Recycle Rubbish Rugby

The Rugby World Cup can mean only one thing for some households, having a few mates round and watching the matches. It certainly will in my home. The downside of having all these people around is that there is always plenty of cans and bottles for the recycling (especially if England is winning). 

Having traipsed the wheelie bin down the drive a few times only to find that everyone else seems to be putting out their food waste happens to me more often than you'd think. With handy painted reversible wooden signs on hand to help those mornings where your head is a little more delicate and avoid ending up in the "Sin Bin" with your local authority. 

"Tackling" the fortnightly glass recycling box can be a messy business, especially at this time of year when it can be raining, making carrying it tricky, especially if you are dressed for work. A recycling box store help keeps everything dry and tidy. A removable mid-shelf makes this versatile store useful for two standard size recycling boxes or a mix of the food waste caddy or general paper recycling.

If you’re fed up with the sight of the ugly wheelie bins standing like sentries in the garden, or if you found the bins getting smelly in the hot weather over the summer, check out the full range of our wheelie bin recycling stores.  Each is made to suit the standard 140 or 240 litre bins, or as a combination of wheelie bins and recycling boxes.   

Single Recycling Store

Built in our Dorset workshop, the Dorset Log Stores’ Wheelie Bins are constructed from thick pressure treated Scandinavian redwood timber and are guaranteed for 15 years against fungal attack and rot, so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy six weeks of rugby.  For more information on our stores for sorting out your recycling you can leave a comment below or call us on 01300 345916 to speak to a member of our team. 


Thanks for Reading
James

Preparing Your Log Store for Winter

As the nights draw in and the evening and early morning temperatures drop, my thoughts turn to topping up my supply of logs, ready for the winter fires and I find myself looking forward once again to the sound of crackling logs and toasty toes.

That said, last year I experienced wasps in the house in December and was horrified to find the incident was repeated a few days later. My discovery was linked to the sleepy creatures hiding out in the log shed. I had neglected to clear it completely the previous year and the dry, split, well seasoned logs were obviously a luxury hibernation location.

Whilst all our log stores are made of Swedish Redwood treated against fungal and insect attack by the Tanalith-E® process (pressure treatment), insects will always make a winter home in a lovely dry environment. Even with a love of insects, I could easily have been stung while sorting and carrying the logs, so this year I will not be making that mistake again!

Okeford Log Store with a Tiled Roof

Using the late summer sunshine, now is the perfect time to clear out your log store before the winter delivery of logs arrives. If possible, it's best to empty the store completely and give all the surfaces a brush to remove any cobwebs, leaves and sleeping insects before stocking up.

The main advantage of clearing the log store and re-stacking the logs is to free up the ventilation again so that air can once again circulate. Wet timber won't burn well in your fireplace, the energy produced will boil off the water from the logs rather than heat your home and more importantly unseasoned logs can clog up your chimney with  soot and could lead to chimney fires. To aid the drying process Dorset Log Stores have a ¾ inch gap between each board to ensure an adequate airflow to remove the moisture from your logs in the shortest possible period. 

Other basic tips to ensure the wood is dry while preparing your logs for storage:

1. Use the summer sun and warm days to your advantage, get your log delivery or chopping logs on a dry day.
2. Chop or split your logs into smaller pieces to increase the surface area - see our 'How to Chop a Log' guide.
3. Use a purpose built log store with good circulation to keep your logs off the ground and to dry them quicker.
4. Position the log store away from walls to avoid damp and in a sunny aspect if possible.
5. Cover exposed logs in case of driving rain or snow.

For more information about the construction of our log stores and visit Dorset Log Stores or give us a call on 01300 345916 to speak to a member of our team. 

Thanks for Reading
James

10 Top Tips for Creating a Romantic Fireplace

There is nothing more lovely to us at Dorset Log Stores than the crackling sound of logs burning on an open fire or in a log burner. I've watched enough movies and television to know that there is an element of romance in a roaring fire, whether in the home or snuggled in the corner of a pub or restaurant.

A Roaring Fire for a Night of Romance

The reality, however, is that any home owner needs to take a more pragmatic approach to create this illusion for oneself. Especially when it comes to thinking of safety too, fires are hot remember. The surrounding area must be free from flammables and the fire itself should have a clean hearth and a fireguard always helps prevent burnt toes (and other parts). 

Nevertheless a romantic ambience can still be achieved depending on your required style and here at Dorset Log Stores we can help you to create the romance with our gorgeous and stylish fireside accessories, buckets and baskets.  

1. Make sure your fireside tools are readily to hand. Companion sets are a great way to save space.  A small shovel for clearing the ashes and a brush for keeping the area tidy compliment the necessary and practical tongs and poker. You don't want your fire to go out mid-romance.
2. Think about what colour scheme would suit your room. Perhaps you have a particular colour or style of door handles, light fittings or other accessories in the room that you wish to match up with. Would brushed steel, wooden or black metal look best with the room? Choose the one that will look the best.
3. Choose carefully. Dependent on the amount and shape of space you have available choose an appropriate log basket. You don't want a huge log basket next to a little fire.
4. What is your fuel of choice?  Will you be burning logs that will sit comfortably in a basket or would a coal scuttle be more appropriate?
5. Will you need a bucket?  Emptying the ash from the hearth is a regular job so it is handy to keep a bucket near by.  Dorset Log Stores have buckets of varying shapes and types from small enamel buckets to more sizeable polished brass and copper scuttle shapes for keeping the fireside clean and tidy.
6. Topping up Kindling needn't be a chore.  Stylish boxes and baskets compliment any fireplace and make useful access to kindling, fire lighters and paper. Don't let lighting the fire become a chore and ruin the mood.
7. Matches don't have to be in a tatty box. Match holders are available in various finishes and keep your matches safe and dry and look great. Equally you wont have to annoyingly hunt for the "special place" you last left them to keep them safe.
8. What type of basket?  Aside from the shape and size, baskets take on a slightly different style based on their material, willow, ash, wicker, rattan, wrought iron or even brass effect. Either way be sure to select a log basket that matches the room.
9. You'll need a fire guard.  From spitting logs to bedtime routines, an open fire should never be left alone without a guard. Having one in place all the time is usually a good idea. Avoiding singed toes (and more important other parts) is always important. 
10. Are your logs dry?  Having a log store close to the house is the most convenient way of storing your fuel. Wet logs are not going to light and soon your whole evening of romance will be ruined. 
    
    

    

    Dorset Log Stores range of Log Stores

Asking our Dorset Log Stores' Team for their most popular romantic tip, they agree that lighting a fragrant candle or oil burner will cover up the smoky smell of a newly lit fire and makes a lovely addition to any evening, romantic or otherwise! 

If you have your own romantic tip for a roaring fire why not share it in the comments below, or if you have a question about our range of log stores and fireside accessories you can phone on 01300 345916 to speak to a member of our team. 

Thanks for Reading
James