How to light a wood burning stove

Different manufacturers of wood burners have different recommendations on how to light a wood burning stove. The method recommended by the manufacturer of the wood burner will depend not only on the model of the wood burning stove but also it will depend on the wood fuel that you use, whether it be wood logs or wood pellets. Some of the typical methods recommended by manufacturers for how to light a wood burner are described below, but you should always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for specific advice on how to light a wood burning stove.

How to light a wood burning stove or wood burner that uses wood logs using the “bottom- up” method  

This method depends critically on choosing the right wood logs, particularly in terms of their size and moisture content which can vary greatly. To achieve success in lighting your wood burner using this method, it is critical that high quality, dry wood logs are used. When purchasing wood logs for immediate use always look for the “Ready to Burn” certification mark. This shows that the moisture content of the wood logs is less than 20% and is ready for burning.

For this method you will need some newspapers, a firelighter, wood kindling and your wood logs. Use the appropriate safety gloves and equipment.

• • Use two tabloid-size pieces of newspaper crumpled into a loose ball about the size of a cricket ball or firelighters and place them in the combustion chamber of the wood burning stove. If you use paper that is too lax, the paper will burn too fast and may not ignite the kindling; this will mean having to restart the lighting process. If you use paper  that is too compact then it will not combust properly and will smoulder causing excessive smoke. If the flue is not up to temperature this smoke may escape from the openings of the appliance and then enter into your room.
  • Place small pieces of dried kindling into a triangular shape over the newspaper, allowing for air gaps. On larger appliances you should place two small logs on either side of the kindling to allow for larger logs to be placed over them once the kindling is burning well.
  • With the use of a firelighter and a small amount of wood kindling, a small amount of heat will be produced to warm the wood burner and flue. Firelighters can be an easier method as they burn at a steady rate, unlike newspaper which can differ dependent on its state when burned.

Ensure that the air controls are set to the manufacturer’s guidelines to make lighting as easy as possible.

How to light a wood burning stove or wood burner that uses wood logs using the “top-down” method 

The “bottom up” method of lighting a fire has been used since the dawn of wood burning stoves, but due to technological advance over time, the wood burning stove has evolved. With wood burners now being more efficient there is less heat lost up the chimney and more heat radiated into the room.

The “top-down” method for lighting a wood burning stove and which is described below helps the flue and stove to get up to temperature more quickly and reduces the need for you to open the stove door to add fuel to the kindling which means there is less chance of the combustion chamber cooling.  This should result in a much cleaner ignition with less smoke pollution coming out of the chimney during start up.

This method depends critically on you choosing the right wood logs, particularly in terms of their size and moisture content which can vary greatly. To achieve success in lighting your wood burner using this method, it is critical that high quality, dry wood logs are used. When purchasing wood logs for immediate use always look for the “Ready to Burn” certification mark. This shows that the moisture content of the wood logs is less than 20% and is ready for burning.

For this method you will need a firelighter, kindling and your wood logs. Use the appropriate safety gloves and equipment.

• • Place two small logs across the fire bed.
  • Place 5 pieces of kindling across the two logs, then 4 pieces laid at a 90-degree angle across the bottom layer and place two firelighters in between the gaps.
  • Add another five pieces of kindling laid in the same direction as the bottom layer.
  • Set the controls of the appliance to the lighting position.
  • Light the firelighters and close the door of the appliance. The fire will slowly increase, warming the flue gradually without producing copious amounts of smoke and pollutants to the atmosphere.
  • Set the air controls to the manufacturer’s settings.

Leave the kindling well alone until the top of the appliance is warm and then close the primary air control, the kindling will fall between the logs. Once these are burning well then you should adjust the burn rate of the stove and add more logs to the fire as required.

How to light a wood burning stove or wood burner that uses wood pellets.

For wood burning stoves that use wood pellets as their fuel, then the method described below should be used;  

• • Ensure the ash from the previous burn has been removed from the grate.
  • Ensure there are wood pellets in the hopper.
  • Press the start button on the stove or remote control.
  • You should have a flame burning in a few minutes once the pellets have burst into flame.

You should always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for your pellet wood burning stove.

Further Information on how to light a wood burning stove or wood burner

The Island Pellet Stoves website has a range of resources and frequently asked questions to help you get the best from your wood burning stove or wood burner. Follow the link below for more information or give us a call on – 0330 111 4747