How to Use a Wood Stove

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards.

There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 89% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status.

This article has been viewed 416,515 times.

A wood stove is a cozy way to heat up a room or an entire house, but using one can be frustrating if you’ve never done it before. The important things to remember are that you want a hot and fast fire, which is most efficient, and that fire needs oxygen in order to burn. It’s also important that you never leave a fire unattended, and never let children play near the wood stove.

Starting a Fire in a Wood Stove
  1. Add a few logs of wood that have dried for about 6 months.
  2. Open all the control valves to allow oxygen flow.
  3. Add some kindling, like newspaper.
  4. Use a match or lighter to set the kindling on fire.
  5. Close the door and adjust the valves to keep the fire going.
  6. Add new logs as needed.
Part 1 of 3:

Starting a Fire

Step 1 Read the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 2 Choose the right fuel.

Advertisement

Step 3 Open all the controls.

Step 4 Put in some kindling.

Step 5 Light the fire.

Step 6 Add some small logs.

Advertisement Part 2 of 3:

Keeping a Fire Burning

Step 1 Keep the door closed.

Step 2 Add larger logs.

Step 3 Close the air intakes partially.

Step 4 Use fans to circulate the heat.

<a href=Step 5 Use proper safety precautions when using the wood stove." width="460" height="345" />

Advertisement Part 3 of 3:

Cleaning and Maintaining the Wood Stove

Step 1 Burn seasoned wood only.

Step 2 Clean out the ashes regularly.

Step 3 Clean the firebox weekly.

Step 4 Have the stove inspected annually.

Advertisement

Community Q&A

Is a wood burning stove safe on a park home site? Community Answer

Yes, they're safe everywhere, provided they're installed correctly and cleaned religiously. However, the park may not allow them. So, obtain permission and any specific guidelines first.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

I have a Timberline wood stove, and I need to take down the stove pipe to clean it. How do I get that down? It has two 90 degree angles in it.

Community Answer

If you've never done it before, then call a chimney cleaning company and have them clean it. There are many different types of piping and connecting methods. Pay close attention to what they do to handle yourself in the future. The entire pipe must be cleaned regularly, which is determined by your frequency of use. Ask for a suggested cleaning interval based on your use and types of wood or other fuel used.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

To minimize the release of hot gases, do I have the damper fully open or partly closed? David Webb Community Answer

When you first light the fire, it is best to have the damper fully open. Once the fire is burning consistently, set the damper at about halfway. This allows enough oxygen for the fire to burn hot without flaring and burning too quickly. If you want the fire to burn overnight, you can put some larger wood on and get it burning properly, then close the damper to slow the burn right down. In the morning, you should be able to rake out the coals and add some kindling to get it going again.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow