Caboose - A Very Small Wood Burner
The Caboose is an Ecodesign and DEFRA approved log burner, which can burn both wood and smokeless fuel. It can burn larger pieces of wood, compared to small stoves, and has an extremely high efficiency in terms of heat output and burn duration.
The wood stove may be protected with a heatshield to comply with Approved Building Document J, which stipulates that wood stoves should be kept at least 150mm away from surfaces that are combustible.
Clean Wood
Wood stoves are not only attractive to look at, but they also provide a great source of warmth for a home. To ensure that they operate smoothly and efficiently, they must be maintained in a proper manner. This can be a difficult especially when it is keeping the glass clean, but a few simple steps can make all the difference.
First of all, it is important to only burn the wood that has been seasoned in your wood stove. This means that it should have been chopped and stored for at minimum a year before being used, as this will help to reduce smoke output. The burning of unseasoned wood can cause the flue to overheat, which in turn could lead to a fire breaking out of control or even causing an explosion in the chimney.
Only burn clean wood on your stove. Avoid burning paper or other non-wood products like plastics or rubber because they could release toxic fumes that are bad for your health. Burning treated or painted wood may release harmful chemicals like arsenic, which can be harmful for your health.
It is also an excellent idea to clean up the interior of your stove. You can do this easily using a household vacuum cleaner equipped with a brush attachment. You can also purchase various cleaners that are designed specifically to be used on stove glass It is however important to ensure that the product you purchase does not invalidate 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 help to prevent smoke or soot from leaving the stove and are crucial to ensure that they are securely in place and not deteriorating.
The last thing to do is you should get rid of any birds who have settled in your chimney. Seagulls are a particular problem and will often perch on chimneys throughout the summer months, leading to all sorts of debris being dumped into the flue, which could cause damage to your stove. There are a variety of different bird guards and spikes available for sale that can be fitted to your chimney to stop this from occurring.
Paper Burning
The right kind of paper will not only start an fire quickly, but it could also create dangerous smoke. Some types of paper such as glossy magazines and gift wrap contain toxic chemicals that can emit toxic fumes when burned. Only burn clean paper in your wood stove to avoid creating a dangerous atmosphere.
Think about using a tub when you only have a tiny amount of paper to burn. Place a stack of papers on top of the tub and light one corner. The water will catch the embers and stop them from burning nearby grass or trees. If you are concerned about the smell of burning paper, you can put a bowl full of baking soda or vinegar nearby to neutralize the odors.
Begin with a base of small twigs or newspaper shredded. This will ensure that the newspaper burns correctly. Add 3-4 medium-sized wood logs and let them burn. Then, place woodburning stoves on top of the tinder. The paper will burn fast and you must watch the fire closely.
It is recommended to burn your paper outside on the day there is no wind. A strong gust of wind could blow embers across the grass or directly onto your home. Furthermore, the smoke of burning papers could cause breathing issues when inhaled.
You can also burn paper on an BBQ grill but it is better to use this method if you have only a few sheets to burn. If you have a grilling surface that is removable from the metal surface, you can take it off and use it to ignite the paper directly onto the charcoal.
Before you begin burning paper, make sure that your wood burner has been thoroughly tested and the fire pit has been free of any twigs or branches. In the event of an emergency, it's an excellent idea to keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Consult with your local authorities and homeowners association to see whether it is legal for you to burn papers outside.
Safety Precautions
Wood-burning stoves can provide hours of comfort and pleasure However, that pleasure is only possible if you follow the practical steps to use them safely. It may seem obvious to some but the reality is that a lot of people do not follow basic safety guidelines.
Check that your stove is adequately insulated, and that any pipes that lead to the outside are secured. Also, ensure that children or pets stay away from the stove.
Make sure that any paper or trash is not left in the fireplace. The burning of these materials can cause the chimney and fireplace to overheat. They can also produce creosote, which is an fire hazard and needs to be cleaned regularly.
Check the smoke alarms and test them every month. Installing carbon monoxide alarms could also save lives. They are also affordable.
Keep a fire extinguisher on hand in case of an emergency. Always burn only dry, seasoned logs, and don't build a stack of logs that are too large. Burning a stack of logs will result in a lack of combustion and increases CO emissions. It is also important to monitor the fire, and if it becomes out of control, you must extinguish it as soon as possible.
Whenever you are finished cooking on your stove, make sure that the fire is dead out and that all combustible materials have been removed from the flue pipe and firebox. The required clearances will vary depending on the model of your stove as well as the way you plan to install the stove inside your home.
You should consider the possibility of a DEFRA approved model if you plan to install your wood-burning stove in a smoke-controlled area. These stoves are designed for use in smoke controlled areas and are available in a variety of sizes and colors. Some models can even be customized to fit your specific design and come with direct air intake for better performance in smoke control zones.
Installation
Wood stoves are a popular choice to heat small areas. They can be utilized in yurts, sheds, and even cabins. Additionally, they create a warm and cozy fire that does not require electricity or oil. To ensure that you are able to correctly install your wood stove, it's important to follow the installation instructions of the manufacturer. These instructions will ensure that your wood stove is safe and you can use it without any issues.
Before installing your stove, you should remove all combustible materials from the area. Also, you should leave at least 16" between the stove and any wall that is combustible. If you are unable to meet these requirements, a stoveboard or hearth pad can be put in place. The non-combustible mat comes with spacers of 1" to help the stove be positioned further away from walls, which can reduce the clearance requirements by up to 66%.
To prevent smoke from blowing back into the room, also remove combustible items like curtains and furniture. Also, you should install a carbon monoxide and smoke alarm in your shed. Not to mention, ensure that the shed has adequate ventilation. It is important to regularly check your stove and chimney to ensure security.
It is a smart option to purchase an electric stove that has EPA certification. This certification indicates that the stove is more than 75 percent efficient, meaning it will absorb and convert more heat from wood than it releases. It is recommended to select your wood stove according to the recommended heating capacity of the area where it will be installed. This will stop you from overloading your wood stove, which could cause creosote and smokeouts.
After you have cleared the space and removed objects that could ignite, you must prepare the foundation for your stove. This involves the removal of all combustible objects and making the hearth ready. Verify that the vents are open and free. If they are not, you'll require new vents.
When your stove is set up and tested, you must test it by lighting three or four small fires. This will cure the paint and fire bricks on your stove and will ensure that you are able to safely burn an enormous fire.