Wood burners are a timeless addition to any home, providing warmth, charm, and a connection to the age-old tradition of heating with wood. If you’re new to using a wood burner and looking for beginner tips to light your wood burner, we have compiled an article with the basics. As a beginner, you can find the process of lighting and operating it a bit daunting, fear not! In this article, we share step by step guide to lighting your wood burner and keeping the fire going!
Overcoming the Nervousness
Using a wood stove for the first time can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the process. The advice here is to start with a generous amount of fuel (Wood). Emphasizing the importance of not holding back, the suggestion is to avoid a hesitant approach, as it may prevent the stove from reaching the necessary operating temperature, leading to issues such as blackened glass and poor drawing.
How to Start a Fire In Your Wood Burner
To light a fire in your wood-burning stove, you’ll need the following:
- Kindling: This could include small pieces of wood, twigs, or wooden sticks – anything that ignites easily will work (check out our worlds best kindling article)
- Larger logs: For the main event, you will need larger logs. Go for kiln-dried or well-seasoned woods with less than 20% moisture content.
- Matches/Lighter: You’ll need these to light the fire. Go with long matches or a long lighter to stop you getting burnt!
- Paper: While it’s not always necessary, paper can help test the draw before you light a fire. Set a little bit alight inside the stove to check the chimney pull.
Stage 1: Open the air vents/dampers to max air flow (usually left), this will allow the max amount of air flow to get the fire lit.
Stage 2: As a beginner start by crisscrossing kindling, creating ample gaps for airflow, starting with a substantial amount of kindling won’t harm the stove. Then place firelights/paper around the kindling.
Stage 3: Light the firelighter/paper in multiple places (if safe to do so).
Getting Your Wood Burner To Operating Temperature
Stage 4: Leave the stove door slightly ajar and the vent fully open, it’s advised to allow the fire to blaze. Though it might be intimidating, the goal is to get the stove up to its operating temperature. This is crucial for optimal performance, as indicated by a thermometer reading between 250 and 500 degrees Fahrenheit (120 to 250 degrees Celsius). Additionally, fire bricks, initially blackened from burning, will clean off, signalling that the stove has reached full operating temperature.
Building the Fire In Your Wood Burner
Stage 5: To build the fire, it’s recommended to place a couple of small logs at the base of the stove, gradually building up the fire with larger logs as you go. Creating gaps between the logs is crucial, as it facilitates proper airflow. The recommendation is to go for more fuel initially, easing into using less as you become accustomed to your specific stove and its drawing requirements.
You will need to close the air vents/dampers (Usally push right) to keep the fire going at the preferred rate (The hotter the fire, the more logs you’ll burn!).
Patience Pays Off
Stage 6: Once the stove reaches operating temperature, it’s stressed the importance of patience. Even if there’s still black residue on the glass, resist the urge to shut the stove down prematurely. Allow it time to clear up, ensuring that everything inside the stove is clean.
Helpful guides and places to ask questions as a new wood burner owner
- Take a look at our other guides on our website!
- Join the Facebook Group, no question is a bad question, and we have over 35K+ UK users ready to help and give information based on their woodburning experience!
- And you can always reach out to technical experts, or read your specific wood burner manufacturer guides.
Mastering the art of using a wood stove may seem like a daunting task, but with the guidance provided by experts, you can confidently light your stove and enjoy the warmth it brings to your home. Remember, a generous amount of fuel, proper airflow, and patience are key elements in achieving the optimal operating temperature for your wood burner. Happy burning!
