How to Properly Start a Wood Burning Stove
Wood stoves are a cozy way to heat a space and conserve energy. They require some care.
Many modern wood stoves meet EPA emission guidelines. You can check for an EPA sticker on the grate or underneath it to ensure that your stove doesn't release harmful pollutants.
How to Start a Wood Fire
The sound and smell of a wood fire could be a welcome feature in any home. It is essential to know how to build an effective fire on your stove. Incorrect techniques may lead to an unburned fire that doesn't burn effectively, and can produce smoke or creosote. The tips below will help you begin a fire that is safe and will heat up your home quickly and efficiently.
Examine the condition of your coals and logs before you start an fire. If they're damp they will choke your fire and hinder proper burning. You may want to open the chimney to remove any ash that falls into the stove.
Begin by placing several small, dry newspaper pieces in the stove. This will help ignite the fire. When they begin to burn, add a layer of larger pieces to the top of the pile. This should be done with the crosshatch pattern to ensure that there is air between each piece.
If your wood stove comes with an automatic combustion control it will automatically supply air to the flame as it grows. This will allow the fire to burn for a long time without you having to open the stove's door constantly to tend to it.
Be careful not to use too much tinder, as it will cause the fire to burn at a fast rate and not use the fuel effectively. Once you've got a good base in your stove with igniters, tinder, and embers to start the main flame, you can do this by laying two large base logs on the grill. Then, you can lay an additional layer of smaller logs parallel to these and on the top of the base logs. This "top-down" method of building a fireplace will result in an effective and long-lasting fire that doesn't completely engulf larger base logs.
Close the damper when your fire has been established and kept it closed. Doing this too soon can cause the fire to smother and will not allow for the correct air flow, which will decrease the efficiency of the fire.
Adding Wood
Stoves can be used to efficiently heat your home and help you save money. They can be used on their own or in conjunction with a furnace or central heating system to provide the supplemental heat needed in large homes or houses with a lot of rooms. A lot of the stoves that are clean-burning utilize a superior combustion method that separates the burning of volatile compounds from combustible gasses and tar by supplying air in two distinct stages. The first stage allows for the burning of volatile compounds, while the second step provides fresh air that is pre-heated. This improves the process of combustion and helps reduce the smell.
The amount of heat you get from your stove is contingent on the type of wood and the amount of moisture as well as the size of the logs. helpful hints must be stored in a ventilated area for several months before you try to burn them, to allow the wood to dry. If the logs are wet they will create a lot of steam that is essentially wasted energy.
It is best to add wood to the pile at intervals and not all at one time. Addition of too much wood all at once can cause the temperature to rise within the firebox, causing an air vortex that draws smoke and volatile compounds that have not been burned back into the flames. This could reduce the efficiency of your stove.
Avoid using other combustibles inside your stove, such as paper or cardboard because they are not wood. They have different physical properties and cannot be burned without creating dangerously high temperatures. Also, avoid using compressed combustibles like wood briquettes as they have a very different chemical and physical composition to real firewood and aren't approved for use in wood burning stoves.
If you're planning to install a wood burning stove in your home, it is crucial to have it installed and tested by a professional. A certified WETT technician will test the stove for safe operation and safety, as well as make sure that your chimney is operating properly. These professionals offer maintenance services for your chimney and stove to keep them in top shape. They can look for leaks in the areas connected to your chimney, and fix any issues they discover. They will also make sure that all house occupants know and follow the fire evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency.
Adjusting the Damper
A damper regulates how much heat escapes through the chimney when you aren't cooking on your stove. In addition, it can help you control the fire. If the flue is open but the damper is closed too much the fire won't be able to burn properly and it will billow out smoke into your living space. To get the most efficient fire, with your damper adjusted properly you must test different locations and observe how each one affects the flames.
Typically, you want to keep the damper open enough to let air flow in and out of the flue while a fire is burning. This allows the fire to get going and keeps it burning so that you can enjoy it for hours. The right opening can stop the fire from becoming depleted of air and prevent it from blowing smoke.
To adjust your damper correctly first, make sure that the fireplace is heated and that the wood stove is hot. This will ensure that the chimney is warm, and it also has a strong draft. Once this is done the damper for the wood stove may be adjusted.
Once the fire has burned slightly, you need to shut the damper down to about three-quarters of its full position. This will prevent the warm air in the room from venting into the chimney, while allowing the smoke to escape from the wood stove.
This is the most effective way to keep the fire from getting too hot, while also keeping it burning. If you shut the damper too tightly, it could stop the draft from working, however if it is too wide, a cold breeze could enter your home.
You can determine how much the damper is open by placing your hands near the top of the inside of the flue pipe. If you feel a slight breeze pushing against your hand, the damper is likely to be open.
The damper settings can differ from one stove to the next and even among different types of wood. You can experiment with various settings to get an idea of the best setting for your stove.
Clean up
After the fire, it's crucial to clean the stove and flue. This reduces the chance of a fire in the chimney which is the main cause of fires that are caused by wood stoves. Creosote, a sticky substance that accumulates on the inside of the stovepipe and can be extremely hazardous. It is caused by moisture and unburned wood particles that cannot escape the fire. This can also be caused when fires are not properly lit.
Regular cleaning helps to stop the buildup of creosote. The most effective method for doing this is to sweep the chimney at least once a year. It is recommended to have your stove and fireplace professionally inspected and cleaned at least once per year as well.
It is also recommended to clean the ash tray and the grates regularly. It is recommended to use only wood that is seasoned for burning, as this will produce less creosote and less ash. It is also recommended to avoid burning paper, cardboard or plastic items. These items can release dangerous chemicals to the air and flue that could end up in your home.
The glass on the wood burning stove needs to be cleaned regularly as well. A lot of modern wood stoves are designed with self-cleaning glass, meaning that they do not require much scrubs. You can make use of stove glass cleaners on the glass if you aren't capable of getting the glass as clean as you would like on your wood stove.
Other tips for maintaining your wood stove include turning the vent down when you are not using it, and opening the door or window to allow more air flow. This will ensure that the fire is burning longer and more efficiently. The wood stove won't have to be as active to circulate air. It is recommended not to stack logs or place them on the fire for an extended period of time. This could cause warping and splits. Finally, it is best to avoid using compressed combustible wood logs in your wood stove, as the paraffin they contain can melt and then flow down the flue which could damage it.