Wood Stove Operating Tips
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Whether you are starting your fire for the first time or for the season have a small fire then
let it cool down. If it is a brand new stove open windows during the first fire as oils in the
metal will burn and the high temperature paint will finish curing giving off odors. If you are
starting your stove for the first time this season a small fire will assure you your stove is
working properly. If you experience smoke coming back into your home the back puffing
could be from a blocked chimney. During the summer and early fall leaves can collect in
the chimney or even a birds nest can be in there. Properly clean your chimney. If it is just
a faint smell of smoke you may need to replace the gaskets around doors and windows.
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When cleaning out the fire box always leave some ash in the bottom. Wood burns better
when it is lying in ash. Ash holders are great to use when cleaning out your wood stove.
They have either a double bottom or legs to prevent heat from transferring to your
carpeting or wood floor.
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Burning your wood stove produces dry heat in your home. A wood stove humidifier is a
great way to put moisture back into the air. A few tips when using a humidifier never let it
burn dry it can cause the cast iron to crack. To prevent the water from boiling use a trivet
under the humidifier. If water should splash out onto a hot stove it will leave marks on the
stove surface. A painted stove can always be touched up (when the stove is cool) but if
you have an enamel finished stove the water marks can be permanent.
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On occasion it is OK to over fire your stove for a brief period only. Prolonged over firing
can cause damage like warping or cracks. If you notice your stove burning too hot cut
back on the air intake and reduce the damper down to a minimum opening, this will slow
the burn rate down.
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It is best to use only seasoned firewood in your wood stove. Burning scrap lumber (kiln
dried wood) burns quickly and can cause your stove to heat up too fast which can crack
or warp your stove. Caution should be used if you decide to burn wood pallets in your
stove. If the pallet is tinted green it has been treated with pesticides and burning will
release them into the air. Do not burn painted pallets the toxins can harm your catalytic
combustor. If you decide to burn the untreated or unpainted pallets only use one or two
pieces mixed with seasoned firewood. If you have scrap lumber it is OK to split it up for
use as kindling only.
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