FAQs

A wood-burning stove must be installed by a qualified professional, following the manual and local regulations. Our installation guide (PDF) shows all the steps for stoves and inserts, and you can read more in our guide to installing a wood stove. Panadero does not install stoves or sell flue pipes; on our installers page you will find independent professionals we recommend.

Between 40 and 100 cm, depending on the model. The exact distance is shown on the CE label on the back of the stove and in its manual. Respecting it is essential to keep people and nearby furniture safe.

If the floor is combustible (wood, laminate or carpet), place the stove on a non-combustible base such as tempered glass, steel, stone or ceramic tiles, extending beyond the front of the stove to catch any embers. If the wall behind it is combustible, protect it with a non-combustible heat shield or keep the safety distances shown on the CE label. Always follow the manual and local regulations.

Yes. An insert is designed to fit into an existing masonry fireplace and turn it into an efficient heater. The chimney must be in good condition and the insert must be connected to it by a qualified professional. Find out how in our article on installing an insert in a masonry fireplace.

Open the primary air intake fully, place a firelighter in the centre of the grate and light it. Arrange about 1 kg of very dry kindling around it, leaving gaps so the air can flow, and add logs of about 1–1.5 kg only once the kindling has caught. When the logs are burning well, close the air intake halfway or less to settle the flame. See our step-by-step guide to lighting a stove.

Usually 2 to 3 kg per load: check the amount recommended in your stove’s manual and do not exceed it, as overloading can cause irreversible damage. The best time to refill is when only embers are left: open the door slowly using the glove supplied and place the logs on top of the embers.

When you open the door, smoke takes the shortest way out. To avoid it, only open the door when the flames have died down and only embers remain. If smoke comes back into the room with the door closed, the chimney may not be drawing well: check that the flue is clean, high enough and unobstructed, that the room has enough fresh air and that you are burning dry wood.

The most common causes are damp wood, too little air or a dirty flue. Use dry wood, open the air intake fully when lighting, clean the grate and flue regularly and check that the stove’s output suits the size of the room. See the most common mistakes when using a wood stove.

Yes, it is completely normal. It is caused by the heat-resistant paint curing and its solvents evaporating during the first few uses. Ventilate the room well the first two times you light the stove.

Any wood available in your area will do, as long as it is dry: damp or green logs reduce performance because of the water they contain. We recommend hardwoods such as oak, olive, beech or birch. More information on the best firewood for your stove.

Vermiculite is a light, heat-resistant mineral made of iron and magnesium silicates. It lines the combustion chamber as insulation, making the stove more efficient and cheaper to run. The vermiculite panels inside the stove must not be removed or used as firelighters. Read more about vermiculite.

Creosote is a tar-like, flammable residue that builds up inside the flue when wood burns at a low temperature or is damp. To prevent it, burn dry wood, avoid keeping the stove on very low air for long periods and have the chimney swept at least once a year. How to prevent creosote in an EcoDesign stove.

Clean the stove only when it is off and completely cold. Empty the ash pan into a metal bin (never a plastic one) and clean the glass with a cotton cloth and glass cleaner. The glass blackens when the fire burns with too little air or with damp wood, so use dry logs and keep enough air open. How to clean the stove glass.

Ventilate the room, empty the ash and check that the door seal and the chimney draught are in good condition, as a smell usually means smoke is escaping. Having the chimney swept and burning dry wood also helps. Find natural remedies in our article on how to remove the soot smell at home.