ali-s Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Our woodburner should be installed the week after next Do we need any extra bits and pieces? I have made a little list Stove gloves Stove thermometer splitting Maul Wood grenade Ecofan - these are expensive and do they really work? Andy has a chainsaw which I am keeping away from, I find them very scary. Anything else I need? thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 A comfy armchair and large mug? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 ...and a chestnut roasting pan and a toasting fork (that's what I bought my sister for Christmas last year as they'd just had a stove fitted) oh! and one of those log makers for using waste paper......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 The first thing I bought was a poker - although it doesn't need poking like a regular fire, there are always times when you want to shove the burning logs over to make room for more, or to move them around a bit. Get one with a little prong on it, that helps you to roll logs over. I've also bought a stove thermometer, which I just got off eBay. I don't have stove gloves, I already had a toasting fork, and I did invest in a chestnut roaster although you could do them in an old tin lid or something. I've thought about the Ecofan, they get good reports but it's a lot of money. A friend gave me a log-maker for Christmas last year, it's not the 'wet' brick sort, but one that makes a roll that you fill with shredded or waste paper. They're good for starting the fire, but make a lot of ash and don't give out much heat. The next thing I'm planning on buying is an ash carrier to empty the hot ash into - you don't need to do it every day, but it makes it tidier than carrying the ash-pan out of the door and it blowing everywhere! I'd also like to get one of those DustBuster handheld vacuum thingies, because there is always a bit of dust, ash or wood dust around the stove. Oh, and I've got an axe for kindling, a grenade and sledge-hammer which I am not entirely sure how to use and an ordinary hand-saw. How exciting, I remember the frustration of waiting for the new plaster to dry before I could light mine! It does make the onset of winter more exciting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted November 6, 2009 Author Share Posted November 6, 2009 Thanks for the ideas. I already have tongs and a poker. I saw a special kindling axe in the Screwfix catalogue, I will add one to the list. We have quite a pile of tree trunks in our garden. I am not sure how long they have been lying around or what type of tree they were. Andy will be building another woodstore at some point as the one we have is very rickerty. A ashcarrier is a good idea as I am forever getting a faceful of coal ash when I empty the ashpan into the bin. I am planning to use some of the wood ash in the garden and the Chicken's dustbath. comfy armchair ready and waiting Log maker now on the list. Toasting fork, Mum has got one that belonged to my great Grandma. I remember using it when I was a child, I will give her a call to see if I can have have it. It never gets used any more but it still gets a clean with Brasso every week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Just one tip; DO NOT try using sawdust or wood shavings to help light the fire. There's just too much surface area, so it can be quite explosive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted November 6, 2009 Author Share Posted November 6, 2009 Thanks for that tip MBN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 mmmmmmmm Brasso flavoured toast!!! My toasting fork has marshmallow stuck on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 And make sure you have a METAL bucket to put ash in. And make sure you put it outside. The fire mum started in my house could have been a lot worse if it had actually gone to flames rather than just smouldering floorboards. And she's the one who grew up in a house with fires Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickweed Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 Our neighbours regularly give us tree branches and other suitable stuff to use on our open fire. It saves them time and effort filling their garden waste bins or going to the tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milly Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 What's a wood grenade? We have a poker, thermometer and an axe for splitting wood. The ash is usually cold when we empty it out, so we just put it in a bag and take it out. With evening use (we are at work during the day) it only needs emptying once a week as the wood burns away to very little. Milly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted November 7, 2009 Author Share Posted November 7, 2009 A wood grenade is a cast iron pyramid shaped wedge that you whack into logs with a splitting maul or an axe. It is supposed to make splitting logs a lot easier, I have heard good reports about them. Screwfix sell them along with the mauls and kindling axes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 A friend gave me a log-maker for Christmas last year, it's not the 'wet' brick sort, but one that makes a roll that you fill with shredded or waste paper. They're good for starting the fire, but make a lot of ash and don't give out much heat. Ooh, I've been trying to think all week about what to get dad for christmas He was going on about getting one of these last year so I might get him one Which is best to get, a wet or dry one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 I've only had this 'dry' one - I believe the wet brick ones take a long time to dry. As I said, mine is useful for starting the fire with but the logs burn quickly and you couldn't keep a fire going indefinitely with them. It's a great way to get rid of shredded paper though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Thanks I think he wants a wet one and we can dry them in the wood store over the summer. Even if it's not great he can still play Edit: Just bought him one for £15 - Hope he likes it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Too late.....but we've got the same one as Olly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 It arrived today in a box with Paper Log Maker and all the info about it on the box - subtle Father's off with his back so probably saw it but will keep quiet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 It arrived today in a box with Paper Log Maker and all the info about it on the box - subtle Father's off with his back so probably saw it but will keep quiet He'll have forgotten about it by Christmas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 He'll have forgotten by tomorrow He always forgets things - it was the chickens the other day so they were still out and it was pitch black and he run door blew shut so they couldn't put themselves away ... found them in the old rabbit hutch I think he's getting old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
