Month: July 2023

How to Get Heat from Wood Stove to Other Rooms

charnwoodstoves
19 Jul 2023

The warmth you get from a wood burning stove is like no other, it truly is the epitome of comfort. But how do you get heat from your wood burning stove to fill your whole house and not just the one room? This article talks you through some of the most popular options…

 

Are you getting the best from your stove?

You want to be sure your wood burning stove is giving you its best and there are ways you can help it along. Keeping your stove and flue clean and maintained will help your system run efficiently, so be sure to sweep away any debris and excess ash (a couple of centimetres is fine), and you need to have your chimney swept at least once a year.

Be sure to use properly dried and seasoned wood (less than 20% moisture) and, when starting your fire, start with a bed of kindling, ensuring it is glowing hot before adding some small logs and then, later, a full load of wood. Take care not to overfill your stove as this can cause dangerously high temperatures and can cause damage to your stove. The inside of your stove should be between 260°C and 460°C.

You’ll also want to circulate the heat your wood burning stove produces, which we’ll cover in more detail a little later in this article.

Also learn more on how to use a wood-burning stove.

 

How much heat does a wood burning stove produce?

The heat from wood burning stoves is measured in kWh (kiloWatt hours) or BTUs (British Thermal Units), where 1kWh equals approximately 3,400 BTUs.

Wood burning stoves are often displayed with two heat output figures; the maximum heat output and the nominal heat output. The former is quite simply the maximum heat output you can achieve with that wood burning stove, while nominal output is the level of heat you can get out of it while running the wood burning stove as its efficiency rating.

Wood stoves can put out up to around 15kW (51,000 BTUs) of heat with their air vents wide open (assuming it is a 3 or 4-cubic-foot firebox and is well-stocked and running efficiently), while this can drop to around 4kW (14,000 BTUs) if the vents are closed and the wood smoulders rather than burns. How well your wood burning stove heats your room (or your house) will depend on your room size, house size and layout, and stove size and efficiency, although there are ways to improve how the heat warms your home.

 

Best tips for spreading heat from a wood burning stove around your home

There are a number of ways you can help spread the heat from your wood burner so it reaches more of your home. We discuss some of the best ways below.

 

Using a fan to circulate heat

Heat rises, pure and simple. It’s one of those immutable laws of the universe, but that doesn’t mean you can’t move it around. A fan sits on top of your wood burning stove and the heat from your stove will cause the fan to spin (no need to plug anything in!) and subsequently move the heat around the room. Because the fan helps the heat reach parts of your room more quickly, you can use less wood than you previously may have done to generate the same amount of heat, saving you money.

The best place to put your fan is on one of the back corners of the stove as the front of the fan will get the full effect of the heat from underneath while the back of the fan will be cooler; the heat difference will help move your fan blades more quickly and spread your stove heat further.

 

Directing heat to where it is needed

As we’ve already mentioned, heat rises, and you can use that to your advantage. Having your wood burning stove installed on the ground floor of your home means the heat will rise to the higher storey(s) in your house, warming your bedrooms.

You can help the heat get into your upstairs room by installing vents in the ceiling of the room where the stove is, and vents in the rooms you want to benefit from the stove’s heat.

You should consult a professional when adding vents to your home; this helps maximise the efficiency of the venting system and also helps you steer clear of any potential safety hazards.

Also explore our Wood-Burning Stove FAQs.

 

Adding duct for wood stove heat distribution

Having proper ducting installed from your wood stove to other parts of your house pulls cold air from those far-reaching rooms towards the stove, causing the stove to release warm air. This means the heat from the wood burner isn’t wasted on heating up the duct but instead uses the natural flow of hot and cold air to help warm the rooms further out from the stove.

Also explore the essential wood-burning stove tips.

 

Why choose us?

Charnwood has been committed to providing quality wood burning stoves since 1972 and we know all there is to know about wood burners. If you have any questions about heating your home with a wood burning stove, please get in touch

Wood-burning Stove Cooking: Everything you need know

charnwoodstoves
17 Jul 2023

A wood-burning stove is a great way to extend your cooking options. In this blog, we’ll share everything you need to know about wood-burning stove cooking, from what type of equipment you need to what kinds of recipes are best suited.

Wood-burning stove cooking tips

Here are a few tips to get you started:

– Keep a close eye on your stove while it’s in use, and don’t leave it unattended.

– Make sure the space around the stove is clear of flammable materials, such as curtains or furniture.

– Use heavy-duty cookware that conducts heat evenly.

– Keep an eye on the food as it’s cooking, as the wood-burning stove can fluctuate in temperature.

Finally, as always, use dry, well-seasoned wood. Wet wood produces smoke and creosote buildup in your chimney, which can cause a dangerous fire.

Wood-burning stove cooking

It’s important to use heavy-duty cookware that will conduct heat evenly – think Le Creuset, Crane or similar. A cast iron Dutch oven is a wonderfully versatile option and perfect for many recipes including the ones below!

There will be some trial and error required when testing out recipes to get timings spot on. Also, it’s important to remember to keep an eye on the food as it’s cooking, as the wood-burning stove can fluctuate in temperature. We recommend using a stove pipe thermometer to help your accuracy.

What is a wood-burning stove cooking plate?

 

A wood-burning stove cooking plate is a metal plate that sits on top of the stove. It helps to distribute heat evenly, reduce stove wear and tear and provides stability for pots and pans.

A Charnwood cooking plate is a cast iron plate that has conduction fins on the underside and can replace the blanking plate on a standard Charnwood stove.

The cooking plate is ideal for stoves installed into open-plan living areas where the boundaries of cooking, dining and lounging are merged. The set includes four cast iron trivets for versatility when cooking and the plate is available in two sizes; five or six inch outlet diameters to suit most Charnwood models in addition to the Island II.

Please note: the stove will need to be installed using the rear outlet to allow the cooking plate to be fitted on the stove top.

How to use a wood-burning stove toasting fork?

 

A wood-burning stove toasting fork is a long, metal fork that is used to toast bread with a wood-burning stove. The Charnwood toasting fork is a neat, highly effective stove accessory designed for use on all our models. The British-made fork and holder are made from stainless steel with a turned beech handle.

The magnetic holder suspends the fork in front of the glass, toasting bread, muffins or crumpets perfectly. The bread will start to toast quickly, so be sure to keep an eye on it. Once it’s done, simply remove from the fork and enjoy!

It’s the perfect gift for any stove fanatic!

What kinds of recipes can I make with a wood-burning stove?

Just about anything! Keep in mind, however, that a wood-burning stoves takes longer to heat up than a gas or electric stove. That means you’ll want to choose recipes that don’t require high heat or that can simmer for long periods of time. Some great examples include stews, soups, chili, pot roast, and casseroles.

3 simple wood-burning stove recipe ideas

 

1. Sausage and lentil Stew

Recipe: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/sausage_and_lentil_stew_90967

2. Baked bread

Recipe: https://traditionalcookingschool.com/food-preparation/recipes/fresh-bread-on-a-woodstove/

3. Mulligatawny soup

Recipe: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/soup

You can toast bread to go with it on your toasting fork!

Bonus super simple jacket potato recipe:

Prick some potatoes and wrap them in foil. Then carefully place in the embers of your fire (wear stove gloves). They’ll take approximately an hour to cook depending on the size of the potato.

while it is safe to cook with your wood-burning stove, please take care and do so at your own risk.

Also explore our log-burner cooking ideas on Valentines day.

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Cooking delicious meals while heating your home is one of the great things about owning a Charnwood wood-burning stove. With a little bit of practice, you’ll be an expert at wood-burning stove cooking in no time!

Where to buy?

As well as excellent after-care, by purchasing through an official Charnwood stockist you will qualify for our dealer-backed 10-year guarantee.

Additionally explore our log-burner fireplace ideas.

 

Why Choose Us?

At Charnwood Stoves, we’re your trusted experts in wood-burning stoves and cooking. With decades of experience, our passion for quality and innovation shines through in every product. From efficient heating to delightful culinary experiences, our stoves offer the perfect blend of functionality and style.

Count on our reliable support and extensive knowledge to enhance your cooking journey. Join our community of satisfied customers who have embraced the charm and warmth of wood-burning stove cooking.

Contact our team today.

Green Update; Increased Solar Energy Capacity & More

charnwoodstoves
13 Jul 2023

A.J Wells & Charnwood are committed to sustainability and constantly seek innovative ways to reduce their carbon footprint and make positive progress towards Net Zero 2050. Our recent environmental-focused efforts, which we will discuss in this blog, have already started yielding impressive results – read on to learn more!

Solar panels
 

Another benefit of the summer sun is all the clean electricity being produced. We are happy to report that we have recently added 50kw of additional solar panels to the roofs of our factories, bringing us to 150kw in total. This has resulted in the generation of nearly 1 gigawatt-hour of clean energy to date and as there is still a little space left on our roofs we will likely add to our capacity in the future!

Charnwood Skye E700 update

 

Modern Ecodesign stoves are 90% more efficient than open fires and 80% more efficient than older stoves, however, there is still much more we can do. That is why we invested nearly £1,000,000 last year and continue to lead the industry in developing cutting-edge wood-burning technology.

A good stove with good fuel has always been possible to achieve. However, the user has until now been the weak point in achieving the best possible efficiencies. The Charnwood Skye E700 uses intelligent technology that automatically ensures your stove burns at the optimum temperature. Developed to be super easy to use – everything you need is just one button away on your stove or on our stove app which allows you to control from the comfort of the sofa.

We have taken time to optimize the stove and the software for maximum performance and have learned more about combustion than we have with any other stove. Electronic stoves are fascinating to work on as you can change a few parameters in the code which will translate into a completely different type of burn, flame pattern, performance and emissions. With the results we have achieved, we passionately believe that intelligent stoves are going to play a significant role in the near future.

The E700 is already available in the US and will be coming to Europe soon. Watch this space!

Supporting environmental & humanitarian projects

 

This year we welcomed Joshua Omulongolo from rural Kenya for 5 months who came to our R&D lab. During this time, he introduced us to the delights of Ugali and together we developed a low-cost cook stove by molding ceramic based materials into a shape that maximized clean combustion and heat output and safely and cleanly exhausted flue gases outside. On his return to Kenya, he has continued the development and made a number of prototype cook stoves that he has tested at his home and his church. We are still in contact with him as he transitions this into a micro business that will help reduce the respiratory problems that are associated with indoor open fire cooking.

15 Ideas to reuse our packaging

As online shopping surges, packaging waste becomes even more of a concern. At A.J Wells, we understand the impact and have offered some innovative ideas to reuse and repurpose packaging materials. Explore our blog to discover at least 15 great ways to give your A.J Wells packaging a new lease of life while reducing waste. Read more here

Green roof

 

While our focus remains on significant initiatives like solar panels and energy-efficient equipment, we recognize that even small ideas can make a substantial impact. Initiatives such as bike-to-work schemes and tree planting programs have proven to be catalysts for change, not only for our carbon footprint but also for engaging our employees and community. These ideas go beyond their obvious environmental benefits, fostering a sense of environmental awareness and inspiring others to join us on our sustainability journey.

One such recent addition to our environmental efforts is the implementation of a green roof. Our green roof not only beautifies our premises but also provides numerous benefits, including improved air quality, enhanced insulation, and reduced stormwater runoff. By integrating nature into our infrastructure, we showcase our ongoing commitment to harmonizing with the environment and promoting a greener future. Read more here

Refurbished signage

 

Refurbishing old signs is a very cost-effective way to extend their lifespan, and our innovative approach involves stripping them down to the frame, examining the frame and trims, improving the decoration, and installing new illumination and acrylic faces. By doing this, we were able to restore these 17-year-old signs to their former glory. Reusing when possible is better than recycling as this saves even more energy. Read more here

Bunhill Energy Centre

We were pleased to manufacture and supply our Wellsclad vitreous enamel cladding panels for the TfL / Islington Council’s, New Bunhill 2 Energy Centre. The heat recovery centre takes excess heat from the London Underground, Northern Line and feeds it into the Islington Council’s district heating network to provide offices, leisure centres and over 1,350 homes with heat and hot water.

We continue to embrace projects that have a direct positive impact on the environment. Read more here