We hope you’ll agree that there’s something bewitching about it, much like a cat cushioned on the coziest Don’t try to bring it home on foot, though. Source and character are key here. A wood burner needs its music. Your entire house will suffer if the crooner feature ends up like a rock singer playing Wembley Arena at full volume.
So ask yourself. What size should I choose? Please no jokes about Cinderella–the answer is likely to be neither Prince Charming nor fairy godmother. Move along. If you get the size right, a wood burner is just like lying in a bed made for you. If you get it wrong, nothing but some dank hole that serves as a hangout for demons from hell. But what exactly do we want with a hole anyway?
Seasoned wood burns clean and bright, just as a well aged wine delights the palate. While we’re on the subject of alcohol, hardwoods are by your side–they burn fainter (albeit longer) than softwoods. More tortoise than hare in the dimendilly race. Though for reasons that escape me, we always back the hare to win it! Having a wood burner installed is no mean feat. It involves walls, chimneys, permits–my goodness! You need someone professional in charge of this unless you’re reading this as Kimmie in a Charles Dickens novel, in which case there’s hope for the rest of us yet: chimney sweeps are a rare breed these days.
Hats off then to those men whose job it is to keep smoke flowing in order. Outside, preferably. Oh what fun there is to be had with things like that! Excellent widgets to control your fireplace’s appetite for wood range from pokers to log carriers. And can also help dry your laundry of course — depending on how you look at these things. Necessary but bothersome accessories include the ash box—what remains after a pet has left far too much hair on its blotter.
A clean chimney makes for a happy house. This is not a fluke! Don’t take chances with your safety. Have it checked over regularly–once a year is good practice. And don’t even think about forgetting carbon monoxide alarms. These are as necessary as bouncers on a club door, keeping the inside free from any smoke as can be– Wood burners have their appeal.
A sort of rural cosiness that gadgets cannot match. With a little know-how and some effort, they can make your house a warm haven for years to come. And who wouldn’t want that, particularly on those days when you’re feeling sorry for yourself and the great outdoors is having one of its teeth-chattering tantrums?