How to Operate a Wood Stove Properly

If you want to get the most out of your wood stove, you need to know a few things on how it operates. If you do things improperly, it would take you ages to start a fire. Here are some pointers on how to burn wood on a stove.

Tip Number 1: Remember Water Is Not for Burning
This is one of the fundamental things to remember when you burn wood. Never use a green wood as fuel. Fresh wood is composed of 50 percent water. This only means that for each kilogram of wood you are burning, you are adding about a pint of water. Of course, water is not for burning. Therefore, if you try to burn green wood with your wood burning stove , it will take you forever to start a fire.

There are several ways to dry a fresh wood. Drying the wood yourself is the most affordable option. However, you need to make sure that you have sufficient space in your yard where you can dry the wood. It takes some time for you to dry a wood. You may need to spend a whole summer or two to ensure that the wood have dried completely.

If you do not want to bother yourself in drying the wood, then the best way to acquire dried wood is to find a reliable supplier. Make sure that your supplier has good credentials and has undergone accreditation. This will give you the assurance that the logs are really dry, since they have undergone auditing.

You can also buy dried briquettes. They serve as excellent firewood. However, you may encounter sustainability issues when you use this type of wood. This is also the most expensive way of obtaining wood for your wood stove. On the other hand, this is the easiest way of acquiring wood if your location has a limited supply of dried wood.

Tip Number 2: Learn How to Manage the Air
There are two types of air when it comes to multi fuel stoves. The primary air provides oxygen to the bed of the fire, while the secondary air feeds the flames above the stove. The burning gases released when heated are the source of energy of the wood. Therefore, the secondary air is more important than the primary. There are golden rules when it comes to managing air in the wood stove.

The first rule is never close completely the secondary air vent. Closing it completely is the easiest way for soot and tar to coat the glass at the front of your stove. You must also avoid opening the stove door when you are lighting a fire, unless it is stated by the manual. Keeping the doors open will reduce the efficiency of the stove. It also makes the heat go straight up to the chimney instead of flowing to your room. Always aim for a hot and fast burning flame, since this is the most efficient way of operating a wood stove.

Always follow the two pointers mentioned above when starting a fire with a wood stove. Use dried wood as fuel and manage the air properly.