Why fuel is so important...

We've had a few customers recently who've been burning the wrong sort of fuel in their stoves which can cause real problems.  If you put damp unseasoned wood into your stove, it is much harder for the stove to work efficiently. Damp wood doesn't light well, smokes badly and can stain the glass in the stove window.  What's more, it can cause problems that you can't see - filling your chimney with soot and deposits which means it will need sweeping more often in order to avoid the risk of a chimney fire.

People are often surprised at the difference it can make when they start using proper wood.  At Westcombes, we recommend the kiln-dried wood which we stock in store, along with kindling and flamers firelighters.  We've found that once customers try a bag of our logs, they never want to go back to buying damp wood from their local garage again.  It really does make a difference, and that's why we give a free starter pack of kiln-dried logs and kindling to everyone who buys a stove at Westcombes and offer free local delivery on orders of ten bags of logs or more. 

Enamelled stoves

We're finding that our ranges of enamelled stoves are very popular with some customers, as you can choose a colour to match your interior decoration.  

The Mendip stoves come in a lovely range of colours, including this lovely powder blue, along with pewter, claret, ivory and dark blue.  There is a small version 5KW version of this stove, as well as a larger 8KW version to suit every home.

We also stock Carron enamelled stoves which again come in a range of colours, including the blue enamel shown here as well as black, red, green, antique and cream enamel and matt black.  

The Carron stoves also come in different sizes and styles.  There's the Dante shown here which is a 5KW stove, as well as a standard 5KW and a larger 7KW version.

We currently have a huge range of more than sixty stoves on show at Westcombes. We started out with one dedicated stoves showroom, but they are gradually taking up more and more of the store as we increase our selection to include more different makes and styles.  Whether you prefer a sleek modern design or something more traditional, we can offer a very wide choice  - so do come and pay us a visit! 

Why a woodburning stove could help rent out your home...

Well, here's an interesting fact for all you woodburner fans - apparently in Scotland when tenants are looking for a rental property, one of the top assets they seek out in a new home is a wood burning stove. The canny tenants are not only thinking of the cosy appeal of a woodburner, but also of their purses - with energy prices rocketing, a wood burning stove can offer warmth while allowing you to cut down on your central heating bills. 


At Westcombes, we know that it's not just north of the border where it can be colder - although  it doesn't feel that way today - that woodburners are popular.  And it's not just in rural areas either, as we've noticed how many of our customers are keen to install Defra-approved wood burning stoves in their homes.

So whether you want to make your home more attractive whether to a prospective tenant, buyer or just for yourself and your family, come and take a look at our huge selection of stoves to see what might suit your home and budget.


For more on this story, click here 

The most realistic electric stove yet...

We've just put an exciting new electric stove on display in the showroom which uses the latest technology to produce a fascinating illusion of a real fire.  Using a 3-dimensional effect it creates a fine water mist which is illuminated to look like flames and smoke.  When this is combined with glowing logs and a shimmering ash bed, the effect is really unlike any electric fire you will have seen before.

Come down to Westcombes to take a look at our new Dimplex Opti-Myst stove in action, or have a look at the effect here.

How to light a fire - or stove...

We're posted about how to light a fire or stove before, but now it's getting chilly we've had a few people asking about this recently - the art of fire-lighting is no longer something we're taught as we're growing up!

First, you need to prepare your stove or fireplace. Check that the damper is open, and that the air vents on your stove are all open,

Then, lay your kindling.  We like to use either our flamers firelighters - or some scrunched newspaper - which we place inside across the base.  Then, make a pyramid of kindling on top.

Light the paper or flamers, and once the kindling begins to burn you can layer some slightly larger pieces of wood, and as soon as the fire is established, put on your coal or logs.

You will need to tend to the fire or stove to top up the fuel as necessary.  You should always make sure that you have a smoke alarm in the same room and don't ever leave the fire unattended.

Finally, it's worth remembering that using the right fuel is key to lighting a fire successfully.  All too often, we've had customers reporting problems when they've been using damp unseasoned wood - it makes it really difficult to light a fire, and what's more it will fill your chimney with soot and tar.  The kiln-dried logs we sell here at Westcombes are ideal - and that's why people who've bought them tend to keep coming back for more.  Once you've used dried logs, you'll know why it makes such a difference!

Are you facing rising household fuel bills?

 With energy prices rising, it has never been a better time to think about getting a stove. 

Here at Westcombes, we have a wide range of Defra-approved woodburners which can be used in London's smoke-free zone to help you cut back on gas and electricity bills.  When the weather's just a little chilly, a stove can give your sitting room a cosy glow without the need to put on the heating throughout the house.

Just last week the energy regulator Ofgem warned that Britain faces power shortages by 2015 and it is anticipated that shortages could lead to sharp price increases with some experts suggesting that household fuel bills could double - so opting for a woodburning stove now could prove to be a timely move.

We go further than you may think....

We may be based in Lee, but we don't just cover the Lewisham area.  As South East London's only HETAS-approved retailer, we sell and fit our woodburners, stoves and fireplaces right across South East London and northern parts of Kent - so that includes Dulwich, Peckham, Nunhead, Herne Hill,  Honor Oak, Tulse Hill, Hither Green, Forest Hill, Sydenham,  Brockley, Blackheath, Greenwich, Eltham, Mottingham,  New Cross, Catford, Woolwich, Thamesmead, Plumstead, Sidcup, Erith, Crayford, Orpington, Chiselhurst, Penge, Croydon, Beckenham and Bromley amongst many others...

We have a huge range of antique, modern and reproduction fireplaces as well as one showroom dedicated entirely to stoves - including a big selection of woodburners approved by Defra for use in London's smoke free zones. 

If you aren't sure whether we might be able to fit and deliver in your area, do just give us a call on 0208 852 6204 or come into the shop and see us.  We're open Monday - Saturday 10-6 and on Sundays during October and November from 12 - 4.