FAQ
Wood fireplace

There are a few factors to consider when choosing a stove. The decision about the shape, size and materials of the stove is a question of taste, the heating requirements and in which premises the stove will be installed. In the Attika Stove Finder you can compile a selection of stove models based on various criteria. You can also make a non-binding appointment with a specialist dealer, who can show you the options that are right for your home. Find your nearest dealer here.

Since the stove is not just a source of heat, but also a piece of furniture that must match your interior and personal style, this question is central. Certainly, the basic question of the fuel should be asked first. Once this has been clarified, Attika offers you a wide range of fireplaces or fireplace inserts. Our fireplaces are known for their perfect finish and long life. To guarantee this, we only use selected, high-quality materials and raw materials. All Attika fireplaces currently on sale meet the strictest environmental and quality requirements.

Let our products on the website inspire you and make an appointment with your local specialist dealer.

The price of an Attika stove varies according to the model and the options chosen (CleverAIR™, swivel console, etc.). Ask your local dealer for the price of your chosen stove.

The cost of installing a wood-burning stove depends on the type of home and the desired result of the installation. Contact your local dealer for advice on the most suitable installation in your home.

The kW strength indicates the power of a system and the amount of radiant heat that the appliance emits. However, the actual heat output depends on the wood covering chosen by the user. The size of the room is crucial for a pleasant indoor climate. Per kW heat output, 10 m² surface area (approx. 25 m³ room) can be heated (in newer buildings with good insulation). Your dealer can advise you individually on this question.

Every chimney is different and depends on the location. Also, the legal guidelines vary from country to country, state to state. It is best to contact your local specialist dealer or chimney sweep.

Attika's CleverAIR™ and ElectronicAIR™ automatic air control systems take care of regulating the air supply to your stove. Inside the stove, the right amount of air is supplied when the firebox is heated - by mechanical or electronic means. Thus, the automatic burn-off control has significant ecological advantages because it completely eliminates operating errors that can occur when manually adjusting the fresh air supply. Remember that the chimney is decisive and therefore responsible for the draught of the stove. Indeed, if the stove is connected to a flue pipe that is too large, the manual air control has the advantage that it can remain fully open for a longer period of time. This is important because warm air is known to rise. If this air (smoke) enters a larger volume, it cools down faster, which slows down the flow velocity. Thus, it does not move away and flows back into the room. The best thing to do when choosing the right air control is to contact your local specialist partner. He can advise you on your personal needs and the already installed exhaust system.

Yes, certainly. We recommend that you choose a fireplace stove with a small combustion chamber. Such as the small compact Q-TEE from Attika. A stove made of soapstone or with a storage module is also recommended for smaller rooms.

When buying a stove, it is worth taking a close look at the combustion chamber door. Our tip: open and close the firebox door several times at the point of sale:

• Can it be opened and closed again completely without any problems? Does it even lock automatically?
• Does the hinge run smoothly?
• Pay attention to a pleasant closing noise. You will hear it many times at home.
• How does the door handle fit in your hand?
• Does the door feel solid, compact, tight and heavy? Or is it made of thin steel plates?
• Are all seals on the inside of the door cleanly processed?

The Self-Locking-System^© (SLS^©) developed by Attika designers in Switzerland is a special convenience. It allows the firebox door to be opened very easily with an ergonomic movement sequence and a light pull. The best thing to do is to ask your local Attika dealer to demonstrate the Self-Locking-System^©.

Yes, of course. To do this, the stove must be installed independently of the room air. This means that the fresh air required for combustion is not taken from the room where the stove is located, but is supplied to the stove in a controlled manner via a connection from the outside using a pipe/duct.

With almost all parapet stoves and fireplace inserts, this connection can be supplied by means of the so-called AIR system either through the floor or through the rear wall. Thanks to the AIR system, you can easily install your stove in a low-energy or Minergie house. Please be sure to observe the country-specific regulations.

Stylish design, the best quality and a perfect fire – these are the values for which the brand  a t t i k a  stands for over 40 years.

Top 10 stoves sold in 2022

We recommend that you have your stove installed by a stove builder/owner. This will ensure that the stove is properly installed and correctly connected to the flue system. Find your nearest Attika specialist partner.

We recommend that you have your stove installed by a specialist. Professional installation and correct connection to the chimney system will ensure a well-functioning stove and compliance with legal requirements. For further information, please contact your local specialist dealer.

Contact a chimney fitter near you. They will be able to advise you on the best possible stove solution based on your living situation and your heating requirements.

Depending on the stove model and the placement of the stove in the room, the distances to combustible materials vary. In the installation instructions for your stove, you will find the information with the minimum distances specified by the manufacturer. A snug-fitting hearth is often used to protect the floor. Please note that local and building regulations as well as fire regulations must be observed. Check with your local chimney sweep.

No, this is not possible for legal reasons. For the installation of a wood-burning stove or fireplace insert, you always need a functioning chimney.

If the dimensions of the stove and flue system match, yes.

The chimney is the engine of the stove, i.e. the stove and the flue system must form a single unit. This means that the flue system ideally has the same diameter as the flue at the stove. Most Attica stoves have a 150 mm diameter chimney outlet (connection piece).

In addition, the flue system should ideally be at least 4 metres long, not involve too many changes of direction and horizontal guides should be kept as short as possible.

Some newer houses are so well insulated that there is not enough oxygen for clean combustion. In this case, you can supply fresh air to the stove from outside instead of taking it from the room. We call this system AIR-SYSTEM and it can be connected to almost all Attika stoves. Please be sure to observe the country-specific regulations.

Yes, if your stove ideally also has a diameter of 200 mm at the smoke outlet. The dimensions of the furnace and flue gas system should not differ too much.

You can use almost any type of natural wood as firewood. The quality of the firewood contributes greatly to a beautiful fire. We recommend well stored hardwoods such as beech, birch or oak, as these give a lot of embers and a calm fire. Use well and long dried piece wood.

The wood should be stored in a weatherproof place and protected from ground moisture. The logs should be stored with the face side facing outwards and with sufficient space between the floor and the logs. This allows the air to circulate optimally. Closed rooms such as garages or cellars are not suitable for storing firewood. Before you fire the firewood, take it indoors for a few days before use. This will allow it to dry out again. Wood storage units in various designs are ideal for this purpose.

The drier the wood, the higher the usable energy consumption. The wood should have a moisture content of 17 - 20 %. The moisture content can be measured with a wood moisture meter.

Depending on the stove model, the size of the firebox and the desired heating value, the amount of firewood (preferably natural beech, birch or oak) varies. Please read the operating instructions of the stove manufacturer. In general, the weight of a piece of wood for a stove should be less than 1 kg. You should also use softwood, such as fir wood, and a lighting aid to light the fire.

Watch the following video.

Wood briquettes are mechanically compressed wood waste such as sawdust. As a result, they contain less moisture and a higher density than classic firewood. Consequently, briquettes and classic logs in the amount of energy contained in a single piece. In concrete terms, briquettes achieve a heating value of approx. 5 kW/kg. The best normal heating wood, on the other hand, has a calorific value of about 4.4 kW/kg in comparison. In order not to exceed the maximum fuel load of the wood stove, these pressed pieces of wood should be broken up. (Experience shows that most users do not do this, as it causes a lot of dirt). Basically the following applies: wood briquettes can be used for firing, but the quantity should be adjusted accordingly (approx. 1 kg per hour).

As a matter of principle, you should not burn any painted, laminated, impregnated or plastic-coated wood, painted waste wood, chipboard, plywood, nutshells, pine cones, newspaper, black coal and household waste in your stove. The substances produced during combustion are harmful and polluting exhaust gases that damage the environment and the stove.

Yes, in principle it is possible.

However, the barbecued food must be removed from the stove very carefully, as residues such as grease inside the stove or on the outside of the stove casing are difficult to clean. For this reason Attika cannot recommend grilling in the stove or fireplace.

Various factors influence the wood consumption of a stove or fireplace insert. Read our blog post (01.05.2019) about this.

You can place a walking/safety grille in front of the stove to prevent children from getting too close to the hot stove. Never leave small children unattended near the stove.

If the stove no longer reacts to the air control, this means in most cases that the door is not closed properly. This means that the air supply cannot be reduced because air can enter the firebox in an uncontrolled manner. You can read how to check whether the door is properly closed in the next question: "The door of the stove no longer closes. What can I do? What can I do?"

You can put blotting paper / blotting pad on the spots with candle wax and then run a hot iron over them. The stove must be cold when you do this. You can also use a fine-grained sandpaper to gently sand over the areas. Soapstone is a soft stone and therefore the candle wax can penetrate deep into the stone. The more you fire the stove, the faster the wax goes away.

Not too big, max. 700-800 gr. per log. Depending on the stove, 2-3 logs. Several woods burn nicer and cleaner than just one large piece. Please also refer to the operating instructions of your stove.

Only clean the wood-burning stove when it is cold. If you have a steel stove, you can clean the outside with a clean and dry cloth. Make sure that there are no scratch marks. If the outside of the stove is made of soapstone or ceramic, it can be cleaned with a mild soapy water or with the cleaning agent from Attika dry and damp. You can clean the glass ceramic pane with a glass ceramic cleaner. Do not spray the cleaning agent directly on the pane, but on a cloth, otherwise the door seals may be damaged.

Cleaning the glass pane of your stove or fireplace regularly ensures a clear view of the fire.

During the combustion process, various particles are formed that stick to the pane. If the deposits on the pane are not cleaned regularly, components of the deposits can react with the glass ceramic material. Unsuitable cleaning agents can also damage the pane surface, especially if residues remain on the pane and are exposed to high temperatures. To avoid cloudy surfaces (white film), the firebox should therefore not be overheated and the pane should be cleaned regularly.

Regular lubrication of all moving parts on the stove is central to its proper use. For this purpose, we recommend the use of Neoval or WD-40 sprays, as the use of other products can lead to the formation of odours or residues. Door latches, hinges and movable door handles should be lubricated with a small spray. When spraying, cover the paintwork with some household paper to avoid stains. After lubricating, move the door slightly back and forth. It is best not to use too much spray at once - instead, repeat the process regularly.
Read more about this in our blog (16.03.2022).

You can obtain the appropriate lubricant from your local dealer and can count on his help if you have any questions.
 

Instructions lubricate hinges BANDO
Instructions lubricate hinges NEXO
Instructions lubricate hinges PILAR
Instructions lubricate hinges POLEO
Instructions lubricate hinges Q-BE
Instructions lubricate hinges VIVA L

Yes, we recommend regular maintenance so that you can enjoy your fireplace for years to come. The fireplace and the flue pipe should be checked and cleaned annually by a district chimney sweep. Ask your local specialist dealer.

Maintenance of the stove is most suitable before the heating season begins. You can do the maintenance yourself or have it done by a specialist. We recommend having the annual inspection and cleaning of the flue pipe carried out by a chimney sweep. Clean the combustion chamber, vibrating grate and ash drawer of the wood-burning stove of ash residues. Check the seals and replace damaged seals. Lubricate all moving parts such as door hinges, door latch and door slide rails with a lubricant spray. The spray should not leave any deposits. Check the firebox lining (fireclay/vermeculite). Cracks can occur due to the strong temperature fluctuations, but these do not affect the functioning of the stove. Only if the firebox lining should crumble out after years, it must be replaced. Have a new firebox lining installed by a local chimney builder.

There can be several reasons for odours coming from your stove. If the stove has not been used for a long period of time, dust and dirt may be present, which can cause odours due to heat.

The ashes must be completely cooled down before disposal. It is best to wait 24 hours before removing the ashes from the fireplace. A vibrating grate and an ash drawer makes it easier to remove the ashes from the stove. Almost all attic stoves and fireplace inserts have a vibrating grate and an ash drawer. The remaining ash residue in the firebox can be scooped out with a fireplace cutlery set or conveniently sucked out with an ash vacuum cleaner. Place the ashes in a fireproof metal bucket and leave it for at least 2 days. In most cases the ashes can be disposed of with the regular garbage.

No, on the contrary. Cold ashes in the firebox make it easier to fire the stove again.

Smoke in the stove can be caused by insufficient draught in the chimney, wet wood or oversized wood. Soot on the outside of the stove is usually caused when the door is opened while the flames in the stove are still high. Wait until the fire is extinguished before opening the door. It may also be because the door was opened too quickly. Always open the door slowly and carefully.

If the door is left open too long or if too much smoke is produced during firing, traces of soot can appear above the firebox door on light-coloured stoves. For Attika stoves with light lacquer colours such as white, nickel or silver, the cleaning agent for light steel surfaces of stoves helps to remove these traces. It also reliably removes grease stains, oil stains and dirt and is especially designed for the external cleaning of painted surfaces. The stove can be cleaned gently with a microfibre cloth or a Jemako cloth (Attika recommendation). The cleaning agent should not be used on dark surfaces (Attika lacquer colours black, mocha), as differences in nuances may occur after use. In any case, follow the instructions in the product's instructions for use.

Is your stove subject to the BImschV1: The stove may no longer be installed or relocated, and stoves that have already been installed may continue to be used. You can find out whether your Attika stove still complies with the 1st BImSchV in Germany on the website of HKI Industrieverband Haus-, Heiz und Küchentechnik e.V. To the HKI Website.

Here you will find an overview of stoves that have not been tested by HKI and must be taken out of operation by 31 December 2020.

Manufacturer certificates for download:
ART-10, ART-15, AVANT / EPOCA, POLEO alt, AVANT, BANDO, BORA, DOM, EPOCA, GABO Spezial mit NOX-Wert, GABO, GEO, JUNO, MALTA, MINO, MIRA 3, NERO, New PILAR, OPUS, PALO mit NOX-Wert, PALO, PILAR, PINA, POLEO, Q-20 mit NOX-Wert, Q-20, Q-BE, Q-BIC 2007, Q-BIC Spezial mit NOX-Wert, Q-TEE, QUADRO, RINA, RONDO 92, RONDO 103, RONDO 120, SIRA, TAIKO, TOPAS, VISTA, VIVA mit NOX-Wert, VIVA, VOLA, X-BASIC, X-BOARD, X-FRONT

If your stove no longer complies with the 1st BImSchV, please contact the Attika sales office. Attika sales office. We will be happy to help you make the right decision for a new stove and make you an interesting offer.

The Federal Immission Control Ordinance (BImSchV) in Germany lays down regulations for clean air that apply to all stoves and inserts. As the legal regulations have changed in recent years, further operation after 31.12.2024 is not permitted for models installed before 22.03.2010. The aim is always to achieve the highest possible efficiency with the lowest possible emissions. To achieve this, stoves are extensively tested in long processes. The resulting values are relevant when installing the stove and are checked by the chimney sweep. Attika wood-burning stoves are convincing due to their long service life and functional efficiency and point to Attika's promise of quality. As some stoves were inspected before the introduction of the new regulations, they must be retrofitted or replaced to comply with BImSchV 2. What does retrofitting mean? In order to achieve the specified limit values, an active fine dust filter (particle separator) can be installed.

Check with your Attika dealer whether this costly option makes sense for your stove. If your Attika stove has been in use for many years, a complete replacement may be more economical. Ask the Attika sales service for an interesting offer.

The aim of the Ecodesign Directive is to reduce the environmental impact of energy-related products, taking into account their entire life cycle. The EU regulations set the minimum requirements for solid fuel heating appliances that must be met in order for these appliances to be sold on the European market.

What does this mean for stoves or fireplaces already delivered and installed?

The Ecodesign Directive entered into force on 1 January 2022. Therefore, the Directive does not affect already installed wood-burning stoves or fireplaces (installed before 31.12.2021). However, older fireplaces already installed must comply with the country-specific and regional regulations for the use of heating appliances.

Models that were delivered by the manufacturer to the specialist dealer before 1 January 2022 and are available in exhibitions and warehouses may be purchased from the specialist dealer and installed by him. This applies provided that the fireplace complies with the current country-specific requirements, such as BImSchV ll in Germany or LRV in Switzerland.

Fireplaces produced and ordered from 1 January 2022 comply with the Ecodesign Directive 2022.

The wood-burning stove sector is above all a world of compromises between aesthetics, comfort... and technology. Attika stoves offer many aesthetic and technical possibilities thanks to the Customized concept. For example, we offer the VIVA L model with or without side windows. The stove is also available with manual or automatic CleverAIR^TM air regulation. These factors have a direct influence on the performance of the product. At Attika, products are tested in the combination in which they perform least. In this case, for the VIVA L, the efficiency of a model with side windows and manual air regulation is tested in the laboratory and given. Although the model without side windows and with CleverAIR^TM achieves the higher performance, Attika is given the lower values. This makes it difficult to compare with competing offers, as the models can be put together in a very wide variety of ways.

Basically, the ElectronicAIR^TM automatic air control achieves the best efficiency and with the CleverAIR^TM mechanical air control the better values are measured than with manual control.

Wood-burning stoves are CO²-neutral, as the burnt wood emits the same amount of CO² as would have been emitted by natural decay.

When you use your stove, you should always open the door slowly. In this way, you will prevent the flue gases from being blown out of the stove into the room and the indoor climate from being affected.

With Attika's AIR system (external air supply), the stove burns independently of the air in the room and the indoor climate is not affected.

You should always consult your doctor if you have any health questions.

A wood burning stove pollutes far less than, for example, an outdoor campfire. Attika stoves are subject to strict environmental and quality requirements. We are constantly working to reduce emissions from our stoves.

There is no particular reason to avoid wood-burning stoves during pregnancy. If in doubt, please consult your doctor.

Here you can find your nearest Attika dealer.

Here you can find a stove exhibition near you.