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Why is there condensation on my wood-burning stove?
The relationship between wood-burning stoves and condensation is a tricky one, though some instances are more serious than others.
Let’s start with what ought to be the least severe example of condensation on a stove…
Condensation on the outside of the stove
Condensation on the outside of the stove body is usually an indication that the air in your home is humid and is condensing when it comes into contact with a cold surface (that’s why you will normally spot this if your stove is out of use for a few days).
If you have already experienced condensation in your property (on windows, for example), this is just an example of the same effect but on a different surface. If the condensation has only arisen since you got a stove, are you keeping logs in the property? They could be adding moisture in the air as water evaporates from the wood.
Increasing ventilation is the quickest and easiest solution to this problem.
Condensation inside the stove
This usually happens if a stove is not working hard enough. If flue gases cool before they’ve exited the flue, this can create condensation, which seeps back in. If that condensation is allowed to sit in your stove, it can cause corrosion and rust.
This is an indication that something about the way your stove is being operated is not correct. It can also lead to…
Tar condensation
If you find tar condensation in your stove, you can bet there is plenty in your flue, too. Except some of it will have solidified into tar and creosote, which further reduces your stove’s efficiency and increases the risk of chimney fires.
Minimise condensation in your stove by:
- burning seasoned wood
- ensuring there is a strong draw up your chimney
- operating your stove at full capacity
- ensuring there is plenty of ventilation in your room
- allowing ventilation into your stove system when it is out of use
Operating your woodburner efficiently reduces the chance of condensation forming in your appliance.