As the weather gets colder boaters will be getting ready to fire up the stove once more.
Nothing evokes the magic of being on boats in the cooler weather than the warmth of the stove or seeing a curl of smoke coming from the chimney on a frosty morning.
Regularly checking your stove is important for safety, especially if you are leaving it unattended for long periods. So, before you fire it up, give it a check over.
- Are the sealing ropes around all doors still in good condition?
- Is the door glass intact with no cracks?
- Does the door latch hold the door tight closed?
- Do the vents operate effectively?
- Are all parts of the stove body in good condition with no cracks or unintended gaps?
- Is the flue solid from stove top to collar?
- Is the flue blanking plate sealed and secure?
- Has the flue been swept since last season?
- Is your chimney in good condition?
- Is the stove still firmly attached to the hearth?
- Are there any signs of scorching around the stove or flue and are all furnishings and combustibles out of the way?
Then there is the question of fuel. With energy prices soaring its likely people will be considering alternatives to the fuels they normally use. Please be very careful with fuel that you are unfamiliar with, especially if you are banking the fire up. Some coals and eco-log products can burn extremely hot. Overfiring of solid fuel stoves is a major cause of boat fires.
Unseasoned wood is another danger to avoid. It does not give off much heat but it does produce a lot of carbon monoxide and water vapour which can corrode your stove and flue, and make a black mess on the roof or down the cabin side.
Did you know?
- a 1kg log with moisture content of 60% has about a cupful of water in it and will give just 2kw energy.
- A seasoned 1kg log with 20% moisture will give 4kw energy and can burn cleanly and efficiently
As such you can see – burning unseasoned wood is a bad idea on so many levels.
Be sure to stay safe as well as warm this winter. Need help or advice? Be sure to reach out and contact us today and talk to us about your requirements or questions!
