Blackened stove glass usually comes clean with warm water, fine ash and patience. Here is how to shift soot and tar without scratching the glass or damaging the door seal.

Wet wood, over-fuelling and choked vents cause most wood stove problems. Here's how to spot each mistake and the simple fixes that keep your fire hot, clean and efficient.

A step-by-step guide to lighting a wood burning stove, using the air controls and refuelling for a hot, clean burn that keeps the glass clear and the chimney safer.

Compare open fireplaces and wood burning stoves on heat output, efficiency, installation costs and upkeep, so UK homeowners can choose the right option for their chimney and budget.