To make a fire in a fireplace and stove

To make a fire in a fireplace and stove

Check that the damper is open. Place the split wood so tightly that the burning wood “warms each other”, but still so scattered that the fire is aired.

In a wood stove you should start with burning some paper in the flue or the soot-door just before you light the fire. If you are worried that it might smoke, you can see which direction it draws from in the stove by keeping a burning match in the upper part of the opening.

Use dry and proper wood for the sace of your neighbours and the environment.

Put in crumpled newspaper or thin small pieces of wood to light with under the wood. If the flame draws out of the stove you should turn off the kitchen fan. If you still have cold air coming out from the chimney you can open a window in the room just when you light the fire. The air that quickly rushes in then generally goes out through the chimney and gives draft in the right direction. You can use the same method to “turn” a stove or a fireplace that is smoking.

Don’t choke the access of air too much when the fire has burnt up. Check the air access by going out and looking at the smoke: a correctly burning wood fire leaves only carbon dioxide and steam, and therefore you hardly see any smoke at all. If it is very cold the smoke may be white.

All stoves, fireplaces and chimneys need to be cleaned regularly to function well.

Axe Information | Previous | Next chapter : Ashes