Top 10 Must-Have Accessories for the Best Log Burning Experience

If you own a log burner, otherwise known as a wood burning stove, then there is a long list of accessories that are definitely going to make your life a lot easier when you are using your burner! We really feel that there is nothing more atmospheric than a log burning warming a space – but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be frustrating to light and downright difficult to clean. Not only this, but failing to properly maintain your log burner can be a real safety risk in your home! So we have collated all the log burner accessories that are going to reduce the risk of potential problems, as well as generally making your log burner easier to use! 

So whether you have an indoor or outdoor wood burning stove, keep reading for all you need to know to keep you (and your stove) happy, healthy and hassle-free.

The Best Log Burner Accessories

We have collated a list of some of the best accessories that we would recommend purchasing. From cleaning to fire production, there will be something here that sparks your eye when you realise that you really cannot live without it! 

Fireplace Vacuum

No products found.

The fireplace vacuum had to come in first place for us – without a doubt! A fireplace vacuum is designed so that it can safely suck up ash and other debris from the fire. This is going to make cleaning your fire incredibly quicker and easier, as we learnt the hard way that there is really no tool or easy solution for getting all the ash out of the base of a log burner. 

If a fireplace vacuum (or ash vacuum) is for you then make sure to check the quality of the pipework – we found that many have issues with the pipes getting clogged, something which you are definitely going to want to avoid. We would also recommend looking at the power of the model and the size of the container as this will impact on how easy it is going to be for you to get the job done and the amount of ash it is going to hold before it needs emptying!

Thermometer

No products found.

Did you know that a log fire which is burning too hot can actually damage your stove and a fire that is burning too low can create harmful byproducts from the logs? A thermometer is only a small accessory – but it is going to make a big difference in helping to avoid these issues. It will allow you to work out the temperature of the fire and many show the temperatures that are most effective for the fire to be at too! We really like the models that are magnetic so that they can be “stuck” to the side of the fire as this just makes them really practical and easy to use – but there are loads of different styles to choose from. Just make sure to check that the readings they are giving are going to be accurate! 

Stove Fan

No products found.

There has been a lot of research into the effectiveness of stove fans and much of this has suggested that they really do work. Placed on top of your log burner, they help to circulate the air in the room – pushing the warmth around the fire away into the corners of the room and bringing the cool air back to be warmed by the fire. This will make your log burner much more effective at heating the whole room, rather than just the area close by to it!

If placed on the top of your log burner just make sure to check the maximum temperatures that the stove fan is going to be able to work with as some can be damaged by fires/log burners that become too hot. 

We really like stove fans that don’t require any power! The best stove fans will actually generate their own electricity from the heat of the fire to turn the fan. This means that they can literally sit on top of your log burning stove and be left alone but still relied upon to do their job! 

Cleaners

No products found.

We have found lots of different cleaners that you will be able to choose from for your wood burning stove – personally we think the more different types that you have the better! Some cleaners will be used for the chimney and flue whereas others can be used to safely clean the stove itself but they are all going to be really important at not only keeping your log burning looking its best but also working at its best (and safest) too! 

Chimney and flue cleaners are designed to reduce the creosote build up that will form over time on the inside of your chimney. No matter how cleanly you create your fires, this build up will build up over time and can lead to chimney fires if you are not careful! Using these cleaners is often nice and easy – they can just be added to your fire so that they will clean your flue whilst you are keeping warm! 

Other cleaners are going to require you to put a little bit more work in – there are sprays and detergents that can safely be used on the outside and the inside of your log burner. These are specially designed so that they are not going to give off harmful toxins into the air when the log burner is then heated the next time you are using it! Log burners can very quickly look tired and worn out if they are not cleaned regularly to avoid any build up! Look out for external cleaners that come with a black or grey finish that will essentially “polish” the outside of your log burner at the same time! 

SAFETY NOTE: It is important to mention that even if you regularly use chimney/flue cleaners on your log burner, you should still get a chimney sweep out regularly to do a complete clean! They will also be able to check for if there is anything wrong or maintenance that is needed! 

Fire Tools

No products found.

You are definitely going to need some fire safe tools that will allow you to work with the fire without the risk of getting burned. Most of these sets will actually come with a nice stand to make them more of a feature as well as being incredibly useful – these are usually known as a companion set. If you aren’t wanting to purchase a full set then at least look out for a poker and a dustpan and brush as these are going to be essential! 

Some models will have free standing stands that can just be placed next to the fire, others can be secured onto the walls. You will also find that the number of tools and accessories that they come with varies quite considerably too! Just make sure to check that the length of the tools is reasonable enough to keep you safe and a fair distance away from your fire. 

One of the best things about fire tool kits is that there are a huge range of designs to choose from – with more traditional options and really modern options too – so you will be sure to find one that is going to suit your log burner! 

TOP TIP: Make sure to look what materials the fire tools are going to be made from and that they are going to be able to withstand the heat of the flames! Ideally we would suggest that they should be made from cast iron as this is going to be the strongest! 

Moisture Meter

No products found.

Admittedly, this isn’t so much for the log burning stove itself, but it is going to have a massive impact on how easy it is for you to actually light your fire. Wood needs to be pretty dry to light and burn effectively and the only real way to know whether it is ready or not is to check the moisture level. Using a moisture meter to check each batch of wood occasionally will give you a good indication of whether the whole batch can be burned or not! 

Moisture meters are almost always going to be battery powered – either rechargeable or models where you can just replace the batteries. You simply have to push the node on the top of the meter into the centre of the log and it will tell you the moisture levels on the inside and whether the wood is fit to be burned or not! 

Additional Log Burner Accessories 

By now, you have an idea of the key features that you should look out for when purchasing a log burning stove and know how to check whether the products are good quality or not. But there are a whole host of additional features that we would recommend you consider when purchasing a log burning stove. We have included some of these below: 

• Log holders – These are perfect to be placed by your log burner so that you have some logs and kindling ready to go. They won’t hold many logs but enough for a couple of fires so that you can keep them topped up.
• Stove gloves – The best way to keep your hands protected and burn free when you are adding logs to the fire or checking over the fire for any reason. Some models will come with two gloves as part of a set whereas others will just come with one. You also need to look at what the gloves are made from and the thickness of the material. Some are fabric with heat protection linings whereas  others are made from leather. It is also worth checking the length of the glove – ideally you want gloves that almost go to your elbow as these are going to keep your whole arm safe from burns! 
• Fire screen – If you have young children, pets, or are just wanting to stay as safe as possible then we would definitely recommend looking out for a fire screen. These can be placed around the fire so that the real heat cannot burn anyone (or anything) whilst still allowing the heat to spread around the room. 
• Ash Caddy – Anyone not ready to purchase an ash vacuum is going to need a way to remove the ash and debris from the base of the log burner once the fire has gone out. Allowing this to build up will stop  you from creating an efficient fire and can cause damage in the long term. Look out for an ash caddy that will help to avoid ash getting on your carpets and will keep you safe in case some parts of the ash are still quite warm! 
• Chimney sweeping set – This is something that we would definitely say isn’t for everyone! But if you are wanting to try and reduce the amount of times that you need to get a chimney sweep to clean your chimney then you can buy chimney sweeping sets that can be pushed up the flue of your log burner. Just bear in mind that it can be a messy job and MUST be done correctly if you are wanting to ensure yours and your family’s safety! 

Frequently Asked Questions

What accessories must I purchase when buying a log burner? 

The things that you are definitely going to need when purchasing a log burner are some fire tools, stove gloves and a way to remove the ash from your fire. Although there are lots of other log burner accessories that we feel are important, these are the essential ones that you cannot do without. 

Can an ash vacuum be used on hot ash as well as cold ash? 

This really depends on the type of ash vacuum and the build quality. Although we didn’t find any models that can be used on completely hot ash, there are some that can be used on ash that is still warm, as well as cold ash, without becoming clogged up and damaged.