When purchasing a stove for the first time some of the words used may be new to you and we want to help you to feel fully informed through this process.
To make choosing, buying and enjoying your new stove as straightforward as possible we’ve created this glossary of some of the most commonly used useful terms and words for you to reference.
Airwash: A part of the stove designed to force air down over the glass door to stop soot gathering on the glass.
Airvent: Vents on the stove that allow air into the firebox. There are often multiple vents for improved combustion (see Primary Air Supply, Secondary Air Supply and Tertiary Air Supply)
Aperture: The opening in the chimney breast or wall into which your stove is fitted.
Ash pan: A metal pan that collects the ashes at the bottom of the stove. This is often removable for easy cleaning.
Baffle: A metal plate that partially prevents the hot flue gases from escaping. This will ensure the gases have fully burned and keep the maximum amount of heat in your stove.
Chimney: A structure that provides ventilation for the smoke, gas and combustion products created by a fuel burning stove or fireplace.
Clean Air Act: A law prohibiting smoke emission within smoke control areas, unless using an authorised fuel or exempted appliance. Read more about the clean air act here.
Cleanburn: A second air supply is introduced to the stove ensuring the whole stove is used for burning the flammable gases before they can escape up the flue.
Clearskies – All appliances that show the clearSkies mark have been independently certified by the Scheme administrator, confirming that they meet or exceed the Ecodesign Regulations. This is based on the appliance’s independent test results for efficiency and four different types of emissions, and gives the assurance that you are choosing a low emission and low carbon heating solution for your home. Click here to learn more and click here to see our range of EcoDesign Stoves with a clearsky rating of 4 or 5.
Collar: A cast-iron or steel ring that bolts to the top or rear of the stove, into which sits the flue pipe.
DEFRA: The Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs. This department is in charge of environmental protection and the Clean Air Act. DEFRA approved stoves have been tested to prove they have low smoke emissions. A DEFRA approved stove can be used in smoke control areas to burn wood. For more information on DEFRA, click here.
EcoDesign: EcoDesign legislation was implemented across the UK in January 2022 for wood burning and multi-fuel stoves and is designed to reduce pollutants and emissions. New stoves must now be compliant with EcoDesign legislation. Have a look at our range of EcoDesign stoves here.
Efficiency: The measurement of the percentage of energy not lost up the flue. A stove with an 85% efficiency rating only has 15% of the energy released from combustion lost up the flue. The higher the efficiency rating, the better.
Firebox: The main compartment of your stove.
Firebricks: An insulator used inside the stove to protect it from the intense heat.
Fire Cement – A sealant used to seal the joints where the flue pipe connects to the stove.
Flue: The pipe that allows gas and smoke to leave the stove.
Free Standing Stove: A stove with legs or a base which can fit inside a fireplace or in the open. The other type of stove is an inset stove. Have a look at our range of stoves here.
Front bars: A bar that fits across the front of the firebox and prevents fuel from falling out of the stove when the door is opened. The front bars are often removable.
Grate: The grill that your fuel sits on inside the stove.
Hearth: The base or floor of a fireplace made from solid non-combustible material. The stove will sit on top of the hearth.
HETAS: The official body, recognised by the Government to approve solid fuel and biomass heating appliances, fuels and services. This includes the registration of competent installers and servicing businesses. FInd out more about HETAS here.
Inset Stove: A stove designed to fit inside an existing or new fireplace or opening in a wall. The face of the stove will usually be flush or slightly proud of the wall giving a very tidy finish. See an example of a Rosedale Inset EcoDesign Smoke Control stove here.
Multi fuel: A multi fuel stove can safely burn fuels other than wood. Only use fuels designed to be used in a multi fuel stove as using the incorrect fuel can result in damage to the stove. A comprehensive list of approved fuels for closed appliances is available on the HETAS website. Do Not Burn – Liquid fuel, wood pellets, wood chips, rubbish, household coal, petroleum based fuels, petrocoke, burnwell or anthracite on your stove. Click here for a list of fuels that you should not burn on your stove. Always check when purchasing a stove what fuels can be burned in it. See our multi fuel range here.
Primary Air Supply: The main source of air into the stove.
Register Plate: The Register Plate seals off the chimney from the room so that air can only be drawn directly through the stove and into the flue / chimney.
Secondary Air Supply: An additional source of air which improves combustion in the stove.
Smoke Control Stove: An efficient stove developed as an exceptionally clean burning stove that has been independently approved for burning wood in a smoke control zone. See our range of EcoDesign stoves here, many of which are smoke control stoves.
Smoke Control Zone – Many parts of the UK are smoke control areas where you cannot emit smoke from a chimney unless you’re burning an authorised fuel or using ‘exempt appliances’, for example burners or stoves. For more information on smoke control zones or to find out if you live in a smoke control zone, click here.
Sweeping Door: A small door fitted into the flue pipe which can be removed to allow access to the flue for cleaning.
Tertiary Air Supply: A third source of hot air to maximise combustion and minimise gas emissions.
You can find your nearest supplier of Town & Country Fires stoves here or if you’d like to talk to us directly you can contact us here.
