Roughly 1 million years ago, our early human ancestors, the Homo Erectus, achieved a pivotal feat in the evolution of humankind: the lighting of the first fire. Since this monumental moment, fire has served as a beacon of civilisation, a source of warmth, protection, and culinary innovation. From ancient dirt hearths to modern wood-burning stoves, the quest to master the flames has been an enduring endeavour, steeped in tradition and ingenuity. Among the myriad techniques passed down through the ages and relatively recent innovation, we have discovered what we believe to be the best method for ..read more

Previously, we have looked at the differences between flexi vs rigid chimney systems and dissected the different designation numbers given to chimney parts to make sure we are buying the correct pieces for our chimney systems. One thing we have yet to cover however is the differences between single and twin walled chimney systems and in what circumstances you would use one over another. What’s the difference? Twin wall chimney systems have a second stainless steel wall surrounding the internal wall (which houses the smoke). The second outer wall houses a layer of insulation between the inner a ..read more

In the ever-evolving world of fireplace maintenance, the debate over the effectiveness of ‘Bûches de ramonage’ has sparked considerable discussion and curiosity. These compressed blocks, designed to be burned in wood burners, promise not only to provide warmth but also to assist in cleaning the chimney—a concept that has ignited a flurry of opinions among the fire users among us. As of late, there seems to be a rising controversy surrounding their efficacy and outright purpose. The question arises: Can these blocks truly serve as a reliable substitute for the traditional chimney sweeping proce ..read more

Sunday 1st October 2023 caused monumental shift in the world of Chimney Sweeping obligations in France as Decree 2023-641 came into effect. We launched a blog post breaking down the new decree into digestible information for the homeowner to stay informed without having to trawl through pages and pages of legal documents. Since launching said blog post, we have received multiple questions regarding the new decree and what it means for you. We have consolidated your questions and answered them below. Is this an actual law or just a change in regulation? This is a new Law which came into effect ..read more

Disclaimer: The information provided below is intended as a discussion of the new law and its implications. It is not to be construed as legal advice. Readers are advised to seek legal counsel for their specific circumstances or if they require legal assistance regarding the matters discussed herein. The content is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal advice. Today, 1st October 2023, marks a significant change in the world of chimney maintenance for solid fuel heating appliances. A new national law, issued by governmental decree ..read more

Amidst the crackling of logs and the cozy warmth of a wood-burning stove, a common myth has nestled its way into the hearts of many fireplace enthusiasts: the belief that burning pine wood is a cardinal sin in the world of wood heating. For years, we’ve been cautioned against igniting fragrant pine logs due to warnings of creosote/tar buildup, chimney fires, and a myriad of other potential disasters. But is this warning rooted in fact or mere fireplace folklore? When you burn wood, around 80% of the heat energy stored in the wood comes from the wood gasses/smoke, known as volatile hydrocarbons ..read more

Ah, the picturesque cracking of a log burner, flames licking against the glass as the warm winters glow emanates from the ironworks into cosy lounge. Completing the picture is the door swinging open as chilled winter logs are brought in from the wood store outside and carefully placed on the hearth of the fire, allowing them to warm up and dry off before they find their way into the fire. Many of us will be picturing something along the lines of the photo below but there is one fatal flaw to this idyllic scene which could lead to a very serious situation should it rear its ugly head. Although ..read more

One of the most common mistakes made by DIY installers is the purchasing of parts for gas and oil fuels which are not suitable for solid fuels. These parts look nearly the same as each other and with the gas and oil parts being fractionally cheaper, it is no surprise that these almost identical parts are mistakenly installed onto woodburning stoves, compromising the entire system in the process. Before we look at which parts you should be buying, let’s first take a look at how to identify which parts are which. To do this, we need to understand the EN number attached to every CE marked chimney ..read more

The sweeping of a chimney is a surprisingly contentious subject here in France. Those on social media sites will be familiar with individuals insisting this and that about whether or not you have to have your chimney swept every year, whether you can sweep it yourself or even if a ‘bûche de ramonage’ is sufficient enough to protect you from a chimney fire. Today we cut through the noise and bypass the ‘pub talk’ finally putting an answer to the Chimney faux pas we see constantly online. Legal requirements In November 1979, the 6 sections of Article 31 of the ‘Règlement sanitaire départemental ..read more

Stove rope is just one of the many perishable items on your stove. Similar to the stove bricks, grate and baffle plate, the time will come for when the stove rope on your stove needs changing. Last month we covered how to know if your stove rope needs changing. This month, we’ll take a look at how to do just that. Follow along as we go through the process of changing the stove rope on your appliance from start to finish. Getting the correct rope Stove rope is not universal. It comes in many sizes from a tiny 3mm diameter all the way up to 18mm on some larger modern stoves. Not only do you have ..read more