wood burning stove on a cold winter night. |
| There may well be local building regulations to | | | | All in all wood stoves are a great alternative to |
| consider. | | | | more common heating methods. They run on a |
| The efficiency of a wood burning stove varies | | | | renewable resource, wood is inexpensive, easy to |
| with the method of stove construction. It really | | | | find, and can be replenished, unlike many other |
| depends on how well the stove burns wood and | | | | fuels. With the right stove it can even be more |
| converts it into heat and how much heat escapes | | | | cost effective. Make sure you shop around and |
| via the chimney. No wood burning stove will ever | | | | get professional advice and installation. |