There is something especially cozy about heating your home with wood. Whether you are heating solely with wood, using it as a backup during power outages, or as a second source of heat to reduce your bills, a wood heating unit can be a welcome addition this winter.
So, you’ve decided to purchase a wood heating and or cooking stove. Good for you! To have the best experience possible, here are the most important hearth accessories you need.
1. Hearth Gloves: Choose hearth gloves with a gauntlet/long arm cuff, for protection from splinters and heat when loading firewood.
2. Metal Ash Can: It’s very important to have something non-combustible to place ashes in to take outside, as ashes can stay hot longer than you think.
3. Stove Thermometer: You want to ensure you’re burning at the right temperature for your stove to keep your wood stove running safely and efficiently. A magnetic stove thermometer helps monitor the temperature of your stove, which is important in preventing creosote buildup. The heat-sensitive face will even darken in color when exposed to unsafe temperatures.
4. Glass Cleaner: Keep the stove door glass clean Use a cleaner specially designed to remove soot, creosote and grime from glass without tedious scrubbing.
5. Fireplace Tool Set: Get a set that includes a poker, brush, log lifter and shovel.
6. Porcelain Steamer: Anyone with a wood stove knows the comfort of its heat – and its drying effect on the winter air. A durable iron steamer puts gentle moisture back into the air naturally and without electricity. Simply add water and place it on your stove. You can add rose petals or cinnamon to the water for an all-natural air freshener.
7. Stove Fan: Not only does this ingenious stove fan push warm air from your wood-burning stove through the room, but it also rotates for better, efficient distribution. No electricity is needed, it automatically starts and once your stove reaches 140°F (60°C), the fan begins to rotate. It’s a great way to get the most warmth from your hearth and save money on heating, too!
8. Bellows: Bellows will blow your flames to life and air is the fuel your fire needs to burn brightly. A bellows is equally useful for the hearth and the grill.
9. Firestarters: Start a fire quickly and safely with no fanning and no hassle. Use fire starters made from natural, reclaimed wax and sawdust, so they’re clean burning and non-toxic. In about 20 minutes, you’ll have a full fire.
You can find all these hearth accessories and more at Lehmans.com.
TIPS:
Woodpile Prep – you will need to chop, stack, store and transport your woodpile. Ensure that you have a log stacker, to keep the wood off of the ground while it seasons; a sharp axe to chop logs and kindling, and a way to move the wood from your pile to your home.
