Anyone Got a Woodburner?

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 3:27 pm

In the living room? Happy with it, or what? Thinking of getting one.
Does it throw out a fair bit of heat and is it a pain in the arse to empty, etc.
Be grateful for advice/opinions.

Cheers in advance.

UpTheBeehole · Post by **UpTheBeehole** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 3:29 pm

ElectroClaret wrote: Does it throw out a fair bit of heat and is it a pain in the arse to empty, etc..

Yes, loads of heat

and

Yes, although you'll get used to it and enjoy the cleaning process after a while

DCWat · Post by **DCWat** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 3:33 pm

Friends of ours had one installed as part of a big extension they added. They seem to leave their bifold doors open because it's that bloody hot! I don't know the brand but could find out.

It's actually a multi-fuel as opposed to just wood. Easy to control and clean by the look of it and it does make a nice feature in their room.

It has definitely saved them on heating, opening internal doors it pumps out enough heat to the rest of the house to use the radiators far less.

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 3:33 pm

Get one that you you can burn smokeless coal on,the logs burnout quickly and it can prove expensive,the coal is still warming the house when we get up the next day brilliant.

fatboy47 · Post by **fatboy47** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 3:34 pm

Awesome. Get one.

Kept my house by the shore heated for nowt for the last two years.

Just burned driftwood and wood scavenged in the nearby coppicing....never the slightest problem with it.

Just wondering if I can adapt it to heating the water next.

Because I'm a tight get.

Woodleyclaret · Post by **Woodleyclaret** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 3:37 pm

Get one that works on the hot water system so it hears the tank as well as the room it's in

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 3:43 pm

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Here you are Electro,this is mine in action, lovely to come home to in winter after a cold day on the Turf

Rileybobs · Post by **Rileybobs** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 3:44 pm

Got 2 Heta ones installed this summer. They look great but I doubt I'll get chance to fire them up for a good few months yet.

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 3:47 pm

Like the can, Steve!

Cheers.

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 3:53 pm

It's the wife's cola mate,I like a nice glass of malt while sat by my woodburner

Bfc · Post by **Bfc** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 3:54 pm

I've fitted my own multi stove last summer and recommend you consider the option of a multi stove, as your limited with just a wood burner. I did a lot of research before I made my purchase of an Ekol made in Dorset. The quality was far better than the cheaper Chinese ones.
You need to consider the area size of the room it's being fitted into, to then work out the best kilo watt size of stove you will require. Factor in other costs i.e. flue pipes, plastering/decorating, poss new carpet. My gas bill dropped from £60 to £13 per month and the heat from the stove warms other areas of the house and retains the room warmth overnight. I find theres very little trouble cleaning out the ash and it's not a dirty job. If I can give you any more advice re where to buy or other tips, let me know. I don't mind leaving a tel contact No.

Rileybobs · Post by **Rileybobs** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 3:55 pm

It's best to leave a layer of ash underneath the wood isn't it?

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 3:56 pm

Cheers, Bfc, I'll bear it in mind, sounds good.

what_no_pies · Post by **what_no_pies** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 3:57 pm

There's a fellow claret and member of this board that runs his own company supplying them. He's a great lad too. Look up Mr flue at http://www.mrflue.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 3:59 pm

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Make sure the ash has cooled down before you put it in the bin though

Rileybobs · Post by **Rileybobs** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 4:01 pm

Steve1956 wrote:
image.jpeg
Make sure the ash has cooled down before you put it in the bin though

I never really understood why there was a need for a sign on bins to read 'no hot ashes'.

iluva64 · Post by **iluva64** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 4:01 pm

Clear View stoves are the dogs b****ks.

I have one, although I only burn kiln dried wood you can burn smokeless fuels as well. As for cleaning they recommend that you leave the bed of ash in as it acts as a bedding. I clean therefore once a month.

Easy to light - even my other half can light ours no problem

Pic of it partly installed about this time last year

quoonbeatz · Post by **quoonbeatz** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 4:03 pm

what_no_pies wrote:There's a fellow claret and member of this board that runs his own company supplying them. He's a great lad too. Look up Mr flue at http://www.mrflue.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mr Flue, thats his name
That name again is Mr Flue.

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 4:04 pm

Anyone know if they fit in pre-cast flues (the ones in narrow chimney breasts) in new builds
or if that would have to be bypassed with an external flue?

Neilhaj · Post by **Neilhaj** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 4:05 pm

I got one installed last winter and it was super hot however I'm having an issue with the smell of smoke even when not in use which which put me off using it early this year and I haven't used it since however I can still smell smoke. It's either coming down the flue or coming out of the old chimney. I think I'll have to get it looked at before winter arrives.

My advice is get one but get it installed by someone local who is hetas registered and check out their previous work as you're probably looking at a £2000 investment

Good luck

iluva64 · Post by **iluva64** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 4:14 pm

They will fit in pre cast flues, that shouldn't be a problem.

Depending on the size of the stove you may need to fit a fresh air supply. i.e. anything over 8kW and you should also fit a CO2 detector.

Flue installation: http://www.clearviewstoves.com/installation" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Burnleyareback2 · Post by **Burnleyareback2** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 4:26 pm

Had a multi fuel one fitted 2 years ago and love it.we got an Esse one which is made in Barnoldswick, they have a showroom there but you can't by directly.

Got ours from the place in Gisburn, like i said it's been great, you can't beat it blasting out on a cold winters day.

We buy kiln dried wood but I have also used coal (much more ash) and anything else I can find such as our old kitchen.

Bfc · Post by **Bfc** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 4:39 pm

Iluva64,I see like me you have a kettle sat on top of your stove. Heating water for brewing up and for using in the washing up bowl to do dishes costs nothing.
Beware anyone whose not aware, to burn only wood in your stove that's been seasoned, otherwise it could lead to problems in the long run.
Neilhaj, I suggest you should call back your installer asap, to do a safety check, to rule out the possibility of fumes getting back in the room. No smoke should be coming back from anywhere. If it's an open chimney pot, you maybe had Jackdaws drop twigs down to build nests inside.

Marney&Mee · Post by **Marney&Mee** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 4:39 pm

Yep..better than watching the magic lantern..

iluva64 · Post by **iluva64** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 5:09 pm

Yep Bfc, I have the works. A propeller thing that really does move the heat around. A stove thermometer to make sure I'm running at capacity and a trivet under the kettle.

Its been brilliant over the winter, but I haven't lit it since early May. Sort of miss the glow of a fire in late evening at present

Healeywoodclaret · Post by **Healeywoodclaret** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 5:50 pm

We had one fitted about 4 years ago. We love it. Our investment was £3700 though because we had to have a chimney installed. Make sure you only burn decent fuel, kiln dried wood etc. We have ours going from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening in winter because we don't have time to clean it out everyday too busy working. Oh and our fuel bills have reduced significantly but this is offset by the kiln dried wood and coal we pay for. It is a weekend treat tho in the winter.

Mayoclaret · Post by **Mayoclaret** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 5:56 pm

Just about emptying the ashes - not a great problem but you can buy a metal cased, ashes vacuum (they sell on Amazon) to remove the ash if feeling lazy. I manually clean our two out and then give them and the surrounding floor a quick go with the special ashes vacuum. Easy enough - but dont think of using an ordinary vac it will just clog up completely - I speak from experience!!. I think woodburners are fantastic - turf is so cheap over here - someone I know heats their room, 15 radiators (via a back-boiler) and their hot water with one woodburner - and as they have their own bog (no toilet jokes please!) the turf to fuel it is free.

Masham Ale · Post by **Masham Ale** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 6:27 pm

If your installation is quite confined above, these help to circulate the hot air into the room, no batteries, just sit it on top of woodburner. Works on a peltier cell I think.
Loads of different ones, this is an example https://www.amazon.co.uk/4-Blade-Powere ... burner+fan

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Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 6:30 pm

Healeywoodclaret wrote:We had one fitted about 4 years ago. We love it. Our investment was £3700 though because we had to have a chimney installed. Make sure you only burn decent fuel, kiln dried wood etc. We have ours going from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening in winter because we don't have time to clean it out everyday too busy working. Oh and our fuel bills have reduced significantly but this is offset by the kiln dried wood and coal we pay for. It is a weekend treat tho in the winter.

You can burn ANY wood as long as you dry it and store it properly.

Yes, kiln-dried wood is good but it is expensive. If you can chop your own wood and keep it a year (or even two) to dry out it will burn perfectly.

All you need is to be a year ahead (to give the wood time to dry) and have somewhere dry to store it.

ablueclaret · Post by **ablueclaret** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 6:54 pm

Make sure you match the dimensions of your room with the fire purchased, the bigger the stove the more likely you'll have to have a vent fitted, you might also need a new flue liner, and get it fitted by a Hetas fitter or when you sell your house it will be a liability

Barry_Chuckle · Post by **Barry_Chuckle** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 7:02 pm

Owt over 5kw should have a air brick installed, I have a living room with open staircase, a 5kw warms the whole house!

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 7:03 pm

The temptation (and size of the fireplace it is going in) may lead you to get one that is bigger than you actually need, the bigger they are the more fuel they require to keep them burning at full tilt, they will still operate at lower temp. but with the bigger ones, the glass goes all black if it's not running with a hard on.

Neilhaj · Post by **Neilhaj** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 7:24 pm

Just found a pic of mine in use. Also check if your area is a smoke free area, if it is you'll need a DEFRA approved stove

Herts Clarets · Post by **Herts Clarets** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 7:41 pm

I have a 5kw multi fuel in the lounge. The lounge is large and had an open staircase onto a mezzanine floor that over looks the lounge. We have 1 rad in the lounge and one on the mezz. I turn them right down if we have the burner going as it chucks out a massive amount of heat. When we bought the house it had an old gas fire and the lounge could be chilly on a cold winters day. Now i find myself turning heating off and opening doors to key the heat circulate. My mate fitted one in the corner of his lounge/kitchen/diner with a stainless steel flue going up the corner of the room, along with underfloor heating. Sometimes it gets unbearably hot in his place.

One of the best things i bought when we renovated our place.

Healeywoodclaret · Post by **Healeywoodclaret** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 10:12 pm

Rowls wrote:You can burn ANY wood as long as you dry it and store it properly.

Yes, kiln-dried wood is good but it is expensive. If you can chop your own wood and keep it a year (or even two) to dry out it will burn perfectly.

All you need is to be a year ahead (to give the wood time to dry) and have somewhere dry to store it.

Which is marvellous if you've got time Rowls. We work long hours so it suits us to buy kiln dried and just burn it at weekends. It's got to be properly dry whatever you burn.

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 10:15 pm

Healeywoodclaret wrote:Which is marvellous if you've got time Rowls. We work long hours so it suits us to buy kiln dried and just burn it at weekends. It's got to be properly dry whatever you burn.

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 10:17 pm

Healeywoodclaret wrote:Which is marvellous if you've got time Rowls. We work long hours so it suits us to buy kiln dried and just burn it at weekends. It's got to be properly dry whatever you burn.

As a matter of interest HWC,where do you purchase your logs?

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 10:18 pm

No point in getting a wood-burner unless you can get wood, is there?

Healeywoodclaret · Post by **Healeywoodclaret** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 10:21 pm

Steve1956 wrote:As a matter of interest HWC,where do you purchase your logs?

Morpeth Logs we pay £70 for a dumpy bag full. We only use about 2 bags all winter.

Healeywoodclaret · Post by **Healeywoodclaret** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 10:23 pm

That's £70 quid which includes delivery. Not to Burnley of course I think they might draw the line at that!

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 10:24 pm

Healeywoodclaret wrote:Morpeth Logs we pay £70 for a dumpy bag full. We only use about 2 bags all winter.

Is the Dumpy bag the size of what Jewson's deliver sand in? ..if you know what I mean..cheers

Healeywoodclaret · Post by **Healeywoodclaret** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 10:26 pm

That's exactly it the size that they deliver builders sand or decorative stones for garden landscaping.

bfcbri · Post by **bfcbri** » Fri Jul 07, 2017 11:21 am

We have just had one installed from Woodside Fires, find them on facebook. I know they are a bit out of the Burnley area, as am I living in Leyland, but would highly recommend these guys. I did lots of research when we looked at getting ours done and these did a truly wonderful job and the price was spot on.

This is a picture of ours before and after!!

ablueclaret · Post by **ablueclaret** » Fri Jul 07, 2017 11:41 am

Charnwood make very good stoves, and cheaper than Clear View, some nice contemporary designs as well.

cloughyclaret · Post by **cloughyclaret** » Fri Jul 07, 2017 7:17 pm

We have had our Aga Little Wenlock for about 4 years. Its a multifuel so we can burn both wood and smokeless.
Smokeless is much cheaper than 'bought' wood, but both types of fuel have their merits.

Smokeless is long lasting, you can 'keep it in' overnight and it doesn't need a top up for hours. Its also harder to light and nowhere near as pretty and leaves a lot of dirty ash that you need to get rid of. the cheaper varieties can leave scratches n your glass, and it can be a trial and error process to find one that burns well in your setup.
Seasoned wood is easy to light, looks gorgeous and feels very very homely. It doesnt leave a lot of ash and you can often use that on your garden as a mulch anyway. But if you are planning on processing your own you need a largish storage area open to the elements to season your wood, and the physicality to cut, split and stack.

Heat logs are a good quick cheap alternative and we always keep a few bags in.

Bear in mind with both fuels it can take about an hour to get up to temp - dependant on your space, etc.

I love my fire, I love the whole process of sourcing wood, lighting it, cleaning it and of course sitting in front of it in the evening. But it does take some work. Mine heats my bedroom upstairs too. I rarely need to use the CH. We are planning to put one in the back room this year to heat the rest of the house. Get one for sure, but be prepared to do your research first. It all depends why you want one in the first place.

Oh, and if you have a dog? Be prepared that it will be your own personal fire guard, You will be fighting to move it out of the way to load the damn thing

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Fri Jul 07, 2017 7:24 pm

Fire lighters are 45p in Home Bargains.

savethegayblackwhale · Post by **savethegayblackwhale** » Sat Jul 08, 2017 5:34 pm

Go to Manns in Nelson. Really good to deal with these people

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Sat Jul 08, 2017 6:09 pm

savethegayblackwhale wrote:Go to Manns in Nelson. Really good to deal with these people

What do they do? Genuinely never heard of them.

john'sroseyspecs · Post by **john'sroseyspecs** » Sat Jul 08, 2017 6:41 pm

Manns is on Scotland Rd. Got mine from them 5 years ago. Talked me through what i required and obviously checked the flue and ventilation was good. Also they built a stone fire surround to my spec. Good people.

turfytopper · Post by **turfytopper** » Sun Jul 09, 2017 7:46 am

ElectroClaret wrote:In the living room? Happy with it, or what? Thinking of getting one.
Does it throw out a fair bit of heat and is it a pain in the arse to empty, etc.
Be grateful for advice/opinions.

Cheers in advance.

Best thing we ever did, put it in April 2016. Ours is a multi fuel stove and we do burn more smokeless ovals.
You obviously need to buy one that matches your room size....ours is a large room but the heat output from a 4.5kw is fine. Anything 5 or above you'll need permanent vent in your room.
We also had a flue installed.

Ours was the Charnwood made in the isle of Wight...highly recommend.