How to Properly Start a Wood Burning Stove
Wood stoves can be an ideal option to conserve energy and also heat a room. However, they need some level of maintenance.
Many modern wood stoves conform to EPA emission guidelines. You can check for an EPA sticker on the grate or under it to make sure your stove doesn't emit harmful pollutants.
How to Start a Wood Fire
The scent and sound of a wood fire can be a welcome feature in any house. It's essential to know how to build a fire in your stove. Unintentional methods can lead to an unburned fire that doesn't burn effectively, and can produce smoke or creosote. The following tips can help you start a fire that is safe and will warm your home quickly and effectively.
Examine the condition of your logs and coals before you start the fire. If they're too damp, they will smother the fire and prevent it from burning efficiently. You may also want to open the flue to let out any ash that has been deposited into the stove.
Start by placing some small, dry newspaper pieces in the stove. This will help ignite the tinder and ignite the kindling. Once these begin to ignite, add a layer of larger pieces to the top of the pile. This should be done using the crosshatch pattern to ensure that there is air between each piece.
If your wood stove has an automatic combustion control, it will automatically pump air into the fire as it grows. This allows the fire to burn for a long time without you having to open the stove door constantly to tend to it.
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 efficiently. If you have a nice fire and a bed of tinder in your stove, begin the main fire by placing two large logs of the base across the grate. On the top of these base woods put a layer of wood perpendicular to them. This method of creating the fire is 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 once your fire has been established and kept it closed. The fire could be smothered if you open the damper before it is fully established. It will also reduce the effectiveness of the fire.
Add Wood
Stoves aren't just beautiful home décor pieces - they can help you save money by supplying efficient wood heat. They can be used by themselves or together with central heating or a furnace system to provide the supplemental heating required in large homes or homes with many rooms. A lot of the stoves that burn cleanly available use advanced combustion technology that separates the burning volatile compounds from combustible gasses and tar. This is achieved by supplying air in two different stages. The first stage is to aid in the vaporization process, and the second is to provide fresh air that has been pre-heated. This enhances the combustion process and helps reduce the odors.
The amount of heat you will get from a stove depends on the species and moisture content of the wood you use as well as the size of the logs. To allow the wood to dry, the logs should be stored in a well ventilated area for a couple of months prior to burning. If the logs are too wet they will release lots of steam, which is essentially wasted energy.
You should add wood to the pile at intervals, not all at one time. In addition, adding too much wood all at once could cause the temperature to rise within the firebox, causing the formation of a vortex that draws smoke and volatile compounds that are not burned back into flames. This can reduce the effectiveness of your stove.
Avoid burning other combustibles in your stove such as cardboard or paper, because they are not wood. They have different physical properties and cannot be burned without producing dangerously high temperatures. Also, avoid using compressed combustibles like wood briquettes as they have a completely different physical and chemical composition from real firewood, and are not approved for burning in wood-burning stoves.
It is important that a professional install and test your wood burning stove. A certified WETT technician will examine your stove to make sure that it is safe and efficient. They can also make sure that your chimney is functioning properly. They provide 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 spot. They will also ensure that all house occupants know and follow the fire evacuation guidelines in the event of an emergency.
Adjusting the Damper
A damper controls how much heat is lost up the chimney when you're not using your stove. It can also be used to control the fire. If the flue is open but the damper is too closed, the fire won't burn properly and will release smoke into your living space. You can adjust your damper to ensure the best flames by experimenting with different positions.
You want to keep your damper open to allow air to flow into and out of the flue while a fire is burning. This allows the fire to get a good fire going and helps it stay burning so that you can enjoy it for hours. The right opening will prevent the fire from being deprived of air and stop it from blowing smoke.
To be able to adjust your damper you need to first make sure the fireplace is preheated and the stove is hot. This will ensure that the chimney stays warm and has a good draft. After that, the damper for wood stoves can be adjusted.
After the fire has smolder a bit you should shut the damper down to about three-quarters of its maximum. This will stop warm room air from escaping up the chimney while still allowing the smoke to escape out of the wood stove.
This is the best way to keep your fire lit and keep it from getting too hot. The draft may be stopped if you close the damper to far but a cold wind could enter your home if the damper is not closed.
Placing your hand on the top of the flue pipe will inform you how much the damper has opened. If you feel a breeze pushing against your hand The damper is most likely to be open.
The damper settings can vary from one stove to another and even between different kinds of wood. You can experiment with various settings to get an idea of the ideal setting for your stove.
Clean Up
It is essential to clean your flue and stove after a fire. This can reduce the risk of a chimney fire, which is the most common cause of wood stove related fires in homes. Creosote, a sticky material that can build up in the stovepipe, is very dangerous. The moisture and the unburned parts of wood that cannot escape the flame are the reason for this chemical. This can also occur when fires aren't lit properly.
Regular cleaning helps keep away the buildup of creosote. The best way 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 a year, too.
It is also recommended to clean out the ash tray and grate it regularly. It is recommended to burn only wood that is well-seasoned because it produces less creosote. Avoid burning paper, cardboard and plastic. These can release chemicals that can be dangerous for respiratory illnesses and the atmosphere, which may be released into your home.
The glass on the wood stove has to be cleaned frequently too. Most newer wood stoves have self-cleaning windows, so they don't require as much cleaning. If you're unable to clean the glass of your wood stove as clean as you would like you can use stove glass cleaners available that can be used on the window.
Some other helpful tips to maintain your wood stove are to turn the vent off when you're not using it, and opening the door or window to increase air flow. This will help keep the fire burning hotter and more efficiently, as it will not need to exert as much effort to circulate air. It is a good idea not to stack logs or leave them on the fire for a long time. This can cause splits and warping. Finally, antique wood stove is a good idea to avoid using compressed combustible logs in your wood stove, as the paraffin they contain can melt and then flow down the flue which could damage it.