With the festive season on its way, all thoughts are turning to this year’s Christmas celebrations.

If you have a wood burning, pellet burning or multi fuel stove, you’re probably looking forward to getting the family together around its cosy glow. For sheer seasonal cheer, it’s hard to beat the warmth, comfort and atmosphere that a stove can bring.

However, even the jolliest Christmas can be ruined by a stove that stops working effectively or becomes unsafe because it hasn’t been properly maintained. So, just as you start making your Christmas shopping list for presents and treats, now is a good time to tick off a few boxes concerning your wood burning stove.

Your very first job is to make sure that your chimney has been swept recently. The law in France states that chimneys must be swept every six months during its period of use, so if you haven’t already done so, now is the time to book your sweep.

Next, perform a check to make sure that all your stove’s elements are in good condition and working well – include rope seals and gaskets in your stove MOT. The vermiculite fire bricks in your stove can crack or break with use, so check them over to make sure they’re in good condition. If any elements need to be replaced, get in touch with us and we can order the correct items for you.

Cleaning the baffle and removing soot deposits from the baffle plate are also good ways to ensure the best performance from your stove.

For a safe, warm and hassle-free Christmas, take these few basic steps and you’ll be able to look forward to a roaring fire that adds to the festive atmosphere, day after day.