FAQ - Stove Maintenance

Stoves go through continuously changing heat cycles while burning intrinsically “dirty” fossil fuels, so regular cleaning and maintenance will be necessary. Usage of solid fuel stoves / cassettes varies enormously, from those who light their stove daily in the winter to those who just use it on chilly Sundays, so there is no set amount of wear and tear. However, all such appliances should have an annual service including a sweep of the flue system; removal, checking & replacement if necessary of baffles and firebricks; checking & replacement of door and glass rope seals; checking & adjustment of the door latch and hinges. Many chimney sweeps are now trained and qualified in appliance as well as flue maintenance and may be able to cover all the above activities.

Your chimney should be swept at least once a year, ideally by a qualified engineer who will provide a certificate confirming the visual condition of the flue and compliance with Document J. If you use your stove as the primary heat source and burn mainly wood, it is recommended to have your chimney swept twice a year.

Stovebay.com provides a full range of most Spare Parts on the market. You can carryout some basic maintenance yourself including changing Fire Brick, Stove Glass, Fire Rope, Grates and Bars and Baffle Plates. For chimney work, installation or re-installation please contact your local chimney sweep or installer.

Stovebay.com provides a full range of most Spare Parts on the market including Heat Resistant Glass, Baffle Plates, Fire Brick, Grates and Grate Bars and Fire Rope.

We recommend to have your appliance serviced annually or as per your heating engineer. Contact your local heating engineer, chimney sweep and/or your original installer. If you need to discuss any queries, please contact Stovebay.com and speak to one of our experienced team.

The glass in your stove can become blackened for a few reasons. The most common cause is that the secondary air supply has been fully closed, preventing the airwash from working and allowing carbon deposits to build up on the glass. Another common issue is burning damp or wet logs. Many people mistakenly assume they can burn any type of wood without problems, but wet logs can lead to this issue.

If the glass on your stove is turning black, it could be due to several factors:

• Poor quality fuel or wet wood: Burning wood with a moisture content over 20% or using low-quality fuel can result in excessive smoke and particles that settle on the glass.
• Low flue draught: If the flue draught is too low, it can cause incomplete combustion, leading to the blackening of the glass. Ask your installer to check the flue draught and adjust it if necessary.
• Incorrect use of air controls: If the air controls are not being used correctly, they may not be allowing enough airflow to burn the fuel efficiently. Check your stove's manual to ensure you're using the air controls properly.
• Operating at low temperatures: Running your stove at low temperatures doesn’t allow the air wash to function properly, which means it won’t clear the soot and particles from the glass. To fix this, try running the stove at a higher output for short periods and ensure the air wash controls are fully open.

To test if your stove door seal is still functioning properly, it’s important to check regularly, as a poor seal can negatively impact stove performance and increase fuel consumption.

The simplest method is the paper test. When the stove is cold, place a sheet of paper between the door seal and the stove body, then close the door. If the seal is intact, the paper should be held firmly in place and not fall out. If the paper slides out too easily or falls out, the door seal likely needs to be replaced.

Stovebay.com provides a full range of most Spare Parts on the market including Heat Resistant Glass, Baffle Plates, Fire Brick, Grates and Grate Bars and Fire Rope

We recommend using our rope kits, which come with a high-temperature-resistant adhesive and enough rope to properly repair your stove. The rope is the same high-quality material used in the original manufacture of your stove.

A poor seal could impact your stove’s performance. In some cases, it may cause further damage or reduce efficiency if the doors can't seal properly.

If your stove glass has cracked, do not light your stove and replace it asap. If your stove is already lit, then let the fire burn out.

Stovebay.com provides a full range of Heat Resistant Stove Glass for all brands, as well as, Fire Rope, Rope Adhesive, Rope Gaskets and Glass Clips.

Yes, you can get replacement firebricks via our website for all stove brands and models. Please note that firebricks are considered consumable items and are not covered by warranty. The lifespan of firebricks can vary depending on factors like the type of fuel used, stove operation, and maintenance. To help extend their lifespan, we recommend:

• Checking the moisture content of the logs (ensure they are below 20% moisture).
• Placing logs carefully when refuelling to avoid damaging the bricks.
• Avoiding over-firing the stove, as excessive heat can wear out the firebricks more quickly.

By following these practices, you can help ensure the longevity of your stove’s firebricks.