Flamecraft's Blog

December Opening Times

Thu, 03 Dec 2020 14:11:47 GMT

We are open again.

We all made it through second lockdown and are pleased to be open to the general public once more. We welcome customers to come visit us, but kindly ask they adhere to the government guidelines regarding social distancing.

While we understand lockdown was frustrating, we are in a tier 3 area and therefore we also ask that our customers shop responsibly and only come into the showroom for essential purposes when possible. We are still able to take orders for stove spares over phone and email and in many cases out manufacturers will deliver these directly to our customers to help us to reduce the need for people to put themselves at risk of Covid-19. We know we sound like we are lecturing, however we want to ensure all our customers have a very happy and healthy Christmas.

With all this in mind, we have reduced the hours the showroom will be open. We will review these regularly and open for longer if needed, we are also able to arrange appointments to visit the showroom at Baytree outside these hours,

Our December opening hours are as follows:

Monday: CLOSED (Pre-booked appointments available)

Tuesday: CLOSED (Pre-booked appointments available)

Wednesday: CLOSED (Pre-booked appointments available)

Thursday: 10am - 2pm (Pre-booked appointments available till 5pm)

Friday: 10am - 2pm (Pre-booked appointments available till 5pm)

Saturday: 10am - 5pm

Sunday: 10am - 4pm

We kindly ask when pre-booking appointments Monday - Wednesday that customers give 24 hours notice and Pre-booked appointments are available between 10am - 5pm. On Thursdays and Fridays appointments can be pre-booked on the day before 1:30pm via calling 01406 373600.

We are available via emailing flamecraftuk@aol.com outside our opening hours and will try to reply to customers as quickly as possible.

Call & Collect Available during Second Lockdown

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 13:57:49 GMT

We wont leave you cold during second lockdown.

With second lockdown looming many of our customers are concerned about being able to purchase fuel and spare parts during second lockdown. We completely understand this and whilst our showroom wont be open to the general public we are running a 'Call & Collect' service.

We encourage customers to place orders over the phone on 01406 373600 or via email flamecraftuk@aol.com, this is available for our entire product line. We are also contactable via phone and email for general enquiries.

We will still be able to source spare parts throughout the lockdown period and many of our manufacturers will deliver these directly to your door. Bulk bags of logs can still be delivered however carry bags of logs, briquettes, smokeless coal, firelighters & kindling are collection only.

We will be in the showroom on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am - 5pm for customers to book in to collect orders were we cannot arrange direct delivery.

Thank you for your patience at this challenging time, please stay safe and we will see you all on the other side of lockdown.

Introducing Saltfire & Ekol stoves!

Sun, 01 Nov 2020 13:15:48 GMT

With several wood burning and multi fuel stoves from these brands on display in our showroom.

In October we teased that we were going to expand our range of wood burning and multi fuels stoves to give our customers a bigger range of Ecodesign Approved stoves that would suit a range of budgets, and we are excited to finally be able to introduce our two new brands to you.

Introducing Ekol.

Every Ekol Woodburning & Multifuel stove is handcrafted in Dorset.

There are many ranges and models of wood burning and multifuel stoves within the Ekol brand, allowing for a wide range of styles and heat outputs.

The Adept Range

The Ekol Adept has a nominal heat output of 5kW and with many styles and customisation options avaialble the Adept can be personalised to your tastes, needs and living space.

The dual layer steel construction makes the Ekol Adept woodburning stove range incredibly heavy-duty and hardworking and it comes with a 10-Year body warranty.

The Ekol Adept is ClearSkies Rated, EcoDesign 2022 Approved, meaning it is futureproofed and complies with the incoming changes in regulations. It is also DEFRA Exempt which makes it approved for use in smoke-controlled areas.

Apple Pie Range

The Ekol Apple Pie range has been designed with compact spaces in mind with a nominal heat output of 4kW to keep you toasty. Its compact size and impressive heat output the Apple Pie is a perfect addition to yurts, glamping pods, log cabins, shepherd’s huts, compact fireplaces and even boats!

The Ekol Apple Pie’s unique design is simple, attractive, and incredibly customisable.

The Apple Pie features a full cast iron construction, making this stove sturdy, heavy and built to last with a 10-Year Body Warranty,

The Ekol Apple Pie is EcoDesign 2022 Approved,. DEFRA Exempt and ClearSkies rated, assuring you that this stove is cleanburning and efficient.

Clarity Range

The minimalist design of the Ekol Clarity multifuel stove range allows it to harmonise seamlessly with your living space. Whether your tastes are contemporary, or you prefer a more rustic décor, this stove range has a multifuel stove for you.

The Ekol Clarity range of multifuel stoves are cleanburning and efficient, producing less ash whilst creating a unique and visually stunning flame pattern.The advanced-airwash keeps the glass clear to allow you a clear view of the flames as well as less cleaning.

The Ekol Clarity range (With the exception of the Double-Sided model) has a ClearSkies 5 Rating, meaning this stove is 30% cleaner burning and efficient than required to pass EcoDesign 2022. The entire range is EcoDesign 2022 Approved and DEFRA Exempt, making it approved for use in smoke-controlled areas.

Crystal Range

The traditional design of the Ekol Crystal range of multifuel stoves is exactly how many imagine a multifuel stove to look, its timeless design features a large glass viewing window for an unrestricted view of the flames within.

With 5kW, 8kW and 12kW models, there is a stove to heat every living space in style. The Ekol Crystal range of multifuel stoves are cleanburning and efficient, producing less ash whilst creating a unique and visually stunning flame pattern. The advanced-airwash keeps the glass clear to allow you a clear view of the flames as well as less cleaning.
The Ekol Crystal Range of multiFuel stoves has a ClearSkies 5 Rating, meaning this stove is 30% cleaner burning and efficient than required to pass EcoDesign 2022. The entire range is EcoDesign 2022 Approved and DEFRA Exempt, making it approved for use in smoke-controlled areas.

Introducing Saltfire

Every Saltfire Woodburning & Multifuel stove is handcrafted in Dorset.

There are many ranges and models of wood burning and multifuel stoves within the Saltfire brand, allowing for a wide range of styles and heat outputs.

ST Range

The Saltfire ST Range of stoves features both woodburning & multifuel stoves with a minimalist design, allowing these stoves to harmonise with many styles of interior decoration. All of the stoves in this range feature an advanced-airwash to keep the large glass vieiwing window clear whilst you watch the unique flame pattern created by Saltfire's afterburner technology. This range of stoves is of a high-quality steel construction with thermo-refactory fire brick linings.

All the stoves in this range carry a 3-Year Guarantee.

Every Saltfire ST stove is EcoDesign Approved, with a ClearSkies 5 rating and is DEFRA Exempt.

ST-X Range

The Saltfire ST-X range of multi fuel stoves comes in four sizes with of heat outputs of 4.1kW, 5kW, 8kW and a wide 5kW option available. This range features a minimalist design, with a large glass viewing window that will fit into your home seamlessly, bringing heat and harmony. The hybrid construction features a thick steel outer body and cast-iron components and includes thermo-refractory fire brick linings. The Advanced-airwash keeps the glass clear to allow you to genuinely enjoy the large glass viewing window and unique flame pattern.

This range of stoves is built to last and be easy to maintain with a 5-Year Guarantee.

The Saltfire ST-X range is EcoDesign 2022 approved, Defra Exempt and the ST-X5, ST-X5 Tall, ST-X8, ST-X8 Tall are rated as ClearSkies 5.

Peanut Range

The simple and tastefully designed Saltfire Peanut range of woodburners come in four sizes with 4.7kW, 5kW & 7.9kW nominal heat outputs. These stoves will heat your home in style boasting a contemporary aesthetic. This range features traditional cast-iron construction for maximum heat retention, but the technologies incorporated into the design are cutting edge. Featuring an advanced-airwash to keep the glass clear and easy to use controls that allow to go between low burning and high burning with ease and without losing the Peanut range’s high efficiency! The Saltfire Peanut range are reliable, cleanburning and efficient.

EcoDesign 2022 Approved, DEFRA Exempt & ClearSkies rated.

What is Clear Skies?

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 11:59:48 GMT

Rest assured you are buying an environmentally kind wood burner or multi fuel stove with the clear skies scheme.

The clearskies scheme has been recently introduced, and many of the wood burners and multi fuel stoves we sell have a clear skies mark. However many of our customers see this logo and are left wondering what it actually means. Therefore we have put together the basics explaining what clear skies is, and how this potentially will effect choosing a wood burner or multi fuel stove.

What is Clear Skies?

Clear Skies is an organisation dedicated to encouraging the stove industry to produce environmentally kind, low emission, highly efficient wood burners and multi fuel stoves. Their independent certification scheme is designed to encourage stove manufacturers to not just meet the incoming Ecodesign 2022 regulations but exceed them, thus improving air quality for all of us.

How does it work?

Clear Skies provides independent certification based on the performance of the wood burning or multi fuel stove.

All clearSkies certified wood burners and multi fuel stoves have to meet the minimum performance level required for Ecodesign regulations. These regulations have stringent emissions limits and require the stoves to be highly efficient.

Find out more about the Ecodesign regulations by clicking here.

What are the different clearSkies levels and what does it mean for homeowners?

The levels of the clearSkies independent certification scheme makes it easy for homeowners to identify just how clean burning wood burners and multi fuel are.

Wood burning stoves are eligible to qualify for different levels of clearSkies certification, the higher the level the better the preformance and the kinder the stove is to the environment.

clearSkies 2

Appliances with a clearSkies 2 rating are Ecodesign 2022 compliant.

However these appliances are NOT DEFRA Exempt.

clearSkies 3

Appliances with a clearSkies 3 rating are Ecodesign 2022 compliant.

These appliances are DEFRA Exempt.

clearSkies 4

Appliances with a clearSkies 4 rating are Ecodesign 2022 compliant with a 15% improvement on the minimum standards required to meet the Ecodesign regulations.

These appliances are DEFRA Exempt.

clearSkies 5

Appliances with a clearSkies 5 rating are Ecodesign 2022 compliant with a 30% improvement on the minimum standards required to meet the Ecodesign regulations.

These appliances are DEFRA Exempt.

ClearSkies is dedicated to promoting wood burning, and therefore while they do cover multi fuel (mineral fuel) stoves, they are not eligible for a clearskies level, and therefore only qualify to carry a clearSkies mark with no level if they have met the requirements for the Ecodesign regulations.

Why is this important?

We feel this scheme not only encourages the stove industry to design and manufacture highly efficient & cleaner burning wood burners and multi fuel stoves, but it also provides a simple and helpful guide for homeowners to aid in making a more informed decision about the stoves they are considering.

EcoDesign 2022: What do I need to know?

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 15:46:56 GMT

EcoDesign 2022 is changes to regulations for the Stove Industry.

Whilst we made a post about the EcoDesign 2022 Regulations when they hit the media clarifying that wood burners and multi fuel stoves are not being banned , more information has become available and we are now able to offer a wide range of EcoDesign 2022 Approved wood burning & multi fuel stoves . In light of this, we have decided to go over what EcoDesign 2022 is and why it is so important to you as a customer.

Before we go into the EcoDesign 2022 regulations, it is important to understand why these changes are happening and who is regulating these changes.

The Clean Air Strategy.

Now if you have watched the news in recently you may have heard about the governments target of the country becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050, and the Clean Air Strategy is part of this target.

In relation to stoves the Clean Air Strategy includes:

Introducing new legislation concerning the the sale of the most polluting fuels.

This includes the banning of burning house coal and limiting the purchase of wood so all wood purchased for burning in the home will have a moisture content below 20%. The stove industry has been ahead of this change and has promoted the use of smokeless fuels and kiln dried or seasoned logs for many years heavily highlighting it in literature such as user manuals, in many cases not using these fuels will void guarantees on appliances and pipework.

There are initiatives such as woodsure and ready to burn with promote and help assure customers that they are selecting approved fuels.

Find out more about the changes to wood and coal by clicking here.

Improve efficiency and cleanburning of wood burning & multi fuel stoves

By January 1st 2022 all wood burning and multi fuel stoves being manufactured MUST be at least 75% efficient and have stringent rules on the production of emissions (including particulate matter, CO2, NOx, CO and organic gaseous compounds). Simply, this will make stoves much cleaner burning and kinder to the environment.

These new regulations will change how stoves are designed, and mean that many existing ranges will have to be redesigned to comply with them. In order to know your wood burner or multi fuel stove complies to this look for EcoDesign 2022 Approved stoves.

DEFRA, HETAS & The Stove Industry Alliance.

If you have purchased a wood burner or multi fuel stove in the past or are looking at purchasing one, likely hood is you have heard of DEFRA, HETAS and the SIA. That is because when it comes to the stove industry they are the key regulators.

These names will also appear throughout this post.

DEFRA

The government Department for Environmental, Food & Rural Affairs.

You may have seen DEFRA Exempt or DEFRA Approved in descriptions of some stoves, this is because there are currently extra regulations concerning installing a wood burner or multi fuel stoves in Smoke Controlled Areas.

Until the 1st January 2022 if you live in a smoke controlled area and want a wood burner or multi fuel stove you MUST have a DEFRA Exempt or DEFRA Approved stove. After that date the stove must be EcoDesign Approved.

The Stove Industry Alliance (SIA)

An association of stove manufacturers and distributors, wood fuel suppliers, flue and glass manufacturers and test approval bodies. This includes the SIA retail group of independent stove and fireplace retailers. All members of the SIA are pledged to the SIA mission “To promote and explain the benefits and environmental advantages of stoves as heating appliances.”, which means they are dedicated to the latest low carbon, low emission, Ecodesign ready wood burners & multi fuel stoves.

HETAS

A non-profit organistation that offers a competent person scheme for heating engineers who work with biomass and soild fuel, allowing them to self certificate installations as safe whilst providing protection for both installers and customers. They also approve wood burners, multi fuel stoves, biomass systems, pipework and fuels for use and offer registration schemes for retailers and chimney sweeps.

In order to become HETAS registered installers, retailers and chimney sweeps must complete training courses and compliance checks.

What is Ecodesign?

Ecodesign is a EU wide initiative designed to lower emissions produced by wood burning and multi fuel stoves.

Ecodesign is for wood burners, multi fuel stoves and boiler stoves.

The EcoDesign regulations are for wood burners, multi fuel and boiler stoves.

These appliances are tested on the declared fuel types to ensure they meet or exceed Ecodesign regulations in order to be approved.

For multi fuel stoves & multi fuel boiler stoves there will be separate results for wood and smokeless coal to ensure both fuel types meet the requirements.

Lowering Emissions

The new emission limits are significantly lower than the previous limits (required for DERRA exemption) and include a wider range of gases. The Ecodesign regulations limit the particulate matter, CO2, NOx, CO & organic gaseous compounds a wood burner or multi fuel stove can produce.

Basically, the new emissions limits are significantly lower than they were previously, making Ecodesign Approved (formerly SIA Ecodesign Ready) stoves incredibly clean burning and much kinder to the environment.

Increasing efficiency

Ecodesign ready stoves are more efficient than their non Ecodesign counterparts, meaning you get more heat and less waste.

The Ecolabel

The Ecolabel is an energy label that is required with wood burning and multi fuel stoves since January 1st 2018. This should include the A to G energy efficiency class for that wood burning or multi fuel stove model. .

When will Ecodesign be implemented?

It is already possible to purchase EcoDesign 2022 approved wood burners and multi fuel stoves, however it is officially implemented on January 1st 2022. From this date it will be illigal to manufacturer and sell stoves that don't comply with the Ecodesign regulations. (Stoves already in the supply chain are exempt and can be sold after this date).

What does this mean for stove owners?

For those who have a wood burner or multi fuel stove already installed can keep it.

The Ecodesign regulations only apply to new stoves. So your current stove is exempt, however if you replace your stove after January 1st 2022 your new stove will have to be Ecodesign.

For those looking to purchase a new stove we recommend choosing Ecodesign 2022 approved stoves when possible.

This is not only to guarantee customers that they are getting a futureproofed stove that complies with the incoming regulations but because they are cleaner burning and more efficient, making them more cost effective to run. This means that Ecodesign stoves are kinder to the environment and your pocket.

How Flamecraft have prepared for the Ecodesign regulations.

When these regulations were announced we pledged to only have Ecodesign 2022 approved (formerly Ecodesign 2022 ready) stoves on display in our showroom buy 2021, and we are most the way there. For the past 18 months we have purchased several new Ecodesign 2022 Approved stoves for display in our showroom. Even going as far as to introduce new brands to increase the range of Ecodesign 2022 approved stoves available to choose from.

We also try to encourage all customers to choose to choose an Ecodesign 2022 approved stove when we can.

Our range of wood burners & multi fuel stoves is about to get bigger!

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 11:43:54 GMT

The winter is coming in, and it's the perfect time to get a wood burner to curl up in front of on those long cold nights.

It is the season for hot chocolate, fluffy blankets, hot water bottles and curling up in front of a roaring fire. With the days getting sorter and the nights getting longer it means we are busy installing wood burning and multi fuel stoves in homes. Like for many this year has been challenging, and we have worked tirelessly to ensure our customers will still receive the best service possible from us. We also understand that with the challenges of the past year many of us we are looking for more affordable heating options for this winter.

Over the summer we have had many discussions about the issues we are all facing, and we knew we wanted to do everything we could to ensure our customers can still enjoy owning a wood burner or multi fuel stove. On top of the challenges this year has brought us all we are also very aware that since the announcement of the incoming Ecodesign regulations more and more of our customers are coming to us looking for Ecodesign 2022 Approved wood burners and multi fuel stoves. While we had Ecodesign stoves available, we wanted to give our customers more options to choose from.

So, we knew we had two targets:

1. Have wood burning and multi fuels stove options available for a range of different budgets.

2. Expand our range of Ecodesign Approved stoves.

We went through many different ideas until we finally realised the solution was in front of us (literally in a pile of brochures we had from a trade show we visited last year). A manufacturer that had a huge range of Ecodesign 2022 approved wood burning and multi fuel stoves that meet our own guidelines for quality and design (as well as being manufactured in the UK), and to top that off offering a range of price points that would allow us to offer more affordable stoves. So of course we gave them a call.

We a proud to announce that from the start of November, coinciding with our 13th Birthday celebrations we will be unveiling several new stoves on display in our showroom. What stoves? Well you will have to wait until then to find out!

Winter Opening Hours

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 13:41:58 GMT

Extended opening hours starting from 14th October 2020.

With the cold weather rolling in we are extending our opening hours to the following:

Monday: CLOSED

Tuesday: CLOSED

Wednesday: 10am - 5pm

Thursday: 10am - 5pm

Friday: 10am - 5pm

Saturday: 10am - 5pm

Sunday: 10 - 4pm

We look forward to seeing you.

Traditional wood burning with a modern look.

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 12:46:08 GMT

Wood burners and multi fuels stoves for modern living.

Everyone has their own style and taste, and they develop and change over time. In recent years our customers are coming to us wanting more sleek and contemporary designs that allow for a full view of the flames within a wood burner or multi fuel stove. We have put together a selection of stoves that have been designed for modern living with a contemporary aesthetic. Every wood burner and multi fuel stove on this list are Ecodesign 2022 approved.

The Parkray Aspect Range.

Since the release of the Parkray Aspect range it has become a firm favourite with our customers here at Flamecraft, and quickly became a best-seller. Parkray Aspect wood burning and multi fuel stoves are attractive, reliable, efficient and many of the stoves in the range are EcoDesign 2022 Ready. This is one of the most controllable stove ranges we have come across and features a sleek and clean design with a huge glass viewing window to ensure an unobstructed view of the roaring flames within. You can also customise this stove, with a choice of a stainless or a black door handle, multi fuel or wood burner and options to add a log plinth or bench.

This range comes in a range of sizes and heat outputs from 3 - 5 kW all the way up to 8 - 15 kW.

The Herald Allure Range.

The Herald Allure range of wood burning stoves from Hunter Stoves Group combines the simplicity of contemporary designs with the long-standing tradition of wood burning. The smooth and sleek design frames the large glass viewing window, allowing you the absolute best view of the roaring flames within. Perfect for curling up in front of the fire on those cold winter nights! The entire range is futureproofed with incredibly low emissions making these stoves both exempt for smoke-controlled areas (DEFRA Exempt) and EcoDesign 2022 Ready.

This range comes in a range of sizes and heat outputs from 3 - 5 kW to 5- 7 kW.

The Di Lusso R Cassette Range.

Hunter Stoves Group, the manufacturers of the Di Lusso brand of wood burning & multi fuel stoves are dedicated to developing stove technologies, and the Di Lusso range is at the forefront of their research and development featuring many new and ingenious technologies to ensure you get a stove that is both incredibly efficient & easy to use, featuring Dynamic Control Technology which allows effective and efficient burning at both high and low temperatures.

The Di Lusso Eco R range are fully compliant with the new Ecodesign 2022 regulations.

This range comes in a range of sizes and heat outputs from 2 - 6 kW all the way up to 4 - 13 kW.

The Di Lusso R Euro Range.

The Di Lusso Eco R Euro range are fully compliant with the new Ecodesign 2022 regulations.

This range comes in two of sizes and heat outputs from 2 - 6 kW and 3 - 13 kW.

The Arada Farringdon Range.

The entire Arada Farringdon Range is EcoDesign 2022 Ready. In fact it actually exceeds the minimum requirements to become compliant, making this range of stoves very clean to burn.

The sleek and minimalist design of the Arada Farringdon Range allows this versatile stove to harmonise with both rustic and contemporary living spaces. With all of the customisation options available you can personalise the Arada Farringdon Range of stoves to suit your individual tastes. Customisation options include: Stove Body & Door Colour and the addition of a stand, log store or pedestal.

This range comes in a range of sizes and heat outputs from 4.9kW all the way up to 11.4kW.

My house comes with a Wood Burner/Multi Fuel Stove, what do I need to know?

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 11:41:12 GMT

It's becoming more and more common to buy a house with a wood burner or multi fuel stove already installed. Many customers come to us asking for advise concerning inheriting a wood burner or multi fuel stove from a previous owner. So we have put together a checklist.

Check for a Certificate of Compliance

A certificate of compliance is what confirms that the installation of the wood burner or multifuel stove is compliant. This means the installation has been completed in accordance with regulations and is safe to use.

A certificate of compliance can come in two forms:

A HETAS Certificate

Some versions are an A4 sheet usually pink, others are a smaller (Approx. A5) certificate. The version depends on the age of the installation and whether the installer used the paper sign off system (A4 Pink) or the new online portal to sign off (Approx. A5 and supplied directly from HETAS).

Signed off as compliant through your Local Authority.

Some installations are signed off directly through your local authority. This is usually done by a building inspector alongside other building works.

I've already moved in and haven't got a certificate of compliance.

Don't panic. We strongly advise not using the fire until you have a certificate of compliance, however not having a certificate of compliance provided at hand over doesn't automatically mean that the wood burner or multi fuel stove is non-compliant. In some cases this is simply that the certificate has been lost.

There are two simple steps to follow if you haven't received a certificate of compliance from the previous owners:

STEP 1:

Contact HETAS and/or your local authority to see if they have an installation on record for the address.

If the answer is:

YES: Simply ask for a copy of the certificate of compliance. This usually has a small cost involved. This will confirm the installation is compliant. If you are still uncomfortable, you can contact a local HETAS installer to inspect the works and advise you.

NO: Do not use the wood burner or multi fuel stove. Go to Step 2.

STEP 2 (Only if the answer is no to Step 1):

If you would like to use the stove have it inspected and if necessary have it re-installed safely contact a HETAS registered installer.

If you would like to use the wood burner or multi fuel stove contact a HETAS registered installer to inspect the installation to quote for a re-fit to make the installation compliant if necessary.

In our experience, the majority of installations that haven't been signed of with a certificate of compliance need to be reinstalled for safety. This process is similar to installing a brand new stove, you would need to choose an installer, have an inspection, receive a quote and then decide whether or not to go ahead. The installation would be signed off by the new installer when they complete the works and you would then receive a certificate of compliance.

To ensure you are contacting a HETAS registered installer you can search the HETAS database by clicking here .

If you have decided you would rather not have the wood burner or multi fuel stove we would recommend having it removed, and the chimney capped & blocked off if a new heat source is not going in its place.

Beware of fraudulent certificates.

The influx of fake compliance certificates has been featured in the media in the past few years, and with shows such as Rip Off Britain, we as consumers are becoming more aware of our rights and what to look out for.

Sadly however, we are still coming across (all be it not many) customers who have had fraudulent certificates of compliance. Therefore, we feel we need to help raise awareness, and give our customers the knowledge they need to ensure that they are getting the genuine article. Its simple to check too, you can contact either HETAS or your local authority (depending on which type of certificate of compliance is provided), and confirm that you have a genuine certificate of compliance.

Check when the wood burner or multi fuel stove last had a service and/or chimney sweep.

We often compare owning a wood burner or multi fuel stove to a car, you need an MOT once a year to ensure it's safe. It's why we call our stove servicing a 'Stove MOT'. In simple terms, a wood burner or multi fuel stove needs to have the chimney swept a minimum of once a year. This is to comply with any warranties on the stove and pipework as well as with your home insurance policy (policies my vary, always check with your provider). A stove service goes a step further and includes preventative maintenance to help prevent problems arising at a later date.

Ask for proof that a chimney sweep/stove service has been preformed in the past 12 months.

This should come in the form of a certificate to confirm who preformed the chimney sweep/service & when it was completed. This not only assured you that the stove is safe to use, and wont invalidate your new home insurance policy but also so you will know when the next chimney sweep/service is due by.

No proof of a recent chimney sweep/stove service has been provided.

If you have not received any proof of a chimney sweep or stove service having been preformed in the past 12 months, book in for either a chimney sweep or stove service as soon as possible. Not having a yearly sweep can invalidate your home insurance policy (check with your provider as policies may vary) and any guarantees on the wood burner, multi fuel stove and pipework. It will also ensure your fire & chimney are safe for use.

Check for the wood burner or multi fuel stoves make, model and any manuals.

This is important because it will help you be able to source any spare parts you may need in the future much easier.

Why is the make and model so important when sourcing spares?

While it is possible to sort glass, firebrick, gasket and rope spares without knowing the make and model, it is much harder (sometimes near impossible) to source many of the internal spares such as a baffle/throat plate, riddle bars etc. without knowing the make and model of the wood burner or multi fuel stove. Many of these internal parts are needed for the fire to work efficiently and safely, therefore if the part needs replacing and cannot be sourced, it may mean your stove will be condemned as it will no longer be safe for use.

Manuals make sourcing spares easier and have guidance on how to use the wood burner or multi fuel stove.

The manual makes sourcing spares even easier as often they contain spare parts codes that can be incredibly helpful when looking at spare parts as it ensures you will be getting the correct part and removes some of the guess work. (We have one make and model that have 5 different versions of that model spanning 20 years that all have different parts). It really will make your life easier!

The manuals also contain guidance on how to operate your inherited stove, and with the all the changes in woodburning technologies and the many different manfacturers not every wood burner or multi fuel stove will work the same.

If you have the make and model but no manual, it is often possible to source a copy of the manual directly from the manufacturer.

Update: When visiting our showroom

Sat, 25 Jul 2020 13:35:42 GMT

We are open again and ready to welcome customers back into our showroom. However following government guidelines and to keep our team and customers safe we kindly ask customers to adhere to the following:

When visiting please follow Baytree Garden Centre's one way system.
Due to the width of our showroom and the positioning of our doors we are only able to accommodate one household at a time whilst adhering to social distancing. We are unable to ensure that there is a 2 meter distance between households due to our built in displays which allow for less than a 2 meter gap between them. Therefore we may politely ask customers to wait outside with a 2 meter distance from the door if we are already serving a household in the showroom, or return later.
Please sanitise you hands upon entering the showroom.
We are doing our best to sanitise the door handles, card machine and any handles on the stoves between customers. We kindly ask customers are patient with us as during busy periods they may be asked to refrain from touching the handles on the stoves until they are sanitised.
We politely ask that you speak to a member of the team before touching any accessories or care products in the showroom, as this will allow our team to sanitise the products to ensure they are safe for the next customer to handle.

Update:

We kindly ask you wear an appropriate face mask/covering when visiting our showroom.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience at this challenging time.

Why summer is the best time to buy a wood burner or multi fuel stove!

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 14:09:10 GMT

While none of us are really thinking about heating at the moment, summer really is the best time to get a wood burner or multi fuel stove installed!

There is no denying lockdown has been a challenge for all of us, however the weather has been amazing and many of us have flocked to our gardens to enjoy the amazing sun we have been having. Not that we can blame you, we have done the same. Many of us have also worked on those home renovations we suddenly have had the time to do! Many of the team have taken advantage and done a lot of repainting inside and out. Our homes and gardens have had a lot of TLC and we know we aren't the only ones. So we are taking this opportunity to encourage you to consider getting a wood burner or multi fuel stove fitted sooner rather than later. Now, we know the weather is still amazing and a wood burner or multi fuel stove is probably the last thing on your mind, but hear us out, now really is the best time to get a stove fitted!

You'll be prepared for when the weather turns cold.

We know, after the summer we've had its hard to imagine it suddenly turning cold, but this is the UK and we know our weather is anything but predictable. If you get a wood burner or multi fuel stove installed now you will be ready for when the weather turns and wont be left cold.

Shorter lead times and less chance what you want will be out of stock.

During the summer months less people are having fireplaces, wood burners and multi fuel stoves installed, which means less pressure on manufacturers and much shorter waiting times for products (particularly with natural stones and wood). Once we hit September our diary books quickly and usually by October we are booked through December! Getting in with us early means you will not have to wait as long to get your new stove installed.

This guarantees you will have your stove for Christmas

I know its too early to think about Christmas but every year we have to tell many of our customers we have no space left to install a stove before Christmas, this is because everyone wants a roaring fire on Christmas day. Getting in early ensures you wont miss out.

When visiting our showroom

Sat, 04 Jul 2020 13:32:00 GMT

When visiting please follow Baytree Garden Centre's one way system.
Due to the width of our showroom and the positioning of our doors we are only able to accommodate one household at a time whilst adhering to social distancing. We are unable to ensure that there is a 2 meter distance between households due to our built in displays which allow for less than a 2 meter gap between them. Therefore we may politely ask customers to wait outside with a 2 meter distance from the door if we are already serving a household in the showroom, or return later.
Please sanitise you hands upon entering the showroom.
We are doing our best to sanitise the door handles, card machine and any handles on the stoves between customers. We kindly ask customers are patient with us as during busy periods they may be asked to refrain from touching the handles on the stoves until they are sanitised.
We politely ask that you speak to a member of the team before touching any accessories or care products in the showroom, as this will allow our team to sanitise the products to ensure they are safe for the next customer to handle.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience at this challenging time.

Our Showroom Is Open Again!

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 14:45:48 GMT

We are please to announce we re-opened today!

We have re-opened our showroom at Baytree Nurseries Garden Centre. However we will be running reduced hours.

We will be open:

Fridays 10am - 5pm

Saturdays 10am - 5pm

Sundays 10am - 4pm

Due to Government guidelines we will only be able to have one household enter our showroom at a time and we require all customers to sanitise their hands upon entry.

We look forward to seeing you,

Due to Covid-19 our Showroom is temporarily closed.

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 15:34:21 GMT

We apologise for the inconvenience.

Unfortunately due to Covid-19 and Government guidelines we have temporarily closed the showroom. We apologise to our customers and we hope to be open again soon.

We are still contactable via email: flamecraftuk@aol.com

We will update you as soon as anything changes. Stay Safe and Thank You for your patience.

Are multi fuel and woodburning stove fuels being banned?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Short answer: Not all of them. Long Answer: New regulations.

The government has announced changes to the regulations concerning woodburning & multi fuel stove fuels due to the harmful level of pollutants that they produce.

The changes:

Traditional house coal will be phased out. By February 2021 bagged house coal will no longer be available for sale, and by 2023 loose house coal that is delivered direct will no longer be available.

Wet wood will be phased out from February 2021. This is only for sales below two cubic metres, for amounts above this it will still be sold with advice on how to properly dry the wood for burning.

Solid fuel products that remain on sale will require the manufactures to provide proof of a low sulphur content and minimal smoke emissions. Smokeless coal will remain on sale as long as it meets the new regulations.

What does this mean to owners of multi fuel or woodburning stoves?

The honest answer is not a lot.

Industry standard has been ahead of these changes for several years. Anyone that has purchased a stove in recent years will have been advised that burning wet wood, which has a moisture content above 20% and house coal will invalidate any guarantees for a woodburner, multi fuel stove and any pipework required for the installation. More often than not operating instructions provided with stoves will clearly state that only seasoned or kiln dried logs with a moisture content of below 20% or smokeless fuels can be burnt inside the units, any other fuel will invalidate guarantees.

The reasoning behind this is not just due to emissions but also because traditional house coal and wet wood produce a great deal of soot, tar, creosote and other harmful substances that can cause damage to stoves and pipework, as well as heightening the risk of a chimney fire.

Most reputable retailers avoid selling wet wood to the general public already and sell either seasoned or kiln dried logs. Most will advise if you want true ready to burn logs to purchase kiln dried as the process they go through to dry them often gets a lower moisture content that logs that have been left to season naturally for eighteen months plus.

All reputable coal merchants and HETAS engineers who are qualified installers of multi fuel stoves will advise not to burn traditional house coal in stoves, and heavily stress that only smokeless fuels can be burnt.

Who will these changes actually effect?

These changes will primarily affect open fire owners who will no longer be able to purchase house coal and those who are not aware that they should not be burning these fuels in woodburners or multi fuel stoves already.

IN OUR SHOWROOM: The HERALD ALLURE range.

Fri, 14 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT

All three of the NEW Herald Allure stoves are EcoDesign 2022 Ready.

Pictured: Herald Allure 07 on demo in our showroom at Baytree Garden Centre, Spalding.
The Herald Allure 05 is also on display in our showroom.

The Herald Allure range from Hunter Stoves Group ooze class into any setting. The sleek and contemporary design incorporates a huge glass viewing window allowing you to have the best view of the dancing flames in the firebox. With its simple design this range is perfect for modern living, however the design is versatile and it will not look out of place in the rustic country home either.

The range is packed with Hunter Stove Group technologies allowing for a powerful fire that is easy to use. The entire range is futureproofed with very low emissions making these stoves both exempt for smoke controlled areas and EcoDesign 2022 Ready.

Herald Allure 04

EcoDesign 2022 Ready

DEFRA APPROVED

3kW - 5kW

Wood Burner

5" Flue

Large viewing window

Hot Air Wash System to aid in keeping the glass clear.

Optional:
Bench available in 800mm or 1195mm long

Herald Allure 05

EcoDesign 2022 Ready

DEFRA APPROVED

5kW - 6kW

Wood Burner

5" Flue

Large viewing window

Hot Air Wash System to aid in keeping the glass clear.

Optional:
Bench available in 800mm or 1195mm long

Herald Allure 07

EcoDesign 2022 Ready

DEFRA APPROVED

5kW - 7kW

Wood Burner

5" Flue

Large viewing window

Hot Air Wash System to aid in keeping the glass clear.

Optional:
Bench available in 800mm or 1195mm long

Happy New Year

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 15:27:34 GMT

Happy New Year from the Flamecraft Team!

We would like to wish all our customers a Happy New Year.

What's our New Years Resolution? Well we want to switch our displays to get as many EcoDesign Ready Wood Burners and Multi Fuel stoves on show for you as possible.

Merry Christmas!

Sun, 22 Dec 2019 15:23:47 GMT

Merry Christmas to everyone from the Flamecraft Team!

It's not just our team getting festive! Our customers are too!

We hope all of our customers have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy having a nice and cosy fire on Christmas Day!

We are 12!

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT

It's our twelfth birthday! Join our charity fundraising celebration!

Thank you for your support!

It has been an amazing twelve years and we would like to take a chance to thank our customers, suppliers and our team for making it that way. We look forward to the coming year, with some exciting things planned! So, watch this space.

Which Charity have we picked to donate to this year?

Our team frequently join fundraising efforts both at work and in their personal time and here at Flamecraft we have a long-standing tradition of celebrating our birthday by kicking off our fundraising efforts on our Birthday weekend.

There are so many charities that deserve to be supported and therefore every year we pick a new charity to fundraise for. In the past we our team has raised money for charities such as; Macmillan, Children In Need and JDRF.

This year we are proud to announce that we have chosen to raise money for...

Cystic Fibrosis is also referred to as CF and is a genetic condition that affects more that 10,500 people in the UK alone. 1 in 25 people are carriers of the faulty gene and pass in on without even knowing.

Cystic Fibrosis has a wide range of symptoms and these range in severity. Cystic Fibrosis can severely limit the quality of life of those who suffer from it and can be life threatening.

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust works hard to raise money for research, fight for life saving treatments, promote high quality care and provide information and support to those who suffer with Cystic Fibrosis and their families.

Find more information about the Cystic Fibrosis Trust on their website: https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/

We are kicking off our Fundraising this weekend with a raffle and balloon and sweet giveaway.

This weekend we will kick off our fundraising at the opening of Baytree Garden Centre's opening of Santa's Grotto.

We will be giving away sweets and ‘Happy Birthday’ Balloons as well as running two raffles, one for children & one for the adults. The prizes have been donated by the Baytree community and range from vouchers, to gifts, toys & much more.

Tickets will be available for purchase from the Flamecraft Team on Saturday 2nd November & Sunday 3rd November at our stall next to the entrance of Santa's Grotto. Tickets can be purchased throughout November and up to the 15th of December 2019 from our showroom in Baytree Nurseries Garden centre. The draw will take place on Wednesday 18th December and we will contact the winners. Get your prizes in time for Christmas!

Come celebrate our Birthday with us and help us raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust!

Stove Safety

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMT

How to ensure Woodburner and Multi Fuel Stove Safety.

Ensuring your Wood Burner or Multi Fuel stove is safe for us is vital. An unsafe Wood Burner or Multi Fuel stove can be life threatening, because of the increased chance of a chimney fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Over the past 12 years we have had homeowners coming to us with concerns about the safety of a previously installed wood burner or multi fuel stove. Once we have surveyed these fires we have found these customers often have more than valid concerns and the stove and/or installation is in fact unsafe. This has caused us great concern and therefore, we have decided to write a guide on woodburner and multi fuel stove safety.

With regulations and recommendations constantly being updated, this guide is for those who are new to wood burners and multi fuel stoves, those who are considering having a stove installed and the veterans who have been using them for years.

Ensure the stove is safely installed.

Since April 2005 installations of solid fuel appliances have required a Certificate of Compliance. This certificate confirms the installation is compliant and the appliance is safe to use.

A HETAS registered installer will provide this certification upon completion of the installation.
OR
A builder can apply for a Building Notice from your Local Authority Building Control Department prior to installation.

We recommend to use of a HETAS engineer to ensure the installation is compliant and safe due to the specialist training in solid fuel appliances and installation.

Check if you have a Certificate of Compliance or the builder applied for a Building Notice.

I don't have a Certificate of Compliance

STOP using the appliance immediately.

FIND who installed the appliance originally.

CHECK with HETAS and/or your local authority to see if your appliance/ installation was registered and signed off as compliant. You can apply to HETAS for replacement certificates if yours has been lost.

If your installation/appliance has never been certificated/signed off CONTACT a HETAS registered engineer or HETAS directly to explain your circumstances and discuss how to proceed.

HETAS or a HETAS engineer will be able to guide you in how to proceed based on your circumstances.

I have a Certificate of Compliance but I still have concerns.

CONTACT the original installer and explain your concerns.

DO this as soon as you have a concern or notice an issue arising, DON'T ignore it until it gets worse.

If the original installer continuously fails to fix the issues/concerns contact HETAS directly.

Have a Carbon Monoxide Alarm and make sure it works.

You MUST have a Carbon Monoxide Alarm for the installation to be compliant.

TEST your carbon monoxide alarm regularly.

CHECK with a HETAS registered installer to ensure the alarm is in the correct place.

Sweep your Chimney

Burning wood and smokeless coal produces waste substances such as soot, tar and creosote. These substances can build up which has potentially harmful consequences such as carbon monoxide poisoning and house fires. Regular chimney sweeping reduced the amount of build up from these potentially harmful substances.

At a minimum you need an annual chimney sweep. We advise booking this in either at the end of the burning season in the spring/early summer or before the weather gets cold in late summer/early autumn. This is because the chimney needs to be cold in order to sweep it. A yearly sweep is the minimum frequency we would advise, however two a year is recommended. Some chimneys need to be swept more often, therefore we advise asking your chimney sweep for their recommendation.

Check your home insurance policy and warranty terms and conditions to ensure you comply with the terms, as some require multiple chimney sweeps a year.

Find out more about chimney sweeping here .

Wood Storage

Do not stack or place wood or other combustible materials next to the fire. If combustible materials are too close to a working wood burner or multi fuel stove they can catch fire.

Caution Hot

When working wood burners and multi fuel stoves become incredibly hot. Keep children and animals away from working appliances and ensure you wear heat resistant gloves when operating a wood burner or multi fuel stove.

Avoid Wet Wood & House Coal

Wet wood (Over 20% moisture content) and traditional house coal produce more potentially harmful substances than dry wood (below 20% moisture) and smokeless fuels. This increases the chances of chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

What should I look for when choosing an installer?

Fri, 27 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT

When considering having a wood burner or multi fuel stove installed, choosing who will install it is as important as what will be installed. We have put together the key things to consider when choosing an installer.

Use a HETAS Registered Installer

When you use a HETAS registered installer/engineer you can rest assured that you are employing someone fully competent for the job.

Certification

Your installation is signed off as correctly installed and safe. This is often required for home insurance and product warranties.

Training

All HETAS Engineers have to complete specialist vocational training and must complete refresher courses every 5 years in order to be qualified to install wood burners and multi fuel stoves. HETAS vet all registered engineers and will ensure they stay up to date with refresher courses.

Protection

If you have an issue HETAS will hold the HETAS engineer who installed your wood burner or Multi Fuel stove accountable and ensure that the issue is resolved.

Products

Due to the training HETAS engineers have the knowledge to ensure their product ranges meet regulations.

You can search the HETAS database for registered installers near you, as well as check if your installer is in fact registered. Its free and very easy to use.

Ask about the pipework warranties.

Like the stoves, the pipework required for the installation carries a warranty and varies between manufacturer. It is important to look at the terms and conditions of the warranties not just the length of them.

As with stoves one of the most common factors in keeping a warranty valid is the number of yearly chimney sweeps required.

For example:

(Please note this example is purely for illustrative purposes and does not reflect any specific company or pricing. This example should not be used as an actual estimate of cost.)

Pipework Manufacturer A (PMA) - Offers a 20 year warranty.
Pipework Manufacturer B (PMB) - Offers a 20 year warranty.

In PMA's warranty terms and conditions you need to have your chimney swept professionally once a year for the warranty to stay valid.

In PMB's warranty terms and conditions you need to have your chimney swept professionally twice a year for the warranty to stay valid.

An average professional chimney sweep is £50 a time.

For PMA the total cost of chimney sweeping over the 20 year warranty period is £1000.
For PMB the total cost of chimney sweeping over the 10 year warranty period is £2000.

The yearly upkeep required to keep your warranty valid is less for PMA than PMB.

Like with stoves the manufacturers the terms and conditions vary between manufacturers to it is best to compare before you buy.

Cost of Installation

It is often tempting to save those pennies and choose the cheapest quotation. However, this is not always wise, and can mean you are putting your safety at risk. We are not saying choose the most expensive quotation either.

Instead we always advise our customers that if a quotation is significantly cheaper or significantly more expensive from one company to another it is wise to find out why.

Sadly, like with most industries there are cowboy’s out there that will leave you with a headache and an unsafe installation. We are disappointed to say that in the 12 years we have been open we have been asked to fix many unsafe installations. A good installer will ensure you feel safe and secure and will answer any concerns you have.

How do I spot a cowboy?

As mentioned above if a quotation is significantly cheaper than other it can be a red flag. However, we have also come across dangerous installations in which the customer paid significantly more than the average price they were quoted for an installation.

Other red flags are:

The installer is not part of HETAS or does not offer certification.
Building regulations are never mentioned.
They don’t quote for a chimney liner. Generally, nearly every installation requires a liner.

We always advise getting multiple quotations, to ensure you are getting a fair deal.

The best way to avoid employing a cowboy is to use a HETAS registered engineer/installer.

Risks of an unsafe Installation

An unsafe installation is potentially life threatening as it increases the chances of a house fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.

So, you want to buy a Wood Burner or Multi Fuel stove…

Fri, 06 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Great! Here is what you should consider before you buy.

Choosing your wood burner or multi fuel stove is a personal choice consisting of many factors such as design, needs, and usage. We have put together a list of the key things to consider when choosing your new wood burner or multi fuel stove.

Wood Burner Or Multi Fuel Stove?

This is a personal choice, based on how you expect to use your stove. We have listed the key differences between the two:

Wood Burners:

Can only burn wood with a moisture content below 20%.
Flat bottomed, this means you will not have a grate.
No ash pan, most manufacturers will supply a tool/scoop to empty ash from the bottom of a wood burner.

Multi Fuel Stoves:

Can burn wood with a moisture content below 20% and smokeless fuels (like smokeless coal).
Has a grate system. (Either a shaker/riddling grate or a static grate).
Has an ash pan.

As mentioned above, this is a personal choice. If you only want to burn wood then a wood burner would be the best option. If you would like to burn smokeless fuels or the have the option to, then its best to choose a multi fuel stove.

Cast Iron Or Steel?

Wood burners and multi fuel stoves are usually made of cast iron, steel or a mix of the two. For example, some stoves have a twin skin body, one being cast iron and one being steel. Some stoves are steel bodied with cast iron components. For some stoves the body and components are either steel or cast iron.

Cast iron and steel both have pros and cons. The key difference is:

Steel heats up faster but doesn’t retain heat as long.
Cast Iron takes longer to heat up but retains heat longer.

Like when choosing between a wood burner or multi fuel stove, choosing between cast iron and steel is a personal choice based on how you intend to use the stove.

Are you in a Smoke Controlled Area?

If you are in a Smoke Controlled Area you will only be able to have DEFRA Approved/DEFRA exempt wood burners or multi fuel stoves installed.

Style

Style is a very personal thing, and everyone has different tastes.

We tend to divide our stoves into two style categories: Traditional & Contemporary. This is to make it easier for our customers to search through our stoves and for us to direct customers towards stoves that will best suit their tastes. However, many of our stoves are versatile and can suit both traditional and contemporary settings.

Size

Style is a very personal thing, and everyone has different tastes.

Usability

When choosing a wood burner or multi fuel stove there are some key usability questions we suggest customers consider:

How easy is the stove to use?
How easy is the stove to clean out?
How often will the stove need cleaning out?
How quickly will it heat up?
How often will I have to clean the glass?

Please be aware that the answers for these questions aren’t always straight forward, as it will depend on types of fuel, fuel load and how often the stove is in use.

Should I buy an EcoDesign 2022 Ready stove?

Short answer, yes.

Why? They are future proofed.

EcoDesign 2022 Ready stoves meet the new regulations that are due to come into force on 1st January 2022. They are more environmentally friendly and more efficient than non EcoDesign Ready stoves.

We also recommend buying EcoDesign Ready stoves now because if you sell your house after 2022 the stove you have installed will meet the new regulations.

Any stove manufactured before the 1st January 2022 is exempt from these regulations, therefore if you already have a stove or are choosing a non EcoDesign Ready stove then you WON’T have to change it when the new regulations come in. However, due to EcoDesign Ready stoves being better and cleaner than non EcoDesign Ready stoves we will always advise to choose an EcoDesign Ready stove when possible.

Manufacturer Warranties

The length of time of the warranty is what most customers consider. However, every manufacturer has different terms and conditions and it is important to consider these when choosing your wood burner or multi fuel stove.

Check what is covered by the warranty. Most stove manufacturers don’t provide a warranty on consumable parts such as the fire bricks and glass. If unsure ask what is covered under the warranty and what isn’t. In fact many stove manufacturers list their warranty terms on their company websites.

Check what is required to keep the warranty valid.

This is a big one to consider as most manufacturers will have specific terms. The most common term is the number of chimney sweeps required a year to keep the warranty valid and this varies between manufacturers.

For example:

(Please note this example is purely for illustrative purposes and does not reflect any specific company or pricing. This example should not be used as an actual estimate of cost.)

Stove Manufacturer A (SMA) - Offers a 10 year warranty and the stove is £1000.
Stove Manufacturer B (SMB) - Offers a 10 year warranty and the stove is £750.

In SMA's warranty terms and conditions you need to have your chimney swept professionally once a year for the warranty to stay valid.

In SMB's warranty terms and conditions you need to have your chimney swept professionally twice a year for the warranty to stay valid.

An average professional chimney sweep is £50 a time.

For SMA the total cost of chimney sweeping over the 10 year warranty period is £500.
For SMB the total cost of chimney sweeping over the 10 year warranty period is £1000.

SMA may be more expensive to purchase but is cheaper in yearly chimney sweeping. Over 10 years including the purchase of the stove and annual chimney sweeping, it will cost you £1500.

SMB may be cheaper to purchase but will cost more that SMA in yearly chimney sweeping to keep the warranty valid. Over 10 years including the purchase of the stove, and annual chimney sweeping, it will cost you £1750.

As illustrated above some manufacturers require more upkeep than others to keep a warranty valid, and therefore can end up costing you more in the long term. When choosing your stove consider your needs and factor in long term costs.

Spares

We often compare the ownership of a stove to that of a car. Every now and then you will need to replace something to keep it running safely. Find out which are the most common parts that need replacing and compare how easy it is to get replacement parts and the cost.

We tend to advise customers consider and compare the prices of replacement bricks and glass when making this decision. Some replacement parts are more expensive than others and prices can vary between manufacturers.

We also advise customers find out how long it will take to receive replacement parts. This can vary between manufacturers, and during the warranty period you will be required to only use spare parts directly from the manufacturer.

What do I need to know about the Ecodesign 2022 regulations?

Fri, 09 Aug 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Wood Burners and Multi Fuel stoves have been hitting the headlines recently, in particular due to the emissions. The new regulations due to come into force in 2022 are designed to combat this issue. We frequently get asked about these new regulations in the showroom, so we have decided to put together a quick and easy guide for both current stove owners and prospective stove owners.

What is Ecodesign?

In simple terms; Eco-design is a programme to lower emissions being rolled out throughout Europe.

When does it come into force in the UK?

Ecodesign comes into force here in the UK in 2022.

Will Brexit stop Ecodesign?

No. Brexit will have no effect on Ecodesign, it will still become a legal requirement in 2022.

What’s the difference between DEFRA and Ecodesign?

The Particulate Matter (OR PM) Limit for Ecodesign stoves is 55% percent lower than the limit for DEFRA exempt stoves.

NOTE: Prior to January 1st 2022, if you live in a smoke-controlled area then the stove must still be DEFRA exempt.

If I already have a stove fitted or I am having one fitted before 2022 would I need to replace it in 2022?

The short answer is; no.

After the 1st January 2022 it will become illegal to manufacture or sell a stove that isn’t Ecodesign Ready. However, stoves already installed or already in the supply chain (manufactured before 1st January 2022) are exempt from this.

Some stove manufacturers aim to switch to only manufacturing Ecodesign compliant stoves by 2020.

Why should I get an Ecodesign stove before 2022?

Ecodesign stoves have more stringent limits when it comes to emissions, meaning they produce fewer particulate emissions.

Simply put; they are kinder to the environment.

BESTSELLER: The Parkray Aspect Range

Fri, 26 Jul 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Parkray's new Aspect range oozes style and glamour into any room. Its simple design with clean lines give this stove a timeless appeal, and with a large glass viewing window you will get a clear view of the flicking flames inside. This range will certainly be a focal point to any room.

Not forgetting to mention that this stove features Hunter Stoves technologies including Tripleburn and a hot air wash to aid in keeping the glass clear.

- Wood Burner (Multi Fuel Kit available to convert)

- 5" Flue

- Large viewing window

- Hot Air Wash System to aid in keeping the glass clear.

- Tripleburn Technology.

Optional:

- Multi Fuel Kit to convert

- Patterned or Plain Glass

- Black Chrome and Stainless Steel handle options

- Flue Gather Box

- Flue Damper

- Heat Shield

- Plinth (Log Store) available in 150mm or 225mm tall

- Bench available in 800mm or 1195mm long

Huge range available, see the full range by clicking here: https://www.flamecraft.co.uk/aspect-range1

Why should I choose a Stove Service instead of a Chimney Sweep?

Fri, 12 Jul 2019 00:00:00 GMT

There are many advantages to having a full stove service over a standard chimney sweep.

Earlier this year we wrote about the importance of chimney sweeping, which can be found here: https://www.flamecraft.co.uk/why-are-chimney-sweeps-important
However if you own a wood burner you can do one better than a chimney sweep and get a full stove service.

Why should I upgrade?

Just like a car, a wood burner or multi fuel stove needs to be cared for and serviced to extend its lifetime. A full stove service includes both a chimney sweep and preventative maintenance.

What does the stove service include?

A professional chimney sweep.
A thorough inspection of the stove by a HETAS engineer to ensure the stove is in full working order.
Emptying and vacuuming ash from the interior of the stove.
Cleaning and buffing of stove glass.
Full stove repaint and polish.
Resealing
Greasing of screws, bolts, hinges and handles.
Certificate confirming the service has taken place (available as a PDF or printed).
Replacement of parts if needed (parts and ropes not included).

Both our chimney sweeps and stove services come with the option to sign up to our Free Reminder Service where will will remind you before your next service is due.

New to owning a wood burner or multi fuel stove?

We strongly advise that you opt for a stove service instead of a chimney sweep for preventative maintenance. However in the first two years of owning a wood burner or multi fuel stove we stress the importance of a stove service even more. This is because if you are making any of the common mistakes that can damage the stove we will notice it during the service and advise you of how to avoid them to help prevent long term damage.

Why aren’t the prices listed on your website?

Fri, 28 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT

We understand this can be frustrating for our customers and we do apologise for this, but we do not list our prices online as we are not on online retailer and this is for a number of reasons, many of which are to benefit our customers.

We have tried and tested being an online retailer and from feedback found that our customers preferred to come to our showroom.

We want to ensure our customers get the best price possible and due to supplier terms and conditions related to the sales of their products online, we decided to make our products only purchasable through our showroom. This also allows us to ensure our customer is getting the best products for their needs and that they can ask for any advice they may want while purchasing.

We decided to still advertise the ranges we have available because we understand that many of our customers find us online and therefore have not been given any brochures on our stoves and products. Having an online brochure allows our customers to view our ranges from the comfort of their own home.

The online brochure is updated regularly, and we hope to eventually be able to advertise more than just the stove ranges we offer.

What size stove do I need?

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT

What heating output (kW) do I need?

Generally, the bigger the stove, the bigger the heat output. The recommended heat output depends on the size of the room as well as other factors.

A basic guide for heat output needed for a room can be worked out using this simple formula;

The Width x Height x Depth of a room in metres, divided by 14.

However, factors such as the age of a house, level of insulation, number of windows, size of fireplace & individual needs can affect this. Therefore, we strongly advise to have a site survey carried out by our in-house HETAS engineer who will be able to offer professional advice on what would best suit your needs.

I have an average sized room with a large fireplace and I don’t want my stove to look too small, what can I do?

This is actually something we hear quite often, and we completely understand.

Most of our customers usually require stoves around the 5kW mark, which can range from compact stoves designed for cosy living to slimline models designed fit into shallower fireplaces. These slimline models are not as deep as their standard counterparts but are wider, meaning they are a perfect solution for those who are worried their stove might get ‘lost’ in their large fireplace opening.

We also have slimline ranges for approximately 8kW and a low output Inglenook by Hunter which is purpose built for larger fireplaces.

Cast Iron or steel stove?

As with many things, there are advantages and disadvantages to both materials.

Cast Iron takes longer to heat up but will retain heat longer.
Steel will heat up quicker but cools down quicker.

Cast iron can crack & steel can warp. However this is usually caused by misuse of the stove, such as burning unapproved fuels or burning the stoves at extremely hot temperatures.

Wood burner or multi fuel stove?

Fri, 24 May 2019 00:00:00 GMT

The differences between a wood burner and a multi fuel stove.

Our customers usually make this choice based on what fuels they would like to burn and functionality.

Wood Burners

A Wood burner is designed to only burn logs (with a below 20% moisture reading). These stoves are usually built with a flat base rather than a grate. This means ashes can built up allowing wood to burn more effectively and efficiently. Wood burners are generally more eco-friendly.

Multi Fuel

A Multi Fuel is designed to burn logs (with a below 20% moisture reading), smokeless fuels & smokeless coals. These stoves are usually built with a grate system and removable ash pan.

Which is best?

This choice is a personal one.

Many of our customers opt for Multi Fuel stoves so they can have the choice of what they can burn and because they come with a removable ash pan. Some of our customers prefer a wood burner because wood is a sustainable fuel source and don't intend to ever burn coal. However, the choice is completely down to you & your needs.

Some stove brands and models offer the option of ether having the stove and a multi fuel or a woodburner and you can convert later if you change your mind. Other brands and models only offer stoves as a wood burner or a multi fuel.

Depending on the brand or model of stove it is often cheaper to have a wood burner. However, in some cases the price difference is very small between a woodburner and a multi fuel stove. But if you decide to convert the wood burner to a multi fuel later it can be expensive.

If you would like advice on what would suit you best please feel free to speak to a member of our showroom team, who will be happy to help.

Installation FAQ's

Fri, 10 May 2019 00:00:00 GMT

The most frequent questions we are asked about installations.

How much do installations cost?

This depends on what type of installation needed, which stove you choose, what hearth options you decide on, whether any alterations are needed and whether you choose any bespoke design options.

We advise to come speak to a member of our showroom team to discuss your circumstances and to book a survey in order to get a quotation.

Do I need a chimney?

No, you don’t. We can install stoves using a twin walled/double walled insulated flue system. We fit stoves using this method often not only in houses but in log cabins, conservatories and narrow boats.

Will I need my chimney lining?

This depends on circumstances, age of the house and the type of installation. Mostly, we do prefer to fit with flexi liners, as this ensures the stove will work to its optimum efficiency. It is best to contact our showroom to discuss installation with a member of our team.

I already have a chimney liner can I keep it?

Generally, we will replace flexi liners when installing a new wood burner or multi fuel stoves. This is so we can ensure that you are provided with a high-quality installation that will last.

Liners that have been installed for gas fires are not compatible with wood burners and multi fuel stoves.

What regulations do installations have to comply with?

When installing a new fire (stove & open fire) we have to adhere to HETAS regulations & building regulations.

Are your installers HETAS registered?

Yes, we have HETAS registered Installers.

Do you provide a HETAS certificate?

Yes, we supply one on completion of our installations.

Please note: our registrations are now done via HETAS’s online portal. HETAS will then post your certificate to you.

Do I need a hearth?

All stoves will need to sit on a hearth, which needs to be made of a non-combustible material.

Examples of these materials include;

Concrete
Man Made York Style Slabs
Slate
Granite
Limestone
Toughened Glass
Ceramic Tiles

Can I keep my current hearth/fire surround?

This is dependant on the size, shape and material the fire surround or hearth is made of and what stove you choose. Until we have done an onsite survey we can't be sure, however usually they need replacing to be compliant.

Flamecraft's Blog

December Opening Times

We are open again.

Call & Collect Available during Second Lockdown

We wont leave you cold during second lockdown.

Thank you for your patience at this challenging time, please stay safe and we will see you all on the other side of lockdown.

Introducing Saltfire & Ekol stoves!

With several wood burning and multi fuel stoves from these brands on display in our showroom.

Introducing Ekol.

The Adept Range

Apple Pie Range

Clarity Range ﻿

Crystal Range

Introducing Saltfire

ST Range

ST-X Range

Peanut Range

What is Clear Skies?

Rest assured you are buying an environmentally kind wood burner or multi fuel stove with the clear skies scheme.

What is Clear Skies?

How does it work?

What are the different clearSkies levels and what does it mean for homeowners?

clearSkies 2

clearSkies 3

clearSkies 4

clearSkies 5

Why is this important?

EcoDesign 2022: What do I need to know?

EcoDesign 2022 is changes to regulations for the Stove Industry.

The Clean Air Strategy.

DEFRA, HETAS & The Stove Industry Alliance.

DEFRA

The Stove Industry Alliance (SIA)

HETAS

What is Ecodesign?

Ecodesign is for wood burners, multi fuel stoves and boiler stoves.

Lowering Emissions

Increasing efficiency

The Ecolabel

When will Ecodesign be implemented?

What does this mean for stove owners?

For those who have a wood burner or multi fuel stove already installed can keep it.

For those looking to purchase a new stove we recommend choosing Ecodesign 2022 approved stoves when possible.

How Flamecraft have prepared for the Ecodesign regulations.

Our range of wood burners & multi fuel stoves is about to get bigger!

The winter is coming in, and it's the perfect time to get a wood burner to curl up in front of on those long cold nights.

We a proud to announce that from the start of November, coinciding with our 13th Birthday celebrations we will be unveiling several new stoves on display in our showroom. What stoves? Well you will have to wait until then to find out!

Winter Opening Hours

Extended opening hours starting from 14th October 2020.

Traditional wood burning with a modern look.

Wood burners and multi fuels stoves for modern living.

The Parkray Aspect Range.

The Herald Allure Range.

The Di Lusso R Cassette Range.

The Di Lusso R Euro Range.

The Arada Farringdon Range.

My house comes with a Wood Burner/Multi Fuel Stove, what do I need to know?

Check for a Certificate of Compliance

A certificate of compliance can come in two forms:

I've already moved in and haven't got a certificate of compliance.

Beware of fraudulent certificates.

Check when the wood burner or multi fuel stove last had a service and/or chimney sweep.

Ask for proof that a chimney sweep/stove service has been preformed in the past 12 months.

Check for the wood burner or multi fuel stoves make, model and any manuals.

Why is the make and model so important when sourcing spares?

Manuals make sourcing spares easier and have guidance on how to use the wood burner or multi fuel stove.

Update: When visiting our showroom

Why summer is the best time to buy a wood burner or multi fuel stove!

While none of us are really thinking about heating at the moment, summer really is the best time to get a wood burner or multi fuel stove installed!

You'll be prepared for when the weather turns cold.

Shorter lead times and less chance what you want will be out of stock.

This guarantees you will have your stove for Christmas

When visiting our showroom

Our Showroom Is Open Again!

We are please to announce we re-opened today!

Due to Covid-19 our Showroom is temporarily closed.

We apologise for the inconvenience.

Are multi fuel and woodburning stove fuels being banned?

Short answer: Not all of them. Long Answer: New regulations.

IN OUR SHOWROOM: The HERALD ALLURE range.

Clarity Range