How to Use a Wood Stove

Wood stoves are ideal for heating your home. However, the way you use the stove can affect the performance.

The middle of a wood stove is usually the hottest area. This is where pots are placed. The bottom of the stove typically has a grate on which the ashes can fall.

Choosing the Right Wood

A wood stove is a significant purchase and an long-term investment. Before you make the purchase you must know how the stove operates and how to use it. This will help you maximize the amount of heat you can get and reduce your heating costs.

The first step is to select the best stove for your cabin or home. The size of the area you want to heat and the insulation of your home will determine the amount of heat you will require from your stove. This heat requirement is measured by British thermal units (BTUs). In general, newer homes use less heat from the stove than older ones since they are more insulated and also have energy efficient features like balanced ventilation systems and heat recovery units.

The correct wood for your stove is also crucial. Different kinds of wood burn differently. The best wood to use for your stove is hard dense hardwoods. Softwoods burn quickly and produce less heat, whereas hardwoods burn slowly over longer periods of time producing more heat. Avoid using pressure-treated lumber, varnished or painted wooden products or driftwood inside your fireplace. These materials could damage your chimney and cause creosote accumulation.

After you've selected the kind of wood you want for your stove, you need to prepare it for the season. It is recommended to season your wood for at least three years prior to the time you burn it. Dry wood burns more efficiently, produce more heat and generate less harmful byproducts.

Stove Shapes and Door Styles

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

Other things to consider are the kind of wood you prefer to burn, if your stove will be used for sustained or ambient use, and the frequency you'll be using it. Some people buy an appliance that is too big for their needs and then run it constantly at a high heat level. This results in lots of smoke, which is harmful to the indoor environment. It also causes an excessive amount creosote buildup in the chimney.

Prepare the Firewood

A wood stove that is properly used can be a great source of warmth and comfort in the winter. But, as with all appliances, it requires proper use and preparation to function efficiently. To ensure that the firewood is burned effectively in your fireplace and to reduce the amount creosote, you must dry your firewood prior to using it. The preparation of firewood is not difficult however, it requires some forethought and constant effort.

Unseasoned or green firewood can cause smokey fires as well as poor air quality in your stove. Most people are able to avoid this by cutting their own firewood or purchasing the wood from the local woodcutter. The quality of the firewood will depend on when it was chopped and how long it has been allowed to dry. A good guideline is to cut the wood in late winter or early spring and then let it dry through the summer.

To make sure that the wood is well-seasoned enough to be suitable for your fireplace or stove to be used, you can use a moisture meter or a simple test-by-fire to check the wood's readiness. When a piece of wood is properly seasoned it will feel softer in your hands and its bark will swell and fall off.

A good flame and easy burning is another indicator that the wood is ready for use. It should also burn hotter and faster than green or wet wood burner stoves, producing an even dusting of ash during the process.

If you're using a wood stove to heat your home, think about purchasing an insulated face cord of split, dry logs that will be ready for use the minute it arrives at your driveway. In general the face cord will comprise about 128 cubic feet of wood, which includes the space between the pieces.

Splitting your logs into sizes that are suitable for your stove will speed up the process of preparing. It is best to divide the logs into round or rectangles, not cylinders, as this will allow them to dry more quickly and evenly. The pieces can be stacked in a row and left exposed to the sun and the sun will evaporate the water.

Lighting the Fire

Wood stoves are the greenest alternative to heat our homes. They can combust firewood more efficiently and burn the waste gasses that would otherwise be released into the air (called dioxins). Wood stoves also incorporate the baffle plate, which assists to minimize the amount of smoke produced by a fire.

Stoves have a number of built-in features that help you create fires that last longer and require less maintenance than traditional open fireplaces. For instance, modern stoves have valve controls that regulate air flow into the combustion chamber. This allows the flame to remain at a constant, controlled rate to produce more heat while cutting down on smoke emissions.

Modern stoves are also designed to be more efficient in terms of energy use heating systems. The process of secondary combustion is used to convert the gases released by the burning wood burning stove into heat. This process boosts the output of heat produced by the stove by a substantial amount, and helps keep the fire burning for longer.

A properly-fired log multi burner stove can make your home more comfortable. The warmth and warmth of a fire can be calming. Many people find sitting in front of it is a relaxing experience. It's a great way to spend quality time with your friends and family.

To start a fire you require the right kind of tinder. It is easy to start an fire by placing two tabloid-sized pieces of crumpled paper on top of a layer of the tinder. Some people utilize dry orange peels as a natural tinder source to start their fires.

After the newspaper is placed in its place, smaller pieces of kindling should be laid over it, and then placed a couple of firelighters on the 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.

Adding larger pieces of wood to the fire will help it reach its full potential and warm the room quickly. It may be beneficial to make use of a blower or chimney fan to circulate air and stop the heat from reaching the ceiling, depending on the kind of stove you have.

Cleaning the Firebox

Wood burning stoves emit smoke and toxins that need to be removed from the hearth. Cleaning off ashes as well as stray wood and other debris is an essential part of maintaining a fireplace. However, regular cleaning should include an inspection thorough enough to look for deterioration and damage on the hearth, firebox and chimney surfaces. It is recommended to delegate this type of cleaning to professionals, who can do thorough inspection and cleaning.

Before cleaning your firebox, be sure to go over the manufacturer's instructions and the warranty. This will ensure that you don't violate any specific cleaning directions. Consider placing a large tarp on the floor in order to collect any dirt or soot that might fall when you clean.

Begin with a cold fire and remove the andirons, the grate and the ash dump (Image 1). Transfer the ashes to the other side of the firebox, and scoop them out using the help of a shovel made of metal into garbage cans for disposal. Vacuum the mantle and the hearth to get rid of the nooks and crannies where soot can settle.

If you have glass doors, clean them using Simple Green and a scrub sponge or brush to break up the soot and prevent discoloration. Make sure you follow the directions and apply the solution as far up on the glass as you can reach.

Then, make an easy cleaner to wash the fireplace bricks. You'll need to prepare two buckets: Fill the first with a gallon of warm water. You can also add a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid along with grease cutters. Mix equal parts of household vinegar and distilled ammonia in the second bucket.

Dip a scrub brush or sponge into the soapy solution and begin working it into the surfaces of your fireplace. Use small circles and allow the solution to sit for 3 to 5 minutes. Rinse the surface. Continue rubbing the brick surface and rinsing it until you are satisfied. Repeat as needed to get the soot off of your fireplace bricks. Make sure the room is adequately ventilated throughout the entire process. Don't forget to wear eye protection and rubber gloves when working with chemicals that are strong.