Switching to a wood burning stove this summer

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If you’re thinking about switching to a wood burning stove this summer, you have chosen the perfect time. In the summer months it is easier to find an installation team and it gives you plenty of time to learn how to use and maintain your new stove, before the winter steps in and you really need to rely on it. But what are the important considerations to bear in mind? And how can you be sure to achieve the right results with your new stove?

What are the important considerations when switching to a wood burning stove this summer?

There are a number of important considerations to bear in mind before switching to a wood burning stove this summer. These include:

  • The suitability of your home- Consider the available space, chimney condition, and any necessary safety precautions to ensure that your home is suitable for a wood burning stove. This is because adequate ventilation and proper installation are vital to minimize the risk of fire hazards and ensure the stove functions optimally. Consulting a professional chimney sweep or installer can help determine the feasibility of installing a wood-burning stove in your home, before you make a purchase.
  • Availability of a sustainable and reliable wood supply- Using responsibly sourced firewood is crucial to minimize any environmental impact and maintain your air quality. As a result, you should ensure that you have access to a reputable supplier who can provide seasoned wood with low moisture content, as this burns more efficiently and produces fewer emissions.
  • Understand the maintenance requirements of a wood-burning stove- Regular cleaning, inspection, and chimney sweeping are necessary to ensure safe and efficient operation for any wood burning stove and it will be important to keep up to date with maintenance tasks. As a result, you may need to invest in appropriate tools, such as a stovepipe thermometer and cleaning brushes, to help maintain the stove’s performance and longevity.
  • Local regulations and restrictions on wood-burning appliances- Some areas have specific guidelines regarding emissions, installation permits, and restricted usage during certain times of the year. Complying with these regulations will not only avoid potential fines but also contribute to reducing air pollution and protecting public health.

Here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, we are leading stove experts. For more information or advice, or to choose your new wood burning or multi-fuel stove, get in touch with the team today!

Practical considerations when choosing a new wood burning stove

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A new wood burning stove can make a significant impact to the visual aesthetic of your property, as well as the amount of energy you use to heat your home. But what are the important practical considerations when choosing a new wood burning stove? And how can you be sure to make the right choice for your space?

What are the practical considerations when choosing a new wood burning stove?

There are a number of practical considerations that should be taken into account when choosing a new wood burning stove, to ensure that the stove is both safe and efficient, while also complementing your interior design. These practical considerations include:

  • Size and heat output: The size of the stove you need will depend on the space it will occupy and the needed level of heat production. A wood burning stove that is too small will have trouble heating a big space, while one that is too big will waste fuel and produce too much heat. As a result, you should measure the size of the room, as well as the installation location, to make sure you opt for the right size of stove for your space.
  • Fuel efficiency: To ensure that more of the heat produced by the stove is delivered to the room rather than being lost up the chimney, look for a wood burning stove with a high efficiency rating. In addition to using less fuel, an efficient stove will also cost less to operate, which can save you money in the long term.
  • Ventilation: For a wood burning stove to operate safely, proper ventilation is necessary. Make that the stove has a sufficient supply of air, either by natural ventilation or by using an external air vent.

Here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, we are leading stove experts. For more information or advice, or to choose your new wood burning or multi-fuel stove, get in touch with the team today!

Types of wood you should not burn

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If you’re thinking of purchasing and installing a wood burning or multi-fuel stove, you could make big savings on your energy bills. But the wood you choose to burn plays a big part int he efficiency and the heat produced from your wood burner. So if you want to keep you new stove in the best possible condition, which types of wood should steer away from? Well, here at JMS Wood Burning and multi-fuel stoves, we have produced this guide to the types of wood you not burn.

What are the types of wood you should not burn?

So, what are the types of wood you should not burn? Well, there are several, including:

  • Pine- Pine wood is readily available and actually quite a popular choice. But it is a wood that should be avoided. This is because as it burns it releases a large amount of resin. This resin will clog up various parts of your stove system.
  • Larch- Larch also has high levels of resin, but this will leave your stove with thick sticky patches, definitely not something anyone wants.
  • Alder- alder wood burns very quickly which means you will need to use a lot more it to heat your home, and it wont be a very efficient process.
  • Spruce- Spruce wood does not produce a lot of heat when it burns. But it does produce a lot of smoke, and it can spark and spit. This makes it quite unpredictable when you open the stove door.
  • Laburnum- This is a poisonous wood so you do not want its fumes getting in your home or your lungs. It produces a horrible smell when burnt, and is simply best avoided,

The best woods for burning

So which woods are a good choice? Well there are several, including:

  • Ash
  • Beech
  • Hawthorn

For more information or advice, or for professional stove installation and advice, get in touch with the experts today, here at JMS Stoves.

Installing multi-fuel stoves for open plan living spaces

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Here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, we are leading stove experts. From multi-fuel stoves, to wood-burning stoves, we have a wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise. And we offer professional installation and advice to homeowners and property developers across the area. We have produced this guide to everything you should know about installing multi-fuel stoves for open plan living spaces.

What are the considerations when installing multi-fuel stoves for open plan living spaces?

There are a number of considerations to take into account when installing a multi fuel stove in any open plan living area. These considerations include:

  • The direction of the stove
  • The size of the stove
  • The stove style

The direction of the stove in an open plan living area

In an open plan living area you will need to distribute the heat evenly around the room to effectively warm the ground floor. However, you may want it to become warmer around your main seating area, where you’ll be spending your evenings. As a result the location of the stove can be an important practical consideration.

The size of the stove for an open plan living area

The size of the stove is an important consideration in terms of providing enough heat to the ground floor of your home. A professional team like us here at JMS Stoves can help you determine the size of the stove you need.

Stove style in an open plan living area

In an open plan living area the stove will be visible from all directions. As a result, it is essential that you choose the right stove for the style of your interior decor. Stoves are available in both traditional and contemporary styles so you can make the right choice for your property. You can also choose the shape of the stove as well, including cylindrical stoves and hexagonal stoves, as well as the more traditional square or rectangular shaped stoves.

For more information or advice, or to choose your new multi-fuel or wood burning stove, get in touch with the experts today, here at JMS Stoves.

Storing wood for your stove at home

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Storing wood effectively is important for fueling your wood burning stove efficiently all year round. But what should you consider when storing wood for your stove at home? 

What are the considerations for storing wood for your stove at home?

Storing wood for your stove at home is an important task to ensure that you have a reliable source of heat during the colder months. There are a few key things to keep in mind when storing wood, and these include:

  • Storage location- The position of your woodpile should be as close to your stove as you can make it. This will reduce the amount of moisture that the wood collects while also making it easier to bring in wood as needed. Your woodpile should be placed in a covered area, like a shed or covered porch, to keep the wood dry and protected from the elements.
  • Stacking wood- It’s crucial to stack your wood in a way that permits air to move freely around the logs. The wood will be able to dry out and avoid decay as a result. The term “rick” refers to a prevalent way of stacking wood in which the ends of the logs are facing outward and they are placed in a crisscross pattern. This makes it possible for air to flow around the logs and helps keep moisture from getting drawn in between them.
  • Protect the wood- It’s crucial to use a tarp or other waterproof cover to protect the top of your woodpile. In order to prevent the wood from absorbing moisture and losing its effectiveness as fuel, this will aid in shielding it from rain and snow. To prevent water from seeping in, make sure the tarp is tightly covering the woodpile and is attached firmly.

Make sure your wood is sufficiently dry before using it. Using a moisture metre, you can determine how much moisture is present in your wood and verify its moisture content. Choose wood with a moisture level of under 20% as your preferred option. Too much moisture in the wood will cause it to burn inefficiently, producing additional smoke and creosote accumulation in your chimney.

Here at JMS Stoves, we offer an amazing selection of top of the range of stove products perfect for any home. Why not get in touch today to find out more?

Switching from an open fire to a stove

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Multi-fuel stoves are becoming increasingly popular as a cost effective way of heating the home. But what are the advantages of switching from an open fire to a stove?

What are the benefits of switching from an open fire to a stove?

There are a number of reasons why switching to a multi fuel stove, instead of an open fire can be a great option. These include:

  • Improved energy efficiency- Multi fuel stoves are much more energy efficient than open fires. This is because they are designed to burn fuel more efficiently, using a closed system that captures more heat and reduces the amount of heat that is lost through the chimney. As a result, multi fuel stoves can help you to save money on your heating bills, as they require less fuel to heat a room.
  • Increased safety- Multi fuel stoves are much safer than open fires, as they have several safety features built in. For example, most multi fuel stoves have a glass door that allows you to see the fire safely, without the risk of sparks or embers flying out. They also have a flue or chimney that ventilates the smoke and gases produced by the fire, which helps to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Open fires on the other hand can be dangerous if not properly maintained, as they can produce sparks and embers that can ignite nearby materials.
  • Environmentally friendly- Multi fuel stoves are more environmentally friendly than open fires, as they produce fewer emissions and pollutants. This is because they burn fuel more efficiently, and because they have a closed system that captures more heat and reduces the amount of heat that is lost through the chimney. These can also offer improved air quality as multi-fuel stoves are designed to burn fuel cleanly and efficiently, resulting in less pollution and better air quality inside your home.

Here at JMS Stoves, we offer an amazing selection of top of the range of stove products perfect for any home. Why not get in touch today to find out more?

Maintaining your multi-fuel stove

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Now that the dark nights are drawing in, its the perfect time to be putting your feet up in front of a multi-fuel or wood burning stove.  And here at JMS Stoves, we offer an amazing selection of top of the range of stove products perfect for any home. But once your stove has been installed, how can you keep it looking new? Well, as Birmingham’s leading stove experts, we have produced this guide to everything you should know about maintaining your multi-fuel stove.

What are the important steps for maintaining your multi-fuel stove?

Keeping your stove in tip top condition isn’t just important for the aesthetics. It’s also important for the efficiency and effectiveness of your stove. So as part of your maintenance, you should be:

  • Removing ash and soot- ash soot and any remaining debris should be removed before lighting your stove up again. This will help keep the air circulating inside the stove, and keep the fire well lit, and your home warm.
  • Internal check up- every so often you should be checking the internal parts of your stove for damage and obvious build up of soot, ash or debris. Make sure you pay close attention to the firebricks, glass and rope seals.
  • Get your chimney swept- its good practice to arrange for a chimney sweep to sweep your chimney on an annual or bi-annual basis. It may even need to be more regular than this. Check inside your stove for any signs of build up of debris above the flue baffle. This is in the upper part of the firebox. You might need a torch to see them.
  • Clean the glass- for a stunning stove, you need to keep on top of the glass care. This means waiting for the stove to cool, and cleaning the glass using a specialist glass cleaner for the best results. You don’t want to smudge the ash around, you want to remove it completely.

For more information or advice, get in touch with the professionals today, here at JMS Stoves.

Benefits of a multi-fuel stove for saving energy

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Here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, we are leading stove experts. From multi-fuel stoves, to wood-burning stoves, we have a wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise. And this is our guide to everything you should know about how multi-fuel stoves can help to save energy.

What are the benefits of a multi-fuel stove for saving energy?

There are a number of advantages and benefits to choosing a multi fuel stove if you are looking to save money on energy bills. These advantages include:

  • Increased control of heating prices- With a multi fuel stove you have increased control over how much fuel your purchase and how you use this. Unlike central heating and electric or gas space heaters, multi fuel stoves provide more flexibility with your heating use, while allowing you to stay warm, and heating the property. This is an important consideration for preventing damp and longer term property damage.
  • Effective heating- with a multi fuel stove you will have reliable heating whenever you need it. The prices are not as variable as those for central heating, and you wont need to worry about unaffordable bills and debt. At the same time, a multi fuel stove can easily warm the whole of the house, increasing the temperature in each room and chasing away the chill. You can also enjoy sitting by the fire and appreciating the warmth, in a way that a radiator simply cant provide.
  • Lighting up the room- In addition to heat, a multi-fuel stove creates plenty of extra light for the room. One of the energy saving tips that has been discussed for this winter is to use candles but a multi-fuel stove can add plenty of light while also heating the space.

For more information or advice, or to choose your new multi-fuel stove, get in touch with the experts today, here at JMS Stoves.

Design considerations for contemporary multi-fuel stoves

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Here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, we are leading stove experts. From multi-fuel stoves, to wood-burning stoves, we have a wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise. As such, we have produced this guide to everything you should know about multi-fuel stoves for contemporary spaces.

What are the important design considerations for contemporary multi-fuel stoves?

There are a number of important design considerations to bear in mind when installing a contemporary multi-fuel stove. These include:

  • Iron or steel- multi fuel stoves are available in either iron or steel. Steel is the most common choice for a contemporary stove, as these are often lighter weight and moulded into more contemporary styles, but contemporary iron multi-fuel stoves are also available. In general, steel stoves will heat your home up quicker, but iron stoves will stay warmer for longer.
  • The shape of the stove- for a contemporary design your stove will need to be sleek with curved or straight edges, and no design embellishments or patterns. Circular stoves can also be a great option or even hexagonal shaped stoves. Ultimately, you should choose the design and shape that will best suit your interior design. For example a contemporary living room with curved features would be highly complemented by a multi fuel stove in the same curved design.
  • The size of the stove- this is more of a practical consideration than a design consideration, but it is worth mentioning that in contemporary or modern spaces, minimalism is a key design trend. As a result, smaller stoves that are a suitable size for the room, can be more contemporary in style.
  • Freestanding multi-fuel stoves- finally, you could consider installing a freestanding multi-fuel stove. This can create a striking visual feature in any contemporary home or property.

For more information or advice, or to choose your new multi-fuel stove, get in touch with the experts today, here at JMS Stoves.

Benefits of a steel multi-fuel stove

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Choosing between a cast iron stove, and a steel stove can be tricky. And that’s before you’ve spent time deliberating between a multi-fuel stove and a wood burning stove. Either a cast iron stove or a steel stove can be incredibly effective at heating your home. But why would you choose a steel stove, instead of cast iron? Well, here at JMS Stoves, we are Birmingham’s leading stove experts, and this is our guide to everything you should know about the benefits of steel stoves.

What are the benefits of a steel multi-fuel stove?

There are a number of advantages of steel stoves. With the main benefits including:

  • the speed to heat up
  • traditional or contemporary style
  • quality material

The speed to heat up

Steel stoves are much faster to heat up than cast iron stoves. And this means that your home can be warmed through in a lot less time, by using a steel stove. Not only will your home warm faster, but it will also cost less to heat. Simply because it will take less time for your room to reach optimum temperature. This means you could be spending less money on fuel.

Traditional or contemporary style

When you think of steel stoves, you probably think of ultra-contemporary stunning design pieces. And while this is true, there are some stunning, contemporary steel stoves out there, traditional steel stoves are also an option.

In fact, there are a wide variety of styles to choose from when opting for a stainless steel stove. And this means that steel can be the perfect choice for a range of households, from the contemporary, to the traditional.

Quality material

You might have heard some horror stories about steel. And cracked or warped stoves. Unfortunately, these stories are entirely possible if you purchase a low quality steel stove. And if you instead opted for a low quality cast iron stove, you’d also see the same effects. It’s not steel itself that is an issue for stoves, its the quality of the material. High quality steel can create some stunning, long lasting, durable stoves.

For more information or advice, get in touch with the experts today, here at JMS Stoves in Birmingham.