Frequently asked questions

The Ecodesign Ready Scheme is a new landmark in the increasing environmental benefits of wood burning stoves..

Air quality is important to all of us. Even though wood burning stoves are a relatively low source of emissions, the SIA feel it is important to reduce emissions from wood burning stoves even further.

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If you are burning only wood, an ash pan is not required. Wood is better burnt on a bed of ash, and you would only shovel ash out when too much builds up. Smokeless fuel and coal produces more ash than wood and needs air to come up through the grate to burn effectively and an ash pan tends to sit under the grate for ease of emptying.

Fires require oxygen to burn and current regulations state that stoves over 5 kilowatt output require an air vent of 1 square inch (645.16 sq mm) per kw. Stoves under 5kw do not require an air vent, unless the property has been built since 2010, the room has more than one chimney or there is an extractor fan nearby. In these circumstances please contact us for further advice.

We can part exchange a wood or multifuel stove if it is a  brand we sell.

We can do minor repairs on doors if you bring them in (replace glass/rope seals and give them a good clean). We also refurbish old stoves if it is a make we sell. This involves completely stripping them down, grit blasting each part and then rebuilding the stove. Please be aware that in the winter months we can be very busy so repairs can take longer to complete.

Delivery is included in the retail price, however there is a 10% discount if you collect from Castle Farm (our premises).

We aim to inform customers about our range of stoves, you are encouraged to come to the showroom before buying, to get a hands-on feel of the product and fully discuss your requirements. This means that you choose the right stove to meet the specific needs of you and your home. We understand that price is an important factor when choosing a stove; however most products come with various options, which you may not realise if you purchase online.

With this is mind, we follow our suppliers recommended retail prices and price competitively. We deliver stoves for the recommended retail price (covering most of the UK) or offer a discount on stoves if the product is collected.

Only well seasoned logs and approved solid fuel should be burnt.

Spares are readily available for the brands of stoves we supply, and manufacturers will continue to produce spares on discontinued models. We can supply rope, glass and vermiculite bricks for other brands of stoves.

If used correctly and well looked after, a good quality stove (i.e. the brands we sell) should last 15-30 years. Cast Iron stoves can be stripped and rebuilt, if the cement joints start to leak, whereas steel stoves can’t. We commonly rebuild 25-30 year old stoves for customers.

If you are burning wood on your stove, and using it evenings and weekends, usually you will need to empty it once a week. Wood burns better on a bed of ash, whereas coal and smokeless fuels need to have air coming up through the grate. Coal produces more ash than wood so you will need to empty it every day.

All chimneys (including ones with liners) should be swept at least once a year to reduce build up of deposits and to check condition of your chimney. Depending on usage of the stove and quality of fuel, you may want to sweep once before the heating season and once part way through, your chimney sweep will be able to advise on how frequently this should be done.

A painted stove can be brushed off with a natural bristle brush or wiped with a dry natural cloth (synthetic materials will melt if your stove is still hot). If your stove becomes faded or rusty, go over it with a light scourer and repaint or polish. An enamelled stove should be wiped with a dry cloth, if you need to get a mark off you can use a damp cloth or enamel cleaner.

After time the paint finish will fade, this will happen quicker if the paint surface gets wet whilst cleaning. All stoves can be repainted, we have spray paint, brush on paint and various grate polishes available.

Cast iron will retain heat for longer, but takes longer to heat up, cast iron stoves tend to be more decorative than steel.

Yes, but not under normal operating use, breakages usually occur by either closing the door on a log or a build up of rust underneath the glass, which puts pressure on it. This is aggravated if the rope or gasket between glass and door gets wet when the glass is being cleaned.

Pre heated air is introduced to the firebox through a series of holes, which results in jets of air entering the firebox. This mixes with the gases in the stove, encouraging complete combustion and burning of any hydro carbons in the stove, avoiding tar up the chimney. Again, this will only happen if you are getting your stove to an optimum burning temperature when refuelling and you are burning dry wood.

Airwash is a system that directs a flow of hot air down across the glass, keeping it hotter. This helps to stop condensation and tar being formed on the glass and means the glass is kept clearer. Most modern stoves now have airwash. To make this work effectively, you must bring your stove up to an optimum operating temperature when refuelling, and burn dry wood.

Yes, but you will need to apply for building regulations. click here for document J. We can advise you throughout the process if needed.

A minimum of 225mm from the front of the stove is required, if your stove is not designed to be run open. 300mm is minimum in front of an open fire or stove designed to be burning with the doors open. Either side 150mm is needed. If the doors on the stove come out further than this some installers would consider it good practice to increase the measurements to the depth of the door.

A minimum of 150mm (6”) is required above the stove (500mm if there is a wooden mantle/beam) and 100mm (4”) either side. However, the more space you have around the stove, the more effectively it will heat the room. This is because, the fireplace can act like a tea cosy, trapping the heat and stopping it from circulating into the room properly. If your stove is tight in the fireplace, it can also reduce the life of the internal bricks/burn plates because of overheating. In addition, if your fireplace is plastered or rendered the excess heat in the fireplace can cause it to crack. Bringing the stove slightly into the room, proud of the fireplace can help towards solving these problems.

No, a liner suitable for wood and multi fuel must be used. A wood/multi fuel liner has a smooth inside to allow it to be swept and stop deposits gripping to it, whereas a gas liner is ribbed on the inside.

Your chimney may need lining or relining depending on its condition, age and how it was constructed. We or a HETAS qualified engineer will be able to advise you on this. Lining a chimney keeps the gases warmer and deters them from condensing in your chimney; keeping it cleaner. A liner will also improve the draft and efficiency of your stove.

Most of the stoves we sell, depending on brand, have a 5-10 year warranty (to get the extended warranty you will need to register online). However, this does not cover consumable parts which are subject to normal wear and tear during use, or parts that will require replacement in connection with normal maintenance. These parts include but are not limited to glass, rope seals, firebricks, grate parts, log retainers, baffles and ash pans. In addition, parts not covered on gas stoves include; thermocouples, oxypilots, ceramic fuel effects, batteries and internal linings. All of which we can supply if and when needed.

The guarantees cover the external castings or steel body of the stove. We only very occasionally have warranty claims, but when we do, the manufacturers that supply us are easy to deal with and correct the problem (one of the reasons we have selected the brands of stoves we sell).