So, your new wood burning stove has taken pride of place and you fire it up and it works just as well as you wanted it to.
Unfortunately, like anything, to keep high performance levels from something you must maintain and look after it, as neglect can cause damage to the stove, and also possibly to your pocket and home.
However, this maintenance isn't too much of a chore and is more a case of checking a few things now and then.
  First of all, you should periodically check the stove's ash pan for holes - needless to say if there are holes, hot ash is escaping and will damage whatever is underneath, carpet or floor.
Whilst checking, you should have a look at the seals on the stove as any leaks can cause problems.
Check the fire rope seals around the door and glass, and if any is missing or worn, replace.
On a cast iron model stove, if the seals between the side and top plates are not complete then fill any gaps with fire cement.
  Another thing to look at is the fire bricks.
If your stove has them, make sure they are not chipped or damaged, as even the smallest bit of damage can lead in extreme cases to cracking in cast iron models and warping and distortion in steel models.
The glass on the door of your stove should also be checked over and if cracked, replaced.
Also, remove any tar deposits with glass cleaner before they get too stuck on.
  The body of the stove itself should be the easiest thing to spot any problems with.
Occasionally look over the finish and look for spots of rust or other damage.
If needs be, rub down the stove with wire wool, or something similarly tough, and respray using heat resistant paint or even black grate polish.
Another thing to keep an eye on is the stove throat plate, which over time and exposure to high heat can warp, leading to it working ineffectually and making it difficult to remove fire bricks or clean out the chimney.
Lastly, one website insists that, during the summer months, you should always leave a vent or door of the stove open to prevent condensation build up inside or in the chimney.
  As a final point however, it is important to be aware of the dangers of a wood burning stove if you have young children in your home.
You should make them aware of the stove and the dangers, and warn them to keep away from it.
Also, you should never leave really small children in a room alone with an open stove without a cover.
These fire protection grates and screens work to separate the child and the stove, but you should never just rely on a cover.
Always be vigilant around the stove with your children.
  All in all, it is not hard work to keep your stove in tip top condition.
Just a little bit of attention now and then will ensure you get the very best out of your stove for many years.