Why Wood Stoves?

Over the past few years more and more people have been opting to install wood stoves. Fuel prices keep rising and winter heating can quickly become very expensive - firewood on the other hand is cheaper, even free if you don't mind doing the work yourselves and provides a totally different experience.

There is nothing like snuggling in front of a roaring fire on a cold winters evening when staring into the flames can become hypnotic.

Unlike fossil fuels, firewood is renewable and when harvested in a sensible and sustainable manner can actually improve forest health.

These logs of English Oak were harvested from traditionally managed sustainable woodland.

What will you find here?

Well, we have been heating with our own firewood for years and have made every mistake going... we bought unseasoned wood and tried to burn it green, we piled our logs in heaps on the ground and lost half of it to rot, we built sheds that were too small and leaked.

We've learnt our lesson though and have now had 4 wood stoves installed in 3 different properties. We've bought some woodland and now process all our own firewood (mostly oak and sweet chestnut). We've built a deluxe wood shed... not just a lean to against the house but a full size, carefully designed and thought out shed capable of holding all our wood for 3 years.

In short we know what works and, more importantly, we know what doesn't work! This site is our way of helping others get the best from their stoves.

What you won't find here are endlessly recycled stove reviews from manufacturers' literature or other online review sites. You won't find sales pitches for products or hype about the next big thing... instead I'll make recommendations that are actually sensible. Usually the simple little tools or tricks that can save you hours of heartache and toil.

Some samples of pages from this site...

Our Firewood Shed Plans...

Last summer (2011) we decided to concentrate our efforts on some big infrastructure projects, two of which impacted on our firewood preparation and handling. One burning season later and it is now obvious that both of these projects were a success. Read more...

Share your tips

Anyone who has heated their home with fire will have picked up some wood stove tips and tricks: the little things that make life easier. What ever your tip is, we'd love you to share it, simply add your favourite wood stove tips in the box below to make your very own page. Read more...

Types of Firewood

One of the most common questions I get asked is "What is the best firewood?" or similarly "Is such-and-such any good as firewood?" Read more...

Wood Stove Plans

Looking for wood stove plans? Well, if like me you are a creative tinkerer the idea of building your own wood stove to heat your home, or cook with may well already have occurred to you... Read more...

Our Firewood Shed Plans...

Last summer (2011) we decided to concentrate our efforts on some big infrastructure projects, two of which impacted on our firewood preparation and handling. One burning season later and it is now obvious that both of these projects were a success. Read more...

Share your tips

Anyone who has heated their home with fire will have picked up some wood stove tips and tricks: the little things that make life easier. What ever your tip is, we'd love you to share it, simply add your favourite wood stove tips in the box below to make your very own page. Read more...

Types of Firewood

One of the most common questions I get asked is "What is the best firewood?" or similarly "Is such-and-such any good as firewood?" Read more...

Wood Stove Plans

Looking for wood stove plans? Well, if like me you are a creative tinkerer the idea of building your own wood stove to heat your home, or cook with may well already have occurred to you... Read more...

This is just a taster of some of our popular pages... use the navigation on the left to find sections that interest you and remember to check back; there are more pages being added all the time.