How to Look After your Multi-Fuel or Wood Burning Stove

Having a multi-fuel or wood-burning stove in your home is the perfect addition on those chilly winter evenings to provide warmth and an un-matched cosiness. However, to ensure your stove’s longevity and optimal performance, regular maintenance is key. Whichever type of stove you have at home there are several actions required to keep it in good condition.

What is a Multi-Fuel Stove?

As the name suggests there are several types of fuel other than wood that can be burned in a multi-fuel stove. As to what you can burn in a multi-fuel stove, you can use smokeless coal, anthracite, briquettes, as well as seasoned logs.

What's the Difference Between Woodburning and Multifuel Stoves?

Multi-fuel stoves are designed with a riddling grate and an ash pan as coal burns more efficiently with air flowing from underneath. The raised grate keeps the burning materials lifted allowing air to circulate underneath it. Log burners are designed with a flat base as wood burns better with air circulating from the top.

How to Look After Your Multi-Fuel or Wood Burning Stove

Use the Right Fuel

It sounds obvious, but always use the right fuel. For wood burners, it's crucial to use seasoned or kiln-dried wood with a moisture content of less than 20%. High moisture content can cause tar build-up in your stove and chimney, which can lead to inefficiency and, in worst case scenarios, chimney fires. For multi-fuel stoves, use high-quality coal or smokeless fuel approved for use in smoke control areas. Avoid using house coal or unseasoned wood, as they can cause similar issues.

Regular Cleaning

Ensure you stay safe by only ever cleaning your stove when it is cold.

• Make sure to clean out the ash pan frequently: too much ash can restrict the flow of air, making the stove less efficient. However, do leave a thin layer of ash as this helps to insulate the bed of the stove and maintain a higher temperature, aiding in the combustion process.
• Do not use abrasives or spirits to clean the stove or you could end up removing the paint.
• To clean the glass door of the stove use soap and warm water with a non-abrasive cloth, or a specialist stove glass cleaner. Keeping the glass clean not only allows you to enjoy the dancing flames but helps you observe the burn rate and adjust the air controls accordingly. 
• To clean the outside of the stove use a soft brush or upholstery attachment on a vacuum cleaner to prevent any damage.
• If you find the glass is regularly blackened this is because the wood being used is too damp. Only use seasoned wood that has been stored under cover for a minimum of 12 months.

Bring in the Professionals

A yearly sweep of the flue pipe and inside of the stove should be organised. You can find a local chimney sweep online.

Ensuring your stove has an annual professional service is essential. This typically involves a thorough clean, checking and replacing seals if necessary, and inspecting the flue and chimney for any blockages or signs of wear and tear.

Inspect and Replace Stove Parts

Inspecting the stove's components, like the firebricks, baffle plate, and stove door seal, is essential. If these parts are damaged, they need to be replaced promptly.

Looking after your multi-fuel or wood burning stove doesn't have to be a daunting task. By following these simple maintenance steps, you can enjoy the warmth of your stove for many years to come. A well-maintained stove is not just a cosy centrepiece for your home, but also a safer, more efficient heat source.

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