How to use Vermiculite to improve wood-burning stove efficiency

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There are lot of things you can do to improve the efficiency of a wood-burning stove. One method that is often overlooked is the use of Vermiculite.

What is Vermiculite?

Vermiculite is a mineral that is commonly used as a loose-fill insulation. It’s a very useful material that is deployed in all sorts of different situations. That includes helping your woodburner to operate more effiently.

Other uses include

• Loft insulation
• Packaging
• Backfill for firebacks and boilers
• Firebase embers
• Wicking agent

How is Vermiculite used in conjuction with a stove?
It can be poured down your chimney to fill the gap between the flue pipe and your brickwork.

It has a very high melting point of 1350°C which – when coupled with its insulating properties – means it can sit against your register plate and your flue and comfortably keep the heat where it should be.

Vermiculite can be used loose or is sometimes bound with cement. Talk through the options with your installer to decide which is the best route for you.

What are the benefits of using Vermiculite?

• A more efficient burn. To keep your stove functioning efficiently, you want your flue to be drawing gases up the flue effectively. Vermiculite keeps the flue insulated to ensure the gases stay warm and the draw remains strong.
• Reduced chance of chimney fires. Since the flue is insulated, there is less chance of the flue gases condensing before they have reached the top of the chimney. Less cooling and condensing means less chance of creosote build-up and, as a result, a reduced risk of chimney fires.
• Longer flue lifespan. If your flue system is operating more efficiently and experiencing less creosote build-up than would otherwise have been the case, it’s likely to last a lot longer.

Buy Vermiculite for your wood-burning stove stove now.