How does a Ceramic Stove work?
Ceramic stoves are similar in operation to storage heaters. Dry wood burnt fast, once a day, gives its energy to the stove by heating up the external surface area. The radiant heat is then released slowly into the room over time. The stove is normally then fired up, starting the cycle again. In a nutshell, a Ceramic stove gives off pleasant heat for a very long time using an incredibly efficient process. Regular firing over a number of consecutive days will gradually generate heat that is stored in the fabric of the room (walls, floor etc) so less heat will be required to raise the ambient temperature of the room.
What’s inside the stove?
The internal workings of the stove are very simple and are based on a five-channel system. It’s this channel system that makes Ceramic stoves incredibly efficient and better for the environment than open fires and other traditional wood burning stoves.
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First the smoke goes up the centre channel before being divided and drawn down the front two channels. It then passes back past the fire box and is directed up the two rear channels which join at the top and vent into the chimney.
This process, and the high burn temperature makes the stove very efficient and clean. Particulates that normally create soot and ash are burnt away as they journey through the channels, leaving very little to be disposed of, either out of the chimney or in the fire box. |
Cerampiù stove design example
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How does it burn?
The firing technique for a ceramic stove is quite different from conventional wood burners. This is one of reasons why Ceramic stoves are much more efficient. To burn wood so that the only by-products are steam and C02 (Carbon dioxide), high temperatures must be achieved, ideally between 900°C and 1100°C. This incandescent heat would soon destroy a metal stove and make its surfaces dangerous.
At this temperature wood flame is long, so the various distillates (particles that make up soot and ash) are burnt along the flame’s entire length. This means that the flame will also remain within the stove’s fire box and not up the chimney, so the heat generated is not wasted. The stove heats up and the external tiled surface emits this radiant heat into the room.
Low emissions from very high burn temperatures mean ceramic stoves are one of the most environmentally friendly wood burning home heating solutions available today.
Also because only one burn is required each day the stove door is shut most of the time so much lower emissions are released into the room.
Equally, much less is produced from burnt paint and dust on the exterior of the stove because the external temperature of the stove is much lower than metal stoves.
At this temperature wood flame is long, so the various distillates (particles that make up soot and ash) are burnt along the flame’s entire length. This means that the flame will also remain within the stove’s fire box and not up the chimney, so the heat generated is not wasted. The stove heats up and the external tiled surface emits this radiant heat into the room.
Low emissions from very high burn temperatures mean ceramic stoves are one of the most environmentally friendly wood burning home heating solutions available today.
Also because only one burn is required each day the stove door is shut most of the time so much lower emissions are released into the room.
Equally, much less is produced from burnt paint and dust on the exterior of the stove because the external temperature of the stove is much lower than metal stoves.
For more information, download the stove product sheets or contact us
Firebox design Options
Our Gutbrod stoves have the option of a storage heater or a combi heater configuration. The storage heater option will extend the storage time and use less wood. The combi heater will store heat and also provide instant heat soon after the stove has been lit.
Storage heater option
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Combi heater option
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Fuel Options
As well as wood fired stoves, there is also the option electric or hybrid.
The electric options will give more instant heat, but the stoves will not have as much thermal mass to store heat so the warmth will not last as long once the stove has been turned off. Contact us if you'd like to explore electric or hybrid stoves further.
Our Cerampiù hybrid stoves have the capacity for instant heat via electric units within the stove as well as using wood. This gives additional flexibility including being able to pre-warm the stove remotely via a programmable app and smart plug. For more info see their website here.
The electric options will give more instant heat, but the stoves will not have as much thermal mass to store heat so the warmth will not last as long once the stove has been turned off. Contact us if you'd like to explore electric or hybrid stoves further.
Our Cerampiù hybrid stoves have the capacity for instant heat via electric units within the stove as well as using wood. This gives additional flexibility including being able to pre-warm the stove remotely via a programmable app and smart plug. For more info see their website here.
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Where can they be built?
Ceramic stoves can be built in your main living space, in garden rooms and conservatories, from open plan living to cosy snugs and dens. Ceramic stoves can also be used to heat commercial spaces efficiently and cost-effectively, such as pubs, restaurants, hotels and other public buildings. (If using in a U.K. smokeless zone then for some of our stoves Defra approved fuels are to be used).
Custom-made stoves can be built at wall intersections to heat more than one space. Contact us to discuss your requirements in more detail.
Custom-made stoves can be built at wall intersections to heat more than one space. Contact us to discuss your requirements in more detail.
Wherever you decide to locate your stove, it’s worth remembering that Ceramic stoves are very tactile. People naturally gravitate towards them to hug and touch the tiled surface, so this is something to consider when deciding on a location.
Contact us to find out how a Ceramic stove could work for you.
Contact us to find out how a Ceramic stove could work for you.
How are they built?
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Our Gabriel range of stoves are manufactured by Gabriel Kakeulugnar in Sweden, who have been making tiles since 1925. We are their UK partner for builds and your stove will be manufactured to your own specifications and built on-site by our specialist team.
Depending on the type of stove you order, building normally takes between 2 and 5 days, including the tiling. Your stove will need some drying time, so again, depending on the model, it should be ready for use within around 4 weeks. |
Hand painting of Gabriel tile designs
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Our Osier, Gutbrod and Cerampiù stoves also use internal flues and refractory materials to store heat but can be assembled in a day or 2 without the need for drying.
We can work with you, your builder, flue specialist or architect to ensure you choose the right model and location. |
Cerampiu refractory module examples
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Build considerations
- A ceramic stove can be placed anywhere in a room, it just needs a solid base (normally concrete or stone) and a flue. The weight of the stove varies by model.
- A ceramic stove can normally be connected to an existing chimney, to the rear of the chimney of an unused fireplace in an adjoining room, or to a brand-new flue.
- When building a stove against an existing wall, you generally do not need to heat proof the wall. The stove is built with a clearance of +5cm from a wall.
Contact us to discuss your specific requirements or questions and ideas for location, design and fit.
How the stove works for you
As open plan living and working from home has become more popular, Ceramic stoves offer a great alternative to standard heating methods. Ceramic Stoves are already used in millions of European and Scandinavian homes, alongside central (convective) heating. The use of Ceramic stoves alongside traditional central heating means that you can rely much less on these methods, reducing your dependency on gas, electricity, and oil.
The objective of a Ceramic Stove over the colder months is maintain an ambient temperature in your living space. Traditionally, the stove is fired up once in a 24-hour period and would on average have a 2-hour burn time. Wood consumption is kept to a minimum, saving you money on fuel.
The objective of a Ceramic Stove over the colder months is maintain an ambient temperature in your living space. Traditionally, the stove is fired up once in a 24-hour period and would on average have a 2-hour burn time. Wood consumption is kept to a minimum, saving you money on fuel.
Contact us to discuss your Ceramic Stove requirements.
