How to Light a Fire 

Before lighting a fire, it is paramount to ensure that the right type of wood which has been well dried is used to avoid too much smoke, which is damaging to the stove or even pose as a fire hazard. This would also reduce the efficiency of the stove. To light the fire, place the firewood on the fire grates and then lit. Any smoke produced will pass through the flue then to the chimney where it is release to the atmosphere. It is easier to light the fire if one uses kindling.

Kindling are the small pieces of dried wood that lights the fire at first. They are effective as they catch fire quickly. It is not advisable to use wood that is painted, varnished or treated with wood preservatives.

It is important to know the type and quality of wood you are using as some types of wood burn better others burn faster some give off more heat and others take long before they extinguish.

All types of wood portray different traits for instance soft woods burn quickly, and at a faster rate than hard woods which burn slowly. For the wood burning stove, it is advisable to use ash, beech or hazel. There are various ways of lighting a fire. However, there is a safe and better way of lighting a fire in a wood burner.

The first step is to remove any ash from inside the stove. This is to make ensure that the flow of the air is not interrupted. The vents should be opened to allow air to circulate thus help the fire to burn. The next step is to place a very flammable material such as newspapers on the graft. On top of these papers, place a layer of kindling sticks. Once this is done, light the papers and close the stove door. When the kindling sticks are well lit, add few larger pieces of wood. Do not fill the oven to capacity as this may hinder air circulation. To maintain a satisfactory level of heat, close the bottom vents and open the upper ones to decrease the amount of airflow into the stove.

For best performance, it is important to ensure that there is a good supply of air entering the stove. The amount of air getting into the stove can be controlled using the vents. Controlling the air ensures that overheating does not occur which could otherwise be damaging to the stove. A good fire is the one that burns in a lively manner. If the fire is smoky or tar deposits starts to form at the chimney, the fire is definitely not going to give its best results. It is also advisable to use the stove regularly to keep the inside of the chimney dry and prevent accumulation of tar deposits. This will also prevent the stove from the effects of cooling and expansion that could lead to damage.