How to Properly Start a Wood Burning Stove

Wood stoves can be an ideal option to conserve energy and also heat rooms. They will require some maintenance.

Many modern wood stoves meet EPA emission guidelines. Look for an EPA sticker either under or on the grate to make sure your stove doesn't create lots of harmful pollutants.

How to start a Wood Fire

The scent and sound of a wood fire could be a wonderful addition to any house. But it's important to learn the proper way to make a fire on your stove. Improper techniques can result in a fire which does not burn well, and may produce creosote or smoke. These tips will help you start the fire that will warm your home with minimum effort and maximum security.

Before you start a fire, you should check the condition of your logs and coals. If they are too wet they could smother the fire and prevent it from burning properly. You may also want to open the flue to let any ash that has fallen into the stove.

Begin by placing a handful of small, dry pieces of newspaper into your stove. This will help to ignite the sparks. Once these begin to burn, add a layer of larger pieces to the top of the pile. This should be done with an arc pattern so that there is air between each piece.

If your wood stove is equipped with an automatic combustion control, it will automatically feed air to the fire as it grows. This will allow the fire to burn at a steady rate without the need to open the stove's doors to keep it in check.

It's important to avoid using too much tinder, since it can cause an unburned fire that burns at an excessive rate and doesn't use the fuel as efficiently as it can. When you have a good pile of tinder and some kindling in your stove, begin the main fire by placing two large base logs on the grate. Next, place small logs parallel to these and on the top of the base logs. This method of creating the fire is called a "top-down" fire will result in an effective and long-lasting fire that will not overtake the larger base logs.

Once the fire is established shut off the damper and keep it closed. Doing this too soon can cause the fire smother and will not allow for proper airflow, which will lower the effectiveness of the fire.

Adding Wood

Stoves can be used to efficiently heat your home and save you money. They can be used in conjunction with a central heating system or furnace to provide supplemental heat in large houses. A lot of the stoves that burn clean employ a superior combustion process that differentiates the burning process of volatile compounds from the combustion of combustible gases and tar by providing air in two distinct stages. The first stage is for the vaporization and the second step is to provide pre-heated fresh air. This improves combustion and reduces smells.

The amount of heat you get from a stove will depend on the species and the moisture content of the wood used and also the dimensions of the logs. To let the wood dry, the logs should be stored in a ventilated area for a couple of months prior to burning. If the logs have excessive moisture, they will create steam, which is basically wasted energy.

You should add wood to the pile in intervals, not all at all at. Adding too much wood at once causes the temperature in the firebox to rise, and creates a vortex that draws smoke and stove wood burning unburnt volatile compounds back into the flame, which can reduce your stove's efficiency.

Avoid burning other combustibles in your stove such as cardboard or stove wood burning paper, because they are not wood. They have different physical properties and are unable to be burned without producing dangerously high temperatures. Also, avoid using compressed combustibles such as wood briquettes as they have a completely different chemical and physical properties from actual firewood and are not suitable for burning in wood burning stoves.

If you're planning to install wood-burning stoves in your home, it's crucial to have it installed and tested by a professional. A certified WETT technician will test the installation to ensure proper operation and safety, as well as ensure that your chimney is operating correctly. They offer maintenance services for your chimney and stove to ensure they are in good condition. They can check the accessible areas of your chimney for leaks, and repair any problems discovered. They will also ensure that the occupants of your home understand and comply with the fire evacuation guidelines in case in the event of an emergency.

Adjusting the Damper

If you're not using your stove, a damper regulates how much heat is lost through the chimney. It can also be used to control the fire. If the flue is open but the damper is not closed the fire won't ignite properly and smoke will pour into your home. To ensure you have the best fire with the damper properly adjusted, you have to experiment with different settings and observe how each one affects the flames.

Typically, you'll want to keep the damper open enough to let air enter and out of the flue when a fire is burning. This will allow the fire to start and stay lit for several hours. The right opening will also keep the fire from being starved of air and will keep it from blowing smoke.

To be able to adjust your damper, you have to first ensure that the fireplace is heated and the wood stove is hot. This will ensure that the chimney is warm and has good draft. Once these are done the wood stove damper can be adjusted.

After the fire has burned for some time, you need to close the damper about three quarters of the way. This will stop the warm air from the room from going through the chimney, while allowing smoke to escape from the wood stove.

This is the best way to keep the fire from getting too hot, while also keeping it burning. The draft might be stopped if one closes the damper too far, but a cold wind could be able to enter your home when the damper is left open.

You can check to see how much the damper is opened by placing your hands near the top of the of the flue pipe. If you feel a slight breeze pushing on your hand it's likely to be in the open position.

The damper settings can vary from one stove to another and even between different kinds of wood. Playing around with different settings will give you an idea of what you should look for, but you may need to adjust it until you find the perfect setting for your stove Wood Burning.

Clean up

It is essential to clean your stove and flue after a fire. This can to reduce the chance of a chimney fire which is the most common reason for wood stove-related fires in homes. Creosote is a sticky substance that can build up inside the stovepipe, is extremely hazardous. Unburned and moist particles of wood that cannot escape the fire are responsible for this chemical. This can also be caused when fires are not properly lit.

A regular cleaning routine can help keep the buildup of creosote at bay. This can be accomplished by cleaning your chimney once a year. It is also recommended to have your stove and fireplace professionally cleaned and examined at least yearly.

It is also recommended to clean the Ash tray and grate frequently. It is recommended to use only wood that is seasoned to burn, since this will produce less creosote and ash. Avoid burning paper, cardboard and plastic. These can release chemicals that can be dangerous for the flue and air, which could be released into your home.

It is also essential to clean the glass of the wood stove regularly. A lot of modern wood stoves have self-cleaning glass, which means that they do not require any cleaning. You can use stove glass cleaners on the glass if you aren't capable of getting the glass as clean as you'd like on your wood burner stoves stove.

Some other helpful suggestions for maintaining your wood stove include turning the vent down when you're not using it and slamming a window or door to increase air flow. This will keep the fire burning hotter, and more efficient. The wood stove will not have to perform as hard to circulate air. It is also a good idea to not stack logs or leave them in the fire for prolonged periods of time as this could lead to warping and splitting. It is recommended to avoid using compressed combustible wood in your wood stove since the paraffin contained within the wood can melt and then flow into the flue and cause damage.