We are sure you cannot wait to light the first fire in your woodburning or multifuel stove. Here are a few tips to help you start and make the most of the enjoyment and heat efficiency.
The key to a clean burning stove fire is using the correct fuel. Your logs should be either kiln dried or seasoned with moisture content between 15-20% which is when the firewood burns most efficiently. Wood with a higher moisture content creates more smoke, will produce less heat and can create more tar and soot in your chimney, which can increase maintenance costs and the risk of a chimney fire.
Have kindling and flamers at hand to help you start lighting the fire and open the stove’s air vents. The most recommended way to build a fire is the “Top Down Method”. This is where you stack the firewood in reverse order compared to traditional fire-building techniques.
Lighting A Fire In Your Stove Guide
When lighting your stove, start by placing two logs on the base. Arrange them in a flat, even layer, leaving some space between them for airflow. Next, add kindling on top of the logs. Make sure the kindling is dry and stack it up in Jenga fashion layers allowing enough airflow. Place a flamer or a firelighter immediately beneath the top layer of kindling and light.
By starting the fire higher up in the stove will cause the stove pipe and liner heat up swiftly which will improve the draw. Once all the kindling is in flames the fire will spread to the larger logs. Logs burn best on a bed of embers/ ashes so make sure the fire is well established prior to adding more fuel. Regulate the air vents to control the burn rate. More air will result in a hotter, faster burn, while less air will slow it down.
Modern stoves are very efficiently engineered appliances designed to be used with the doors closed. When re-fuelling the stove release the door catch to crack the door open slightly before opening fully. This enables the air pressure to equalise and prevent unwelcome puffs of smoke coming into the room.
Make sure to avoid overloading and overfiring the stove, which could cause inefficient burning and potential damage to your stove.
Using Your Stove Top Tips
- Use a fireproof glove to handle wood or adjust the stove air vents, if necessary.
- Use a stove pipe thermometer to monitor the temperature for safe burning.
- The first few fires in a brand new stove might be accompanied by a slight chemical smell, this relates to the stove paint curing. This should not be a cause of concern and will diminish soon.
- Make sure your chimney is regularly swept and the stove serviced by a professional.
- Always follow the stove manufacturer’s guidelines for specific instructions.