There are a variety of ways to heat your home, including central heating, electric fireplaces, and open fireplaces. But a high quality wood burning, or multi-fuel stove, is often the best and most effective option. We recently explored the advantages of using a stove, instead of an electric fire place, but why should you choose a wood-burning stove instead of an open fireplace? Well, here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, we are leading stove experts. From multi-fuel stoves, to wood-burning stoves, we have a wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise. And this is our guide to everything you should know about wood burning stoves compared to open fireplaces.

What are the top reasons to choose a wood-burning stove instead of an open fireplace?

There are a number of very good reasons to choose a wood-burning stove, instead of an open fire, for your property. These include:

• Maximum efficiency- a wood burning stove will increase heat efficiency in your home, directing 90% of heat, or more, into the room. In contrast, an open fire will lose around 25% of its heat, directly up the chimney. This can result in burning more fuel, and spending more time to achieve the heat or temperature you need. So a wood burning stove is definitely more efficient.
• Increased safety- a wood burning stove is designed to allow a safe controlled fire, and at night, you can relax in peace knowing that  the door to the stove is closed, preventing any sparks or embers from reaching any flammable material. With an open fireplace, you do not have this peace of mind or security.
• Styles and designs- wood burning stoves are available in a range of styles and designs that are sure to suit any home, contemporary or traditional. An open fire place in contrast can look out of place in a contemporary setting.

For more information or advice, or to choose your new multi-fuel or wood burning stove, get in touch with the experts today, here at JMS Stoves.

Now that winter is drawing in, and the weather is turning colder, you might be thinking about installing a stove. A wood-burning stove, or a multi-fuel stove, could both transform your daily routine, and your fuel bill. But with a multi-fuel stove, you will have the added advantage of being able to burn a range of fuel types including wood. So why should you buy a multi-fuel stove? And what kind of difference will it make? Well, here at JMS Stoves, we are are leading stove experts. As a result, we have produced this guide to the top reasons to buy a multi-fuel stove.

Top reasons to buy a multi-fuel stove

A multi-fuel stove could be the perfect investment, bringing a variety of benefits, including:

• warm, relaxing home- what could be better than sitting around the fire on cold winters night? It’s just so relaxing. In fact, there is proof that looking into the flames of a stove can reduce your blood pressure, and help you relax and socialise. It’s in our evolution! So listen to your inner caveman, and get the fire going.
• cut down on bills- by purchasing an multi-fuel stove, you could cut down on your energy bills. Eco-friendly, solid fuels, burn at a very high temperature, for a very long time. This means that if you have a multi-fuel fire in your living room, the surrounding rooms will be heated as well. As a result, you wont have to rely on your central heating as much, and you could save on energy bills.
• aesthetically pleasing- nothing beats the appeal of a real fire, in a real stove. From contemporary designs for contemporary homes, to traditional stove designs, there is something to suit any home or property.

For more information, or for your multi-fuel stove installation, get in touch today, here at JMS Stoves.

If you’re thinking about installing a new stove for your property, you might be considering the aesthetics, as well as the practicalities of a new stove. You will need to choose the right stove material (steel or cast iron) as well as the right size stove for your space. And you will also need to choose between a wood burning stove, and a multi-fuel stove. But what are the benefits of multi-fuel stoves? Well, here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, we are leading stove experts. From multi-fuel stoves, to wood-burning stoves, we have a wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise. And this is our guide to everything you should know about multi-fuel stoves.

What are the benefits of multi-fuel stoves?

There are a number of benefits to choosing multi-fuel stoves. These include:

• Burning a range of materials effectively- with a wood burning stove, the stove itself is optimized for wood burning. But with a multi-fuel stove, you can choose to burn all manner of materials including wood and smokeless briquettes. However its important to remember that you should only choose wood that is FSC approved.
• High level of heating- a multi-fuel stove is an effective way to heat your property thoroughly. You can expect the room to warm up quickly, and stay warm for a generous period of time too. This is also a great way to reduce your heating and energy bills, saving you money every month.
• Always have heating- one of the main advantages to any home stove, multi-fuel or wood-burning, is that you can always have guaranteed heating. So even if there is a power cut, you wont be left cold.
• Visually appealing feature- the multi-fuel stove can also be a visually appealing feature in any home. From traditional properties to contemporary, there are many different styles of multi-fuel stove that can suit any property.

For more information or advice, or to choose your new multi-fuel stove, get in touch with the experts today, here at JMS Stoves.

This week a “coal ban” has been announced by the UK Government. But what does this mean for you and your stove? And what should you be aware of? Well, here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, we have long been advocating for the need to use cleaner fuels and burning materials. In fact it’s what we have always recommended. And as leading stove experts, we have produced this guide to everything you should know about the coal ban.

What does the “coal ban” mean for you?

So, first of all, what does this new ban mean for you? Well, essentially, there are several important components to understand. These include:

• Sales of coal for domestic use are being phased out- eventually you will not be able to buy domestic coal legally, for use on your homes stove or open fireplace.
• Sales of wet wood are being phased out- although this is being called the coal ban, sales of wet wood, or unseasoned wood, are also being phased out.

Why is this being enforced?

In the past few years, there has been an increase in concern regarding domestic stoves, and the level of pollution creating by some burning materials. This includes coal and wet wood. These are actually the largest source of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), small particles of air pollution which find their way into the body’s lungs and blood. So by regulating the sales of fuels for domestic use, it is predicted that we can cut down o the amount of particle pollution in cities and towns.

What are the cleaner alternatives?

So what should you use to heat your home and fuel your stove instead? well, there are several different options available, including:

• Seasoned wood
• Smokeless fuel briquettes
• Anthracite

For more information or advice, get in touch with the experts today, here at JMS Stoves.

When thinking about any new purchase for the home, its good to know what you are getting for your money. The same is true when considering a new wood burning stove. From the initial outlay, to understanding maintenance, the prospect of being a new stove owner can be a little overwhelming. But what are the advantages of purchasing a wood burning stove? Well, there are many. And here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, we are leading stove experts. As a result, we have produced this guide to how you could benefit from a wood burning stove.

What are the advantages of purchasing a wood burning stove?

So, what exactly are the advantages of purchasing a wood burning stove? Well, there are many, including:

• Reducing energy bills
• Being environmentally friendly
• Adding style to the home

Wood burning stoves can reduce energy bills

With a wood burning stove, you can heat your home without relying on the central heating. This can reduce your energy bill, especially if you can eliminate using the central heating completely. At the same time, less reliance on the boiler also means that you wont be as adversely affected by a power cut, or a boiler breakdown, as you can still keep your home warm.

Wood burning stoves are environmentally friendly

By using sustainable wood that is available to purchase for your wood burner, you can help do your bit for the environment. Sustainable wood comes from plantations designed to replace the wood, as a fully renewable energy source. This is unlike the fossil fuels used to power gas and electricity from large energy providers.

In addition, when burning, the wood will only release the same amount of carbon that it stored while growing, which means that wood burning is almost carbon neutral.

Wood burning stoves are stylish

Whether you opt for a cast iron or steel stove, with a traditional or contemporary design, your stove will make an attractive centre-piece for your home.

For more information or advice, get in touch with the team today, here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi Fuel Stoves.

With an increasing amount of social attention turned towards conserving natural resources, and protecting the environment, finding different energy sources is becoming increasingly popular. Heating your home with a multi-fuel stove is just one option that could help to cut down on your energy usage. But how can a multi-fuel stove decrease your energy bill? And why should you choose a multi-fuel stove? Well, here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, we are Birmingham’s professional stove experts. And this is our guide to everything you should know about decreasing your energy bill, with a multi-fuel stove.

How can a multi-fuel stove decrease your energy bill?

Cast iron and steel multi-fuel stoves can both heat your home effectively. Especially if your home is fully thermally insulated, and your chosen stove has a good heat output. As a result, if you rely on your stove to heat your home, you will not need to switch the heating on quite so frequently. And this will have a knock on effect on your heating bill. It also means that you will be using less non-renewable energy.

Multi-fuel stoves and the environment

Cutting down on your energy usage is a good way to begin to reduce your impact on the environment. But reducing your gas usage, to switch to other unethical fuel sources such as coal, is not a great option. Instead, you should make sure that any fuel you use, wood, paper etc, is sourced ethically. Many cuts of wood for burning are often labelled as sustainable, and these are collected as part of a sustainable cycle. This is essential if you want to do your bit for the environment.

For more information or advice about choosing your new multi-fuel stove, and what it could mean for your energy bill, get in touch with the team today, here at JMS, wood burning and multi-fuel stove specialists.

Choosing and purchasing a new stove can make a dramatic difference to your home and lifestyle, as well as your energy bills. But with use, your stove can start to lose it’s shine. So what can you do? Well, there are a number of different maintenance tasks that are essential to get the most out of your stove. Whether it’s a multi-fuel stove, or a wood-burner, a cast iron stove, or a stainless steel stove, you will need to follow a maintenance routine. Here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, we are leading stove experts. As a result, we have produced this guide to how to keep your stove looking it’s best.

How to keep your stove looking it’s best

To keep your stove looking great and performing efficiently, you should:

• Be sure to burn only the right materials- burning different types of materials can really damage your stove, if your stove is not designed to burn these. For example, a wood-burning stove is designed with wood burning in mind, and these are created to withstand the temperatures and waste products produced from burning wood. Multi-fuel stoves on the other hand can burn a range of fuel sources effectively.
• Clean your stove- cleaning your multi-fuel stove, removing ash and debris is a good way to keep your stove in good working order. Ash and debris, and soot, can prevent air from circulating effectively around your stove, making it less efficient. However, for a wood-burning stove, you should leave a small bed of ash, as this can actually make it more efficient. The soot and debris should still be removed though.
• Clean the glass- A sooty stove door might be a good sign of a warm, cosy evening, but if you want your stove to continue to look great, you should make sure you clean and polish the glass regularly. This can have a big effect on the visual appeal of your stove.

For more information or advice, get in touch with the professionals today, here at JMS Stoves.

When you think of a wood burning or multi-fuel stove, energy efficiency is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. But using a multi-fuel stove can actually help to reduce your energy bills. And these stoves are also designed to meet stringent energy efficient measures. Here at JMS Stoves, we are leading stove experts. From wood burning to multi-fuel stoves, we offer a wide range of products to suit any home. Including traditional, modern and inset designs. As a result, we have produced this guide to multi-fuel stoves and energy efficiency.

Multi-fuel stoves and energy efficiency

Multi-fuel stoves are incredibly energy efficient when compared with other forms of heating your home. If you were to use your new stove as the main source of heating for your home, your carbon footprint, and use of natural resources could be less than relying on gas. As efficient as A grade gas boilers are, they are still using a finite natural resource. In comparison, multi-fuel stoves can burn wood logs, produced as part of a fully sustainable process. As long as you only buy logs that are produced by a provider that replants trees.

Alternatively, if you were to use your new stove as secondary heating, you need to compare this with other secondary heating options. These are either halogen heaters or electric heaters. And each of these options eat up fuel at a considerable pace. And neither are particularly safe. House fires can easily be started by either halogen heaters or electric heaters. Whereas a multi-fuel stove burning energy efficient logs, is much more suitable for the environment that electricity or gas.

Reduce your energy bills

Whether your stove is a primary or secondary source of heat, you will notice a drop in your regular fuel bill. Stoves are incredibly good at heating a space, in a short amount of time, and keeping it warm. And this means you wont have to put the heating on as frequently.

For more information or advice, get in touch with the experts today, here at JMS Stoves.

When it comes to choosing a new stove, you don’t just need to choose between a multi-fuel stove, or a wood burning stove. You also need to think about whether you want a steel stove, or a cast iron stove. And it can be a challenge to know which stove material would best suit your home, and your lifestyle. But here at JMS Stoves, we are Birmingham’s leading stove experts. As a result, we have produced this guide to the advantage of cast iron stoves.

Advantages of cast iron stoves

There are many advantages of cast iron stoves, and these include:

• stunning design
• robust and durable
• warming your home for longer

Stunning design

Although steel might be more contemporary than cast iron, cast iron stoves are available in a wide variety of designs and styles. From traditional stove designs, to ultra modern, sleek and stylish stoves, cast iron could be the perfect choice for any home.

Robust and durable

Cast iron stoves are robust and durable. They are not going to warp or bend with the heat of the fire, unlike some low quality steel stoves that are available from unscrupulous suppliers.

Cast iron stoves are also built to last. So you shouldn’t have to worry about repairs or damage, because these stoves are built for quality and longevity.

Keeping warm

On a practical level, cast iron stoves can be a great option. This is because one of the biggest advantages of cast iron stoves is that they stay warm, long after the fire has been extinguished. This means that your home will get warm quickly, and then stay warm for a longer period of time. Especially when compared to a steel stove.

For more information or advice, get in touch with the experts today, here at JMS Stoves in Birmingham.

When it comes to your new wood burning stove, we are sure it is currently pride of place in your home. And like all new wood burning stoves, it will be gleaming and shiny, and you’ll be desperate to light it. But how can you keep it performing well, and looking great in the long term? Well, regular wood burning stove maintenance is an important part of stove ownership. And here at JMS Stoves, we are leading wood burning and multi-fuel stove experts. As a result, we have produced this guide to wood burning stoves, and maintenance tips for new owners.

Choose the right wood

For your stove to perform to the best of its ability, it needs to be given the best possible material to burn. As a result, you should only ever use fully seasoned wood. Be careful to check bags of wood that are sold as seasoned, as in many cases, they are simply still too wet to burn efficiently. That’s why its always a great idea to buy next years wood, this year, and give it time to dry out further. Your stove will be grateful.

Chimney maintenance

Taking care of your chimney is important if you are going to be burning wood regularly. So make sure you get your chimney swept at least once a year.

Clean the glass daily

Although modern wood burners have an air wash system, they still leave a thin layer of ash on the stove glass. Cleaning this off daily, is a much better idea than letting it build up over time, and become almost impossible to remove.

Monitor your rope seals

The seals and gaskets on a wood burning stove are designed to keep the stove air tight. This means that they only allow air into the stove through the air inlets. Make sure they’re sealing properly to avoid over firing.

For more information or advice, or for your new wood burning stove, get in touch today with the experts here at JMS Stoves.