Central heating & hot water

River Cottage is heater by a gas combi boiler. The main thermostat and controller is wireless and located on the kitchen counter to the right of the cooker. Each radiator has a thermostatic valve to control room heating.

The hot water is constant and on demand.

Log burner

Below are the manufactures instructions for the log burner. In addition I would add that it’s important to heat the chimney before loading up with logs. You will find if you don’t the room will quickly fill with smoke. If this does happen, don’t panic just open the bi-fold doors and let it clear out.

Lighting the stove

  1. Open the top (left hand control) and bottom (right hand control) air controls fully.
  2. Place rolled up and scrunched up newspaper (or a few firelighters) at the back of the stove. Put small tinder on top of the newspaper and then a few slightly larger pieces of wood on top of this. Light the newspaper and close the door.
  3. Let the fire burn until all the pieces of wood are alight and burning. Then more and larger pieces of wood/logs can be added.
  4. When burning wood: Once the fire is established the bottom air control (right hand control) can be closed so that all the air for the fire comes via the top air control. The burning rate of the fire can now be controlled by adjusting the top air control and by regulating the amount of wood added. The bottom air control should normally remain closed once the stove is running. If the fire has been allowed to die too low then the bottom air control can be opened to allow air to the base of the fire in an attempt to revive it. If the ambient temperature is above 14 C, then there may be insufficient draught, and use of the primary air control will be necessary.
    When burning coal and other solid fuels: use of the primary air is necessary.
  5. Do not run the stove with the door open.
  6. The controls and handle become hot when the stove is in use and so the glove should be used.
  7. Never use the stove without the firebricks in place – they protect the steel from oxidation.

The glass may darken initially but will eventually clear under correct operation with the correct fuel. Wood that is not sufficiently dried and seasoned will always darken the glass.

  • The first stage of the fire, just after lighting, is usually the smokiest. During this stage, ensure both air inlets of the stove are fully open to get a hot flame. The extra heat “primes” the chimney to produce a strong draft, and helps keep the flue clean by loosening creosote that might have been deposited by the previous fire. The hot initial burn also drives moisture out of the firewood and gives an ignition source for the smoke that is released from the wood.
  • Adding small amounts of fuel gradually will help maintain a steady temperature and burning rate so that the stove burns efficiently and cleanly. Adding a large amount of fuel all at once will dramatically reduce the temperature inside the stove. After adding a large piece of wood/log it is a good idea to increase the top air opening slightly more until the new fuel begins to burn and the stove returns to temperature.
  • Adjusting the air controls gradually will also help maintain a steady combustion rate.
  • Do not run the stove with the top air control fully closed. The top air control supplies air for the ‘airwash’ system. The further open the top air control the more effective the airwash system.
  • Use a piece of newspaper to wipe the inside of the window glass before lighting the stove each time to prevent the gradual build up of deposits.
  • Small, hot fires are more efficient than large smouldering fires. As wood heats up, it releases gasses, or smoke. If the fire is hot enough, these gasses ignite, produce a flame and create heat. The turbulence in the flames creates good mixing between the combustion air and the gasses. In contrast, the smoke from a smouldering fire is heat energy that goes up the chimney unused, and either sticks to the flue as creosote or pollutes the atmosphere. To gain the most heat from each load of firewood, the wood should be flaming throughout the burn cycle until it is reduced to ash.
  • When refueling, place wood towards the back of the stove where it will burn hotter and more efficiently. Try to place logs length ways so that any spitting from the end grain does not go onto the glass window.
  • To get the best results from your stove it is recommended that a wood stove thermometer be fitted to the flue pipe just above the stove. Most thermometers are magnetic and if attached to the single wall flue pipe just above your stove will give a good indication of the flue gas temperatures.

115 °C – 245°C (240°F – 475°F)
The flue gases should be in this temperature band for the safest, most efficient and most economical operation of your stove.

Below 115°C (240°F)
This is below the condensation point of wood gases and may cause the build up of tar in the chimney, darken the stove glass and result in the inefficient burning of fuel.

Above 245 °C (475°F)
Too hot. Heat will be wasted up the chimney. Excess heat may damage the stove (voiding the warranty) or may ignite an existing accumulation of tar, resulting in a chimney fire.

FIRE PRECAUTIONS AND SAFETY

Over firing of the stove (running at too high a power) is dangerous and voids the warranty.

  • The door should always be firmly closed even when out of use.
  • Install according to the installation document and Building regulations.
  • Flammable liquids must not be used to start a fire.
  • Do not place objects that may cause explosions in the stove. E.g. empty lighters, batteries.
  • Cleaning and maintenance should only be carried out after the stove has cooled down.
  • Ash should only be disposed of after it has cooled down.
  • Do not put any combustible objects on or near the stove.
  • Do not use or spill cold liquids on hot glass!