1) What is the correct way to start a fire?
a.) You will need small pieces of dry wood (kindling) and paper. Use only newspaper or paper that
has not been coated or had unknown materials glued or applied to it.
Never
use coated (typically
advertising flyers) or coloured paper.
b.) Open the door of the wood stove.
c.) Crumple several pieces of paper and place them in the centre of the firebox and directly on to the
firebricks of the wood stove
.
Never
use a grate to elevate the fire.
d.) Place small pieces of dry wood (kindling) over the paper in a "Teepee" manner. This allows for
good air circulation, which is critical for good combustion.
e.) Light the crumpled paper in 2 or 3 locations.
Note: It is important to heat the air in the stovepipe
for draft to start.
f.) Fully open the air control of the wood stove (
) and close the door until it
is slightly open, allowing for much needed air to be introduced into the fire box. Never leave the
door fully open as sparks from the kindling may occur causing injury. As the fire begins to burn
the kindling, some additional kindling may be needed to sustain the fire. DO NOT add more paper
after the fire has started.
g.) Once the kindling has started to burn, start by adding some of your smaller pieces of seasoned
(dry) firewood.
Note: Adding large pieces at the early stages will only serve to smother the fire.
Continue adding small pieces of seasoned (dry) firewood, keeping the door slightly open until
each piece starts to ignite. Remember to always open the door slowly between placing wood into
the fire.
h.) Once the wood has started to ignite and the smoke has reduced, close the wood stove door fully.
The reduction of smoke is a good indication that the draft in the chimney has started and good
combustion is now possible. Larger pieces of seasoned (dry) firewood can now be added when
there is sufficient space in the firebox. Adjust the air control setting to desired setting
(see page 9).
i.) Note: The lower the air control setting the longer the burn time of your firewood.
2) What type of wood is best to use as Firewood?
Dry seasoned hardwood should be used. Avoid green unseasoned wood. Green wood, besides
burning at only 60 percent of the fuel value of dry seasoned wood, will deposit creosote on the
inside of your stove and along the inside of your chimney.
3) What does dry seasoned wood mean, and what is considered hardwood?
Wood that has been dried for a period of one year in a well-ventilated and sheltered area would
be considered dry seasoned wood. Hardwoods are generally from slow growth trees
(Example:
Oak and Fir)
. Softwoods are generally from fast growth trees.
(Example: Pine and Spruce)
(see page 9 of this manual)
see page 8 of this manual
IMPORTANT
HELPFUL HINTS WORTH REPEATING
17
