Ready for winter: your stove check before the heating season

After the summer, the stove has usually been idle for months. Before the first proper fire burns, a quick check is worthwhile. Most points only take a few minutes. ## What you can check yourself - Door seal: Trap a strip of paper in the closed door and pull it. If it can be pulled out without resistance, the seal is no longer tight at this point. Check several points all the way round. - Firebox lining: Fine hairline cracks in chamotte or vermiculite panels are normal and no cause for concern. If pieces are missing or you can see the metal behind them, the panels should be replaced. - Grate and ash pan: Empty them, check for deformation and clear the air slots. - Baffle: At the top of the firebox there is usually a plate on which ash and soot collect. Remove it according to the instructions and clean it. - Glass and paint: Clean the glass and touch up minor paint damage with heat-resistant stove paint. - Controls: Do the air sliders and door catch move easily? A little movement before the first fire does no harm. ## The first fire after the break Start with a small fire and let the chimney warm up slowly. Even a stove that has been idle for a long time may smell briefly the first time it is used, as dust burns off the surface. Ventilate well while doing so. ## When the specialist should step in - Smoke visibly escapes from the door, flue pipe or connections. - The stove can no longer be controlled properly or burns uncontrollably. - Seals are hard, cracked or missing. - Parts in the firebox are broken or bent. Regular maintenance by a specialist company keeps the stove efficient and safe. We check seals, wearing parts and connections and replace them with original parts if necessary. ## Looking for spare parts? We quickly have many seals, panels and grates to hand for the common manufacturers. Tell us the manufacturer and model, ideally with a photo of the type plate. We will take care of it. To the enquiry