Parts to help you overcome awkward flue installations for wood-burning stoves

Some households are fortunate enough to have a working chimney running straight through their home exactly where they want to install a wood-burning stove.

In other cases, fitting the stove is not quite so straightforward. If you’re faced with the prospect of higgledy piggledy or geometically awkward flue installation, these parts might make the job a bit easier.

5 inch Diameter 45 Degree Plain Black Elbow
wood burning stove flue

Awkwardly positioned beam, slightly off-centre chimney or protruding hearth, the 45-degree elbow will help you overcome them all. Find out more.

Also available in 4 inch, 6 inch and 7 inch versions.

5 inch 90 Degree Plain Black Flue Elbow
90_inch_enamel_flue_bend_3

If a 45 degree change of direction doesn’t get your flue running where it needs to go, perhaps a 90 degree angle will do the trick.

This elbow ensures your flue pipe can make a fairly nifty shift in direction in a relatively tight space. Find out more.

Also available in 4 inch, 6 inch and 7 inch versions.

Twin wall flue kits
class1_kit_1_4

Does your flue need to go outside the property? In that case you will need a twin wall flue.

They come in a basic version, ideal for homes that do not have chimneys. There are also external kits, which are perfect if the flue needs to run up the side of the building.

6 inch adjustable bend
adj

If you’re faced with a particularly awkward situation, this adjustable bend could be your saviour.

It comprises two 45 degree elbow, which you can adjust to bend in the appropriate directions. Find out more.

Flue adaptor
6inch_stove_pipe_8inch_liner_adaptor

If you can’t have or don’t want a conventional register plate – a stainless steel adaptor plate is just the job.

Find out more.

Flexible flue liner
flex_2_1

The beauty of flexible flue liner is that it will run wherever you need it to run.

It’s made from stainless steel and is dual skinned. Find out more.

The liner is also available in Flexible Flue Liner Kits.

Packing up your wood-burning stove for summer

kansas_3_1

We have written a blog post explaining how your wood-burning stove can be useful during the summer months. But in general, you probably won’t be using it as much once the warmer weather arrives, so here are some tips on bedding your stove down for winter.

Clean it
Give your stove a good clean before you give it a rest for the summer. Ashes can be corrosive if they’re allowed to sit, so you will want to ensure that you’ve got rid of them all before your stove is out of use for any extended period. Follow our wood-burning stove cleaning tips.

Get your chimney swept
No doubt your woodburner and flue system have taken a lot of punishment over the winter months. Remove corrosive soot and creosote from the system and ensure that your stove is ready for action as soon as the temperatures drop by calling upon the services of a chimney sweep.

Check for rust
If there are any signs of rust on your stove, it’s not going to get any better with time so it is best to stop the problem at this stage. A bit of wire wool and some stove paint will have your appliance looking as good as new. Follow our tips on removing rust from a wood-burning stove.

Check your parts
You’ll also need to give your stove a once-over MOT to check for any other problems. Things to look for include gaps between the panels, a warped or damaged grate, holes in your baffle, cracked glass and damaged rope. Follow this guide to performing a check-up on your wood-burning stove.

Leave the door ajar
During the summer months it is best to leave the stove door slightly ajar. This ensures air flow and ventilation to the stove system, which helps to prevent corrosion.

Follow those tips and your wood-burning stove should be in prime condition when you next need it.

Using a wood-burning stove in summer

Wood-burning stoves are, for obvious reasons, mainly associated with the winter months… so is there a use for them in summer?

Well, we can’t pretend that you’ll get as much use out of a woodburner during the warmer weather, but it can be a handy things to have around.

Why?

Chilly summer evenings
Think summer and you instantly think sun, sea and sand. Sadly, it’s not always quite like that in the UK.

We normally get a generous smattering of chilly days and, on those days, it’s quite nice to have a wood-burning stove to call upon.

In those circumstances, a stove is a cheaper and more pleasant alternative to popping the central heating on.

Technical problems
Your boiler is more likely to pack in during the colder weather, but there’s nothing to stop it happening in summer.

If you’ve got a boiler stove installed, you can provide hot water for your household even if your central heating is out of order.

Unexpected wintery spells
Think of the summer of 2012 and you probably remember the golden haze of the Olympics. Cast your mind back a bit further and you might recall that June and July was absolutely freezing.

At the time, some experts calculated we’d spent an extra £1billion on heating bills as a nation because we reached for the central heating… except those of us with a woodburner to light instead.

Preparing for winter
Summer is also a very convenient time to do work on your wood-burning stove. Although we’ve pointed out occasions that you’ll be able to use your woodburner in the summer months, the chances are it will be out of use for extended periods, too. If that’s the case, you need to put a bit of effort into keeping your stove in top condition. Find out how to prepare your stove for summer.

Convenient installation
If you don’t yet have your wood-burning stove, summer is a great time to think about the installation.

Here are 5 reasons why it makes sense to install your stove in summer.

Five recommended small DEFRA approved wood-burning stoves

Aduro Asgard woodburner

If you live in a smoke control area your choice of wood-burning stoves is restricted by the law.

Not so long along, it would have been impossible to have a stove of any description, but in recent years DEFRA has approved appliances that are exempt from the ban on burning wood in smoke control areas because they have been tested to demonstrate that they will not have a negative effect on the air quality.

Fortunately, there are now some outstanding stoves now available that are approved by DEFRA. Here are five outstanding wood-burning stoves that are ideal for smaller rooms or compact properties. Continue reading

Infographic: What do I need to install a wood-burning stove?

Are you thinking of installing a wood-burning stove in your home? Here’s our handy at-a-glance guide to the main considerations when you’re planning a woodburner installation.

If you’ve got any questions, please feel free to get in touch via the contact details on the infographic.

What do I need to install a wood-burning stove?

Are you looking for a more detailed guide to wood-burning stove installation? These stove buying tips will give you a comprehensive account of the process, covering everything from installation costs to safety considerations.