There’s nothing quite like the warmth and comfort that a multi – fuel stove or wood burner can bring to a room on those cold, winter nights. Whilst certainly acting as a wonderful addition to any living space, it is extremely important that the proper steps are taken to ensure that you have the most enjoyable, and safest possible experience with your stove or wood burner.
Solid Fuel Stoves are extremely different to gas and electric fires, and may need more care and maintenance than an open coal fire. However, they are beautiful to watch, and cost effective. With a little practice, you can truly get the best out of them.
Below is an easy to follow step-by-step guide on how to successfully light a fire in your stove.
Step 1 – Open the air controls fully.
Step 2 – Place a firelighter, or 5 to 10 pieces of tightly twisted newspaper onto the grate.
Step 3 – Build a wigwam, or ‘crib’ of kindling over the fire lighting material. Make sure the kindling is really dry.
Step 4 – Light the firelighter or paper and close the door nearly all the way, but leave slightly ajar. This reduces condensation on the glass as it warms up.
Step 5 – Once the kindling is burning well, place a small log or two (or some smokeless briquettes) on the fire, leaving the door slightly ajar until the logs catch well.
Step 6 – Close the door and allow the fire to build up by adding another small log or two or some smokeless fuel. If the fire dies down then slightly open the door again to give it more air.
Step 7 – Leave the fire to burn through and get fully warmed up before reducing the air controls down to a running position. Don’t leave the stove unattended whilst warming up, as this could potentially lead to over firing.
If any difficulty is experienced keeping logs burning, this is often down too the fact that the air controls have been shut down too soon, before everything has properly warmed up.
It is also imperative that you check your wood is less than 20% moisture inside the log when split – use a moisture meter for this.
Getting you flue swept and checked annually can also ensure you don’t experience slow burning and smoking.
