How to Properly Start a Wood Burning Stove
Wood stoves are a cozy way to heat a space and conserve energy. They do require some maintenance.
A majority of modern wood stoves comply with EPA emission guidelines. Look for an EPA sticker either under or on the grate to ensure your stove won't produce lots of harmful pollutants.
How to Start a Wood Fire
The sound and smell of a fire made from wood can be a welcome addition to any home. However, it is important to know the correct method to make a fire on your stove. Improper techniques can result in an unburned fire that doesn't burn effectively and can cause creosote or smoke. The following tips can help you start an fire that can heat your home with minimal effort and with the highest security.
Before you start a fire, you should check the condition of your logs and coals. If they're wet they will choke your fire and hinder proper burning. You might want to open the chimney to eliminate any ash that's fallen into the stove.
Begin by putting a few small dry newspaper pieces into your stove. This will help ignite the tinder and ignite the kindling. Once the tinder and kindling have begun to burn, you can add an additional layer of larger pieces on top. This should be done using an arc pattern so that there is air between each piece.
If you own a wood stove with an automatic control for combustion that will automatically deliver an air stream that is controlled to the fire as it grows. This will allow the fire to burn for a long time without the need to open the door of your stove constantly to tend to it.
It's important to avoid using too much tinder, since this can lead to an unburned fire that burns at a high rate and doesn't use the fuel as efficiently as it can. If modern wood burner have a solid bed of tinder and kindling in your stove, you can start the main fire by laying two large base logs on the grate. Then, on the top of these base woods, place a layer perpendicularly to them. This method of constructing the fire is called a "top-down" fire will result in an effective and long-lasting fire that does not overtake the larger base logs.
When your fire is established shut off the damper and keep it shut. The fire may be smothered if you open the damper prior to it being fully established. It will also reduce the effectiveness of the fire.
Add Wood
Stoves aren't only beautiful pieces of home decor they can also help you save money by providing efficient wood heat. They can be utilized in conjunction with a central heating system or furnace to provide additional heating for large houses. The latest stoves that burn clean use a superior combustion principle that separates the burning of volatile compounds from combustible gases and tar by providing air in two different stages. The first stage is for the vaporization, while the second stage is to provide fresh air that has been pre-heated. This improves combustion and reduces smells.
The amount of heat that you can get from a stove depends on the type and amount of moisture of the wood you use, and also the size of the logs. The logs should be stored in a well-ventilated area for a period of time before you attempt to burn them, to give the wood a chance to dry out. If the logs are not dry enough they will create plenty of steam that is in essence wasted energy.
You should add wood to the pile in intervals, not all at one time. The addition of too much wood all at once could cause the temperature to rise within the firebox, creating an air vortex that draws smoke and volatile compounds that are not burned back into the flames. This could decrease the effectiveness of your stove.
Avoid the use of other combustibles such as paper or cardboard in your stove, because they are not wood and possess different physical properties that cannot be burned without creating dangerously high temperatures and excessive emissions. It is not recommended to burn compressed combustibles such as wood briquettes because they are different in chemical and physical composition from firewood. They are also not type-approved to be burned in wood burning stoves.
If you're planning to install a wood burning stove in your home, it is essential to have it installed and tested by a professional. A certified WETT technician will examine your stove to make sure it is safe and functional. They will also check that your chimney is functioning properly. These professionals can also offer maintenance services to keep your stove and chimney in tip-top shape. They can check the areas that are accessible to your chimney for leaks, and repair any problems found. They will also make sure that all house occupants know and follow the evacuation procedures for fire in the event in the event of an emergency.
Adjusting the Damper
When you're not making use of your stove, a damper controls the amount of heat lost through the chimney. It can also be used to control the fire. If the flue is opened but the damper is too closed, the fire will not burn as efficiently and will release smoke into your living area. You can adjust the damper to get the best flames by playing around with different locations.
You want to keep your damper open to allow air to enter and exit the flue when a fire is burning. This will allow the fire to start and remain lit for a number of hours. The right opening will prevent the fire from being deprived of air and keep it from blowing smoke.
To properly adjust your damper you need to first make sure the fireplace is heated and the wood stove is warm. This will ensure that the chimney stays warm and has good draft. After these steps are completed, the damper for wood stoves can be adjusted.
After the fire has burned for a while, you should close the damper about three quarters of the way. This will stop warm air in the room from escaping into the chimney, but still allowing smoke to escape.
This is the most effective way to ensure that your fire is lit and keep it from getting too hot. The draft might be stopped if one closes the damper to far however a cold breeze can enter your home when the damper is not closed.
Placing your hand on the top of the flue pipe will inform you how much the damper has sunk. If you feel a slight breeze pushing on your hand it's probably in the open position.
The damper settings can differ slightly from one stove to another and even between different types of wood. Experimenting with the various settings will give you an idea of what you should look for, but you may need to tweak it until you find the ideal setting for your stove.
Clean up
After the fire, it's crucial to clean the stove and flue. This will reduce the risk of an ensuing fire in the chimney which is the most common cause of fires caused by wood stoves. Creosote, a sticky material which can build up inside the stovepipe, is very dangerous. It is caused by the moisture and wood particles that are not burned that are unable to escape the fire. This can also be caused when fires are not lit properly.
Regular cleaning can help keep away the buildup of creosote. The best method to do this is by sweeping the chimney every year. It is recommended that you have your fireplace and stove professionally inspected and cleaned at least once per year.
Also, it is an excellent idea to clean the ash tray and grates regularly. It is recommended to use only wood that is seasoned for burning, as this will produce less creosote and ash. It is also an excellent idea to avoid burning cardboard, paper plastic, and other waste items. They can release chemicals that can be dangerous for the flue and air, and could be released into your home.
It is also important to wash the glass of the wood burning stove regularly. The majority of modern wood stoves have self-cleaning windows, which means they do not require as much cleaning. You can use stove glass cleaners on the glass if you aren't capable of getting the glass as clean as you want on your wood stove.
Other helpful tips for maintaining your wood stove include turning the vent down when you are not using it and cracking a window or door to increase air flow. This will help keep the fire burning hotter and more efficiently since it will not need to work as hard to circulate the air. It is a good idea not to stack logs, or leave them on the fire for an extended period of time. This can cause splits and warping. It is best to avoid using compressed combustible wood in your wood stove because the paraffin in them can melt and flow into the flue and cause damage.