How to Use a Wood Stove

Wood stoves are an excellent way to heat your home. But, how you use a stove can influence the performance.

The middle of the wood stove is typically the hottest area. This is where pots are placed. The bottom of a stove typically has an ash grate, which is where the ashes are deposited.

Selecting the right wood

A wood stove is an essential purchase as well as a long-term investment. Before you make that commitment it is important to understand how the stove operates and how to use it. This will allow you to increase the amount of heat produced, and also reduce your heating costs.

The first step in selecting the right stove is to choose the right size for your home or cabin. How much the stove's heating requirements depends on the size of your space and how well insulated your home is. The heat requirement is measured using British thermal units (BTUs). In general, newer homes require less heat from the stove than older ones due to the fact that they are more insulated and feature energy efficient features like balanced ventilation systems and heat recovery units.

The correct wood for your stove is also important. Different kinds of wood burn differently. The best wood for your stove will be hard, dense hardwoods. Softwoods burn quickly and produce less heat, whereas hardwoods burn slowly over a longer period of time producing more heat. Avoid using pressure-treated lumber, varnished or painted wooden products or driftwood in your fireplace. These materials can cause damage to the chimney and cause creosote build up.

Once you've decided on the kind of wood you want for your stove, it is important to be sure to season it correctly. It is recommended that you season your wood for three years or more before burning it. Dry wood burns more efficiently, generates more heat and produces fewer harmful byproducts.

Stove Shapes and Door Styles

The shape of the firebox can also affect the performance of the firebox. For example stoves that are bigger than they are deep project less into the room compared to other stoves, however they might have problems with the production of smoke and air circulation. The stove's front door is another important aspect to consider because it will affect how easy it is to load logs and what kind of view you can get.

You should also consider the type of wood you'll want to burn, if you will make use of your stove for everyday or long-term use, and the frequency you intend to use it. Some people select an appliance that is too large for their requirements, which leads to the stove being run at an excessively high temperature constantly. This results in a lot of black smoke, which results in a poor indoor atmosphere, as well as an excessive amount of creosote inside the chimney.

Preparing the Firewood

A well-used wood stove can be a great source of warmth and comfort in the winter. However, like any appliance it needs proper usage and preparation to operate efficiently. To burn cleanly in your fireplace and decrease the amount of creosote you need to dry out your firewood before using it. The procedure of preparing firewood is not difficult but it requires some forethought and constant effort.

Green or unseasoned firewood can result in smoky flames and poor air flow in your stove. To prevent this, the majority of people cut their own firewood from fallen trees or purchase a load from the local wood cutter. The quality of the firewood will be based on the time it was cut and how long it has been allowed to dry. A good rule of thumb is to cut the wood in winter or early spring and then let it dry throughout the summer.

To make sure that the wood is well-seasoned enough to use in your multi burner stove or fireplace or stove, you can utilize the moisture meter or a simple trial-by-fire to check its readiness. When a piece of wood is properly seasoned, it will feel lighter in your hands and its bark will loosen and fall off.

A clean flame and smooth burning is another indicator that the wood is ready to use. It should also burn more quickly and hotter than green or wet wood, resulting in a fine dusting of ash in the process.

You should consider investing in a face cord of dry, split logs which are ready to use the moment they arrive at your driveway. A face cord contains approximately 128 cubic feet, including the space between each piece.

Dividing your logs into sizes suitable for your stove will speed up the process of preparing. It is best to cut logs into round or rectangles, rather than cylinders. 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 most environmentally-friendly option to heat our homes. They use combustion to burn waste gases (called dioxins) and firewood more efficiently. Wood stoves also have a component called a baffle plate, which helps to cut down on the amount of smoke that is generated during a 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, for example, have valve controls to regulate the flow of air into combustion chambers. This ensures that the flame stays at a steady, controlled speed to generate more heat and reduce smoke emissions.

In addition, modern stoves are often designed to be a more efficient heating system. The process of secondary combustion is used to convert the gases released by the burning wood into heat. This process boosts the heat output of the stove by a significant amount. It also helps to keep the fire burning for a longer period of time.

A properly lit log stove can also make your home more comfortable. The coziness that surrounds the flames can be relaxing, and many people find the act of sitting before a glowing fire meditative. It's a great opportunity to spend time with your family and friends.

The key to establishing an effective fire is to begin with the correct type of kindling. It is easy to start the fire by placing two tabloid-sized pieces of crumpled paper on top of a layer or the tinder. Some people make use of dry orange peel as a natural tinder to begin their fires.

Once the newspaper is in place small pieces of wood should be laid over it, and then placed a couple of firelighters stacked on the top. A well-lit fire should have a flame that is sufficient in brightness to light the newspaper but not so hot that it starts to burn the kindling and release smoke.

Add larger pieces of wood to the fire to increase the temperature of the room. It is possible to use a blower or chimney fan to circulate air and prevent heat from rising to the ceiling, depending on the stove you own.

Cleaning the Firebox

Wood burning stoves emit fumes and toxins that need to be removed from the hearth. Cleaning off ashes or stray wood as well as other debris is a part of keeping the fireplace. However, a regular cleaning should include a thorough inspection to check 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 an extensive cleaning and inspection.

Before tackling your firebox, be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions and warranties to ensure you're not in violation of any specific cleaning guidelines. Also, you might want to lay a large tarp or old sheet over the floor to catch any soot or dirt that could fall off when you clean.

Start with a cool fireplace and remove the andirons, grate, and ash dump (Image 1). Remove the ashes from the firebox to one side and scoop them up with a metal spoon into a trashcan to dispose of. Vacuum your hearth and mantle to remove any soot which tends to accumulate in crevices and cracks.

Simple Green is a great method to clean glass doors. Use a scrubber or sponge and Simple Green to remove soot. This will prevent discoloration. Make sure you read the label and apply the solution as far up on the glass as you can reach.

Then, mix an easy cleaner for your fireplace bricks. Make two buckets. Fill the first with warm water and add a tablespoon dishwashing liquid. Mix equal parts of household vinegar and distilled ammonia into the second bucket.

Make use of a sponge or scrub brush to dip it into the mixture of soap and start working it into the fireplace's surfaces. Use small circles and let the solution sit for 3 to 5 minutes. Rinse the surface. Continue rubbing and rinsing until you're satisfied that the brick's surface is clean. Repeat the process as needed to remove the soot off of your fireplace bricks. Make sure the room is well-ventilated throughout the entire process. Don't forget to wear eye protection and rubber gloves when working with chemicals that are strong.