Installing a stove.
As with any major improvements around the home we recommend that you enlist the help and advice of a Fully approved HETAS installer. A HETAS installer has passed rigorous tests to show their capability when instaling a solid fuel system.
It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to ensure you have the site surveyed to check suitability of the stove you wish to purchase and it is in your best interest to have a professional to ensure you get the job well done and safe.
Stove maintenance
As with most things around a home, a little bit of tender loving care ensures your stove will serve you well throughout its life.
Below are the main parts of the stove that you would need to check in order for your stove to work efficiently:
Fire grate: This is the part on the bed of your stove that the fuel sits on. If it is a multi-fuel stove ensure that the grate can be riddled easily. If the grate does not move or is restricted in its movement remove the grate when cool and check for distortion and cracks. Please note that these do occasionally wear out and the normal reason behind this is often due to the ash pan not being cleaned regularly enough. Remove ash daily as the ash can catch fire and will put direct heat onto the bar which will reduce the life of the grate.
Fire bricks: are the concrete looking bricks that you normally find inside the stove on the inside walls and at the back of the stove. The job of the fire bricks are the protect the cast or steel shell from damage by the direct heat produced. From time to time the bricks can crack or start to crumble in places. If the crack is very small you can normally cover the crack in fire cement, but this should only be a short term fix and you should replace the bricks as soon as possible.
Stove throat plate: This is the steel plate at the top of the stove that normally rests on top of the Fire Bricks. This is designed to stop all the heat going directly up the chimney and reflects heat back into the stove. Over time these can sometimes warp slightly if the stove is run frequently at a high heat. If this gets too warped it could cause problems when sweeping the chimney or trying to remove firebricks.
Ash pan: This is what catches the ash in a multi fuel stove. Ensure that there are no holes in the ash pan to avoid having hot ash falling out. This should be emptied regularly as to protect the Fire Grate and the ash pan itself as continued heat could cause damage.
Stove Rope Seal: This is the heat resistant rope that goes around the door or stove and the inside of the glass, the rope will wear out over time and will need to be replaced. You will normally know when the rope needs replacing as there may be air getting into the stove making it burn less efficiently or there may be a smoke seeping out of the door or glass. The rope will also go very flat and hard and crispy over time and this is another sign of wear and tear.
Heat Resistant Glass: The glass can get brittle over time and can crack if knocked. Occasionally the glass will become so brittle because of the heat it will crack with the slightest touch. This is normal and can happen after a period of time. Try not to over tighten the glass screws on the inside of the door as these could make the glass crack once heated.
Airwash Technology
Airwash is a system designed to ensure that the glass is kept clean.
The Airwash is achieved by the air being drawn into the top of the stove and heated in the central air chamber before being directed down behind the glass door creating a screen between the fire and the glass.
Smoke or combustion particles do not come into contact with the glass, leaving it clean to see through.