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How to Properly Start a Wood Burning Stove

Wood stoves are a warm way to heat a space and conserve energy. However, they need some level of maintenance.

Many modern wood stoves meet EPA emissions guidelines. Look for an EPA sticker on the underside or next to the grate to ensure your stove doesn't create a lot of harmful pollutants.

How to start a Wood Fire

The scent and sound of a wood fire could be a welcome addition to any house. But it's important to learn the proper way to build a fire in your stove. Incorrect techniques can lead to a fire that doesn't burn effectively and produces creosote or smoke. The tips below will help you begin a safe fire that can heat your home quickly and effectively.

Make sure to check the condition of your coals and logs before you begin the fire. If they are wet, it will smother your fire and prevent the proper burning. It is possible to open the chimney to remove any ash that's fallen into the stove.

Begin by putting several small wood burner stoves newspaper pieces that are dry and clean into your stove. This will help to ignite the tinder. Once these begin to burn, add a layer of larger pieces of tinder to the top of the pile. This should be done in a crosshatch fashion so that there will be air between each piece of wood.

If your wood stove comes with an automatic control for combustion, it will automatically feed air to the flame as it grows. This will allow the fire to burn steadily without you having to open the stove door constantly to tend to it.

Be careful not to use too much tinder, as this will cause the fire to burn at a rapid rate and will not be able to use the fuel efficiently. After you've built a solid foundation in your stove that is made of sparks, tinder and kindling begin the main flame by laying down two large base logs on the grill. Next, place small wood burning stove uk small modern wood burning stoves Wood stove - gm6699.com - logs perpendicular to these and on top of the base logs. This method of creating the fire is called a "top-down" fire will result in a powerful and long-lasting fire that does not overtake the larger base logs.

Close the damper when your fire has been established, and keep it closed. Doing this too soon can cause the fire get smothered and not allow for the correct air flow, which can reduce its efficiency.

Adding Wood

Stoves can be used to heat your home efficiently and also save you money. They can be utilized in conjunction with central heating systems or furnace to provide additional heating in large houses. Many of the latest clean burning stoves that are available on the market use advanced combustion principles that separates the burning volatile compounds from combustible gasses and tar. This is accomplished by supplying air in two different stages. The first stage is to aid in the vaporization process, and the second step is to provide pre-heated fresh air. This improves combustion and decreases odors.

The amount of heat that you will get from your stove is contingent on the kind of wood used as well as the moisture content, as well as the size of the logs. To let the wood dry, logs should be kept in a ventilated space for a couple of months prior to burning. If the logs are wet they will release a lot of steam that is essentially wasted energy.

During the burning of the fire, it is recommended to add more wood to the pile at intervals, not all at once. 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 like cardboard or paper in your stove, since they are not wood and possess different physical properties and cannot be burned without causing dangerously high temperatures and excessive emissions. You should also not use compressed combustibles like wood briquettes, as they have a completely different chemical and physical properties from real firewood, and are not suitable for use in wood burning stoves.

If you're planning to install a wood burning stove in your home, it's important to have it properly installed and tested by a professional. A certified WETT technician will test the installation for proper operation and safety and also ensure that your chimney is functioning correctly. These experts can also provide maintenance services to keep your chimney and stove in good condition. They can check the accessible areas of your chimney to determine if there is leakage and fix any issues that are found. They will also make sure that the occupants of the house understand and adhere to the fire evacuation procedures in case of an accident.

Adjusting the Damper

If you're not using your stove, a damper regulates the amount of heat lost through the chimney. It can also be used to regulate the fire. If the flue opens but the damper is not closed, the fire will not burn properly and smoke will billow into your home. You can adjust your damper to ensure the best flames by testing different locations.

Typically, you should keep the damper open enough to let air enter and out of the flue while the fire is burning. This will allow the fire to begin and stay lit for many hours. The proper opening will stop the fire from being starved of air and stop it from blowing smoke.

To be able to adjust your damper, you have to first make sure the fireplace is heated and the wood stove is warm. This will ensure that the chimney is warm and that it has a good draft. After that, the wood stove damper can be adjusted.

After the fire has burned for some time, you need to shut the damper around three quarters of the way. This will stop warm air in the room from getting into the chimney, while still allowing smoke to escape.

This is the best way to ensure that your fire is lit and keep it from getting too hot. If you close the damper too far it may stop the draft from working, however when it's too open a cold breeze could blow into your home.

By placing your hands on the top of the flue pipe will show you how much the damper has opened. If you feel a slight breeze pushing against your palm The damper is most likely in the open position.

The damper settings can differ between stoves and even among different types of wood. Experimenting with the various settings will give you an idea of what to look for, but you may have to keep adjusting until you get the perfect setting for your stove.

Clean Up

After the fire, it's crucial to clean the stove and flue. This will help lower the risk of a chimney fire which is the main reason for wood stove fires in homes. Creosote, a sticky substance that can accumulate inside the stovepipe, is extremely hazardous. It is caused by moisture and unburned wood particles that are unable to escape the fire. It can be caused by improperly lit fires.

A regular cleaning routine can help prevent the buildup of creosote. The best method to do this is by sweeping the chimney at least once a year. It is also recommended to have your fireplace and stove professionally cleaned and inspected at least once a yearly.

Also, it's an excellent idea to clean the ash tray and grates regularly. It is recommended to only burn wood that has been seasoned, as it will produce less creosote. It is also recommended to avoid burning paper, cardboard plastic, and other waste items. These items can release dangerous chemicals for the air and flue, which can be released into your home.

The glass that is used on the wood burning stove needs to be cleaned frequently as well. Most newer wood stoves have self-cleaning windows, which means they do not require as much cleaning. You can apply stove glass cleaners to the glass if you aren't getting the glass as clean as you want on your wood stove.

Other ways to maintain your wood stove include lowering the vent when you aren't using it, and slamming doors or windows to increase airflow. This will ensure that the fire is burning longer and more efficient. The wood stove will not have to perform as hard to circulate air. It is recommended to not stack logs or place them in the fire for prolonged periods of time as this could cause warping and splitting. It is advised to avoid using compressed combustible wood in your corner wood heater stove as the paraffin in the wood burners garden can melt and then flow into the flue and cause damage.