Congratulations! You’re the owner of a new wood burning stove. Of course, you cannot wait to get it lit so that you can sit back and enjoy the warmth from a roaring fire, but before you get going, read on to discover some of the basic facts that every wood burning stove owner should know.
Have you got the right stove? Yes, maybe a funny question to ask if you’ve already made your purchase, but if you haven’t then you should make sure that you do your homework. Speak with the sales person to find out whether the stove that you’re interested in will send out enough heat to keep your home warm. The sales person should ask you what size your room is and then use a heat calculator to work out whether the one you’re buying is suitable for you particular situation.
Explore Your Wood-Burning Stove
Now you need to know a few pointers about the design of your wood stove. The section inside the stove is known as the firebox. You should also find two vents that will help you to control the fire with the amount of air that reaches it. The one across the bottom is the main primary vent. The one at the top is the secondary vent. Together these vents will give you the ability to control how fast your wood burns.
On top of the wood stove you’ll see a pipe. This is known as the flue. This is where the smoke and gases go to take them away from your living area. They are sent up the chimney to be emitted outside.
How to Light Your Wood Burning Stove
Now that you’re ready to light your first fire, remember to start small. Not only do you need to get the hang of it but there is a scientific reason why you should start in this manner. There are certain residues that should be burnt off such as paint, glue etc from when your wood stove was manufactured. Yes, it’s a bit like running in an engine on a new car, however, you’ll only need between 4 and 6 hours to ‘run in’ your new wood stove.
Safety
It’s essential that you use an installer who is registered and recognised as somebody who provides quality work. They will recognise and address any issues that may prevent your wood stove from operating in a safe and efficient manner.
Don’t forget, you should now be getting your chimney swept each year so that you don’t get too much build up that could lead to a chimney fire.
So there you go, a beginners guide to a wood burning stove.
