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Stove air controls explained: primary, secondary, airwash

Stove air controls explained: primary, secondary, airwash

By the Logcroft team · Last checked 21 October 2026

Fire and carbon monoxide: Fit a working carbon monoxide alarm in the room with your stove and test it regularly, have your chimney swept, and burn only dry, untreated wood or approved fuel. If your alarm sounds, open windows, let the fire die down, get out and call the Gas Emergency or a professional. In a chimney fire, call 999.

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Step by step

What can go wrong

Check before you burn

Dry fuel: logs at or below 20% moisture on a freshly split face, or approved fuel.
CO alarm: a working carbon monoxide alarm in the room, checked with its test button as often as its manual says.
Sweep date: chimney swept as often as your sweep recommends for your fuel and use.
Smoke control: check with your council and the Defra exempt-appliance list if you're in a smoke control area.

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Logcroft is an independent UK site for wood-burning and multi-fuel stove owners and buyers. Every figure is a guide, not advice: check your stove's manual and use a HETAS-registered installer. We don't test products.

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