If you’re looking for a new stove, you may have noticed that some have catalysers, which might be something you’d expect in a vehicle, but not a stove. So what are these for in a stove? And why do some stoves have a catalyser?

What is a catalyser for in a stove?

A catalyser, also known as a catalytic converter, has been a very effective addition to some stoves, as these have the ability to improve efficiency when burning fuel, while also reducing the harmful emissions that might be emitted. 

How does a stove catalyser work?

When a stove is burning fuel, the unburned particles and gasses can be released into the air, which leads to an increase in air pollution. By opting for a stove with a catalyser, you can reduce these emissions, and make sure that more of the fuel is used for heat. This is because a catalyser initiates a secondary combustion process that converts some of these potentially harmful byproducts into more heat, and reduces the harmful emissions released. 

What are the benefits of catalysers for stoves?

There are a number of benefits to choosing a stove with a catalytic converter. These include:

• Reducing the environmental impact
• Improving energy efficiency
• Reducing creosote 

Reducing the environmental impact 

Lowering emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other pollutants is the main goal of a catalytic converter in a stove. These pollutants are converted into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapour through oxidation reactions that are facilitated by the catalytic material found inside the converter. This improves indoor air quality, lessens the impact on the environment, and makes the stove safer for users.

Improving energy efficiency 

Another advantage of choosing a stove that has a catalyser is the increase in energy efficiency that you can expect. By ensuring that more of the fuel is used for heat, this can reduce fuel wastage, and provide more heat for your home from the same amount of fuel. If you are relying on a stove for heating and cooking, this can lead to notable cost savings as well as a reduced environmental impact, and a lower carbon footprint. 

Reducing creosote 

Catalysers also help to lessen the development of creosote inside the stove and chimney. A highly combustible chemical called creosote is created when wood or other organic materials burn insufficiently. A catalytic converter minimises creosote generation by encouraging more complete combustion, lowering the danger of chimney fires and the frequency of maintenance.

For more information or advice, get in touch with the team today, here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi Fuel Stoves! We are Birmingham’s leading stove experts, so get in touch to find out more about wood burning stoves, multi-fuel stoves, catalysers and EcoDesign.

Recently, we discussed the environmental aspects of burning wood on a wood burning stove. And while this is essentially carbon neutral, and great for your carbon footprint, some older types of wood burner, and wood burners built without a filter, can create environmental issues. These include being responsible for reducing the quality of the air, and releasing larger particles into the atmosphere, contributing to greenhouse gases. This is where EcoDesign comes in. So what is EcoDesign? And what are the advantages of EcoDesign wood burning stoves?

What is EcoDesign?

So, first of all, what is EcoDesign? Well, EcoDesign is the new standard that stove manufactures should be aiming to meet. This is an award given be DEFRA to confirm that these stoves produce less smoke and particle emissions than other wood burning stoves. The Government is aiming to make all stoves DEFRA certified by 2022, which isn’t too far into the future.

What are the advantages of EcoDesign wood burning stoves?

So, why should you choose a wood burning stove that has been DEFRA certified as an EcoDesign? Well, there are a number of reasons, including:

• Protecting the environment- we are in a climate emergency, with drastic measures necessary to protect the planet for future generations. With an EcoDesign stove, you can be sure that your stove will release up to 90% less particle emissions, which is great news for the environment.
• Saving money- not only do EcoDesign stoves save the environment, they can also help you save money too. This is because they are designed to maximize the airflow into the fire, reducing the amount of smoke that is created. This helps the fuel burn much more efficiently, so that your fire burns hotter for longer, using less fuel.

For more information or advice, get in touch with the team today, here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi Fuel Stoves! We are Birmingham’s leading stove experts, so get in touch to find out more about wood burning stoves and EcoDesign.

If you’re thinking about switching to a wood burning stove this summer, you have chosen the perfect time. In the summer months it is easier to find an installation team and it gives you plenty of time to learn how to use and maintain your new stove, before the winter steps in and you really need to rely on it. But what are the important considerations to bear in mind? And how can you be sure to achieve the right results with your new stove?

What are the important considerations when switching to a wood burning stove this summer?

There are a number of important considerations to bear in mind before switching to a wood burning stove this summer. These include:

• The suitability of your home- Consider the available space, chimney condition, and any necessary safety precautions to ensure that your home is suitable for a wood burning stove. This is because adequate ventilation and proper installation are vital to minimize the risk of fire hazards and ensure the stove functions optimally. Consulting a professional chimney sweep or installer can help determine the feasibility of installing a wood-burning stove in your home, before you make a purchase.
• Availability of a sustainable and reliable wood supply- Using responsibly sourced firewood is crucial to minimize any environmental impact and maintain your air quality. As a result, you should ensure that you have access to a reputable supplier who can provide seasoned wood with low moisture content, as this burns more efficiently and produces fewer emissions.
• Understand the maintenance requirements of a wood-burning stove- Regular cleaning, inspection, and chimney sweeping are necessary to ensure safe and efficient operation for any wood burning stove and it will be important to keep up to date with maintenance tasks. As a result, you may need to invest in appropriate tools, such as a stovepipe thermometer and cleaning brushes, to help maintain the stove’s performance and longevity.
• Local regulations and restrictions on wood-burning appliances- Some areas have specific guidelines regarding emissions, installation permits, and restricted usage during certain times of the year. Complying with these regulations will not only avoid potential fines but also contribute to reducing air pollution and protecting public health.

Here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, we are leading stove experts. For more information or advice, or to choose your new wood burning or multi-fuel stove, get in touch with the team today!

A new wood burning stove can make a significant impact to the visual aesthetic of your property, as well as the amount of energy you use to heat your home. But what are the important practical considerations when choosing a new wood burning stove? And how can you be sure to make the right choice for your space?

What are the practical considerations when choosing a new wood burning stove?

There are a number of practical considerations that should be taken into account when choosing a new wood burning stove, to ensure that the stove is both safe and efficient, while also complementing your interior design. These practical considerations include:

• Size and heat output: The size of the stove you need will depend on the space it will occupy and the needed level of heat production. A wood burning stove that is too small will have trouble heating a big space, while one that is too big will waste fuel and produce too much heat. As a result, you should measure the size of the room, as well as the installation location, to make sure you opt for the right size of stove for your space.
• Fuel efficiency: To ensure that more of the heat produced by the stove is delivered to the room rather than being lost up the chimney, look for a wood burning stove with a high efficiency rating. In addition to using less fuel, an efficient stove will also cost less to operate, which can save you money in the long term.
• Ventilation: For a wood burning stove to operate safely, proper ventilation is necessary. Make that the stove has a sufficient supply of air, either by natural ventilation or by using an external air vent.

Here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, we are leading stove experts. For more information or advice, or to choose your new wood burning or multi-fuel stove, get in touch with the team today!

If you’re thinking of purchasing and installing a wood burning or multi-fuel stove, you could make big savings on your energy bills. But the wood you choose to burn plays a big part int he efficiency and the heat produced from your wood burner. So if you want to keep you new stove in the best possible condition, which types of wood should steer away from? Well, here at JMS Wood Burning and multi-fuel stoves, we have produced this guide to the types of wood you not burn.

What are the types of wood you should not burn?

So, what are the types of wood you should not burn? Well, there are several, including:

• Pine- Pine wood is readily available and actually quite a popular choice. But it is a wood that should be avoided. This is because as it burns it releases a large amount of resin. This resin will clog up various parts of your stove system.
• Larch- Larch also has high levels of resin, but this will leave your stove with thick sticky patches, definitely not something anyone wants.
• Alder- alder wood burns very quickly which means you will need to use a lot more it to heat your home, and it wont be a very efficient process.
• Spruce- Spruce wood does not produce a lot of heat when it burns. But it does produce a lot of smoke, and it can spark and spit. This makes it quite unpredictable when you open the stove door.
• Laburnum- This is a poisonous wood so you do not want its fumes getting in your home or your lungs. It produces a horrible smell when burnt, and is simply best avoided,

The best woods for burning

So which woods are a good choice? Well there are several, including:

• Ash
• Beech
• Hawthorn

For more information or advice, or for professional stove installation and advice, get in touch with the experts today, here at JMS Stoves.

Storing wood effectively is important for fueling your wood burning stove efficiently all year round. But what should you consider when storing wood for your stove at home? 

What are the considerations for storing wood for your stove at home?

Storing wood for your stove at home is an important task to ensure that you have a reliable source of heat during the colder months. There are a few key things to keep in mind when storing wood, and these include:

• Storage location- The position of your woodpile should be as close to your stove as you can make it. This will reduce the amount of moisture that the wood collects while also making it easier to bring in wood as needed. Your woodpile should be placed in a covered area, like a shed or covered porch, to keep the wood dry and protected from the elements.
• Stacking wood- It’s crucial to stack your wood in a way that permits air to move freely around the logs. The wood will be able to dry out and avoid decay as a result. The term “rick” refers to a prevalent way of stacking wood in which the ends of the logs are facing outward and they are placed in a crisscross pattern. This makes it possible for air to flow around the logs and helps keep moisture from getting drawn in between them.
• Protect the wood- It’s crucial to use a tarp or other waterproof cover to protect the top of your woodpile. In order to prevent the wood from absorbing moisture and losing its effectiveness as fuel, this will aid in shielding it from rain and snow. To prevent water from seeping in, make sure the tarp is tightly covering the woodpile and is attached firmly.

Make sure your wood is sufficiently dry before using it. Using a moisture metre, you can determine how much moisture is present in your wood and verify its moisture content. Choose wood with a moisture level of under 20% as your preferred option. Too much moisture in the wood will cause it to burn inefficiently, producing additional smoke and creosote accumulation in your chimney.

Here at JMS Stoves, we offer an amazing selection of top of the range of stove products perfect for any home. Why not get in touch today to find out more?

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. As such, we have produced this guide to everything you should know about multi-fuel stoves for contemporary spaces.

What are the important design considerations for contemporary multi-fuel stoves?

There are a number of important design considerations to bear in mind when installing a contemporary multi-fuel stove. These include:

• Iron or steel- multi fuel stoves are available in either iron or steel. Steel is the most common choice for a contemporary stove, as these are often lighter weight and moulded into more contemporary styles, but contemporary iron multi-fuel stoves are also available. In general, steel stoves will heat your home up quicker, but iron stoves will stay warmer for longer.
• The shape of the stove- for a contemporary design your stove will need to be sleek with curved or straight edges, and no design embellishments or patterns. Circular stoves can also be a great option or even hexagonal shaped stoves. Ultimately, you should choose the design and shape that will best suit your interior design. For example a contemporary living room with curved features would be highly complemented by a multi fuel stove in the same curved design.
• The size of the stove- this is more of a practical consideration than a design consideration, but it is worth mentioning that in contemporary or modern spaces, minimalism is a key design trend. As a result, smaller stoves that are a suitable size for the room, can be more contemporary in style.
• Freestanding multi-fuel stoves- finally, you could consider installing a freestanding multi-fuel stove. This can create a striking visual feature in any contemporary home or 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.

Choosing between a cast iron stove, and a steel stove can be tricky. And that’s before you’ve spent time deliberating between a multi-fuel stove and a wood burning stove. Either a cast iron stove or a steel stove can be incredibly effective at heating your home. But why would you choose a steel stove, instead of cast iron? Well, here at JMS Stoves, we are Birmingham’s leading stove experts, and this is our guide to everything you should know about the benefits of steel stoves.

What are the benefits of a steel multi-fuel stove?

There are a number of advantages of steel stoves. With the main benefits including:

• the speed to heat up
• traditional or contemporary style
• quality material

The speed to heat up

Steel stoves are much faster to heat up than cast iron stoves. And this means that your home can be warmed through in a lot less time, by using a steel stove. Not only will your home warm faster, but it will also cost less to heat. Simply because it will take less time for your room to reach optimum temperature. This means you could be spending less money on fuel.

Traditional or contemporary style

When you think of steel stoves, you probably think of ultra-contemporary stunning design pieces. And while this is true, there are some stunning, contemporary steel stoves out there, traditional steel stoves are also an option.

In fact, there are a wide variety of styles to choose from when opting for a stainless steel stove. And this means that steel can be the perfect choice for a range of households, from the contemporary, to the traditional.

Quality material

You might have heard some horror stories about steel. And cracked or warped stoves. Unfortunately, these stories are entirely possible if you purchase a low quality steel stove. And if you instead opted for a low quality cast iron stove, you’d also see the same effects. It’s not steel itself that is an issue for stoves, its the quality of the material. High quality steel can create some stunning, long lasting, durable stoves.

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

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 for small spaces.

What are the important considerations when choosing a multi-fuel stove for a small room?

If you are thinking of installing a multi-fuel stove in a small room or home there are a number of important considerations to take into account. These include:

• The positioning of your multi fuel stove- small homes or rooms may not have access to a chimney but this doesn’t mean that you cant install a multi fuel stove. However, it does mean that your stove will need to be positioned in a certain part of the room, against an exterior wall so that a flue can be installed. This is essential for safety.
• The size of your multi fuel stove- it might be tempting to just opt for a standard or large multi fuel stove but this will create too much heat for a small space, becoming overwhelming very quickly. It can also take up a lot more space in your room than you might have guessed which can be very impractical for a small room. As a result, a compact multi fuel stove can be the best option, as these are designed to warm smaller space efficiently and effectively, without wasting heat.
• The style of your multi fuel stove- no matter how large or small your space is, the design of the multi fuel stove should always complement your overall design intentions for the room. Compact multi fuel stoves are available in a range of designs and styles to suit your preferences, from traditional to contemporary.

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

With energy bills soaring and looking likely to rise even further, you may be wondering about changes you can make to reduce electricity and gas reliance. A multi-fuel stove can be just such a positive change. But why should you consider switching to a multi fuel stove, from an electric fire? And what are the benefits of this? 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 how multi-fuel stoves compare to electric fires.

What are the benefits of replacing electric fires with multi fuel stoves?

There are a number of reasons why a multi-fuel stove can be a more effective option than an electric fire. These include:

• Reducing energy bills- electric fires can be expensive to run, and this is a cost you might not notice until the end of the month, when the electricity bill arrives. With a multi-fuel stove, you can cut down drastically on your bills, as you wont need to use electricity to keep your home warm. You can also cut down on the gas bill, as a multi-fuel stove can warm your whole house, so you don’t have to rely on central heating.
• Effective heat distribution- there is no doubt that a multi-fuel stove provides a much more effective and efficient heat distribution, heating both large and small spaces effectively. The heat will also stay around longer, after the fire has been extinguished.
• Heating in a power cut- with a multi-fuel stove, you will still have heat and warmth from the fire, which is not something that an electric fireplace can offer.

Important considerations

Although multi-fuel stoves offer more advantages than an electric fireplace, there are some considerations, including:

• Multi-fuel stoves need a chimney and this will need to be well maintained too
• Electric fires can simply be plugged in, which is easier than building and maintaining a real fire.

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