How to Properly Start a Wood Burning Stove
Wood stoves are a comfortable way to heat a room and save energy. They require some care.
wood burning fireplace are compliant with EPA emission guidelines. You can look for an EPA sticker on the grate or beneath it to ensure your stove doesn't release harmful pollutants.
How to Start a Wood Fire
The scent and sound of a fire can be an enjoyable addition to any house. But it's important to learn the proper way to build a fire in your stove. Improper techniques can result in the fire not to burn effectively, and can produce smoke or creosote. The tips below will help you start an fire that can heat your home with the least effort and with the highest security.
Examine the condition of your logs and coals before you start a fire. If they're wet they will choke your fire and hinder proper burning. It is also possible to open the flue to let out any ash that has fallen into the stove.
Begin by putting a few small dry pieces of newspaper into your stove. This will help to spark the tinder and ignite your kindling. Once the tinder and kindling are beginning to burn, you can add the larger kindling pieces on the top. This should be done in a crosshatch pattern so there is air between each piece of wood.
If your wood stove is equipped with an automatic control for combustion, it will automatically supply air to the flame as it grows. This will enable the fire to burn at a steady pace without having to constantly open the stove's door to keep it in check.
Avoid using too much tinder, as it can cause the fire to burn at a rapid rate and will not be able to use the fuel effectively. After you've built a solid foundation in your stove that is made of sparks, tinder and kindling, start the main flame by placing two large logs of the base on the grill. Next, place an additional layer of smaller logs perpendicular to these and on top of the base logs. This method of constructing a fire called a "top-down" fire will result in an effective and long-lasting fire that will not overtake the larger base logs.
Close the damper after your fire has been established and keep it shut. If you open the damper too early, it can cause the fire to smother and will not allow for the proper airflow, which will decrease the efficiency of the fire.
Add Wood
Stoves can be used to heat your home efficiently and also save you money. They can be used in conjunction with central heating systems or furnace to provide additional heating for large homes. A lot of the clean-burning stoves on the market utilize a superior combustion method that separates the burning of volatile compounds from combustible gases and tar by providing air in two different stages. The first stage allows for the burning of volatile compounds and the second offers fresh air that is pre-heated. This improves combustion and decreases the odors.
The amount of heat you get from a stove is contingent upon the species and the moisture content of the wood used, and also the size of logs. The logs should be stacked in a well-ventilated space for several months before you attempt to burn them, to give the wood time to dry. If the logs are not dry enough, they will produce plenty of steam that is essentially wasted energy.
While you're burning the fire, add more wood to the pile at intervals, but not all at all at. Too much wood added at once can cause the temperature of the firebox to rise, and produces a vortex that sucks smoke and volatile compounds that have not been burned back into the flame, which could reduce the efficiency of your stove.
It is recommended to stay clear of other combustibles like cardboard or paper in your stove, because they are not wood and have different physical properties and cannot be burned without creating dangerously high temperatures and a lot of emissions. Also, you should not use compressed combustibles like wood briquettes as they have a distinct chemical and physical composition to real firewood, and are not type-approved for burning in wood burning stoves.
If you're planning to install wood-burning stoves into your home, it is crucial to have it installed and tested by a qualified. A certified WETT technician will test your stove to ensure it is safe and functional. They can also make sure that your chimney works correctly. They offer maintenance services for your chimney and stove to ensure they are in good condition. They will inspect the areas that are accessible to your chimney for leakage, and fix any issues found. They will also make sure that the occupants of the house understand and follow the fire evacuation procedure in the event of an accident.
Adjusting the Damper
If you're not using your stove, a damper regulates the amount of heat lost through the chimney. In addition, it can help you control the fire. If the flue is open but the damper is not closed enough, the fire won't be able to burn properly and will release smoke into your living space. You can adjust your damper to ensure the best flames by experimenting with different locations.
Typically, you want to keep the damper open enough to let air in and out of the flue while the fire is burning. This will allow the fire to start and stay lit for many hours. The proper opening will stop the fire from being deprived of air and keep it from blowing smoke.
To adjust your damper correctly, you must first ensure that the fireplace is heated and that the wood stove is hot. This will ensure that the chimney stays warm and has an adequate draft. After these steps are completed, the damper on the wood stove can 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 stop warm air in the room from venting up the chimney while still allowing smoke to escape from the wood stove.
This is the best method to keep your fire lit and to prevent it from becoming too hot. The draft could be stopped if you close the damper too far, but a cold wind can enter your home when the damper is not closed.
By placing your hands on the top of the flue pipe will tell you how much the damper has sunk. If you feel a slight draft pushing on your hand it is probably in the open position.
The damper settings can differ from one stove to the next and even among different types of wood. Experimenting with the various settings will give you an idea of what to look for, but you will need to tweak until you get the ideal setting for your stove.
Clean Up
After an incident, it is crucial to clean the stove and flue. This reduces the chance of a fire in the chimney which is the main reason for fires caused by wood stoves. Creosote, a sticky substance that builds up on the inside of the stovepipe and is extremely dangerous. Unburned and moist particles of wood that are unable to escape the fire are responsible for this chemical. This can also occur by fires that are not lit properly.
Regular cleaning can help prevent creosote buildup. This can be done by sweeping your chimney at least once every year. It is also recommended to have your fireplace and stove professionally cleaned and checked at least year.
Also, it is an excellent idea to clean the ash tray and grates regularly. It is recommended to burn only wood that is well-seasoned since it will create less creosote. Avoid burning cardboard, paper and plastic. These items can release dangerous chemicals for the flue and air, which could be released in your home.
The glass in the wood burning stove needs to be cleaned regularly as well. The majority of newer wood stoves are designed with self-cleaning glass, which means they do not require much cleaning. If you are not able to make the glass on your wood stove as clean as you would like, there are stove glass cleaners can be used on the window.
Other tips to maintain your wood stove include lowering the vent when you're not using it, and opening doors or windows to increase airflow. This will keep the fire burning more hot and more efficiently, since it won't have to exert as much effort to circulate air. It is also a good idea to not stack logs or leave them in the flame for long periods of time, as this could lead to splitting and warping. Finally, it is a good idea to not use compressed combustible logs in your wood stove, because the paraffin in them can melt and then flow into the flue which could damage it.