Log Storage Basics

Hayley Cowlishaw 12th September 2023 No Comments Blog

Log storage is a must if you own a wood burner. As soon as the winter chill hits, the demand for logs increases, along with the prices! So it is a good idea to begin stock piling well in advance.

There are lots of wood store designs that are both practical and pleasing on the eye. Outdoor stores are a great way of keeping wood dry in wet weather whilst steering clear of wood piles cluttering your home.

First, you need to decide where you’d like to put your wood store. You preferably want it to be easily accessible, closer to your house the better! You don’t want to be scrambling up the garden on cold, dark nights. If this isn’t an option, a good sturdy basket to carry your logs inside beforehand is an easy solution.

You want it to be sitting on level ground, and raised enough so that your bottom row of logs are not exposed to the damp. For the same reason, if you are positioning near a wall or fence, be sure to leave a gap in between.

For easy access, choose an open fronted store. Air needs to be able to circulate around your wood, therefore gaps in the sides is a must. The roof needs to overhang all sides and slope away from the front to allow rain to run off.

Once your log storage is in place, it is time to load it up. When stacking, try to keep it as neat and tidy as you can to avoid the logs tumbling out. Plus, the neater they are, the more you will be able to fit in!

How To Make Your Fire Pit Last Longer

Hayley Cowlishaw 6th June 2022 No Comments Blog

It is feeling a lot chillier than we’d expect for this time of year. Most of us have spent time getting our gardens ready to enjoy the sunshine, but the weather has other ideas! You can still make the most of your outdoor space if you have a fire pit or chiminea to keep you warm. And with the help of Firemizer, it will burn for much longer into the evening.

Whether you are entertaining or enjoying your fire pit alone, the last thing you want is for your fire to be going out every few minutes. First, you need to get your fire lit. Place scrunched up newspaper at the bottom of your pit and then place kindling (small dry sticks) on top. Carefully light the newspaper and kindling with a long match. An even easier way to light your fire is with Firebuilder, our handy firelighter and kindling in one!

Now you are ready to add your wood. There are certain types of wood that are less likely to spit or smoke too much. We recommend ash, oak or hawthorn for a steady, long-lasting burn. These are dense woods which will produce less smoke and residue. It is very important to only burn dry wood. Damp wood smokes heavily producing far more particulate emissions, making it worse for the environment.

Above all of this, the best way to burn for longer, reduce emissions and also save on fuel is by using Firemizer! Simply place at the bottom of your fire before you add your fire lighter and kindling and just sit back and enjoy the benefits.

Our Firemizer and Firebuilder Starter Pack is also available on our website.

Valentine’s Day The Eco-Friendly Way

Hayley Cowlishaw 11th February 2022 No Comments Blog

Valentine’s Day can have a huge impact on the environment. Over 40 million of people in the UK are expected to celebrate this year. So that’s over 40 million cards covered in glitter, glue and metallics that are not recyclable. We also spend over £1 billion on gifts like balloons, teddy bears and decorations that are impossible to recycle. Consequently these end up in landfills.

But, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t celebrate the day of love! We should just be more mindful of how we choose to. Here are a few ideas for a more sustainable Valentine’s Day.

Eco-Friendly Cards

Why not give the ultimate personal touch, and make your own card? Have a rummage through your recycle bins and junk drawers for things you could use and let your artistic side run wild. Another option is buying from an eco-friendly company. I have found a fantastic business that hand makes cards from 100% recycled paper and seeds. After use the card can be planted in your garden and will grow into beautiful flowers! Check them out here – Eco Friendly Cards.

Did you know, ash from your fire can be a useful additive to your compost heap? or, it can be applied directly to fallow ground and dug in.

Get Your Bake On!

Show how much you love someone by spending a couple of hours in the kitchen making them a sweet treat. Cupcakes are really simple to make and perfect for sharing too. You can’t go wrong with cookies, and you can decorate them to your recipients taste. If you don’t have much time, chocolate-dipped strawberries are a guaranteed winner. Drizzle white chocolate over milk chocolate for the extra wow factor!

Swap Flowers For A Plant

Cut-flowers are a beautiful gift to receive, but unfortunately they don’t last. Wouldn’t it be much better to receive a house plant, that with care and attention, will stay alive. House plants act as a natural filter to indoor pollution, research found that there are over 50 houseplant types that remove pollutants and gases. And that’s not all, it’s a gift that keeps on giving! Plants have also shown to lower stress levels and help to improve your wellbeing.

So show the planet some love this Valentine’s Day and opt for the eco friendly way!

Happy Valentine’s Day ♥

Why Firepits Are Good For You

Hayley Cowlishaw 13th July 2021 No Comments Blog

Firepits don’t just bring you warmth, they have lots of other advantages too. As well as being practical they can bring you health and emotional benefits too. Here’s just a few reasons why firepits are good for you…

Help you to relax and unwind

After a busy or stressful day can you think of anything better than sitting by an open outdoor fire? Scientists have found that an open fire reduces blood pressure. Subsequently the longer people sit in front of a roaring fire, the greater the relaxing effect it has on them.

You can use them all year round

Using a firepit enables you to enjoy outdoor living all year round. As a matter of fact there is no reason why you can’t throw an outdoor party, even in the middle of winter! Undoubtedly a burning fire is sure to keep your guests warm on a cold evening. In fact, why not get out the marshmallows for a delicious s’mores treat for everyone to enjoy.

It lights up the night

No outdoor lighting can compete with the blaze of a real fire. Firepits provide an ambient glow to your evening long after the sun has gone down. Make the most of your garden sat in the warmth and comfort of your open outside fire gazing at the stars.

Creates a romantic atmosphere

While firepits great for gatherings, they also set the scene for a romantic evening for two. No need to go ‘out out’, as an alternative share a bottle of wine and gaze at the twinkling sky snuggled up with your loved one.

You can use it to cook

Cooking is simple using your firepit. All you need is a grill rack, a couple of pots and some tin foil. Classics such as hot dogs, burgers and kebabs are always delicious. Try wrapping potatoes in foil and tucking them amongst the coals for perfect jacket potatoes!

Now you know why fire pits are good for you, keep your fire burning even longer into the night by adding Firemizer. Click here to order yours.

5 Reasons Wood Burners Are Good For You

Jess Hill 24th January 2020 No Comments Blog

As people are becoming more aware of pollution wood burners are getting a lot of heat [pun not intended] from the media and activist groups. However, there are benefits to wood burners and ways to decrease any potentially harmful particulates.

Drying the air

Wood burners are very good at drying out damp environments which will make your home more pleasant and breathable. By keeping the air in your home free from moisture will prevent mold from forming which could lead to health problems.

Repelling allergens

Log fireplaces can help reduce the number of allergens in the air. These can get caught in the updraft of hot air from the fire. This will carry them out through the chimney or flue.

Providing relaxation

When it is cold and miserable outside there’s nothing better than sitting by a warm fire. A wood burner can really make a house feel more homely. You can also use your fire to cook on adding another element to your wood burner.

Cut down on heating bills

As heating bills rise more people find it hard to heat their homes. Having a wood burner can be very economical by saving you money on your heating bills. While you may have to still use your heating in other rooms having the option to lessen your heating bill while keeping warm is a win-win.

Good for the environment

Wood is carbon-neutral fuel, the amount of carbon dioxide given off when burnt is equal to the amount consumed by other trees which absorbs the carbon dioxide and releases oxygen.

There are other alternative fuels like coffee logs that are made from used coffee beans. Both wood and coffee logs work well with firemizer which will reduce your fuel consumption, reduce particulates and creosote in your flue.

How To Start Cooking Over Your Fireplace

Jess Hill 17th January 2020 No Comments Blog

To get the most out of your fire this winter why not try cooking with your fireplace!

A wood-burning fireplace is safe for you to cook in, however, a gas fireplace is not. For a gas fireplace, the logs need to be clean and unobstructed to work properly. Grease or food could fall onto the logs and could potentially cause a fire hazard.

Safety for indoor cooking

it is important to have the flue open when you start cooking on your fireplace. Leaving the flue closed will allow a build-up of carbon monoxide which is very dangerous.
Keep flammable items away from the fireplace as you’ll be interacting with the fire while cooking.
Make sure your fireplace is clean and maintained as cooking in an unclean fireplace can cause smoke risks.

You can cook over a wide temperature from 160 degrees for slow roasting to over 750 degrees for high heat grilling.

Cooking options

Cooking straight onto the embers. You can cook whole onions, eggplant, peppers, yams, potatoes and thick steak-like porterhouse, t-bone or ribeye.

arrange two parallel rows of firebricks, broadsides down toward the front of the fireplace, shovel a layer of ember between the two rows, then rest a frying pan, griddle or dutch oven on the bricks. The wood smoke will still infuse the food with a smoke flavour if it is in a pan.

Skewers

sausages or kebabs with metal skewers, don’t forget you can cook s’mores this way too!

Dutch oven

You can easily cook soups or stews on your fireplace. The trick is to get your fireplace going that it produces plenty of hot embers. Then you can place the dutch oven on the embers. Remember to rotate to distribute the heat evenly.

A String

This is still used in southern France, a method called la ficelle (on a string). Meat or poultry is put into a compact packaged and suspended from a hook in the ceiling or mantelpiece. The meat rotates near the heat from the fire.

Tips for cooking with your wood fireplace

avoid overly fatty foods like rib-eye steak as they will create a lot of smoke when cooking over the fire.
Choose the right wood, well-seasoned woods like applewood will give you a unique flavour that you won’t get from an oven. This is also less likely to give off dangerous sparks.
Avoid pine or cedarwood, they burn at low temperatures and can leave resin in your chimney. Don’t use regular logs that may include petroleum wax as these are dangerous to ingest.
Test the temperature, the heat distributes unevenly – to prevent this use Firemizer and will allow for an even burn.
Place a pan to catch drips

How To Look After Your Wood Burner?

Jess Hill 10th January 2020 No Comments Blog

As you’ve probably been getting the most out of your fire this winter, to maximize its efficiency you have to look after your wood burner.

Here are some things to look out for and do to keep your fire going for many winters!

Cleaning

Giving your fire a thorough clean can be just the thing it needs to bring it back to life. It is also important to get your chimney swept at least once a year as they can tell you about any damage. You should also clean the glass, most modern stoves are fitted with airways systems to keep the glass clean. If yours does not then you can use newspaper dipped in malt vinegar or use wood ash. Don’t use any abrasive materials to clean the glass as this could cause permanent damage.

Check for rust

This may not be a problem for a modern stove however it worth saying. If you do spot any rust you can rub the area with wire wool and then reapply stove paint to get it looking as good as new.

Empty the ash pan

When the hot ashes start to pile up they can come into contact with the lower side of the grate and the heat from the ashes could cause it to become distorted and lose shape.

Clean the baffle/ throat plate

This area on and around the baffle plate is the top spot for soot to gather. This makes your stove less efficient by blocking the flue it also could be dangerous. Clean this once a week depending on how often you use your stove.

Leave the door ajar

When the stove isn’t being used it is best to leave the door slightly open. This allows a flow of air through the system which can help stop corrosion.

Use Firemizer

Using this in your wood, coal or multi-fuel stove can help reduce creosote and harmful particulates. As well as reducing your ash content and reducing the number of times you have to empty the ash pan.

3 Reasons To Love The Cold

Jess Hill 22nd November 2019 No Comments Blog

As the nights are darker and the days can seem very gloomy and cold its hard to see the appeal of winter and the cold. However, there are some benefits and true pleasures to be had in the winter months.

Cosy by the Fire

This time of year is perfect to get your log burners going and enjoy the warmth. Your fireplace can create a festive atmosphere especially when decorated. Make sure you stock up on wood get your chimney swept a minimum of once a year.

To give your fire that extra bit of Christmas spirit you can add spices to your fire. Cinnamon sticks create a lovely spicy and sweet smell. Just place two sticks with the logs alternatively you could add a few drops of essential oil to your logs, allow them to dry and then burn away.

Warm drinks

There are so many lovely hot drinks to enjoy this time of year from hot chocolate to mulled wine. These are perfect to enjoy in the cold gloomy weather and a great pick me up. Here are some classics that’ll get you in the Christmas spirit;

Coconut milk hot chocolate
Eggnog
Hot buttered rum

If you’d like more ideas and recipes click here

Food

Winter brings around all the best food that you can enjoy. From roast dinners and mince pies to cheese boards and lots of chocolate. This Christmas why not try something new at a Christmas market like the chimney cakes or strudel.

Do you like winter or summer?

Tag: logs