How to Properly Start a Wood Burning Stove

Wood stoves are an ideal method to reduce energy consumption and warm a room. They will require some maintenance.

A majority of modern wood stoves comply with EPA emissions guidelines. You can look for an EPA sticker on the grate or beneath it to ensure your stove doesn't emit harmful pollutants.

How to Start a Wood Fire

The scent and sound of a fire made from wood can be a pleasant addition to any home. However, it is important to know the correct method to create a fire on your stove. Improper techniques can result in the fire not burning effectively and produces creosote or smoke. These tips can help you create a fire that is safe and can heat your home quickly and effectively.

Before you begin an fire, make sure you check the condition of your coals and logs. If they are wet they will choke the fire and prevent it from burning properly. It is possible to open the chimney to remove any ash that falls into the stove.

Begin by putting some small newspaper pieces that are dry in the stove. This will help to ignite the tinder. Once the tinder and kindling are beginning to burn, you can put a layer of larger kindling pieces on top. This should be done in a crosshatch pattern so there will be air between each piece of wood.

If your wood stove is equipped with an automatic combustion control, it will automatically pump air into the flame as it grows. This allows the fire to burn for a long time without you having to open the door of your stove frequently to check on it.

Be careful not to use excessive tinder since it can cause the fire to burn at a fast rate and will not be able to use the fuel efficiently. Once you've got a good base in your stove with igniters, tinder, and embers, start the main flame by laying two large logs of the base on the grill. Next, place small modern wood burning stoves [great post to read] logs parallel to these and on top of the base logs. This "top-down" method of creating a fireplace will produce a long-lasting, efficient fire that doesn't completely engulf larger base logs.

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

Adding Wood

Stoves are not just beautiful home décor pieces - they can help you save money by providing efficient wood heat. They can be utilized in conjunction with a central heating system or furnace to provide supplemental heat in large houses. Many of the new clean-burning stoves on the market employ a superior combustion process that separates the burning of volatile compounds from combustible gasses and tar by providing air in two distinct stages. The first stage permits the burning of volatile compounds and the second stage provides fresh air that is pre-heated. This improves the combustion process and reduces the odors.

The amount of heat you get from a stove depends on the species and the moisture content of the wood you use, and also the size of logs. The logs must be stored in a well-ventilated space for a period of time before you attempt to burn them to allow the wood to dry. If the logs are not dry enough they will release plenty of steam that is essentially wasted energy.

You should add wood to the pile at intervals and not all at all at. Adding too much wood at once causes the temperature inside the firebox to increase and creates a vortex that draws smoke and volatile compounds that have not been burned back into the flame which could reduce the efficiency of your stove.

Avoid using other combustibles inside your stove, like paper or cardboard because they are not garden wood burner. They have different physical properties and are unable to be burned without causing dangerously high temperatures. Also, avoid using compressed combustibles like wood briquettes as they have a distinct physical and chemical composition from real firewood and aren't approved for burning in fireplaces wood burning stoves-burning stoves.

It is crucial that a professional install and test your wood burning stove. A certified WETT technician will test the stove for proper operation and safety, as well as ensure that your chimney is functioning properly. These professionals can also offer maintenance services to keep your chimney and stove in top condition. They will look for leaks in the areas accessible to your chimney and repair any problems they find. They will also make sure that all house occupants understand and comply with the evacuation procedures for fire in the event of an emergency.

Adjusting the Damper

When you're not making use of your stove, a damper regulates how much heat is lost through the chimney. It can also be used to manage the flame. If the flue is open but the damper is too closed, the fire won't be able to burn properly and it will release smoke into your living space. You can adjust your damper to get the best flames by playing around with different locations.

You want to keep your damper open to let air flow into and out of the flue when a fire is burning. This will allow the fire to begin and stay lit for several hours. The proper opening will stop the fire from becoming depleted of air and prevent it from blowing smoke.

To be able to adjust your damper, you have to first make sure the fireplace is preheated and the wood stove is hot. This will ensure the chimney is warm, and that it has a strong draft. Once this is done the damper for the wood stove can be adjusted.

After the fire has smolder slightly, you need to close the damper to about three-quarters of its maximum. This will prevent warm air in the room from venturing into the chimney, while still allowing smoke to escape.

This is the best method to keep your fire burning and to prevent it from becoming too hot. If you shut the damper too tightly, it may stop the draft from working, but should it be too wide, a cold breeze could enter your home.

You can determine how much the damper is open by holding your hand near the top of the of the flue pipe. If you feel a small breeze pushing against your hand the damper is probably in the open position.

The damper settings can differ from one stove to the next and even among different types of wood. You can experiment with different settings to get an idea of the ideal setting for your stove.

Clean up

After the fire, it's essential to clean the stove and flue. This will help reduce the risk of a chimney fire which is the primary cause of wood stove related fires in homes. Creosote, a sticky substance that forms on the stovepipe's interior and can be very dangerous. It is caused by moisture and unburned wood particles that are unable to escape the fire. This can also occur when fires are not properly lit.

Regular cleaning helps to prevent creosote buildup. The most effective method for doing this is by sweeping the chimney at least once a year. It is also recommended that you have your stove and fireplace professionally cleaned and checked at least year.

It is also recommended to clean the ash tray and grates regularly. It is recommended to use only double sided wood burner that is seasoned to burn, since this will produce less creosote and ash. It is also an excellent idea to avoid burning paper, cardboard or plastic items. These can release chemicals that are dangerous for the respiratory tract and the air, and could be released into your home.

The glass in the wood burning stove has to be regularly cleaned as well. The majority of modern wood stoves have self-cleaning windows, so they do not require as much scrubbing. If you're unable to make the glass on your wood stove as clean as you would like There are stove glass cleaners available that can be used on the window.

Other tips to maintain your wood stove include turning down the vent when you aren't using it, and cracking windows or doors to allow more airflow. This will ensure that the fire is burning longer and more efficient. The wood stove won't have to perform as hard to circulate air. It is a good idea not to stack logs, or leave them on the fire for a long period of time. This can cause splitting and warping. It is recommended to avoid using combustible compressed wood in your wood stove as the paraffin in the wood can melt and then flow into the flue and cause damage.