How to Use a Wood Stove

Wood stoves are a fantastic method of heating a home. The way you use your stove could have an impact on 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 typically has an ash grate, which is where the ashes are deposited.

The Right Wood

A wood stove is a crucial purchase as well as a long-term investment. Before you commit you have to know how the wood stove operates and how it's utilized. This will help you maximize the heat output, and reduce your heating costs.

The first step is to select the right stove for your home or cabin. The size of the area you're trying to heat as well as the insulation of your home will determine how much heat you will require from your stove. The amount of heat required is measured in British thermal units, also known as BTUs. Newer homes generally require less heat than older ones because they are more insulated and have more energy-efficient features like balanced ventilation systems and heating recovery units.

Another important aspect is to select the right wood for your stove. Different types of wood burn differently. Hard dense hardwoods are ideal wood for your stove. Hardwoods are more efficient at producing heat than softwoods, which are more flammable. Avoid using pressure-treated lumber, varnished or painted wooden products, or driftwood in your fireplace. These materials could damage the chimney and cause creosote build up.

Once you have chosen the kind of wood you'd like to use for your stove, it's important to season it properly. Ideally, you will season your wood for three years or more before burning it. Dry wood is more efficient to burn, produces more heat, and produces less harmful byproducts.

Stove Shape and Door Features

The shape of the firebox may also affect the performance of the firebox. For instance stoves that are larger than they are deep project less into the room as compared to other stoves however they might have problems with the production of smoke and air flow. The front door of the stove is another important aspect to think about as it will influence the ease of load logs, and what view you can get.

Other things to consider are the kind of wood you prefer to burn, if your stove will be used for continuous or casual use, and the frequency you plan on using it. Some people purchase the wrong size stove for their needs and then run it on a constant temperature. This creates a lot of smoke, which is harmful to the indoor environment. It also causes an excessive amount of creosote accumulation in the chimney.

Preparing the Firewood

A well-used wood stove can be a wonderful source of warmth and comfort in the winter. To make it efficient it is essential to properly use the stove and prepare it. The wood you use for your stove must be dried or seasoned out, in order to burn in a clean manner and reduce the amount of creosote created by your fireplace. The process of preparing firewood is not difficult, but it does require a little forethought and sustained effort.

Unseasoned or green firewood could create smoke and poor air in your stove. The majority of people can avoid this by cutting their own firewood or purchasing an entire load of wood from the local woodcutter. However the quality of the firewood depends on when it was cut and how much time it took to dry. As a general rule cut the wood in the late winter or early spring and let it dry throughout the summer.

To make sure that the wood is well-seasoned enough to use in your stove or fireplace to be used, you can use the moisture meter or a simple trial-by-fire to test its readiness. When wood is properly seasoned you will notice that it is lighter in your hands and the bark will begin to fall off.

Another sign that the wood is ready to use is that it will ignite easily upon a hot flame and produce an impressive flame. It is also likely to burn faster and more hot than wet or green wood, resulting in an even dusting of ash in the process.

If you are using a wood stove to heat your home, consider buying an insulated face cord of split, dry logs that is ready for use the minute it arrives at your driveway. Typically that a face cord would contain about 128 cubic feet of cheap wood burning stoves, which includes the space between the pieces.

To speed up the process of seasoning it is recommended that you split your logs into a variety of sizes that will work for your stove. It is preferential to cut logs into rounds or rectangles instead of cylindrical pieces. This will let them dry more quickly and evenly. The pieces can be stacked in a row and then exposed to the sun, which will evaporate the water.

Lighting the Fire

Wood stoves are the greenest option to heat our homes. They are more efficient at combusting firewood and also burn off waste gases that would otherwise be released into the air (called dioxins). A baffle plate is also used in wood stoves to reduce the amount smoke produced by a fire.

Stoves come with many built-in features to help you create long-lasting fires that require less maintenance than traditional open fireplaces. Modern stoves, for example include valve controls that regulate the air flow into the combustion chambers. This allows the flame to burn at an even, controlled pace in order to generate more heat while reducing smoke emissions.

In addition modern stoves are usually designed to be an efficient heating system. Secondary combustion is used to convert gaseous emissions from burning wood into heat. This process boosts the output of heat generated by the stove by a considerable amount, and can also help keep the fire going longer.

A properly fired log burner can make your home more comfortable. The warmth of the flames can be soothing and many find sitting near a burning fire meditative. It's a great way to spend quality time with friends and family.

The most important thing to create a good fire is to start with the correct type of tinder. It is easy to start a fire by placing two tabloid-sized pieces crumpled paper on the top of a layer or kindling. Some people even make use of dry orange peel, which is an organic tinder, to help to start fires.

After the newspaper is placed, small pieces of kindling and three firelighters must be positioned on top. A well-lit fire should have a flame that is sufficient in brightness to light the newspaper but not too hot that it causes to burn the newspaper and emit smoke.

The addition of larger pieces of logs to the fire can help it achieve its full potential and warm the room quickly. Depending on your stove it might be a good idea to utilize a chimney blower or fan to circulate air throughout the room and stop the heat from rising to the ceiling.

Cleaning the Firebox

Wood burning stoves produce fumes and toxins that have to be removed from the hearth. Cleaning up ashes and other wood debris is an essential aspect of operating a fireplace, but regular cleaning should be followed by a thorough inspection for damage and deterioration to the hearth, chimney and firebox surfaces. This kind of cleaning is best left to professionals who can do a thorough inspection and cleaning, with a keen eye.

Before you tackle your firebox, read the manufacturer's guidelines and warranty to be sure you don't violate any specific cleaning instructions. You could consider placing a large tarp on the floor in order to collect any dirt or soot that may fall as you clean.

Start with a cold fireplace and take out the andirons grate, and ash dump (Image 1). The ashes should be swept to one side of the firebox and scoop them out using a metal shovel into the trash bin for disposal. Vacuum your mantle and the hearth and mantle, getting rid of any soot that can collect in the cracks and crevices.

If you have glass doors, clean them using Simple Green and a scrub brush or sponge to loosen the soot and prevent discoloration. Make sure you read the label and apply the solution as far up on the glass as you are able to reach.

Then, make a mild cleaner to clean your fireplace bricks. You'll need two buckets The first bucket should be filled with a gallon of warm water and add one tablespoon of dishwashing fluid along with grease cutters. Mix equal parts of household vinegar and distilled ammonia into the second bucket.

Dip a sponge or scrub brush into the soapy mixture and begin working it into the surface of your fireplace. Make small circles, and then let the solution rest for a period of three to five minutes. Clean the surface. Continue rubbing the brick's surface and then rinse it until you are satisfied. Repeat the process as necessary to remove soot from your fireplace bricks. Make sure that the area is adequately ventilated throughout the entire process. Also, don't forget to wear eye protection and rubber gloves when working with strong chemicals.