Joanna Humphreys

Buying a wood-burning stove is the exciting part — but what happens next often puts people off. From pallet delivery and installation to your first fire, this guide walks you through the real process step by step, including what might surprise you and how to prepare — so you can move forward with confidence.

Are wood burners really cheaper to run than central heating? The answer isn’t as simple as you might think. Discover when a stove can lower your heating costs, when it won’t, and how to use it effectively to save money.

Heating one room instead of the whole house sounds like an easy way to save money — but it only works if you do it right. Here’s when it saves you money, when it backfires, and the best way to heat a single room efficiently.

Hosting in the garden sounds easy — until guests are cold, crowding the food, or you’re stuck running inside all night. This outdoor hosting checklist breaks down what actually matters, from layout and flow to cooking, seating, heating, and lighting, so your space works properly and your guests stay longer.

Thinking of installing a wood-burning stove this autumn? It might feel like the right time — but it’s actually when installers are busiest and delays are longest. Here’s why spring and summer are the smartest time to plan your installation, and how to avoid the seasonal bottleneck.

Easy BBQ recipes kids will actually eat, from build-your-own burgers and skewers to pizza oven ideas, plus practical tips for fun, low-stress family outdoor cooking.

Tired of unpredictable oil bills? Discover how zone heating with a stove can cut oil usage, stabilise costs, and give you control without replacing your entire system.

⏱️ Time to read: Are you dreaming of blistering, restaurant-quality Neapolitan pizza in your own back garden, but feel completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of ovens on the market? You aren’t alone. Choosing between gas, wood, and dual-fuel pizza ovens is the biggest hurdle most buyers face — especially when comparing gas vs wood […]

⏱️ Time to read: Cracked firebricks are one of those things every stove owner notices eventually — usually mid-clean, mid-winter, or mid-“should I be worried about this?” moment. The problem is, the advice out there swings between “it’s completely fine” and “your stove might explode”… which isn’t exactly helpful when you’re staring at a crack […]

⏱️ Time to read: Buying a wood-burning stove isn’t just a case of picking one you like the look of. Get the size wrong and it either won’t heat the room properly or turns it into a sauna. Miss the regulations and you could end up with something you can’t even use. This guide walks […]