How to Use a Wood Stove

Wood stoves can be an excellent way to heat your home. But, how you use the stove can affect its performance.

The center of the wood stove is usually the most hot area. This is where pots can be placed. The stove's bottom usually has a grate where the ashes can fall.

Choosing the Best Wood

A wood stove is an essential purchase and long-term investment. Before you commit to buying one you must know how the stove operates and how you can use it. This will help you increase the heat output and decrease your heating expenses.

The first step is deciding the right stove for your home or cabin. The amount of the stove's heating requirements is contingent on the size of your space and how well-insulated your home is. This heat requirement is measured in British thermal units (BTUs). Typically, newer homes use less heating from the stove than older ones because they are more insulated and have energy efficient features like balanced ventilation systems and heat recovery units.

The right type of wood for your stove is important. Different kinds of wood burn differently. Hard, dense hardwoods are the best wood for your stove. Hardwoods produce more heat than softwoods, and they are more flammable. Avoid driftwood, varnished or painted wood or pressure-treated lumber in your stove or fireplace. These materials could damage the chimney and cause creosote build up.

After you've chosen the type of wood for your stove, you need to be sure to season it correctly. You should season your wood for at least three years before you burn it. Dry wood burns more efficiently, generate more heat and produce fewer harmful byproducts.

Stove Shape and Door Features

The shape of the firebox can also affect its performance. For example stoves that are bigger than they are deep will have less space to be projected into as compared to other stoves however, they could have issues with the production of smoke and air flow. The stove's front door is also an important feature to consider because it will influence the ease of load logs and the views you can take in.

Other things to consider are the type of logs you prefer to burn, if your stove is intended for continuous or casual use, and how often you'll be using it. Some people choose a stove that is too big for their requirements, which leads to them running it at a high temperature all the time. This results in an abundance of smoke which can be harmful to the indoor environment. It also leads to an excessive amount of creosote accumulation in the chimney.

Preparing the Firewood

A well-maintained wood stove can provide warmth and comfort throughout the winter. But, just like any other appliance, it requires proper use and preparation in order to function effectively. To burn efficiently in your fireplace and to reduce the amount of creosote you should dry your firewood before using it. The process of preparing firewood isn't too difficult however, it requires some thought and constant effort.

Green, or unseasoned, firewood can cause smokey fires as well as poor air quality in your stove. To avoid this, most people cut their own firewood from fallen trees or purchase an entire load from a local wood cutter. However the quality of the firewood will depend on when it was cut and the length of time it took to dry. As a general rule, cut the wood in late winter or early spring and let it dry for the duration of the summer.

You can use a moisture gauge or a test-by-fire method to determine if the wood is seasoned enough for your fireplace or stove. If the wood is properly seasoned you'll notice that it is more light in your hands, and the bark will fall off.

Another sign that the wood is ready to use is that it will ignite easily when thrown onto an extremely hot fire and create an excellent flame. It is also likely to burn hotter and faster than green or wet wood, and produce a fine dusting of ash during the process.

If you're using a wood stove to heat your home, think about investing in an insulated face cord of dry, products split logs that is ready to use as soon as it arrives at your driveway. Typically the face cord will comprise about 128 cubic feet of corner wood burning stove, including the space between the pieces.

To accelerate the process of seasoning It is recommended that you split your logs into a range of sizes that will work for your stove. It is best to split the logs into rounds or rectangles, not cylinders since this will enable drying to occur more quickly and evenly. The pieces can be stacked in a row and left exposed to the sun which will evaporate the water.

Lighting the Fire

When it is time to heat our homes wood stoves are one of the most environmentally friendly alternatives. They use combustion to burn waste gases (called dioxins) and firewood more efficiently. Wood stoves also incorporate a component called a baffle plate that helps to minimize the amount of smoke that is generated during the fire.

Stoves come with many built-in features to help you create fires that last longer and require less maintenance than traditional open fireplaces. Modern stoves, like come with valve controls to regulate the air flow into the combustion chambers. This allows the flame to burn at a constant, controlled rate to produce more heat, while decreasing smoke emissions.

Modern stoves are also designed to be energy efficient heating systems. They employ a process referred to as secondary combustion, which recycles the carbon dioxide released from the burning of wood into more heat. This process boosts the output of heat generated by the stove by a considerable amount, and helps keep the fire going longer.

A properly fired log burner can also make your home more comfortable. The warmth and the comfort of a fireplace can be calming. Many people find sitting in front of one is a relaxing experience. It can be a great opportunity to spend time with friends and family.

To start a fire you require the right kind of kindling. Two pieces of tabloid-sized newspaper placed on top of a layer of kindling is an easy and efficient method of lighting an fire. Some people also use dry orange peel, which is an organic tinder, to get their fires started.

After the newspaper is placed on top, small pieces of tinder and a couple of firelighters should be placed on top. A well-lit fireplace should have a flame that is bright enough to ignite the newspaper, but not hot enough to begin burning the paper or emitting smoke.

Add more wood pieces to the fire and it will heat the room faster. Based on the stove you have, it may be beneficial to utilize a chimney blower or fan to help circulate the air in the room and prevent heat from rising into the ceiling.

Cleaning the Firebox

Wood burning stoves release fumes and toxins that have to be eliminated from the hearth. Cleaning up ashes and wood debris is a common part of running the fireplace, but routine cleaning should also include a thorough inspection for damage and deterioration to the hearth as well as the chimney and firebox surface. Cleaning this kind of thing is best left to professionals who will perform a complete cleaning and inspection with a keen eye for detail.

Before cleaning your firebox, make sure to read the manufacturer's instructions and warranty. This will ensure that you do not break any specific cleaning guidelines. Think about placing a large tarp on the floor to collect any dirt or soot that might fall when you clean.

Start with a cold fireplace and then remove the andirons, grate, and ash dump (Image 1). Sweep ashes out of the firebox onto one side and scoop them using a metal spoon into a trashcan for disposal. Vacuum the hearth and mantle to clear out the crevices and nooks where soot can settle.

If you have glass doors, clean them using Simple Green and a scrub brush or sponge to loosen the soot and prevent discoloration. Take note of the label and use the solution as high as you can reach.

Then, make an easy cleaner to wash the fireplace bricks. Prepare two buckets. The first one should be filled with warm water and add a tablespoon dishwashing liquid. To the second bucket mix equal amounts of household ammonia and white vinegar that has been distilled.

Use a sponge or a scrub brush to dip into the mix of soap and start working it into your fireplace's surfaces. Make small circles and allow the solution to rest for three to five minutes. Then, rinse the brick. Continue scrubbing and rinsing until you're confident that the brick's surface is clean. Repeat the process as needed to clean soot off your fireplace's bricks. Make sure that the area is well ventilated throughout the entire process. Don't forget to wear eye protection and rubber gloves when using strong chemicals.