Selfsufficientish.com

I don't know anything about stoves I'm afraid but learned the following tip from my parents. It works sometimes on our open fire and used to always work on their Parkray.

Bank up with fuel and then a layer of potato and other veg peeling and tea bags. On top of them a thin layer of hot ash.

Cheap to try.

Heres a question and hopefully it won't hijack the thread.
Can you burn coal in a multi fuel stove and not produce smoke out of the chimney?

Er, if you use smokeless coal?

Living in France I have old wooden shutters on all our windows, during the winter months all the rooms not in use, we keep shuttered, and the rest we close at sunset. To be honest if I were to return to the UK, I would install shutters, as they really do keep the house warm even when the insert goes out.

And saves money.

I've just bought a beautiful blanket made in Great Britain and from recylcled materials, when it gets chilly in the evening I put it round my legs and keeps me lovely and warm, saves on the wood/coal.

Sue