The short answer
Before lighting the first fire of the season, have the chimney or flue swept, check that nothing has nested or fallen inside during the summer, make sure there is a working carbon monoxide alarm in the room, and burn only dry, untreated wood or certified pellets. Book the sweep early, because demand in Malta peaks from October to January.
Why sweeping matters
Burning wood leaves soot and a tar-like deposit called creosote on the inside of the chimney or flue. Over a season it builds up and causes three problems:
- Poor draught. A narrower flue pulls less air, so fires smoke, struggle to light and burn less efficiently.
- Chimney fires. Creosote is flammable. A build-up can ignite and burn very hot inside the flue. See what creosote is and the signs of a chimney fire.
- Carbon monoxide. A blocked or partly blocked flue can push combustion gases, including carbon monoxide, back into the room. You cannot see or smell it.
A sweep removes the deposits and lets the sweep check the flue for anything that should not be there.
Malta-specific things to watch
Many fireplaces in Malta and Gozo are used for only a few months a year, and some holiday homes and farmhouses only occasionally. Long gaps bring their own risks:
- Nests and debris. Birds nest in unused chimneys over the summer, and leaves, sand and fallen mortar collect at the bottom.
- Damp. A chimney that has been closed all year can be damp, which makes the first fires smoky and encourages creosote.
- Older chimneys. Traditional houses of character and farmhouses often have older chimneys that were not built for a modern stove. If you are fitting a stove into an old fireplace, have it installed and lined by a qualified installer.
Your pre-winter checklist
- Book a sweep for before your first fire. Reserve a slot early in autumn. See how often a chimney should be swept.
- Look up the chimney with a torch (with the fire out and cold) for obvious blockages or nests.
- Check the stove glass, door seal and rope gasket. A worn seal lets the stove burn uncontrollably and can leak smoke.
- Test your carbon monoxide alarm, or fit one if you do not have one.
- Check your smoke alarm too.
- Clear the area in front of the fire. Keep rugs, furniture, curtains and wood stores a safe distance away.
- Get a fireguard if you have children or pets.
- Stock the right fuel (see below).
Carbon monoxide alarms
Carbon monoxide is produced when fuel burns without enough air. Symptoms of exposure include headaches, dizziness, nausea and tiredness, which are easy to mistake for flu. A carbon monoxide alarm is inexpensive and is the only reliable way to know if it is building up.
- Choose an alarm from a reputable maker, designed for carbon monoxide.
- Fit it in the room with the fire or stove, following the manufacturer’s guidance on position.
- Test it regularly and replace it when it reaches the end of its stated life.
If the alarm sounds, open doors and windows, put out the fire if it is safe to do so, leave the room and get fresh air. Seek medical help if anyone feels unwell, and do not use the fire again until it has been checked.
Our guide to carbon monoxide alarms for stoves and fireplaces covers where to fit them and what to do if one sounds.
What to burn, and what not to
Burn:
- Dry, seasoned wood. Wet wood smokes, burns poorly and creates far more creosote. Well-seasoned logs feel light, sound hollow when knocked together and have cracks at the ends.
- In pellet stoves, only pellets of the type your manufacturer specifies. Certified pellets (for example under the ENplus scheme) burn more cleanly and consistently.
Our guide to the best firewood for a wood burner covers seasoning, testing and storing logs.
Never burn:
- Painted, varnished or treated wood, chemically treated or painted pallets, chipboard or furniture.
- Plastics, packaging, nappies or general rubbish.
- Large amounts of paper or cardboard, which can send burning pieces up the flue.
During the season
- Empty ash regularly, leaving a thin bed in wood burners if the manufacturer recommends it.
- Keep the stove glass clean so you can see how the fire is burning. Dark glass that blackens quickly is often a sign of wet wood or too little air.
- If you use the fire most days, book a second sweep in the middle of winter.
- For pellet stoves, clean the burn pot and ash pan as often as the manual says. Our pellet stove cleaning guide explains what you can do yourself.
When to stop using the fire
Stop and have it checked if smoke comes into the room, the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, you hear a roaring sound from the chimney, you see sparks or flames from the top of the chimney, or the stove door seal is clearly damaged.
In an emergency, such as a chimney fire, call 112. If smoke keeps coming into the room, see why a fireplace smokes into the room.